"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 28 Dec 2005 22:43:44 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:

Just stay away from teak and a 50 footer is little more work than a 30
footer.

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That's true as far as it goes but overall maintenance is a lot higher
on larger boats. The price and complexity of just about everything
goes up about exponentially with length and weight.

Here's an example. I just spent $1400+ to get my props reconditioned,
balanced, repainted and reinstalled. On my old Bertram 33 I could
have had a brand new pair for substantially less than that.

It goes on. The Bert had one zone of heating and air conditioning to
maintain, the GB has 4. The Bert had one fridge to maintain, the GB
has 3 plus a deep freeze and ice maker. Refrigeration techs make
about the same as diesel mechanics and are harder to find.

Just put a new raw water pump on my port side engine, $900 with labor.
On the Bert, about $400.

The Bertram 33 used 3 gallons of oil per change + $15 for filters.
The GB uses 12 gallons and $60 for filters.

It begins to add up.


I suppose. So far, other than buying a set of spare props, a few oil
changes and a new fresh water pump, I haven't had any equipment problems on
the Navigator. Oh, and the joystick controllers for the thrusters that I
haven't replaced yet. I've had the boat for five years now, so that isn't
too bad. Also have four A/C heat pump units, but only two refrigerators. All
are working fine.

1400+ bucks for prop reconditioning? Wow! I purchased two spares (30d x
30p, four bladed) for 800 bucks each.

I took Harry's post as meaning too much work in terms of cleaning and normal
maintenance, but I understand your point.

Eisboch