In all of the annals of nautical history - no boat has ever been 'done' until it is resting on the bottom. And even then, there has often been some poor cockeyed optimist who will try to refloat and resurrect her.
Always remember the rule of three's: Any project attempted on a boat will cost three times as much and take three times as long as the original estimate. It will take three trips to the chandlery and there will be three jobs which necesarily must be done before beginning the original project - each of which has its own rule of three's. Any attempt to incorporate the Rule of Three's into your estimate will result in an additional tripling of the tripled estimate.
I have a poem you might like:
By Elliot MacDonald<o></o>
It's a perfect day to varnish, First Mate's not here today.
The sun is warm, the air is clear, teak looks a little gray.<o></o>
I can freshen up those hand rails in three hours, maybe less.
I'll have it done in no time; I'll even clean my mess.<o></o>
So off I go to West Marine with my list of stuff to get:<o></o>
Some masking tape, some sandpaper, some varnish and I'm set.<o></o>
I kind of set a budget; it's not that big a chore.<o></o>
I'll spend less than thirty dollars, or just a little more.<o></o>
Back at the boat and I decide this job could get done quicker<o></o>
With my electric sander and a little sip of liquor<o></o>
I sip my rum while I string out extension cords but then<o></o>
The electric isn't working when I try to plug things in.<o></o>
So I'll give up on sanding and solve this problem first<o></o>
I trace the wires and find one loose, I anticipate the worst<o></o>
But luck is with me, it can be fixed with a crimp-on wire connect.<o></o>
I plug it in and smoke pours out, must be one more defect.<o></o>
I quickly throw the breaker off and hope no harm was done.<o></o>
I sip my rum and contemplate; this boat work's so much fun.<o></o>
So then I check the main fuse to the inverter - then I groan.<o></o>
It's a fifty dollar item and for sure the damn thing's blown!<o></o>
And off I go to West Marine for the second time today.<o></o>
They all know me by my first name, I am how they earn their pay.<o></o>
They know I'll stop and see them sixty times when I'm in port<o></o>
My visit's brief, I'm busy, I must go back and find my short.<o></o>
I find the short and fix it and then replace the fuse.<o></o>
I plug the sander in, but first, a little sip of booze.<o></o>
We sailors have to drink, you know, it helps to keep us sane.<o></o>
It helps us to forget our woe, it helps to numb the pain.<o></o>
I go to the fridge; ice for my drink will make it nice and cool<o></o>
But what's this puddle on the sole, it looks more like a pool.<o></o>
Oh, ****, the fridge is broken, I've got another task<o></o>
I know where I'll be going soon, you don't even have to ask.<o></o>
I'm back again to see my friends at my local West Marine.<o></o>
I'm sure that as a customer, I'm the best they've ever seen.<o></o>
This time I need an obscure part for my marine refrigerator<o></o>
Jim says they always stock that part, they all fail now or later.<o></o>
I estimated thirty bucks, I've now spent ninety eight.<o></o>
My ice is gone, my rum is warm and back comes my first mate.<o></o>
She cheerfully unloads her bags and then I hear her sing,<o></o>
"And what did you get done today?" I answer, "Not a thing!"<o></o>
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