Our Dulcamara has always looked a bit tatty. Some would say even partially neglected. For me, this has always been a source of not shame, but of disappointment that I can never seem to find enough time to do what I'd really like to do to her.
Such things as a full re-furbish of the interior, including fitting a head liner which I've never had. Changing the red tartan cushion covers, changing the aging blue carpet that lines anything that's not tartan or timber. What about a full repaint of the hull, getting rid of the overly large sign-writing on the side and cleaning up the grey toe-rails.
On the plus side, she's pretty ship shape rigging wise, and while the sails are dirty and a bit out of shape, they're functional. In fact, as a functional weekender, she's pretty good. Longer distances may require some adjustments.
The thing I always say to those about us on moorings in Refuge Bay, or elsewhere..... "My view is the same as yours, it just didn't cost me as much"
So everytime I get a spare moment I do a little more ,a bit of trim a teak plug here a rub of oil here and there .If I keep doing this along with the annual maintenance I should never have to do a refurb as she will never get completed and I can hand her onto my son like my old man did to me ,so problem solved ?
their will still be around in years to come when we are not. The refit on ours has it,s limits ,at least we can sand our teak and hand painted non slip gives them a personal loved look ?and boat carpet looks expensive and classy! The refit on a million dollar eye catcher is only peeling off artificial veneers and and up grading the decor ? Oh and hand painted non slip looks s@#%" on a million dollar gin palace