It takes 3x longer to do work on a boat than other work.

[Troppo]

My plan for today was to go out to Windchaser and put a new anode trim tab on the outboard motor. When the motor was serviced a few weeks ago, the mechanic said the trim tab anode needed replacing but having none in stock, he ordered one. He said he would call me when it came in. A few days ago I phoned to find out where it was. It was there the next day by overnight delivery.

Today I packed tools in the car, drove down to the club, got almost to its front gate when I remembered I had not put in some specific tools for the trim tab fastener. Swearing only a little, I turned around and went home. Collected the extra tools and set out again.

Once I had got to the club, put the dinghy in, reached Windchaser, climbed on board and started work on the trim tab, I realised I was mistaken with what tools I needed. I didn't have a socket I needed. Grrrr! Okay. I did some other small jobs then jumped in the dinghy.

Back at the club I hauled my dinghy out and put it away. Drove home. Had a cup of tea and a snack. Found the right socket I needed. Grabbed some other things I thought might be useful. Drove back to the club, put the dinghy in the river and made my way out to Windchaser.

On Windchaser, I was happy to be able to take the old trim tab off. I had the right tools. Rain was threatening but was not yet coming down so I was extra happy. The new trim tab was not going on properly so after some mucking around I carefully compared it with the old one. I don't have the right trim tab. They gave me the wrong one. In frustration I swore again, I said "Crickey!" and "Aghhh!". Then I packed up, climbed in the dinghy, went back to the club, back to my car, back home.

I don't know what it is about boats. Sometimes it seems jobs on a boat take forever, at least 3x longer than other jobs.

troppo

[Shaun]

Even the 3x longer is conservative!
For me its probably closer to 6x or more longer, but it only feels like 3 or 4x longer because its "work" on boat stuff, that I don't mind doing.
Where ever I can I do as much I can at home, usually just making little adjustments on the boat really saves a lot if time.
cheers

[Phillip]

Did that yesterday

Went up the mast 3 times to get the nav lights back on. [Won't talk about the effort to put the steps on!]

Mind you I had taken it home Friday where I eventually found that the polarity had been reversed on the new LED bulb.

Thanks to Neptune that that was all it was.

All done Narrr, while having lunch, I had a think about how I had refixed it, then went up again to [hopefully] finally sort it out.

All done now I hope.

[SeaLady]

At least.
For me it is because I go out to do work/maintenance.
The sun is shining, a gentle steady breeze is blowing so I forget the work and put up the sails.