Owning a sailboat isn’t just about the freedom of the open water—it’s also about the constant list of projects and repairs. Keeping a boat shipshape can be expensive, from routine maintenance to major upgrades. But for those of us who live aboard or cruise extensively, budget-friendly solutions are key. With ingenuity, elbow grease, and a willingness to learn, many boat projects can be tackled without breaking the bank. However, there are times when calling in professionals is the smarter move—whether for expertise, efficiency, or sheer necessity.
The Art of DIY: Cost-Effective Boat Projects
One of the biggest cost savers when it comes to boat ownership is learning to do things yourself. From electrical work to plumbing, rigging to fiberglass repairs, every new skill picked up is money saved. Over the years, Sydney and I have tackled countless projects aboard EOTI, often out of necessity rather than choice. If you’re willing to invest the time, the savings can be significant.
Tools and Materials: Spending Smart
Before diving into a DIY project, having the right tools makes all the difference. Investing in quality, multipurpose tools up front saves money in the long run. A solid set of wrenches, screwdrivers, a multimeter, and epoxy and fiberglass repair kits can handle most jobs. Sometimes, the trick is knowing where to source materials—marine-specific retailers are expensive, but alternatives exist. Plumbing parts from a home improvement store, electrical components from an automotive shop, and online surplus stores all offer budget-friendly options.
Buying secondhand or repurposing materials is another great way to save. I’ve found stainless steel fasteners and marine-grade wire at swap meets for a fraction of the retail cost. Keeping an eye out for boatyard giveaways or salvageable parts can turn a costly upgrade into a budget-friendly win.
Upgrades That Stretch Your Dollar
Not all upgrades have to be costly. Swapping out halogen bulbs for LEDs, making your own sunshades with canvas and snaps, or installing a solar-powered vent to improve airflow are small changes that make a big impact. One of my favorite budget-friendly projects was revamping our freshwater and blackwater systems. We set out to replace, upgrade, or refit every place or thing that we touched. We also, on a budget, sourced and found replacements for everything that had a motor. Buying these things on sale and buying spares so we had the lowest prices possible if they broke while we were away from the dock.
For interior comfort, simple improvements like sewing custom cockpit cushions, adding stick-on LED lighting in dark spaces, or creating a fold-out workstation can make life aboard much more enjoyable without spending a fortune. It’s amazing what a little creativity can accomplish.
Preventative Maintenance: The Cheapest Fix
One of the best ways to save money on boat projects is to prevent expensive repairs in the first place. Regular maintenance—inspecting through-hulls, rebedding deck hardware, lubricating winches, and checking rigging—keeps small problems from becoming big ones. We have replaced the hatch lids on every hatch and rebedded all of the hatches at a fraction of the normal cost. A neglected issue often turns into a major expense, and in the marine world, “major expense” usually means thousands of dollars.
DIY maintenance is also empowering. Learning to service your diesel engine, troubleshoot electrical issues, or repair gelcoat dings means you’re not reliant on an expensive mechanic in an emergency. Knowing I can handle a breakdown myself brings peace of mind when we’re cruising in remote locations.
When to Bring in the Pros
As much as I believe in DIY, there’s a time and place for hiring professionals. When Sydney was undergoing cancer treatments, I simply didn’t have the time to manage everything. Speed and reliability were more important than cost savings, so hiring a team made sense. We had riggers replace critical standing rigging and professionals handle complex electrical work—things that needed to be done right and fast.
There’s also the reality that some jobs require a level of expertise or tools that aren’t worth investing in for a one-time project. That’s where someone like Phil, our favorite shipwright, comes in. Phil’s skillset and efficiency meant he could complete work in less time than it would take me, allowing me to focus on making money—more than enough to offset what he charged. Sometimes, outsourcing is the most cost-effective choice.
Structural repairs, mast work, and major fiberglass jobs are often best left to professionals. I have taught my twin sons to do fiberglass work and watched hundreds of tutorials on YouTube with them. Even though the tutorials said exactly what I said, they believed YouTube more than me! The cost of making a mistake on these can far exceed the cost of hiring an expert from the start, so caution is warranted.
Balancing DIY and Professional Help
The trick is knowing when to roll up your sleeves and when to write a check. If a project is within your skillset (or slightly beyond it, but a learning opportunity), go for it. If it’s safety-critical, time-sensitive, or requires specialized knowledge, professionals are worth the investment.
Another approach is to hire a pro for the hardest parts while doing the simpler tasks yourself. For example, when we had the standing rigging replaced, I did all the prep work—removing the old hardware and cleaning the chainplates—before handing the job off to the professionals. We upgraded all of the blocks to Garhauer, and that itself made the personal work worthwhile. This saved both time and labor costs.
The Budget-Conscious Sailor’s Mindset
Budget-friendly boat ownership isn’t just about spending less—it’s about spending wisely. Whether you’re fixing, upgrading, or maintaining, a balance of DIY ingenuity and professional expertise will keep your boat and your bank account afloat.
The key is patience and flexibility. Sometimes a project will take longer than expected, or you’ll need to learn a new skill before tackling it. But the payoff is not just in the money saved—it’s in the satisfaction of knowing you can keep your boat running, no matter where in the world you find yourself.
Book Recommendation: “The Boatowner’s Mechanical and Electrical Manual” by Nigel Calder
This book is a must-have for any budget-conscious sailor who takes on DIY boat projects. Nigel Calder’s comprehensive guide covers everything from electrical systems and plumbing to diesel engine troubleshooting, making it an invaluable resource for those looking to maintain and upgrade their vessels without constantly relying on expensive professionals. Given our extensive experience with EOTI, this book aligns perfectly with our philosophy of balancing DIY ingenuity with knowing when to bring in the pros.
Why This Book?
- Covers essential boat maintenance and troubleshooting in detail
- Offers cost-saving repair techniques and best practices
- Helps DIY-minded sailors avoid costly mistakes
- A trusted reference used by liveaboards and cruisers worldwide
