2026 Spring Commissioning on a Budget and a Prayer

As boat owners know, there's always something that needs doing before launch. In my case, lots of somethings.  Seasonal maintenance. Replacement projects and the usual 'why did I start this' job.

Our boat club has two spring launch dates.  I normally take the later one, as I’m usually such a hot mess and never ready, but I realized, I’ll probably never be ready for either launch.  So, I’m aiming for the early one.  Which means, I need to hustle this spring, once it’s warm enough to work outside.

This is my Spring 2026 Commissioning list, the must-do’s and the dreams I'm letting myself have.

Must Do Before the Boat Launch

Complete Electrical to the mast

I started this last year and ran new wiring from the bottom of the mast and another half way up for the steam ship light. I’m sure the rest is really simple for someone who understands electrical.  Me, on the other hand, I know just enough to get in trouble.  So, I’ll need help with this one.  If I didn’t lose any parts to this puzzle, this is budget friendly.

Head Thru-Hull

Replace valves, install new hoses and replace all hardware.  Currently the intake valve is stuck in the open position.  I lubricated, heated it up (without making a fire) and had other people look at it.  So, it just really needs to be replaced.  I think this will be budget friendly as I have all the material except hoses and clamps.

Antifoul Paint on the Hull

I did it last year, but had bought 2 quarts of really old paint for a “great deal”. Well, it was spreadable, what can I say.   Needless to say, I was disenchanted on haul out day, silver lining, I only had 5 or 6 barnicals. So much work goes into prepping for antifoul paint. This will not be budget friendly.  Marine products are expensive, at least in my eyes they are. I’ll need a prayer that my body won’t make me crash in my recliner and spend quality time with a heating pad.

Install Wooden Blocks on Small V-berth Cushion

Speaking of unorganized… My V-berth has three cushions: two large ones for port and starboard and a small weird-shaped one for the middle of widest part in the front.  Well, when I was re-covering that funky cushion, I removed its little legs so I could wrap the fabric over the backboard.  They simply got up and walked away.  I searched high and low. For two seasons, I had to sleep precariously huddled against the outer wall because without those AWOL legs, that cushion will not stay in place.

Believe it or not, I found them the other day.  Inside a cabinet on the boat. Where I'd apparently put them for safekeeping.  Don’t you worry, they will be reunited very soon, before I lose them again.

Chain Plates

Remove, clean up and reseal.  I believe that this could be a source of one of my mystery leaks.  Water comes into the head closet and inside the settee locker.  Would be great to solve this one so I can use that space.

Replace Port Window Gasket and Screen

This is a constant concern and a source of mosquitoes, other creepy flying objects and water.  I’ve used tuck tape to fend off the pesky evening visitors.  What’s left of the screen is barely enough to make a difference.  Time to fix this properly.  I bought the gasket last year and planned to do it along with the two long windows.  After completing installing new port and starboard windows, I didn’t feel like tackling the port window.  I hope this is no where near as difficult as the other job.

What I'm Not Doing This Year (Let's Be Real)

Let me be clear about something: this list is aspirational, not delusional.  There are things I'd love to do, but I'm also a firm believer in knowing my limits.  So, here's what's not happening this spring:

·        Rewiring anything I don't absolutely have to

I know just enough electricity to be dangerous. I'm stopping there.

·        Re-upholstering anything else

My sewing machine and I have a fragile truce.  I'm not testing it unless I have to.

·        Pretending I understand why things leak

I've accepted that some mysteries are meant to stay unsolved.

·        Making the interior look like a magazine spread

This boat gets lived in.  It gets messy.  That's the point.

·        Feeling guilty about the things I don't get to

The river doesn't care if my teak is refinished. It just wants me to show up.

Wish List

Install Stern Rail Opening for Swim Ladder

I already have everything for this quick job.  I just have to find the parts and get around to it.  I wish I was organized (spoiler, I’m not, but I’m working on it).  This would make life just a little bit sweeter when we’re going for a dip, hopping in a kayak or launching a paddle board.

Remove the Typical Brown Wallpaper and Replace It

Already have the stick-on wallpaper.  I was checking for water and I peeled away a small section. I can't stop now, can I?

Make a Screen for the Hatch

I’m either going to make one that attaches with Velcro on the inside of v-berth or elasticised one that fits over the hatch style.  Currently I’m using an old mosquito jacket.  It requires special ritual, gently wrap the arms around the hinges, pull the hood through the bottom, lay some rope on it just right and if all goes well it stays on all night.  If not, you get visitors.

Wax Fibreglass Hull

It hasn’t been done since I bought her and I have no idea if/when the previous owner did it.  I’ll probably need a prayer for this one too.

Replace Galley Sink Through Hulls

It’s functional, but it also 45 years old and I have the valve in a bag somewhere, I think.

Refinish Interior Teak

I have the materials to do this.  Just need the time to do it before I start bringing things back on board.

Set Up Lazy Jacks

Gypsy Wind has all the gear for them, but I need to figure out how it works.

Some projects can wait.  Some ambitions are better left for winter daydreams.  And some things?  They just don't matter as much as getting on the water.

So, if my head closet still has mystery leaks and my electrical panel looks like a puzzle missing a few pieces?  So be it.  The boat floats.  The wind blows.  And I'm going to be out there.

Why I'm Aiming for the Early Launch

Because last year I learned something: waiting for "ready" means waiting forever.  I'm not ready.  I may never be.  But the river doesn't care if my to-do list is finished. It doesn't care if my screens are perfect or my teak is polished.  It just waits for me to show up.

So, this year, I'm showing up.

Here's to spring, to progress, not perfection and here's to the prayer that my body holds out through the hard stuff."