A few 'laws' and truths related to boat restoration

Looking back at our experience with both the BB and the 18ft Jollyboat we have reached some conclusions about wooden boat restoration. These are not entirely our own observations, some have been overheard or volunteered by other wooden boat fans. We'd like to add some of your own 'laws and truths' please e-mail them in and I will add them to the list.

1. A ten minute job always takes three hours.

2. A half hour job takes all day.

3. Everything will take twice as long as you think.

4. Everything will cost exactly twice as much as you budget for.

5. Friends will offer words of encouragement but will always be going to see relatives when you need them to help out.

6. Your biggest cost will not be timber or boat fittings but storage and workshop space.

7. You will always forget to buy at least one essential item at each visit to the chandlers.

8. The friends who were unavailable to help out will always be available to help sail your boat.

9. There will always be a shortage of the things you need most.

10. No matter how carefully you varnish a dog hair will always be in it when it has dried.

11. People will avoid you because all your conversation is about boats.

12. At the end of the project a solo round the world voyage will be no hardship because you no longer have any friends anyway.

13. The only people you get christmas cards from are timber merchants and chandlers.

Any more out there?