lost motivation
 

So i purchased a 1974 23 ft back in febuary. been working on it after work and when i have spare time. it had a soft spot on the port side and some nasty bottom paint. also had a seadrive motor on it. The person who owned it prior to the gentleman i purchased it from took care of it and did things right. the guy i bought it from did not. needless to saw there is a lot that the guy did wrong that i am fixing. stuff the was "rigged". The transom was redone by the original owner and done well. looking at about 5 inchs think. I cut off the skin on the port side to find wet wood. no problem i replaced it all and relayed the glass. I also started my own mods by adding a top hatch for the anchor locker on the bow. now i see the starboard side needs the floor redone and the rear deck needs to be replaced. not hard work but i just cant seem to find the motivation. I have been busting my butt to fix the boat and have logged a lot of hours doing so. I look at the boat and i just dont see the work. i feel like the project isnt going to end ever. every time i seem to fix something i find another piece that needs to be redone and fixed. Just kinda needed to vent and was hoping for some motivation from the board. Maybe i just need to take a break from the project and step back for a little. I dont know :mad: :(

Re: lost motivation
 

Whatever you do - don't take a break from it because something else will take its place and you will stop working on it. Sounds to me like its time to decide what you need to get done and what you want to get done. Next year you can attack whatever you put off this year. There will always be things you will want to do but set yourself some limits otherwise you will not get her wet and always be working on it.

That is no fun.

Re: lost motivation
 

Hey,

From the there is always someone who is worse off category:

At least you did not get just about everything done and ready (at least for the season) and then cut your hand changing oil on your truck so bad you severed a tendon and had to have surgery. Not yet sure how long I will be out but with the boat just sitting there I am miserable. Oh yeah and I would actually LOVE to be able to go to work.

If that does not help then just think of all the compliments you will get once it is done. And the pride you will feel knowing you did it and how good of a job you did.

Good Luck!

Re: lost motivation
 

Sounds like a case of “SeaCraft Burn Out” to me. It can happen to the best of us usually a few 6 packs, some time to recover, and a brake from the project is in order R & R can work wonders.
When I did my boat it took approx 150 days of work before I splashed her. Somewhere approx 2/3 of the way through I started getting some of the symptoms. I know others here have also been smitten for periods in time as well Beer and R & R usually works.
I reminded myself that it takes twice the time I thought it would to finish the job and geared down to adjust to the stress.

You will make it through good luck Brian


FellowShip

………………………….

Just for the Grins :D

Official 23’ SF Antique Classic SeaCraft Owner

Re: lost motivation
 

Try picture yourself behind the helm cruising out to the fishing grounds early in the morning. Think about how fun it's going to be taking your family and friends out in the boat. Like Tucker mentioned you can just fix the stuff that will get you running and do the less important things later down the road. What ever you do don't quit because that's bad for your self esteem :D

strick

Re: lost motivation
 

2 1/2 years into the project and probably 2 1/2 more to go. (God I hope not) [img]/forum/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: lost motivation
 

brian at least you get to work on yours. mine is just sitting there lonely.

Re: lost motivation
 

Boy, does that sound familiar. For sure, you are not alone.

Best defense is knowing we all get it. Best offense is splash the boat, even if its not totally ready.

I do Bahamas trips and the lead up is looong and painful. The boat has got to be mechanically perfect. Endless little, and not so little, jobs on the boat and gear. Lists, lists, lists, forever, and they seem never to get shorter. And, Oh God, what's been forgotten? About two weeks before trip time, my wife says I get real grumpy. She's right, I'm so sick of working on the boat I could scream. That lasts right up to the moment I splash the boat in Ft Lauderdale. At that moment, all becomes golden and I remember that all the hassle is just the price of admission to a place that we love so much no words can convey.

Hang in there, it gets better.

Connor

Re: lost motivation
 

I feel you in between the budget ( or lack of it) and work it seems like I have a 2012 model.

I really burns me to drive up to the house and see my project just sitting there.
But then when I have nothing to do I go out and bang away for 1 hr but at the rate....well it's a 2012 model.

My hope was to have it done before the end of the summer but that's not happening.
Best case would be to have it painted and then it would really be a teaser to see it nice and painted and know how much more is needed
But we all need a bit of insperation to get it done.
Keeep at it!!!!

Re: lost motivation
 

What I try to do is tackle a project that won't take me long but will give me some visable results. That way I can get back to the more tedious stuff, look up, and get an instant reinforcement as to the work I'm doing...

Re: lost motivation
 

This sounds like post something depression! COVER UP THE BOAT WITH A FEMA ROOF. TAKE A VACATION FOR ABOUT A MONTH.It's to bloody hot now anyway. KEEP LOOKING AT THE GREAT PROJECTS ON THIS SITE.
RIP OFF THE ROOF AND GO AT IT.
JUST THINK WHEN YOU GET DONE YOU WILL HAVE THE BEST BOAT AROUND, BECAUSE YOU KNOW WHATS IN THE BOAT.
Presently experiencing the same feelings with my 23 Formula Thunderbird project, and this ain't the first one.
KEEP THE FAITH
Bobbert "The Old Timer"

Re: lost motivation
 

I know exactly what you are going through. Take a break, drink some beers and throw some more money at it. I went through this exact same thing about a year ago, I managed to get through it an now could not be happier with the results.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...7/P6190039.jpg

Good luck and keep us posted.

Re: lost motivation
 

Don't feel bad... It took me two years when I re-did
the 20 SF (NoBones). As Sandy (Gofastsandman) and I
were talking about today, you need time for imagineneering!
You only want to do this ONCE!!!
This is where I'm at with the 27 Seamaster.
Take your time and it will be done the way YOU want it!!
Just keep thinking where you want to be a year from now. :D

See ya, Ken

Re: lost motivation
 

Thanks to allfor the encouragement. I am taking a small break from it for a week or two. Then I'll take another stab at it

Ken: thanks for all the help over the phone so far. Don't eant to bug you to much with a bunch of nonsense


Ba17: that boat has Been one of my biggest inspirations. I am taking alot of ides from alot of different boats but your I think I look at the most. Great looking boat :)

Re: lost motivation
 

After messing with the boat for a couple of months and realizing I had bitten off more than I could chew, I finally just said 'screw it' and paid the boat shop to rig the motor and rewire the boat. We fired the engine up for the first time last week, and I am almost ready to put 'er in the water.

I really couldn't afford to do it... I just did it... and didn't tell the wife what it cost. Thank God for business checking accounts.