Custom work

We made a new Bimini Cover for Nomad, then added a boom tent / sunshade. Both were "home made," though the Bimini cover came as a kit. Funny how "custom" implies one thing, "home made" just the opposite. And yet, if one is careful and has (or acquires as needed) a necessary level of skill, "home made" can exceed both factory and outsourced "custom" work.

The other interior work we have done on Nomad could also be considered "custom." It to was "home made" as well. And it came out looking at least as good as the factory work in the boat. It seems to me that, unless one has the resources to buy a very high end boat to begin with, the factory work of most boats is pretty pedestrian. Not shoddy exactly, (don't look too deep behind covers, doors, or into bilges) but not what I used to think of when I heard the word "yacht."

Nomad, in fact, is a much better boat now than it was we we first found her up on the hard and covered in blue shrink wrap. Not only are her systems working better, water, engine cooling, and electrical - but she is simply cleaner, dryer and better looking to live in. It has taken, and continues to take, considerable effort. Not only in pure labor but in learning the skills (like sewing and splicing for me) or the mechanics (diesel maintenance was new). But in the end the boat is better than factory, more capable, more comfortable, and to some extent, uniquely "ours."

It is one of the things I like about owning a boat.