Sailboat Stewardship Tips: How Not To Be “That Person”

Don't become the Previous Owner (PO) that future sailors curse—penny-pinching decisions and shortcuts can create dangerous, costly problems that haunt boats for years. Learn how to be a steward, not just an owner.

By
Drew Frye
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Published:
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Non-stainless hardware. The PO of the F-24 substituted a number of non-stainless circlips just before the survey. Because they were not rusted they were missed, very nearly totaling the boat. Fortunately, we caught them during inspection when we hauled to paint the bottom. (Photo/ Drew Frye)
Non-stainless hardware. The PO of the F-24 substituted a number of non-stainless circlips just before the survey. Because they were not rusted they were missed, very nearly totaling the boat. Fortunately, we caught them during inspection when we hauled to paint the bottom. (Photo/ Drew Frye)

Good boats outlive us, or at least outlive our interest in them. In time, we become the dreaded Previous Owner (PO).  Will we make this transition gracefully and become that “great person” who really took care of that boat? Or will we be cursed to one of hell’s inner circles, along with all of our progeny, for the poor decisions and even neglect inflicted upon the boat? Do we consider ourselves to be owners, caretakers or stewards? How do we want to be seen, years from now?

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Drew Frye
Drew Frye, Practical Sailor’s technical editor, has used his background in chemistry and engineering to help guide Practical Sailor toward some of the most important topics covered during the past 10 years. His in-depth reporting on everything from anchors to safety tethers to fuel additives have netted multiple awards from Boating Writers International. With more than three decades of experience as a refinery engineer and a sailor, he has a knack for discovering money-saving “home-brew” products or “hacks” that make boating affordable for almost anyone. He has conducted dozens of tests for Practical Sailor and published over 200 articles on sailing equipment. His rigorous testing has prompted the improvement and introduction of several marine products that might not exist without his input. His book “Rigging Modern Anchors” has won wide praise for introducing the use of modern materials and novel techniques to solve an array of anchoring challenges. 

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