Valmik's Adventures: This little boat

Summary

Early in 2008 I bought a little, old wooden Folkboat called Valmik. I was going to spend a few months on repairs and begin sailing her around Europe, with Australia being the final destination. As my knowledge of boats improved, so did the thoroughness of the restoration. I decided to become very involved in every aspect of construction, doing almost all of the work myself: making my own sails, doing the fit out and all woodwork, splicing my own rig and wiring in the 12 volt electric circuit. Self-reliance, I suppose, is the goal. Follow the link to my photo albums for a detailed documentation of the work and some videos.

For a long time now, I have been striving to achieve my goals and begin an adventure. I had planned to complete a circumnavigation of the UK and Ireland in the summer of 2015 with my wife. Unfortunately, this will not be possible and I went back to work. Valmik is ready to sail, however, and I am finally in a position to start enjoying her for what she was designed for. Of course there is a never ending list of modifications and enhancements with a small section for repairs. I will be sailing as much as possible and documenting my adventures on this blog.

My plan is to build up to a epic solo sailing Adventure.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

This little boat

I have decide to make a new water resistant, bigger, more practical electrical panel!

New panel being glued on left!.......Old panel against hull on right!

I was not happy with the old one for a few reasons. Not enough room to add instruments, it was very exposed to water and I didn't like it's position. As a friend said "If you were knocked down water would be all through it".

VALMIK
Costs and time spent

I have recently been through all of my costs and time spent on the restoration. I will not list each individually here as I sure you would be bored, and it is enough to fill a Book!

Total time spent, (this is days worked only!!! and does not account for hours!!! which the average of would be something like 10 hours a day thanks to the long daylight of the English summers!
2 years and 2 months!!

Total £££ spent, (This does not include my sails, which I made, and value very highly. And most things I have bartered for or received at trade price. Also we could not forget all of the freebies which have been given or taken:) HE he. People have been extremely nice to me and I have had lots of Freebies, including dinners!!!)
£12,000 Roughly...
listing a few,
£700. Paraffin cooker,
£770. whole rig, Bronze bottle screws and wire
£500. Skin fittings and sea-cocks for self draining cockpit.
£3000. 5 sails not included.

£15,000 sails included. £48,000 sails and time priced (priced at something like the minimum wage £15,000)
I am yet to have Valmik Valued. But I would hope for it to be over £10,000.

Wait a second your saying??? You spent over two years and £12,000 on something that's only worth about £10,000 you must be mad! Maybe??
But,,
"This Little Boat" Has been my home for nearly five years. I also hope to get lots of enjoyment from it, it will hopefully take me safely across many a high sea travelling to many countries. Sailing is not just a very popular sport and pastime, it's also a life style! And not to mention everything that I have learnt since Late 2007 when I started working on boats. Some have called it a labour of love! There has been many times which I have thought that If I had worked for a few years and saved I could have bought a bigger boat sooner, and After spending five years AT IT, this is almost certainly true...
But, where would "this little Boat" be now???