Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1884-1886, 1885-06-12
REFITTING A YACHT.
WEAR AND TEAR THAT COST CON.
SIDERABLE MONEY.
Expenses Which the Owner of . Yacht
Must Meet in the Spring Time
Scraping, Painting and Fixing
Up Generally.

New York SUM-
sNow my troubles begin" a yachtsman
said somewhat YEARLY dropping the stub Of
a cigar and picking up memorandum pad
"Tve no doubt many persons are envious of
the comfort take on board my yacht dur
ing the summer months, but il they were
bothered in tie spring as much as am they
wouli look at it in different light Here
is a list OF things that my boatkeeper says
are absolutely necessary, and you can
hardly imagine what they are Ny boat
has just come out of winter quarters, and
suppose it will take a month 10 put her in
shape for the coming season. You have no
idea Of the wear and tear of yacht For
tunately the spars are all right. l couldn't
come anywhere near the cost If had to fur
nish a complete outfit / must have a new
suit of sails, and if didn't it would be
necessary 20 rope and whiten the old sails.
There are some good sailmakers in this
port, but the question with most yacht own
ers Is which is the best. The cost Of that
item is not small | can assure you.
Then comes the hull The bottom needs
scraping, and | must pay for having it
hauled up on the ways Before | decide on
that | have to decide between rival dealers
Of copper, paint and other preparations
Then have to hunt up painters. and have
to rely on my boatkeeper 70 see that they
begin work on time and keep at it, for il
doesn't pay to keep a boat loafiing on the
ways At 81 many dollars a day. II the gold
bead line i dingy it must be renewed and
if You have ever seen a sign painter gid
letters, you can imagine how long it takes,
and how many sheets Of gold leaf are nee
essary for a bead line. The boatkeeper can
do a good deal of the outside printing, but
when it comes to the fine WORK in the cabin
professional must lie employed. II Is really
surprising the quantity Of paint that is
used. The cherry and mahogany fittings
have to he scraped and shellackei, the deck
is frequently calked, and if any of the gal
yan'Z-1 iron work l. weak IL must be re-
placel The copper and bras things have
to be FURNISHED, and broken glass must lie
replaced IL takes three men TO holystone
the deck and wash it down. but, IF course,
after it la, been done once it can easily bs
kept bright and clean.
The boatkeeper look, after the rigging,
and If any rope, are weak they have to be
unrOve and new ones bought The mast,
bowsprit, boom. gaff and light spars have
10 be- scrapel and oiled or shellacked All
these things, you observe are outside, and
do not include the tender that usually needs
repairing. The nire1 AMI one things for
the inside cafinot begin u describe. NV
CARPET was worn out last yeSr, and l must
have a new one fitted. Crockery, cooking
utensils bedding. curtains, water casks,
and other things have to be- oyerhauled, and
missing articles replaced The cooks needs
are wonderful to contemplate. He always
wants the best OF everything and good
many more things than professional house
keeper Rust Spoil' the pans and tin ket
ties, but what d.->trOys other things !, NOR.
than ] can tell
"A few years ago | wa nearly talk ID to
death by the owners 81! patented this and
Iatental that but have every substantial
fixture 81 complete now that | can turn them
away Tie pat mt steering Ccer cau~el a
good deal o! iro:ihe for me hut survived
A. The patent ira Weller for the mast didn't
catch me- / believe in hoops. What do
you think the latest agent has, Patented
life, aving appliance. He will show you
buoys, mattresS es. jackets. cushions, AMI
chairs filed with something to take the place
of cork, AMI II hear him talk you would
think II safer 10 be On one Of his mattresses
than on my boat. Iion't say that they ara
not good things To have All ! ask is that
may have time to sec what ! want.
The last essential which at the same
time mast hc attended 20 early in the season,
is the crew Engagement are made long
beforehand. ! don't need many mer, but
they must be trustworthy, sober and capa-
tie. Good men for yachts command COOL
pay They must he young and active. clean.
respectful, odadient, AMI quick Swedes are
good sailors for yachts, but native Ameri-
cans. horn and raised near the water. are the
hest They take an interest in their work.
and if l tackle another boat going down to
the Hook they Will be rs interested in the
Ia ut and work a, hard to attain il rs any
ore cOud wish -