A few years ago we motored Time Bandit into Tobermory, the quaint old Scottish town on the Isle of Mull out on the west coast. Younger or not gainfully employed readers will know this wee town better as Balamory.

Moored up alongside the pontoon was a 70 or 80 feet length of pointy aluminium which we now know was a Dashew FPB. These luxury offshore, long distance power boats are made right here in Whangarei. There's two in the water and three building in the yard.

The latest just splashed ahead of us having had a bit of work done. We counted 13 "tradies " cars parked at it while it was in the stocks. 13 x $75/hr = best part of eight grand a day on labour alone. Yikes.

Back in the water and with the clock ticking to departure time we start on "the list". As a queue of tradesmen isn't in my budget it's all hands too.

New AIS aerial; fridge, genoa halyard, foredeck light, bow roller. All run of the mill stuff until you remember it's a boat.

Boat. Bring On Another Thou.

Once you've bought the kit which you know will last one week longer than its guaranteed period you have to install it.

The wire run for the AIS would confuse the smartest rat. The fridge and new insulation layer is all compound curves and trapezium shaped (is that the squinty rectangle?) Funny angles everywhere and of course it all has to be measured and templated while upside down with only your feet sticking out to show there's life. The halyards obviously are up the top of the flaming mast where I find, other than a nice view down the river, that we need a new section of furler. Not a mast down job. Just the forestay down. That'll be a doddle and of course B-O-A-T.

It's not all beer and skittles you know.