On reviewing my expenses for the past three boats I have owned, I note that the equipment added totalled some thousands of dollars. These boats built to my own design did come well equipped but obviously not totally equipped, as my records revealed. The above examples illustrate the need for extra funds to be put aside for unexpected expenses including taxes and additional items of equipment that you may have overlooked but will require for one reason or another.

   This brings us to the KISS factor, the initials being an acronym for ‘keep it simple sailor’ or less politely 'keep it simple stupid'. This saying which I am told originated in the engineering industry, it is well worth remembering when considering all things boating.