Painting the Hull
One way that even an inexperienced boat owner on a budget can save substantial sums during the refit is to repaint the hull themselves. Any owner who has some basic painting skills, plenty of stamina, and attention to detail, can tackle this job, provided that he or she use the correct materials and follow the instructions given. The secret of success is in meticulous preparation; you can use the very best paint system but if your preliminary work is not done thoroughly enough, and you apply the paint in the wrong atmospheric conditions, then you are actually wasting money not saving it.
Alastair Buchans book, How to Sail on a Budget, is full of money-saving advice on the best way to buy, maintain, sail and enjoy your sailboat. Purchase a copy here at Practical Sailor.