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Random Quote: Never approach a bull from the front, a horse from the rear, or a fool from any direction.
It seems that every outing on the boat equals something on the boat breaking.
My last beautiful day out, saw the destruction of my anchor shade umbrella (~$200) and my DGPS aerial antenna (~$50). Each one mutually destroyed the other when the wind flipped the umbrella up and over my radar arch. (Next time I tie the sucker down more carefully).
But the point is, that was a great day out on the boat.
The trip before that saw my fishfinder stop working and my destruction of the display unit when trying to plug the power cable back in (broke all the flimsy micro thin pins) $150 Display replacement + $60 in install labor.
Both of those trips were considered great!
On a bad trip we have major problems like windlass issues or engine problems.
Is this normal? I'm still waiting for the perfect trip, that when I get home to the dock everything stills functions like it was when I left. Is this too much to expect?
That's why I'm asking ... What is normal for "Breakage" on a boat?
Maitenance!!!! Thats the key..I'm not talking about once a month either. You have to constantly check EVERYTHING..especially if in Salt Water...Can't help you on weather related but you have far too many things going wrong.
Sounds like you are getting in too big of a hurry to get out on the water. Slow down and double check everything before you leave. Take it easy and enjoy it.
Unfortunately where you live you can't follow my golden rule.
Use (not abuse) is the best preventative care available.
I put 200ish hours a year on my boat and I consider that kinda low, but I bottom fish alot. Think about this for a sec...How many times per outing does a commercial guy's boat break? Hardly ever, they can't afford for stuff to go wrong often. They are rough on equipment and do the bare minimum maintenance (If at all) Now I know I'm stereotyping but I'm sure it is this way more than not. As far as connections corroding etc. Use a god conductive grease and I always check them once a year (Usually Feb, during spring cleaning )
Good Luck,
William
William
1900CC Key West W/ 115 Yammie 4 stroke
Biggest boat that would fit in my garage!
You mentioned anchor shade-- I just bought one for family outings on my flats boat, only to find I have no clear way to easily secure it-there aren't enough things on the deck to clip all four straps to. If I stick it in the console rod holder I fear a heavy breeze might rip the rodholder out of the console. I might have to install little brackets on the side of the gunnels to use it at all.
Maintenance and proper installation. Proper usage, too. Lets face it 'stuff happens". When I go out on the boat I don't expect breakage unless there is some unusual event. Shouldn't be happening. You gotta sit down and ask yourself why this is happening.
Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros. Snowball, the cat...
I always found that if I put everything that could possibly break out of harms way or away from the "traffic" areas on the boat, then nothing would or should even touch them. If you have an old boat, it usually just gets worse. If it's a new boat it may not be set-up properly to avoid the occasional mishap. Preventive maintenance is the best way to avoid most of these issues, but I know if you have kids, nothing is ever safe. Usually it's "live and learn" as you did with the sunshade!
If you clean your boat often you will usually find things before they happen. Not just the afte the trip hose down but the real good cleanings. Also keep a log of your maintenance not just the motor stuff but the last time you checked the fluid in your steering. You have to be johny on the spot and even that will not garintee trouble free. But its as close as you can get.
What is normal for "Breakage" on a boat? 
Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24' Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros. 
Snowball, the cat... 
