I do think this was a wind-up, but just to try logic... If something is going to be needed for Mudcat next year, and it's going to take that long to save a 10th of the money needed, how is Max or anyone going to predict what that is, short of "hardware and software upgrades?"

If he manages to save money, fine. If he needs it now, he's not going to get enough to make a difference - not that it helps all that much even in the long run.