Advise on stringer quote

[Dftoro]

Hey guys last summer I got myself into a full resto on my 99 17'. Marada fish n ski. I managed to get everything out and ground ready for glassing. Today out of curiosity I called a local boat repair shop for a quote on stringers installed and glassed in with a deck glassed in , and I would continue the rest of the build from there. The qoute I was given was $1700 for materials and labour incl. he also stated he would Use spruce for the wood. My question is since I've never owned or repaired boats before m not familiar with prices and would like some vets to chime in.

Thanks

 

[gm280]

Dftoro, I have no idea what such type work would honestly cost being never had anybody do such a job for me before. But it is obvious that cost isn't because of the materials involved. So that points to a lot of labor cost. If you do it yourself, that labor cost turns to zero! I am at that same spot waiting for warmer weather to come. But I will do all of it myself for two reasons. I want to experience that effort and learn, and I don't want anybody else working on my boat. I don't know their work ethics and therefore will feel better knowing what all was done by me! JMHO!

 

[jbcurt00]

What's the condition of the transom and how was it assessed since it's normally in about the same shape as the stringers? I/O or outboard Marada?

I'd need to know what the market for that work is like, to take a guess as to whether $1700 is reasonable. Sort of like an insurance job: Get at least 3 numbers. References from others that have had similar work done would be helpful.

Depending on how well you ground and prepped the hull would impact the price of the work.

Lastly, a general overall impression of the guys working in the shop, plus how the shop and the boats being worked on all look?

Good luck

 

[Dftoro]

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This is the stage that I'm at in the middle pic the other pics are of the stringer layout.

 

[Dftoro]

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Here are a few more pics

 

[Dftoro]

Cant remember how many hours I have invested but it's a lot not to mention the cuts and bruises I earned along the way. I will definitely get more quotes and check out his shop before I make a decision, I would hate to have put so much work into getting to this stage to have a bad glass job.

 

[Dftoro]

But would still like to know if $1700 is near a normal price for such a job and if spruce will be alright for the stringers.

 

[jbcurt00]

Where?

 

[zool]

But would still like to know if $1700 is near a normal price for such a job and if spruce will be alright for the stringers.

Ask what layup schedule they will be using for the stringers, and deck tabbing/coating....then price out what the materials and consumables would cost you...throw the rest in the labor column..anything near the 50% mark would be reasonable for an adequate job...and ask for a warrantee on delamination.

 

[jbcurt00]

Ask what layup schedule they will be using for the stringers, and deck tabbing/coating....then price out what the materials and consumables would cost you*..throw the rest in the labor column..anything near the 50% mark would be reasonable for an adequate job...and ask for a warrantee on delamination.

Yep ^^^ and Sitka spruce?

 

[Woodonglass]

Have you already installed the transom? Get References and CALL them!!!! Get everything in writing. Make sure they approve of you dropping in whenever you want to inspect the work on YOUR boat!!!! Like Zool says, get a layup schedule and materials list. Be Very Very Picky and Anal. Sitka Spruce is really good stuff but any spruce is acceptable due to it's high resin content. I'd ask them why they don't use plywood??? My guesstimate is $4-5 hundred bucks in material costs for Stringers, Deck and glass materials. So that would be $1,200 labor. 20 hour job $60 bucks an hour for a pro shop.. Probably about right. But...That still doesn't mean it will be done right!!!!

 

[Dftoro]

Thanks for the info guys, the transon is not installed I will have to ask if that's included awell.

 

[Dftoro]

Hey guys I've ruled out the first qoute, he seemed to be more in a rush than I am to get it done and I really wasn't impressed with the shop. I Still have a few more shops to get quotes from and see from there, so far quotes have been $1700, $3600, $6600, and the one that I thought was really crazy was $12000. But Incase I decide to glass myself if I can't outsource it what is the best way to determine how material will be needed is there a formula or something.

Thanks

 

[pckeen]

Interesting to know. When I saw your first post, I thought the 1700 was pretty reasonable, but when I saw the others, it seems too reasonable. When getting quotes, as a general rule, don't go with the outliers (highest and lowest). My guess is that the dealer at $1700 has either really underestimated the job or is going to do a very quick job (not what you want on a restoration). The dealer at $12000 will probably deliver an amazing job, but not at a reasonable price.

 

[ondarvr]

As you found out, there is no "normal" price for something like this, or in reality, any fiberglass work. I'd say $60 would be very low, more like $100 per hour, maybe more, but this depends a great deal on where you live and the time of year.

The quality of the job can vary a great deal too, some do nothing to seal the plywood, or prevent future rot, it will be 10 plus years before anything rots away and most owners will have switched to a different boat by then, or it will have been parked under tree in the side yard after for a few years and they won't care. You need to be very detailed in the work you want done, and the more detailed you are, typically the higher the price. .

 

[Dftoro]

I think Im starting to lean back towards doing it myself only thing is I need the weather to stay warm to glass without problems , I only have access to work outside. It's probably the only way to know the job gets done correctly. I was just trying to speed things up but definitely don't want to end up paying for a crappy job.

 

[zool]

There you go..you've already done the dirty work.. and.you really cant screw it up if u pay attention to what youre doing...its not precision work.

Just look at it like a right of passage to the glasser resto world.....

 

[Dftoro]

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Well just got back the last few qoutes for the job and I have decided to do it myself now. This thread will now be my resto continued. I would like to know my starting point, should I follow the exact layout of the old stringers or do you guys recommend something Different or more simple. It was done in 3/4 ply

 

[Woodonglass]

Take lots of measurements and put her back just like she was...Just do a better job of glassin!!!!

 

[Dftoro]

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Got around to buying some arauco 3/4 ply to cut out my stringers, Are there any precautions needed with this wood aside from a good glassing. Also for my transom the old one was made of a layer of 3/4 and one 1/2 layer that was 2" shorter. Can I cut both pieces the same size and glue together or is thier a need for this gap.