When should you let a professional do the repairs?

[rbryant1492_mfb]

I was really wondering when its best to let a professional do the reapirs to your boat? I been working on my 1979 187xl since this summer and now I would like to get it finished.
Being a teachers its back to work time so I have more money than time.
What repairs do most people let a professional do?

 

[peacekeeper6]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

i dont let pros touch my boat....probably should sometimes but its working out for me, i just post alot here. I figure teh only thing they have on me is knowledge and there is alot of that here. I can turn a wrench with the best of them.

 

[dancudayo]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

If you are physically capable of doing it and you have the time, I would say do it yourself. Knowledge is something you learn as you go, and like the other guy said, there is a lot of people out here that can answer any of your questions. I myself enjoy the feeling of doing it myself, even if I don't do it right the first time, when I discover that, I just redo it and then I know it's done right. I don't think some of the "professionals" are all that professional anyways, I've been taking autobody courses and in that industry there are guys or gals out there that don't know how to do things properly. Now, I'm not dogging the ones that are masters out there, but you really don't know who knows there sh$t and those that just know how to slap on some bondo, primer, and cheap paint. Ultimately, I would say only you would know the answer to that one.

 

[Robj]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

For restoring a boat, it does not make economic sense to have a pro do stringers, transom and floor on a 15 year old boat. The cost of the repair would never be recovered in the value of the boat. When I started, I knew nothing. Asked lots of questions and learned as I went. While I do not have the experience, I made up for that by taking my time to make sure it was done right. Rebuilding a boat is not for everyone, you need some skill, tools and a wife who does not mind you spending many hours in the garage, and a bit of fibreglass dust. As far as having a pro work on my boat, as long as I am able, NEVER. Now there are certain things that I would have a pro do such as rebuild a long block, or overhaul the leg. Everything else, I do myself. At least I know it is done right.

Have a great day,

Rob.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

It depends on the value of the boat, the type of repairs and the size of you wallet. On an older boat having a pro do very much glass work can cost far more than the value of the boat. If you're talking about a tune up or other motor work, it can easily be worth it.

IR we were typing at the same time.

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

On my project I have replaced the carb, built a motor cover and replaceed the starter selonoid. I just beed to replace the trim selonoids. And start her up..

 

[oops!]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

opinions are like........
and heres mine.

like the posts here have stated, stringers deck and transom will cost you more than a teacher has to spare! heck more than jed clampet has to spare!

however you must decide what you cannot do right!
I personally dont know when to quit sanding a straight edge!

do what you can do right!
search the subjects here. even if the post is two years old, it still contains valuable info.

weigh your family life with the time you need to spend. a boat re-fit could be a valuable family bonding time. (only if they are willing and you arent a jerk to work with. your a teacher so you probably have great personal skills.)

when the boat is finished the way you want pride of ownership will be a big boost to you and the fam.

good luck
oops

 

[Outsider]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

Let a professional do it when you don't have the time or money to do it over again ...

 

[Jerico]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

Never allow a professional to do once what you can do twice.

The hardest part is knowing when you're over your head and need to let the pro take over. Personally, I like the pride of knowing I took something and redid it myself. I also like knowing how it was done and that it was done right. When I'm doing something myself I also will take care of little things or additional stuff while I'm at it. My experience here has been the shop will fix what its there for, period (I'm not complaining there, I wouldn't want an extra grand worth of work unexpectedly). Most of the time if they called and said 'hey while we've got this apart...' Instead I end up with 'yup, we're gonna have to take that new part off to get to that...'

If you've got a boat shop you can trust and the money, let them handle it. If you enjoy the work and gratification, do it yourself. Comes down to personal preference in my opinion which really isn't worth a whole lot... lol

 

[VinceJ]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

As for me, I know I am no mechanic, I can change plugs and oil and thats about it...dont care to know how to do the rest because it never interested me...now the structural aspect that trips my trigger...tearing it down and putting it back together as good as or hopefully better than it ever was....will let you know the out come of that this spring!

 

[salty87]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

it's been said but this is a different twist on the value, if it costs too much to destroy then you might consider calling someone in. my hull from 87 was junk, not losing anything by ripping things apart. i'm glad it was paid for already cuz it's in a bunch of different piles now.

 

[rbryant1492_mfb]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

I guess the question becomes.
Are there some repairs that a pro must do?

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: When should you let a professional do the repairs?

When safety is an issue and you cant afford to learn from a first time mistake is my general rule or if a special tool job from a machine shop is required. A boat is more like an airplane than a car. You can be in a mess if either stop.