Approximate cost at Shipyard

[Thomas1985]

I am thinking pretty seriously about having some of my maintenance work contracted out due to laziness/ time constraints. I am thinking it might make sense to let the pros tackle some of the big projects while I keep at the smaller more manageable stuff.

Additionally, yards can do some spray application etc. that I just can't outside on the hard at the marina. They will do a better job than I can.

I am going to have yards quote, but would like some idea of what to expect so I know what is in line. I would also like to have some idea how many of these projects I can afford so I can prioritize what projects I have a yard quote.

Downeast 38 (38 foot hull x 12 beam full keel boat)

1) Deck restoration and painting. This consists of core replacement in various locations and a whole deck/ cabin top paint job. I would guess maybe 15-20 square feet of core replacement and lots of cracks where deck meets toe rail and cabin top. I am a carpenter and can do this job, but I know how much work it will be... I also feel finished product will be better at the yard.

2) New rig. Aluminum Selden mast and boom (or similar) with new standing rigging and chainplates. I really can't do this job myself, but it's also probably not mandatory at this time. Just thought if I am doing the deck and hull maybe I should go the distance. Plus it would be a big piece of mind to know condition/ age of the rig.

3) Prep and paint hull. Two tone with trail boards. This is one I can definitely DIY, but it would be nice if I'm doing this much exterior restoration work to have the hull done in professional 2 part spray applied products.

[Knotical]

Where are you located?

How much do YOU think those projects should cost?

[ranger58sb]

Lots of dependencies. Access, parts, schedule, etc.

Labor rates around here vary from about $65/hour (yard muscle) to maybe $165/hour plus travel (engine specialist). Most of the work falls between $95-150/hour.

-Chris

[Thomas1985]

Southern part of Lake Michigan.

I’m assuming decks may cost around $15k, new rig around $20k, and hull painting south of $10k…

All three items listed around $50k?

Anyone had any of these projects done recently? Am in ballpark?

[mvweebles]

I can only speak to hull painting. My guess is $15k is the over/under number. You'd think you could negotiate a lessor quality job with less prep work, but seems yards only do one level of quality: best they're capable of (not saying it's the best work possible, only best they know how to do). A lot depends on how much small fiberglass work needs to be done (hole filling, etc.).

[NorthCoastJoe]

We had topsides and bottom paint on our Pearson 30 done by a yard two years ago, $6000 in Napa CA. I think it must be a lot cheaper where you are to get work done if you think $10,000 for the paint on a much larger boat.

We had a Downeaster 38 and gave up on it, and sold it cheap. The cap rail leaking at the hull to the deck joint was the final straw. Great interior but just too many problems. The best part of the boat was the aluminum bowspirt I made for it after the original almost fell off from rot.

I would run a pressure washer all over the boat to find all the leaks before you start working on it.

[Thomas1985]

I pressure wash the boat weekly or so. It’s pretty darn water tight…

But it’d like to replace the cap rail and touch up hull to deck joint while cap is off. Cap is just well worn.

Once this exterior work is done our boat is damn nice. Lot of refit has already been done inside and to mechanicals/ electrical.

If all 3 of the items I listed are completed I’d take our boat over almost any new 40 foot yachts.

[deltaten]

Whatever you estimate it to be, double or triple it !
Go boat shopping

[Knotical]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

Southern part of Lake Michigan.

I’m assuming decks may cost around $15k, new rig around $20k, and hull painting south of $10k…

All three items listed around $50k?

Anyone had any of these projects done recently? Am in ballpark?

For our 34 footer, I was quoted 5-6k for compounding, polishing and sealing the decks - I ended up doing the work myself in 3 days, no core repair was required though.

I paid 6k for stripping, barrier coating and painting the bottom.

I also got a quote to replace the standing rigging but didn’t do it as it appeared fine when the rigger inspected it, the quote was for 5.5k which included wire, fittings and his labor, no spars or chain plates.

Above prices were before COVID in LIS, they have certainly skyrocketed since COVID.

[Thomas1985]

Originally Posted by deltaten

Whatever you estimate it to be, double or triple it !
Go boat shopping

For 2-3x my guesses I’ll be getting myself motivated to DIY everything but the rig

[Foswick]

As stated, it really depends. You are definitely looking at tens of thousands of USD to have this done in the US. It may be there are markets where you can have it done well for less, but I don't know where those are. I don't know much about inland locations. My hunch is that you would save some money if you could find someone in the U.P. to do the work, but I'm betting there aren't a lot of suitable haulout facilities up there.

I would say that each job is in the neighborhood of $10k, as a starting point. The rigging could easily become twice that or more.

Around here, I would budget about $50k for all of this work and I'm not confident I could get it done for that. If I didn't replace all of the rigging, and I did some work myself, I could probably get that down to about $30k. My area is likely about 50% more expensive than yours.

Because the economics of this might not make sense, you might consider something a friend of mine did. She knew how to do the work, but did not want to do it herself. So, she hired a skilled fellow full time for three months to work under her direction. He made good money, she saved a ton, and the arrangement worked out well.

Keep in mind, this approach runs afoul of many boatyards' policies. In her case, she just talked to the boatyard, described what she needed done, and was upfront that she could not afford what the boatyard would charge. So, they allowed one of their new hires to work on the side for her to gain experience.

This works, I think, when most of the work is just low-skilled labor. Sanding doesn't take a lot of skill, but boatyards usually charge the same for this as they do for fiberglass layups (which does require some skill). And, the bulk of most jobs involves hours of work that does not require any experience.

I have found that, when I am frank with the boatyard about my needs and budget, they work with me to get it done one way or another.

[Foswick]

Originally Posted by Thomas1985

For 2-3x my guesses I’ll be getting myself motivated to DIY everything but the rig

Don't dismiss the idea of doing your own rigging so quickly. Definitely work with a rigger, if you are not confident yourself. But, I would really consider telling them what you want to have done and what you can spend on it, and have them work with you. Not every rigger will do this, but many are happy to.

[Thomas1985]

My marina/ storage is probably ok with that as they don’t do much work. None of the work we’re discussing here.

But… finding someone reliable to do the labor at my direction could be hard.

Man if I was quoted $50k for all 3 items I’d be thinking really hard about kicking back all winter while they have at it

[thomm225]

You should do it yourself. That is what you are able to do.

Bottom painting is easy, but you will get a workout with the sanding. I've done mine 4X.

I'm now doing the rigging. Removing one section at a time and having a new one built with halyards etc in place of the missing rigging in the mean time.

Climbing the mast and working up there is another good workout.

Plus you can do it for pennies on the dollar as compared to paying someone.

I've painted my decks a couple times also and topsides.

I do mine in the offseason as our "boatyard" has a deal during Nov-Feb. It's the same as my slip fee which is turned off while I'm away.

Never done the work though at a Shipyard so it may be different pricing there amougst all the ships!

[Thomas1985]

Dang it Thomm… you are right, but this isn’t what I want to hear! I should just do it as I can save $20k easy doing my own decks and hull.

But all those blisters on me fingers!!!