Used Boats: What’s It Going to Cost to Fix This Thing?

The last boat I bought was sitting on land with nearly a foot of water in the bilge, mold growing on the headliner, and mushrooms popping out of the cushions. And that was just the inside. While that might seem as if it was the stupidest purchase anyone could make, I was prepared to supply almost all of my own elbow grease, I knew how to make most of the repairs, and, most importantly , I was armed with a cost-plus-10- percent employee discount at a very well-stocked ship’s chandlery. It also helped that the hull and deck were solid, despite the cosmetic issues. B uying a boat that needs a little—or a lot—of help is a great way to get a boat that you may not otherwise be able to afford. But what if you’re not so sure about how to make your own rep airs? Or maybe you don’t have a most- excellent wholesale discount at your local marine supply shop. While there’s nothing wrong with buying a boat that needs a lot of tender loving care, you’ll regret not knowing how much the jobs you can’t do yourself will end up costing. I decided to take a look at some typical repair and service costs, trying to keep the estimates for the under-40-foot crowd, boat-wise. Some of the information comes from first-hand experience, while some of the data came from marine service professionals in the Chesapeake Bay area. Your mileage m a y vary, and it’s always a good idea to get two or more quotes for big jobs. Know Your Limits There’s certainly nothing wrong with doing your own work , but there are certain areas where you can cause more of your own damage than what originally existed. Worse, some systems you work on could potentially create a dangerous situation, r esulting in a fire, sinking, or worse.
I know when to call in the engine guy , and there are certain electrical jobs, especially those with alternating current (AC) , which I know a marine electrical technician is going to do more safely than I would . If you are going to attempt something on your own, make sure you’ve got all the information at hand to do the job right. There are plenty of books and Internet resource s to help. Also consider getting involved in the owner’s organizations for your particular craft or boat brand; members have often done the same work you’r e attempting, and can often offer their own tips and tricks. Boatyard and Shop Basics

Boatyards, fiberglass shops, engine repair outfits, and electronics installers generally all bill their work on a parts and labor basis, though larger jobs are frequently done with a quote that cover s both materials and labor for the job inclusively. Some service outfits are mobile and can come to your boat, while others require your vessel to physically be at their shop. And remember, some of that work might involve a haul-out at extra cost. Some mobile services charge a travel fee, while others do not. Your best bet it to get a firm, fixed quote in writing before any work begins, if possible. Now, let’s get an idea of how much this stuff costs. Mechanical Systems The installation or repair of plumbing or HVAC systems is often done by the hour, but the cost of parts and components are what drive job costs up. Whether you’re having a new head and holding tank put in , or an old bilge pump fitted , the type of work involved is often less skill-intensive, meaning labor sometimes runs less than other work. Big jobs like a new HVAC system are generally quoted by the job, including labor and materials. General service rates for plumbing, HVAC , and other general boat work ru n anywhere from $65 to $115, in our queries. Complete systems are often quoted with a firm price for materials and labor to get the whole job done. This is a great area where you can do your homework and perform some do-it-yourself work. Engines, Transmissions, Etc . This is an area of boatwork —aside from very general preventive maintenance like oil changes —where most folks tend to leave it to the pros. Part of the reason is because of the specialized tools often required to facilitate these repairs, but also because, well, most of us don’t know an injector from valve stem. Engine /transmission rebuilds generally run about 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a brand-new one , depending on the type. Rebuilt/re manufactured engines run about 70 percent the cost of a new one , except when it comes to outboard engines . Their rebuilds have a generally lower cost delta. Yet most folks generally choose to repower, given the new technology and efficiency in these engines. Labor rates for engine work vary widely, but figure on somewhere between $ 95 and $130 an hour, plus materials. Yes, that’s a wide range. Most shops have a fixed, flat-rate price for regular maintenance like oil changes, winterization, or scheduled service. This makes shopping around for the best price easier. Fiberglass, Gelcoat, Paint , Varnish

This is probably the most labor-intensive work done on boats, primarily because of the extensive prep in volved with making a mess of fiberglass look as if nothing ever happened. Almost all fiberglass, gelcoat , and paint work is quoted by the job . Expect to pay anywhere between $150 to $2 5 0 per foot (and up) to have a hull painted with any sort of two-part paint, such as Awlgrip, Alexseal, or Imron. You’ll pay approximately the same price to have the decks done, although the per-foot rate can be a bit higher because of the detail work involved. Bottom painting varies, depending on whether the old bottom paint needs to be stripped or blasted off, and whether haul-out and launch are included, etc. For a haul, prep , bottom paint, and launch job, expect to pay $20 to $ 40 per foot. Smaller bo ats on trailers often cost less , as little as $15 per foot in the Chesapeake Bay area. Different grades/qualities of bottom paint will run pricing up. Ask what type of paint the quote includes and do your research to make sure you’re not getting a couple of cheap coats of crappy paint slapped on. Varnish/brightwork is usually quoted by the job, since some boats have oodles of teak or mahogany, and some have very little. The condition of the wood counts, too—the worse shape it’s in, the more it will cost to restore. Electrical/Electronics This is another area, like engines and transmissions, where getting an expert involve d is generally a good idea. That said, there are lots of small 12-volt jobs and less-complicated electronics installations that boat owners can do on their own and save money, such as wiring a bilge pump or installing a GPS unit. quite a bit of money by doing the work yourself, as long as you know what you’re doing. You can also utilize resources such as books and online information to help out with any particulars you don’t know. Photo by Gary Reich." width="588" height="409" />Troubleshooting and repair jobs are generally done by the hour and run between $85 and $125 per hour. These are the types of jobs where you call up and say, “My navigation lights keep tripping the breaker and I can’t figure out why.” Big jobs, like doing a complete rewiring or installing a new chartplotting suite with autopilot and fishfinder, are often quoted by the job. If you supply your own electronics, figure the aforementioned labor rate may be on the higher end to make up for the markup the installer loses from the equipment sale, slim as it may be. Certifications When having serious work done, consider hiring American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) certified technicians or folks with certifications from the electronics and engine manufacturers with gear on your boat. Though it’s not a guarantee of quality, it’s often a sign that the service outfit you’re dealing with values training and doing the job correctly. Well, if that didn’t talk you out of buying a fixer upper, nothing will. Just joking. If you go into buying a previously loved boat armed with the right mindset and realistic expectations, it can be a great way to save yourself some money, gain a lot of practical experience, and get the boat of your dreams.