Buying a used boat offers a way to get a boat that you would otherwise not be able to afford if it were brand new. However, even as you consider the savings, you should look beyond the initial purchase price. With used boats, one cost you should never skimp on is that of working with an experienced marine surveyor Washington D.C. The surveyor will perform a thorough inspection of the vessel and create a report with all the repairs that will be needed. The surveyor will also let you know if the purchase is a good investment. Second, you have to think about the cost of getting the boat fixed up. This is what we will be focusing on in this post.
In most cases, when compiling a marine survey report, a marine surveyor Washington D.C. will include the average cost of fixing the boat. You can use this information to negotiate a better deal with the seller. So long as the costs are within your budget, you don’t have to worry about who will fix the boat up for you. Fiberglass shops, boatyards, electronic installers, and engine repair outfits can come to you and get the repairs done. These experts mostly charge on a parts and labor basis. For larger projects, you will be given a quote that covers both labor and materials. Here are the costs you should prepare for.
Engine and transmission repairs
Specialized tools and expertise is needed when working on the engine and transmission. Engine and transmission rebuilds will cost about 50 to 60 percent of the cost of a brand-new engine/transmission. Remanufactured engines cost about 70% of the cost of a brand-new one except for outboard engines which are cheaper. Labor rates for engine repairs vary from $95 to $130 per hour. There are many shops that offer a fixed, flat rate.
Gelcoat, Paint, Fiberglass, and Vanish
This is the most labor-intensive part of boat restoration. A lot of prep work is needed. You can expect to pay between $250 and $250 per foot to get the hull painted with a two-part paint. You may also pay the same amount to get the decks painted. The cost of bottom painting depends on how old the bottom paint is and if a haul-out and launch will be needed. For a haul, prep, bottom paint as well as launch job, you can expect to pay between $20 and $40 per foot. It will cost you as low as $15 per foot for smaller boats.
Electrical
You will need an expert to take care of the electrical work. Repair jobs and troubleshooting will cost you about $85 to $125 per hour. For big jobs such as complete boat rewiring, the expert will quote by the job.
When major repairs are being done, you should always work with a certified technician. Though being certified is not a guarantee of quality, it shows the technician values continuous training and getting the job done right.
Marine Surveyor Washington D.C.