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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Cost of hull work

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/18/2005 : 19:47:13

I plan to put a barrier coat and then paint my hull. What I haven't decided is whether it would be wiser to do it myself, or let my boat yard do it for me. I have experience with fiberglass and epoxy, but not on a sailboat. The yard has a very good reputation, so from that POV, I'm not concerned. So to make my decision, it basically boils down to time versus cost. Those of you who have done this yourself, how much time did it take? Those who have paid to have it done, what did it cost?
Thanks for the insights and any other aspects for me to consider.

Rick

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Terry Annis
1st Mate

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USA
35 Posts

Response Posted - 02/18/2005 : 22:29:25

Hi Rick
Well this is going to be a tough one but very worth while. You have to first take all the fuzzy marine bottom paint off the hull and that is the challenge. I spent three weekends and found that you have to carefully scrape it off, its almost impossile to sand it off and live through it, toxic for sure. Some owners have successfully used specialized paint remover for bottom paint and that may be a good option. Once the bottom paint is off, be carefull of the Gel coat, you should be able to see at least 90% of the gel coat. At this point I wet sanded the bottom and got another 5% of the bottom paint off, and it should be pretty smooth now. At this point I rolled on a 3 coats of VC TAR (barrier coat) and followed the directions here to the letter. Use a fine nap roller and it amazing how smooth it is. After 24 hours I then applied 3 coats of VC17, The bottom came out very nice and I have had only to do minor touch ups ever since,(3 years). It will take you 4 to 5 weekends to do this, but is so worth it. The local boatyard who didn't want to do this, as I had 5 to 8 coats of fuzzy blue bottom paint from the last 15 years, said it would be about $2500.00 to do this. I spent about $250.00 at West Marine for the VC Paints. I find that the boat is now faster than most, easier to mantain, and not a sign of blisters. I wish you well and good sailng.

Terry Annis "LEMATIKE" #789

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seastream
Navigator

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USA
242 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2005 : 20:43:09

Rick:

Before I got news that we were moving, Wayne quoted me $7/foot labor (7X25=$175) to overcoat the hull with Interlux VC 17, the freshwater paint that's on it. Now that we're moving to an ocean access location, he's stripping the hull to apply Interlux 'Fiberglass Bottomkote ACT' suitable for saltwater environs, for $1500, time & materials. If you've got the time, you might save a buck by DIY, but for my time & money (no, I'm not rich or lazy), I'd rather pay to have a boatyard deal with the labor, masks, dropcloths, vacuum sanders & cleanup.

Bob

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2005 : 21:02:16

If you LIKE to do your own work, and are willing to do dirty deeds, you will have a great deal of personal satisfaction and the knowledge that all is done exactly the way you want it (or nobody to blame but you). On the other hand, if you can readily afford the cost, it is nice to be able to lift only the phone, and not the orbital sander. You WILL save a lot doing your own work. If you do, plan to burn the clothes you use, they probably will not be useful any further, god bless , Ron (veteran of many bottom jobs, no longer doing them) in FLa, Orion #2343 srsk

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atgep
Master Marine Consultant

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1009 Posts

Response Posted - 02/19/2005 : 22:18:00

Or, if you are like me. Having someone else do it might save you a few stitches!
Last year, I hit my thigh with the grinder and it cut right through my pants and gave me a nice cut.

Tom.

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 02/20/2005 : 11:23:17

Thank you everyone for the information. I don't have any qualms about doing this kind of work myself, but sometimes it just isn't worth it.

Bob,
I believe the previous owner told me he was quoted $4500 for what I want to do, but your quote sounds more reasonable. I had a few other things to talk to Wayne about, so I think I'll ask him to give me a quote on the whole thing including the keel work and removing the transducers. If he can do mine for under $2K, that's a no brainer as I would have to take vacation time to get it done and I'd rahter use that time to sail. Since the Capri 25 is actually a smaller hull than the Catalina 25, I would think I'd be looking at a similar price. That's very useful information. Thanks.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.