swim platform rot discovered.....

Thanks.....

I have never done any fiberglass work so I really do not even know where to start in making the repair to the swim platform.....I am sure i could do my usual internet research and come away with a decent general knowledge about the work, but I might just write a check for the repair and watch how the repair is done.....

any idea what a ballpark cost would be to have someone replace the rotted sections of the platform....keep in mind it is the same on the other side as well....

cliff
 
Lazy Daze said:
Cliff, there's a chemical etching that can done (as opposed to physically sanding) to the gelcoat to prepare it for bottom paint. This is a pretty popular method and the color of this "etching" often resembles a light gray color, but it is definitely not a barrier coat. I can tell you that your boat would not have come from the factory with a barrier coat, anyways. What's been done since, though, is anyone's guess!
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thanks Dennis....

cliff
 
BillK2632 said:
Be happy to. I think other than your swimdeck and some anodes due for a change you will find things in surprisingly good shape. Your boat lives a nice easy life in that covered slip in that fresh LKN water.
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thanks.....and hopefully all of the 'pampering' I do to the boat will pay off with reduced maintenance/repairs and extended life.....

cliff
 
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Well, there is a learning curve for glass work but I do think you'd pick it up very quickly. Parts cost for this would be minimal - it's pretty much all labor. Actually, the hardest part of the job might be getting to the bolts on the inside. Removing/installing the bolts would obviously take two guys so you'd have a part of this job being billed for man-hours X2. But the actual time needed for the second guy is small.

It's hard to guesstimate exactly how long this would take, but (aside from having to move items on the inside of the boat to gain access to the bolts) I would think a couple hours should get it done. Probably best just to get an estimate from your local guys. But all in all, a pretty easy and straight forward job.
 
Lazy Daze said:
Well, there is a learning curve for glass work but I do think you'd pick it up very quickly. Parts cost for this would be minimal - it's pretty much all labor. Actually, the hardest part of the job might be getting to the bolts on the inside. Removing/installing the bolts would obviously take two guys so you'd have a part of this job being billed for man-hours X2. But the actual time needed for the second guy is small.

It's hard to guesstimate exactly how long this would take, but (aside from having to move items on the inside of the boat to gain access to the bolts) I would think a couple hours should get it done. Probably best just to get an estimate from your local guys. But all in all, a pretty easy and straight forward job.
Click to expand...


you have me thinking now Dennis.....I could be the 'second guy in the bilge' to help with the platform bolts.....it would also be an excellent time to replace both bilge pumps and float switches since I would be back in that general area to access the bolts.....I have been wanting to replace the bilge pumps since I have had the boat....sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.....the only reason I have not replaced them yet is access to them is VERY difficult.....at a minimum i'll have to remove the inner exhaust tubes from both engines and remove the house battery bank of two batteries to squeeze into the general area.....

cliff
 
Cliff - I don't doubt you could to the glass work your self, especially since the cosmetics aren't as important under the swim deck like that. I'm no expert, but do have a little experience with an old boat I did some work on and I've patched some gel coat scratches on my boat with very good results. Like Dennis mentioned there is a learning curve, but this would be a good project to do, due to the lack of cosmetics. I think your problem is going to be time, cut the rotten core out, paint the new core with resin, let it dry, put in, let it dry, layer of glass, let it dry, you get the idea. If the boat is somewhere you can spend the time then absolutely I would do it, if your on the clock paying for time on blocks, might be better to have it done. Sorry I can't offer a recommendation, never had to have any work like this done, but happy do ask around people I know.
 
C-SIDE said:
Whats the cost of new swim platform? That might be the easiest and best route?
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a friend that has the same boat as mine also had problems with rot in his platform....he did not catch it until it was too late.....a new platform was around $3,500......

cliff
 
BillK2632 said:
Cliff - I don't doubt you could to the glass work your self, especially since the cosmetics aren't as important under the swim deck like that. I'm no expert, but do have a little experience with an old boat I did some work on and I've patched some gel coat scratches on my boat with very good results. Like Dennis mentioned there is a learning curve, but this would be a good project to do, due to the lack of cosmetics. I think your problem is going to be time, cut the rotten core out, paint the new core with resin, let it dry, put in, let it dry, layer of glass, let it dry, you get the idea. If the boat is somewhere you can spend the time then absolutely I would do it, if your on the clock paying for time on blocks, might be better to have it done. Sorry I can't offer a recommendation, never had to have any work like this done, but happy do ask around people I know.
Click to expand...

you are probably right in that I could likely do the work especially with your help.....from what I have seen and read it doesn't look to be that complicated.....but this is kind of like the difference between a 'rough-in' carpenter and a 'finishing' carpenter......I could do the basic 'rough-in' glass repair which would likely be OK in this situation....if this was in a highly visible spot I definitely would need to let a 'finisher' glass repair man do the work since obviously appearances would be important then.....

I am going to see what it would cost to have 'All Seasons' marina haul the boat out and block it up for a week.....I am thinking of replacing both bilge pumps while the boat is out and maybe also enlarging the trim tabs....if so I doubt I could do the repair work also....I have to limit my work vacation days because we have some family travel coming up so I could not take a full week off work....

cliff
 
Lets not make a mountain out of a mole hill............for an experienced fiberglass guy, there is probably 2 man hours in that repair.

There is more than that in just removing the old platform from the boat, then you must add the cost of a new platform and its installation. I am on the Gulf Coast where we do this type of stuff regularly, so it isn't a big deal. Haul out/re-launch and block up for an owner's repair is $10/ft + $1.00/ft for day for lay days in the yard. Schedule the haul out on a Friday morning, pressure wash, then block her up and start work.......you should be ready to go back in on Monday, if you don't make a science project out of a simple repair.

However, in thinking this through, I think getting this done by a professional who has the resin, catalyst and epoxy on hand is a smarter approach because the cost of just getting equipped with materials alone is high, not to mention the fact that you will have a lot left over. For Example, a qt. of Arctic White gelcoat is about $100, a guart of polyester resin is $50, quart of West Systems Epoxy to seal the replacement core is $50, fiberglass cloth $25, etc.


And, in reading over your posts and the responses, nobody mentioned this: Pressure washing (on the coast) is only $1.75/ft. and it will get the boat clean. Spending a day scrubbing a neglected hull won't get the hull or the intakes as clean as a pressure wash. If you do decide to pressure wash, it MUST be done on a freshwater boat before the algae dries out. It will take sand paper or acid washing to clean the hull after the algae dries out, but when it is wet, it blows right off.

Good luck with it............
 
fwebster said:
Lets not make a mountain out of a mole hill............for an experienced fiberglass guy, there is probably 2 man hours in that repair.

There is more than that in just removing the old platform from the boat, then you must add the cost of a new platform and its installation. I am on the Gulf Coast where we do this type of stuff regularly, so it isn't a big deal. Haul out/re-launch and block up for an owner's repair is $10/ft + $1.00/ft for day for lay days in the yard. Schedule the haul out on a Friday morning, pressure wash, then block her up and start work.......you should be ready to go back in on Monday, if you don't make a science project out of a simple repair.

However, in thinking this through, I think getting this done by a professional who has the resin, catalyst and epoxy on hand is a smarter approach because the cost of just getting equipped with materials alone is high, not to mention the fact that you will have a lot left over. For Example, a qt. of Arctic White gelcoat is about $100, a guart of polyester resin is $50, quart of West Systems Epoxy to seal the replacement core is $50, fiberglass cloth $25, etc.


And, in reading over your posts and the responses, nobody mentioned this: Pressure washing (on the coast) is only $1.75/ft. and it will get the boat clean. Spending a day scrubbing a neglected hull won't get the hull or the intakes as clean as a pressure wash. If you do decide to pressure wash, it MUST be done on a freshwater boat before the algae dries out. It will take sand paper or acid washing to clean the hull after the algae dries out, but when it is wet, it blows right off.

Good luck with it............
Click to expand...

thanks for the insight Frank.....

cliff
 
CliffA said:
you have me thinking now Dennis.....I could be the 'second guy in the bilge' to help with the platform bolts.....it would also be an excellent time to replace both bilge pumps and float switches since I would be back in that general area to access the bolts.....I have been wanting to replace the bilge pumps since I have had the boat....sometimes they work and sometimes they don't.....the only reason I have not replaced them yet is access to them is VERY difficult.....at a minimum i'll have to remove the inner exhaust tubes from both engines and remove the house battery bank of two batteries to squeeze into the general area.....

cliff
Click to expand...

Would long arms, with double elbows and a variety of socket extensions get it done without having to remove too much? Maybe use a wide board (And/or "wrestling mat" type foam), laid on top of some things, or supported with 2x feet, to get you closer?

But... If you have the time to do the repair, I'd say go for it. But it sounds like time is your enemy more-so than anything else. And for what it costs to have someone do it, it may not be worth doing yourself.

If you still had the smaller boat, you could bring it home with you to do the repair. But, nooooo, you had to go and buy a bigger one! :lol:
 
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