Detailing boat-gctid817504

[Guest]

What is the going cost of detailing the outside of a 3988 boat from the rub rail up? It sat on the hard for 2/12 months and is

quite bad. I am in the Pacific north west Canada. Thank you

[desuch]

It really depends if you are going to do it your self or have hire somebody to do it , and my experience is that when I did hire somebody thy never did a good job to my satisfaction and I had to redo it myself

[jas0381]

I never can do it as well as a pro. I have even bought the equipment.

Diesel at Point Roberts dropped to 2.66 a gallon. There they will also do your boat for 24 bucks a foot plus add ons for oxidation.

Was there last week. May go back.

Last time (8-16) was 1600 American for 56 feet in California. This won't exactly answer your question but it might give you some barometer.

At my dock in False Creek most use Decks Awash

[desuch]

No boat detaiilers where I live and 1 I/O shop so we must learn to do most projects ourselves

[RobMick]

SE Michigan, along Lake Erie/Detroit River they get $20-30/foot plus and additional charge for severe oxidation...that being said do it once yourself and the money per foot becomes very reasonable and worth it in my opinion...

[Jim_Gandee]

Big rig,

Here in sunny SoCal a two step detail, compound then wax, will average about 25-35/foot. However, that's from the waterline up. I'd expect it to be much less than that for the rub rail up.

[Ahaua]

I just hired a guy to do my 3988 from the water line up; two step process including rubbing compound and then wax. He's detailing all the bright work also. it's working out to about $24 per foot. In my case, he's doing it for $900 for the complete job. As Jim pointed out, should be less if you're only going from the rub rail up. Good luck!

Alex

[HotwireJim59]

Was told $4500 to do a complete job on my 4788. That's a three stage job. I am buying pro level tools to do myself.

[HueyCrew]

I'm in process of doing my own. Probably spent more in equip and materials than hiring it done but Mine was worse than severe when I bought it last July. It's become a almost total resto, which I knew going in would take some money and time...... but the gelcoat...... Had NO CLUE what I was in for...... Mine so far has been a....... sand. not getting replaced decal/ stripe covered new thickness gelcoat down even with the rest's eroded thickness, ScotchBrite everything gelcoat enough times that rinse water stops running white, buy buffers and polishers and have them wear me out, looks like crap, start over, hours at "YouTubeUniv" learning by watching the finer points of compounding, polishing and waxing then back at it. STILL looks like crap, requires wet sanding everything gelcoat starting at 600 grit up to 3000 including every one in between I can get my hands on step.........step process to date.

Three more grits on the left side and I'll be ready to have at it again with the compounding and buffing. Hopefully it'll look worthy of a waxing this time. Then I can start on the bottom. Can't wait till I can get back to tools required, done in a day or so, visual progress kind of things that will transform my upholstery, wood mill wiring boat parts store back to a den kind of projects that this gelcoat odyssey had out on hold since mid May.

I need an intervention.....professional help...... and elbow replacements!!!! And am proud of the progress and once retired and "adventuring" my way to the keys, never having to worry about having to re do anything I'm doing now.... only bitchin as I remember the prices you guys mentioned today compared to when I HIRE detailing done down the road :silly:

[cosmo777]

"HotwireJim59" post=817689 wrote:
Was told $4500 to do a complete job on my 4788. That's a three stage job. I am buying pro level tools to do myself.

Wow - I've paid $1500/year for the last 3 years for our 4788. First year included 3 step process on the high exposure surfaces.

[smitty477]

We have always done our boats ourselves over the years - 38 , 45, 47 etc.

One year we needed to get someone else to do it due to a medical issue.

We boat both on the LI sound in NY and up the Hudson.

The prices we got on the north shore of LI was almost exactly double what was quoted in upstate NY.

So we wintered in upstate as we have done in the past and paid about $750 for a rub rail up two pass job.

While they did do a very good job of it I always think we did better but we only need a second pass every 4-5 seasons once the boat is in decent shape.

FWIW- at $4,500 you are about 1/2 way (or less0) to the cost of a full Awlgrip job above the rub rail.

That would leave you with a brilliant shine that needs little or no attention other than a rinse and lasts 15 seasons or more.

Just food for thought when folks quote really high maintenance costs.

[desuch]

yep do it yourself and save the money

[Guest]

We have used the same person for years and have been very happy with her work. Unfortunately we are out on the boat for the summer and do not have her phone number. Deanna does a lot of work out of Skyline Marina, Richmond BC. If you were to call the office they could probably provide the contact info for you. We are also a 3988 boathouse kept and find we only need polishing every second year as she does such a good job.

[Guest]

Thank you everyone for the replies. I did the boat myself and it took about 30 hour. It is now super clean again.

[HotwireJim59]

Could I get there number?