Managing a boatyard visit

[carolinacoast]

Unlike many of the owners here, I did not have the skills or time to solve a rotten core section discovered on our flybridge last Fall. So I began the path of defining a scope of work and getting quotes from different yards. It became obvious pretty fast that I would have no protection on change orders, particularly with the lien rights/ pay or no splash, structure in the industry. What was missing, was a project manager like in a construction/development project. The lightbulb went off, and I spoke to a surveyor about handling that role for me. He said sure, but most owners don't do that, just insurance companies.

We set a scope of work, and agreed on a change order price for additional rotten core, if found, and finally got to a guaranteed max price for the job with those assumptions. Things got interesting here...the yards that got offended with this structure (translation-my change order for profit is going away), or a low end yard who wasn't going to meet the surveyors quality checks, just passed. At the end of the job, the surveyor cost was only $400, but the yard did not cut any corners, and did not cover anything up until the surveyor photographed, took moisture readings and okayed it. The yard was very happy all of the way through, and we had no disagreements. Also, the yard has been great about warranty work after being paid...they are making their 3rd visit to the boat next week...this time replacing 2 clamshells, damaged by the lift on the splash.

At the end of the job, the radar arch and deckhouse were left in place, but the benches, railings, dinghy and davit along with 80 SF of damaged core was removed, dried and properly replaced with coosa coring. deck reglassed, nonskid sprayed using awlgrip products, 400+ screws rebed, all new caulk up top. The eyebrow was stripped the best we could, and rolled. All window trims and clamshells replaced, stabilzers serviced, and blisters removed, bottom paint and other scope I added. Boat was in the barn for 3 months.

I am writing this because I have a few knowledgeable friends who had not heard of using a surveyor in this manner. 30 year old anything is hard to get repaired until things are opened up, and good information is available to all parties. Using a surveyor as my Project Manager helped manage my expectations on time, money and eliminated the indigestion of negotiating with a yard with no leverage.

Also I live 400 miles from the boat, so that is an added challenge.

Perhaps others have suggestions that can help us all manage cost and get you back on the water.

 

[Zeus]

Mal:

Your use of surveyor as project manager seeems like a great idea. Most of us simply deal directly but with the surveyor's epxertise, that fee seems well worth it. Thanks for sharing your good idea!

Zeus

 

[Avenger]

I agree, that was good thinking. A good surveyor will not only see to the scope and quality of the work, but should educate the owner about what is reasonable to expect as well, hopefully avoiding misunderstandings and confusion. Sounds like a win-win for everybody as long as the surveyor is competent.

 

[carolinacoast]

Our experience was helped by the fact that there were 3 somewhat nearby yards with covered storage, and therefore enough competition to make the estimate process competitive. We met our timing goal of early July to be back in the water, but I had them working toward an early June date. I added scope also that added some time to the job. We headed South by July 8.

While I was in the yard, Ace nearly doubled our premium. It was a great time to have a C&V survey and our new carrier is less than half of the new Ace premium with very similar coverage. Good luck for a change on that one. Thanks Jack Martin.

thanks for the comments. I continue to learn tons here, and glad to make a small contribution. Sams was great on the parts we needed.