Paint costs

[Walter P]

I have a great yard in Maryland (Chesapeake Bay) that quoted me $150.00 per ft for the hull only, which is by the way both sides with 3 coats of Awlgrip over Epoxy primer. That did not include any hardware removal or replacement. It also didn't include any fiberglass repairs, but their labor rates are very reasonable and they have a great reputation. They also manufacture their own line of fiberglass boats that are fairly popular on the bay. I have seen quite a few examples of their work and it is excellent. The paint shop spray guy is fairly young but has lots of experience. The only drawback is that you need to get on their schedule for the next batch of paint jobs and it usually means a six month wait before they will even take your boat into the yard to start the job. They will have you in and out very fast, they said about 6 weeks. They will not take you in during spring launching period or fall storage because they are so busy. I am having my entire 1982 48 MY painted with Awlgrip (Oyster) from water line to flybridge, which will include some repairs for some stress cracks. We will be removing all hardware including cleats, rubrails, chocks etc. They will all be buffed out to a high shine prior to re-installation. They don't really want to do the hardware but probably will if you ask nice and are willing to pay for the extra labor, which BTW is also very reasonable. The only reason some yards charge the crazy high rates for their work is because they can and/or they are not set up to do the work efficiently and as a result the price is higher. At a thousand dollars per ft for the hull and at least the same for the decks and house your 55 ft boat will cost over a hundred grand for a complete paint job.

In the past I have had two of my four previous Hatteras' repainted with Awlgrip and the most I ever paid was about $25 K about 25 years ago at a Hatteras dealership in Alabama. That was for a 43DC and it included a lot of extra work besides the paint. I also had my most recent 43 DC painted with Awlgrip at a yard on Kent Island, MD about 15 years ago for a good bit less per foot but they were not Hatteras dealers, and it didn't matter because the paint job was the best I have ever seen on any boat. Unfortunately that yard is no longer in business since one of the partners was killed in an accident while working on a boat. I think you need to really shop around diligently until you find the right yard and are willing to travel a little. I too was quoted about $75 grand for a complete paint job on my 48 but I kept asking around including on this forum until I found these folks. It will help them a lot if you are able to remove and re install the hardware, which I may have to do if they can't fit the extra work into their schedule.

Walt

Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

I remember that yard, over in the KI area, I think. Nice work, and honest. It was an explosion, I think.

If you are talking about Composite Yachts, they do excellent work as well

 

[Walter P]

Correct on both counts Jim. Dennis Silfies was a partner with Mike Stein at Brickyard marine next to the Kentmor restaurant. Dennis was welding something on a customers boat and got too close to a container of gas. His partner Mike was so broken by the loss of a life long friend that he quit the business. The yard I mentioned that I will be using is indeed Composite Marine in Trappe, MD.

Walt

 

[jim rosenthal]

That's right. Brickyard Marine. They restored a 36 Hatteras convertible like mine, did a lovely job.

 

[kelpy]

Call Huckins.

 

[Pete]

Something known by most every long term boat owner but worth a mention IMHO. When having work performed on your boat, especially something such as repainting, you sometimes get what you pay for, often get less than you paid for, and never get more than you paid for. It takes no talent to squeeze the trigger on a spray gun. It takes talent, skill, experience, and the proper tools and facilities to produce a paint job that looks great and last for many years. Shopping for the best price is ill advised. Shopping for the best affordable prior examples of work product is the only approach that leads to satisfaction in the long term.

Pete

 

[jim rosenthal]

When I had my Hatteras painted years ago at Aircraft Refinishers in Cambridge, MD, I went down there every week to see how it was going. I got to be good friends with the crew doing it, and, for laughs, they let me suit up and spray some of the boat- not the boat itself, but panels that were off the boat, to make it easier and to avoid me screwing up the whole boat.

What can I say? I think it does take talent to operate a spray gun. The parts I sprayed (and this wasn't the first time I'd done it) were just okay. Not great. I actually did better work years later when I decided to redo the topsides and I rolled and tipped them.

THEIR spray work was first class- shiny, even, and perfect.

I think the best way to get a good job is find a yard and painter who like working with AwlGrip, or whatever paint you choose. Don't ask someone to spray a finish they aren't familiar with. Your boat will be their learning curve.

I came away from that experience with a great deal of respect for what these guys do, the toxic nature of the materials, and an appreciation for the final result.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Incidentally, getting the entire boat refinished with AwlGrip was about $14,000- top to bottom, stem to stern, including taking the bridge off and putting it back on again. But that was a long time ago.

 

[mykim]

Something known by most every long term boat owner but worth a mention IMHO. When having work performed on your boat, especially something such as repainting, you sometimes get what you pay for, often get less than you paid for, and never get more than you paid for. It takes no talent to squeeze the trigger on a spray gun. It takes talent, skill, experience, and the proper tools and facilities to produce a paint job that looks great and last for many years. Shopping for the best price is ill advised. Shopping for the best affordable prior examples of work product is the only approach that leads to satisfaction in the long term.

Pete

Exactly what my plan is. I've seen Huckins work and it is exceptional. They have a fully enclosed, ventilated building where the do the work. I won't be able to visit them before next week. But thought it would be interesting to get others inputs.

 

[Artzco]

Managed to get myself into a tight spot and banged up my 55'C last week. Insurance is willing to pay to repaint the stbd side. I'll have the entire hull painted though. My question is this. What are ball park figures to paint the hull with a yacht quality spray job? I'll have the Huckins yard in Jacksonville do the work.

Call Paul Jr at Huckins and he'll give you a quick quote. Their paint facility is first class.

 

[mykim]

Talked with PJ over at Huckins yesterday. $250 per foot. Sounded good to me. They have an indoor spray booth. Whole boat goes in and wa-la, out comes shiny boat.