Wits end

[ESCAPE PLAN]

Good morning
Some of you already know about my electrical issues on my 1975 64 ft m/y.
It has US wiring and was also wired for european use. I hired a electrician #1
He spent 3 hours looking at it and decided he didnt want to mess with it.
Electrician #2(wards marine service) said they would contact us, for an appointment to come look at it. Its been 15 days, no call yet. Elect.#3 would not even com to the boat, he said hes retiring, then said the boat was too old. I need some kind of help and im reaching out to you guys. Does anyone know of someone willing to come assess this for me and give me options?
I expect to pay thats not the problem. I cant do the rest of the projects on this boat until im comfortable that its corrected. Or should i just re wire the boat? Seems people have no problem coming out to do that. Thanks in advance.

Tony.

 

[Sadey]

Have you reached out to Scott Bickwald? If not PM me for his info, not sure I can post it here. Or find him on the Scott Saved my…thread I think he was allowed to post so you might PM him directly.

 

[SeaEric]

Good morning
Some of you already know about my electrical issues on my 1975 64 ft m/y.
It has US wiring and was also wired for european use. I hired a electrician #1
He spent 3 hours looking at it and decided he didnt want to mess with it.
Electrician #2(wards marine service) said they would contact us, for an appointment to come look at it. Its been 15 days, no call yet. Elect.#3 would not even com to the boat, he said hes retiring, then said the boat was too old. I need some kind of help and im reaching out to you guys. Does anyone know of someone willing to come assess this for me and give me options?
I expect to pay thats not the problem. I cant do the rest of the projects on this boat until im comfortable that its corrected. Or should i just re wire the boat? Seems people have no problem coming out to do that. Thanks in advance.

Tony.

Scott can probably help, or offer alternatives. Also consider another call to Ward's to follow up.
Edit: It just occurred to me that there are marine surveyors that perform electrical surveys. That could be a place to start.

 

[madhatter1]

Scott will be able to help. Do you have your electrical drawings? I believe he is working on a boat like this now. Probably just have to track down and reverse modifications.

 

[jmooney]

I would keep trying to get Wards to come .

 

[ESCAPE PLAN]

Calling Ward's again today but am conversing with Scott also.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Ward's have a good rep, but quite a few people on the HOF speak very well of Scott and his availability.

 

[Boatsb]

It's all about finding documentation to see who changed what and where.

 

[ESCAPE PLAN]

Well here's where i am at. Had "reputable" marine electric company come out and take a look.
the electrician, very good, very knowledgeable, figured out my issue in less than 2 hours i gained much knowledge from speaking with him.
basically i was told by him exactly what i needed and what would be done to correct my issue.
after a couple of days i received a quote for $18,500.00 which includes 1 isolation transformer@ $2200.00 2 galvanic isolators(which i was quoted, but don't need and 100hours for labor. to include putting the legs in the proper places in the ss panels, installing the transformer (with my assistance, cause its heavy as hell). the parts are the parts, but the labor seems a little excessive. i dont mind paying if its justified, but it seems that what the electrician told me and what the service mgr. sent me just dont line up. and since we called them to question certain things, we have heard nothing but crickets. not sure what to do.

 

[SeaEric]

Now at least you have an idea of what is needed to fix it.

 

[ESCAPE PLAN]

yes, i do but does the labor seem excessive? ive walked through everything i was told i needed and
i estimated about 27 hrs. i just dont know.

 

[Timeless72]

Businesses will take advantage of a great technician. You will see the work done correctly and accordingly, while they bilk the hours. I once had a bill for 17 hours to install a fuel flow meter. When I asked the manager if it seemed high, he quipped "we are never questioned on our billing". They did bring it down a bit. At least you have a figure of what not to exceed instead of shock and awe when done. This industry is full of cheats and liars. I have met more than a few.

 

[Play'N Hooky Too]

If they are sending two guys, that would be 54 hours using your estimate (27 hrs x 2 guys). With mob/demob and shop prep time that could easily be 60 hours.

Then of course they may apply the "owner plans to help" multiplier (x1.67), which takes you up to 100 hours.

 

[Captain Ralph]

apply the "owner plans to help" multiplier (x1.67),

That was near our rate when owners watched. 2 or 3 x if the owners helped.
Nothing gets accomplished when owners are on board.

 

[Captain Ralph]

100 hours may be that Just In Case estimate.
Always easier to reduce an estimate than increase it.
Some of our jobs were estimated up to an hour level.

Do you really need a transformer?

Now, a picky question, Your purchase surveyor really did not pick up on all of this?
Just what did he do or just charge hours??
SeaEric was correct, You may want to find an electrical surveyor now.
You also going to need him when the job is supposed finished.
.

 

[ESCAPE PLAN]

If they are sending two guys, that would be 54 hours using your estimate (27 hrs x 2 guys). With mob/demob and shop prep time that could easily be 60 hours.Then of course they may apply the "owner plans to help" multiplier (x1.67), which takes you up to 100 hours.

Only 1 guy and i was asked to assist in getting it into engine room and lifting it onto the shelf. That where my help ends.I will not be over his shoulder as i have a job. Even if i didnt, i hate when people are watching what i do.

 

[IOLANI]

WITS END would be a great name for an old Hatteras, I may use that lol.

 

[Boatsb]

It's nice to see most of you have no trust in vendors.

I do this kind of stuff for a living. I also don't care to work for the masses. I usually fix other peoples messes and can tell You that I'm not getting rich at $150/ hour.

I get to choose my customers and don't worry about the people who come to me after creating their own problems. The people who screwed up the boat seem to have disappeared. The survey was less than useful. Now we get a bunch of armchair admiral a-holes criticizing the vendor without actually seeing the project.

I feel for the owners of the boat who is being misguided by a bunch of less than qualified peoples opinions. Its not a small.project and nobidy posting realizes how much work is involved.

 

[ESCAPE PLAN]

100 hours may be that Just In Case estimate.
Always easier to reduce an estimate than increase it.
Some of our jobs were estimated up to an hour level.

Do you really need a transformer?

Now, a picky question, Your purchase surveyor really did not pick up on all of this?
Just what did he do or just charge hours??
SeaEric was correct, You may want to find an electrical surveyor now.
You also going to need him when the job is supposed finished.
.

yes, a transformer is needed, and i know im gonna get pushback on this, but in this situation i did not get a survey due to the very low cost of the vessel and what we were planning for it. i was willing to take whatever comes, although we stayed on it for a week before finalizing the purchase. we went over it with a fine tooth comb and still dont regret the purchase.

 

[jmooney]

Usually a Hatteras your size would have two transformers. , this is so you could use two shore power cables.