Shop suggestions for stringer/transom repair?

[RowTide]

I unintentionally bought a project boat Rinker Siesta 243. I’ve scoured the forum and found 3 results none of which apply to soft deck. I am fine with paying a professional to make the repairs but the shops around Cincinnati seem averse to this kind of repair. I’m hoping there are professionals in the area that would take it in or could recommend a shop? I’m aware of the cost and the purchase price of the boat leaves me the room to pay for professional repair. Any suggestions are appreciated!

 

[matt167]

Professionals often do it wrong. They will get your boat safe but go onto the next boat as quick as they can. Their restoration of the structure may not last..

Anyone suggesting building from the outside in, is doing it as a quickie fix and is what I've seen many shops suggest. keep that in mind. It's still just after peak season so places have better things to do right now

 

[Baylinerchuck]

Professionals often do it wrong. They will get your boat safe but go onto the next boat as quick as they can. Their restoration of the structure may not last..

Anyone suggesting building from the outside in, is doing it as a quickie fix and is what I've seen many shops suggest. keep that in mind. It's still just after peak season so places have better things to do right now

Agree. Besides a repair of this type will take a very long time since the boat will probably need to be gutted. It’s a huge amount of labor. To pay someone to do a repair like this will be many times over what the boat is valued, which is why most people either haul em to the landfill, or fix them themselves. A repair shop would be afraid of taking on a Lengthy project, tying up time, and the risk of not getting paid. MHO.

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

Mostly DIY folks on this forum, and I tend to agree that 'professionals' will do an adequate job, but it may not be a great job. The cost might be $7-10K, depending on how much work/repair is needed. Usually these things go a lot deeper that it originally looks, so some estimates may be low vs. the actual cost.

If I do a bit of Googling, I find . . .

Haynes Fiberglass Boat Repair - Milford, OH
Fiberglass Custom Repair - Wilmer Ave, Cincinnati, OH

 

[Scott Danforth]

here is some real world costing comparisons

I received an estimate for my boat to take care of the exterior gel, including the spider cracks, a bit of fairing, re-texture the non-skid, etc. that was $6k - $10k if I had them sand off the bottom paint. to do the cockpit was another $4k. that was all cosmetic. I did it for lots of sweat, and about $1000 in materials.

I had to fix the transom and stringers on my Avanti, I took it to a marina that specializes in fiberglass work back in 2006. the guy pointed me to this forum and said, "it would cost you 4X what the boat is worth in our shop". the quote was $10k to do stringers, floor and transom. I did it for about $2200

your rinker with a soft floor will need stringers, floor, transom, foam, etc. just the materials, supplies, incidentals alone to do it right will be $2-$3000. then about 400-500 hours of work. granted a good shop can probably do it in about 120-150 hours as they have experience, shop room and cadence...... and they buy the materials for less, however they dont sell them to you for less......so using $120 per hour for 150 hours..... thats a labor bill potentially of $18000 to do it right

now, lets look at what they may do. they will cut every corner to get your floor out, new stringers in and a transom in. as Ted mentioned, the bill will be about $10k they literally will use a sawz-all and a chain saw, cut out the bad, do minimal grinding, lay the wood in, tab only the minimum, pour in foam, hose it down with bilgekote and glue the carpet in.

most people wouldnt pay $10,000 to $20,000 to restore an old boat when you can buy a much newer boat for that

and you still have an old rinker. that is why most shops do not want to take on the work unless you pay them up front.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

here is some real world costing comparisons

I received an estimate for my boat to take care of the exterior gel, including the spider cracks, a bit of fairing, re-texture the non-skid, etc. that was $6k - $10k if I had them sand off the bottom paint. to do the cockpit was another $4k. that was all cosmetic. I did it for lots of sweat, and about $1000 in materials.

I had to fix the transom and stringers on my Avanti, I took it to a marina that specializes in fiberglass work back in 2006. the guy pointed me to this forum and said, "it would cost you 4X what the boat is worth in our shop". the quote was $10k to do stringers, floor and transom. I did it for about $2200

your rinker with a soft floor will need stringers, floor, transom, foam, etc. just the materials, supplies, incidentals alone to do it right will be $2-$3000. then about 400-500 hours of work. granted a good shop can probably do it in about 120-150 hours as they have experience, shop room and cadence...... and they buy the materials for less, however they dont sell them to you for less......so using $120 per hour for 150 hours..... thats a labor bill potentially of $18000 to do it right

now, lets look at what they may do. they will cut every corner to get your floor out, new stringers in and a transom in. as Ted mentioned, the bill will be about $10k they literally will use a sawz-all and a chain saw, cut out the bad, do minimal grinding, lay the wood in, tab only the minimum, pour in foam, hose it down with bilgekote and glue the carpet in.

most people wouldnt pay $10,000 to $20,000 to restore an old boat when you can buy a much newer boat for that

and you still have an old rinker. that is why most shops do not want to take on the work unless you pay them up front.

Some great info there Scott. I’ve never really seen any raw numbers, but know labor is expensive, and the amount of time involved in these is intense. Added all up, paying someone do do this ain’t worth it. Buddy of mine had a Rinker 205, nice looking boat, but definitely showing the signs of rot. Motor mount rotted out and the motor fell down which blew out the coupler. I was not impressed with how it was put together.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Some great info there Scott. I’ve never really seen any raw numbers, but know labor is expensive, and the amount of time involved in these is intense. Added all up, paying someone do do this ain’t worth it. Buddy of mine had a Rinker 205, nice looking boat, but definitely showing the signs of rot. Motor mount rotted out and the motor fell down which blew out the coupler. I was not impressed with how it was put together.

remember, fiberglass boats are intended to last 15 years and be replaced. (your car you drive is intended to last 12 years or 180k miles)