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Old 15-05-2014, 03:58   #16
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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Thanks guys for all the good advice. Although I know from my real estate world that prices can vary greatly, this situation is intriguing me. I did figure out, after reviewing my quotes, that part of the price discrepancy is that the high guy is charging me quite a bit in installation labor, whereas the lower guy told me that he would do the installation free of charge. I don't think many customers order direct from him. I kind of got the impression that he fabricates for yards and ships the parts to them for install. He definitely got a kick out of me being a female and calling him, that helped. His price to fabricate was also less than the other guy, and also less than what a 3rd company had quoted.
The high guy also came from a recommendation so who knows if there is a kickback built in.
I also found it interesting that the high guy took 2 days to write up an estimate and needed all my info, but the low guy gave me a price after 5 minutes, a few questions and a quick review of my photos. But I did feel like he was very experienced with the wet tail system and described it exactly as I have been told.
Phil, your right about the grade of metal, I'm going to double check that. The first guy said they are busy right now. The second guy told me that he has the parts in stock and could start right away, so maybe that helped too.
I know for sure to always price around
Where is your captain in all of this? You said you were hiring one and this is where you could certainly use one who knows people in the industry, has experience getting this type work done and knows the pitfalls. You really have no basis for evaluating these vendors nor evaluating their work after it's done.

Anyone who claims he's doing installation free of charge is either lying, a fool and lousy businessman, or figuring on making it up some other way.

We personally prefer boatyards who are factory authorized centers, do all or the vast majority of work inside, quote very detailed and firm prices, and can be trusted to be there six months from now.

Regardless, I'd be leaning on my captain if you've hired one. If you haven't found one yet, then be moving toward it as you said you were going to. A captain isn't just of value to you getting from place to place, but of value getting ready to leave on the journey. Already a lot to be planned, arrangements to be made, hurricane plan to be formulated.
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Old 15-05-2014, 04:27   #17
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

I would think the boat hasn't been finalised yet and GG is sorting issues as she indicated. Don't need skipper if vessel out of water or tied up.

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Old 15-05-2014, 04:52   #18
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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I would think the boat hasn't been finalised yet and GG is sorting issues as she indicated. Don't need skipper if vessel out of water or tied up.

Cheers
Actually you do if you're making plans and arrangements and trying to get it ready for all that. Now I am uncertain whether she's the owner of the boat yet. The latest I read she wasn't but yet she'd getting quotes on work. That does seem out of order. At any rate, I believe she needs a captain starting with the day she takes ownership to get the boat ready for the trip, plan the trip, make sure it's all ready to safely and comfortably undertake what she has in mind. A captain would know the service providers to use and trust on some of these issues and would be more able to compare the two quotes. She needs all the skills a good captain brings to the job, not just someone to take the helm. That's the small easy fun part. Taking the helm is the one place she'll probably take the least time to learn herself.

A captain will build her spare parts and supplies inventory. All fluids need checking and changing as appropriate before the trip. Secure manuals. Make sure charts are updated.

There are many things as part of preparation for her trip.
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Old 15-05-2014, 04:54   #19
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

Not clear how complex/big the exhaust is. Are we talking about the manifold part of the engine, the exhaust riser, muffler box, etc?? But a few thoughts, for what they are worth. First, fabricating something (stainless) identical to a removed part should not be that complicated, provided the correct stainless grade and thickness are used and the shop knows stainless welding (not rocket science). Second, labor and difficulty to remove and re-install the parts may well be more costly than actually making the replacement part(s) because apart from time involved you will be paying yard rates. Third, if one exhaust is bad, then you might well want to replace the other side because it is likely to be in similar condition either now or in the near future. Lastly, my experience is that the least costly way to get work like this done, if possible, is to purchase parts / materials yourself, then pay labor for install separately.
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Old 15-05-2014, 09:02   #20
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

This reminds me of when I was in San Diego and someone needed to build scaffolding around their boat for a big job. They got a quote from a "marine" source and was given some astronomical price. They went to a builder-type business, but didn't mention it was for a boat, just gave dimensions needed, then got a price that was a third of the previous one. They went with the latter.
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Old 15-05-2014, 10:32   #21
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

Been my limited experience that not all Captains are really that good as mechanics.
One I hired for my delivery for example, heck of a nice guy, knew all there was about sailing I'm sure, but I doubt if he could fix a leaking sink, knew not a lot about Diesel fuel systems for example. I did, so it worked out well, but when the engine quit his response was to call Seatow and start hunting a repair yard
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Old 15-05-2014, 11:07   #22
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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Been my limited experience that not all Captains are really that good as mechanics.
One I hired for my delivery for example, heck of a nice guy, knew all there was about sailing I'm sure, but I doubt if he could fix a leaking sink, knew not a lot about Diesel fuel systems for example. I did, so it worked out well, but when the engine quit his response was to call Seatow and start hunting a repair yard
Very perceptive comment, a64pilot... most licensed as skippers spent a lot of sea time and a bit of studying gaining our certification and only incidently picked up diesel mechanics, electrical or hydraulic systems knowledge. Those of us from a commercial background learned a fair bit about these critical sysyems because we had to monkey wrench the systems on the go to keep the vessel running and meet our commercial commitments. However, the requirements to meet the standards of say 100 ton license is cursory at best.
Those with a Maritime Academy background with Unlimited Seagoing qualifications have a more structured mechanical training in addition to the vessel management portion of the curiculum. Those who took the engine room direction as opposed to deck officer qualification have an in depth knowledge and training on mechanical/electrical systems and are very well qualified. While those who went the non-Academy route picked up the knowledge by practice and are not necessarily trained in the specifics of mechanical/electrical/electronic trouble shooting, dignostics or repair work.
Another good reason to quiz potential skippers on their background and experience as well as their qualifications. Phil
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Old 15-05-2014, 11:13   #23
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

Not saying they're all good as mechanics. Not even saying all Captains are good Captains. But saying a good captain knows how and where to get work done on a boat, has experience in dealing with vendors and reviewing estimates. And a beginner needs that type captain, the one with knowledge and contacts. In her case needs that plus one who knows the Bahamas and Florida. But her Captain needs to have enough knowledge to deal with problems they could have crossing or in the Bahamas. So, what is needed would likely already be part of the skill set she's looking for.
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Old 15-05-2014, 11:31   #24
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

I would think her broker could direct her towards the type of people who could assist in repairs. Not so sure a captain from one area would have specific contacts in another for repair work. Ive known plenty of prof captains that didnt fix squat, would call someone to fix it on the owners dime, even though he was capable. Finding a good well rounded captain to meet all your needs would probably be like finding a diesel mechanic who knew what the $&4# they were doing. ...as for repairs GG its very common for a price to be quoted then increase due to unforseen issues. I would go with the person who seems to know exactly what you were talking about. Forget one feels trustworthy etc..paying a higher price for a specialist is ok but even they can be full of it. Ive seen multiple times someone hires a mechanic to fix an issue and they don't even come close. Or it takes multiple tries, or even misdiagnose the issue from the beginning. Its great to learn to fix stuff yourself and will save you tons in the future.

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Old 15-05-2014, 12:29   #25
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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I would think her broker could direct her towards the type of people who could assist in repairs. Not so sure a captain from one area would have specific contacts in another for repair work. Ive known plenty of prof captains that didnt fix squat, would call someone to fix it on the owners dime, even though he was capable. Finding a good well rounded captain to meet all your needs would probably be like finding a diesel mechanic who knew what the $&4# they were doing. ...as for repairs GG its very common for a price to be quoted then increase due to unforseen issues. I would go with the person who seems to know exactly what you were talking about. Forget one feels trustworthy etc..paying a higher price for a specialist is ok but even they can be full of it. Ive seen multiple times someone hires a mechanic to fix an issue and they don't even come close. Or it takes multiple tries, or even misdiagnose the issue from the beginning. Its great to learn to fix stuff yourself and will save you tons in the future.

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Well, I've had no problem finding a good captain and know many in the South Florida area who are knowledgeable and could help greatly in a situation like hers. Of course I've also had no problem finding mechanics or a boatyard I trust and turn to. But then I go to those also who are certified to work on the engines and equipment involved. Perhaps I pay a bit more but the work gets done right and they stand behind the work. She's talking about things that she doesn't have the background to fix and I doubt has the desire at this point.

Again we don't know what boat, where, who she's talking to. But when it's something you don't have familiarity with I find it often helps to have someone who does helping you. I think some of you are thinking in lines of your own experience plus your own boats. She lacks any experience and is talking about a 60' or so motor yacht with twin high hp engines and I imagine very loaded with other equipment. This is definitely not a DIY situation. And in Florida there are plenty of excellent boatyards.
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Old 15-05-2014, 13:39   #26
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

"...Again we don't know what boat, where, who she's talking to."

BandB, all clues lead to a 30 to 40 yr. old 70' +/- Hatteras. I was speculating that it may be this one.



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Old 15-05-2014, 14:36   #27
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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"...Again we don't know what boat, where, who she's talking to."

BandB, all clues lead to a 30 to 40 yr. old 70' +/- Hatteras. I was speculating that it may be this one.



Not that one. She has a photo of it being surveyed on her site. Windows don't match to that one. So, we don't know. It's a state secret, a real estate habit she developed. In real estate you talk and you'll lose it to someone else.
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Old 15-05-2014, 18:14   #28
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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Not that one. She has a photo of it being surveyed on her site. Windows don't match to that one. So, we don't know. It's a state secret, a real estate habit she developed. In real estate you talk and you'll lose it to someone else.
BandB, you're right about the windows.
It is more likely this one.


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Old 15-05-2014, 18:53   #29
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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BandB, you're right about the windows.
It is more likely this one.


Maybe one similar but she's indicated the boats in Florida hasn't she? And that one is in Mobile. And on that boat I do wonder how it's a fresh water boat. Brackish maybe but it's in Mobile. Mobile Bay is an estuary, both fresh and salt water mixed.
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Old 15-05-2014, 19:59   #30
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Re: MASSIVE price difference!!!

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Maybe one similar but she's indicated the boats in Florida hasn't she? And that one is in Mobile. And on that boat I do wonder how it's a fresh water boat. Brackish maybe but it's in Mobile. Mobile Bay is an estuary, both fresh and salt water mixed.
BandB, if you start putting all the little clues together it points to the 87' Hatteras 63. From GG's blog you can read where the family recently took a vacation to Dauphin Island in Alabama. This is near where the yacht is located and the listing does indicate "Sale Pending".

In this photo from GG's site you can see what looks like a listing info sheet on the front starboard side window. You may need to enlarge it but you can make out the numbers 87 63 on one line and part of the word hatteras on the line below.



There are a lot of other clues embedded in both the listing and GG's blog.
Mystery solved, maybe.
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