I recently had my ruuder post break on my 1983 34' Hunter, and I consequently lost my rudder on Lake Michigan. Irish Boat Works out of Charlevoix, Michigan, did the repairs which included ordering, preping, and installing the new rudder, plus doing some gelcoat work to damage done on the hull under the transom. My question is whether, or not, the 38 hours of labor that they charged me/my insurance company was reasonable? It seems too much to me.
Rudder replacement
- Thread starter bman88
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38 hours is 2 day's labor for 2 workers plus a little time for liaison work. They had to research the parts needed and place the order, receive the shipment, check the completness of the shipment. They may have had a man on the travel lift and two or three men on the ground and a man inside the boat when they were fitting the new rudder into place.
If it was just order the rudder, receive the rudder, fix a few scratches,and install the rudder, think about it a whole week one man? But its never that simple....
If interior structural glass or even cosmetic work had to be done, If the pedestal needed work for some reason, if the cables had to be replaced, if the quadrant were frozen on to the remnants of the old shaft, If the replacement rudder or shaft or both needed modification, if the upper, lower or both bearing surfaces needed work or replacement, if the emergency tiller fit the new shaft, if that damage to the stern was a little deeper than you thought, if your boat was returned clean... starts to sound pretty reasonable.
If interior structural glass or even cosmetic work had to be done, If the pedestal needed work for some reason, if the cables had to be replaced, if the quadrant were frozen on to the remnants of the old shaft, If the replacement rudder or shaft or both needed modification, if the upper, lower or both bearing surfaces needed work or replacement, if the emergency tiller fit the new shaft, if that damage to the stern was a little deeper than you thought, if your boat was returned clean... starts to sound pretty reasonable.
Sounds reasonable
It is hard to determine the hours needed on an individual basis. I recently had to rebuild the rudder on my S37. I spent three days trying in vain to get the quadrant loose from the shaft to no avail, and ended up actually cutting the floor out of the cockpit to get it out. So, without knowing all the unexpected problems, 38 hours don't sound bad.
It is hard to determine the hours needed on an individual basis. I recently had to rebuild the rudder on my S37. I spent three days trying in vain to get the quadrant loose from the shaft to no avail, and ended up actually cutting the floor out of the cockpit to get it out. So, without knowing all the unexpected problems, 38 hours don't sound bad.
I had to replace the rudder bearings on my '83 H34, but I did it my self in the back yard. I also filled the rudder tube with West epoxy impregnated with carbon black. Before reinstalling the rudder I drilled a pair of holes for grease fittings. I would guess I easily spent that amount of time doing the job including digging the hole to drop the rudder.
I'm surprised you didn't ask for an estimate before work was started, I sure would have. It seems like a fair amount of time to do the job.
I'm surprised you didn't ask for an estimate before work was started, I sure would have. It seems like a fair amount of time to do the job.
I had an estimate on rebuilding my rudder ( '83 H34 also) 7 years ago from Bristol here in Toronto. They quoted $2000 if the rudder was de installed and delivered to them. $1700 extra to remove from the boat ( digging a hole). I cant remember the hourly rate, but knowing Bristol it would have been at least 70$ per hr
The rudder had a football sized bulge protruding about 1" midway up the stbd side. I ended up grinding it out while still on the boat- found sound white foam about 1" below surface. Filled with glass and stitch mat then wrapped a layer of cloth and epoxy around the whole thing. Not as smooth as original but sems strong.
The rudder had a football sized bulge protruding about 1" midway up the stbd side. I ended up grinding it out while still on the boat- found sound white foam about 1" below surface. Filled with glass and stitch mat then wrapped a layer of cloth and epoxy around the whole thing. Not as smooth as original but sems strong.
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Sounds high to me too. Did they itemize their time or just gave you the net 38 hrs.
If your insurance company was willing to pay the bill, they must think it is okay!
If your insurance company was willing to pay the bill, they must think it is okay!
Itemize all of the detailed parts of the work that needed to be done. Don't gloss over any steps. Remenber that you will be called back to correct, at no charge, anything you missed. Also remember that most things will take a little longer than your optimistic estimate. Add in all of the bits and pieces of hardware. Also remember that this thing has been in salt water for some years and may resist your best efforts for disassembly. What tools and machines will you need, how many people are needed to keep the job moving and safe.
Bman...
being an H34 owner, I am most curious as to the nature of your rudder post break. Was there a root cause? At what point on the tube did it break? What do you attribute the damage under the transom to?
Thirty eight hours doesn't seem too excessive for such a repair.
being an H34 owner, I am most curious as to the nature of your rudder post break. Was there a root cause? At what point on the tube did it break? What do you attribute the damage under the transom to?
Thirty eight hours doesn't seem too excessive for such a repair.
I just recently had a damaged rudder replaced on my "77 C30. In addition to removing and replacing the broken rudder (with a new one) and all that entails, they had to prep the new rudder (epoxy barrier coat). The quadrant was frozen and after many hours they gave up and had to cut the old rudder off. They also charged me ($200) to dig a hole under the boat to drop the rudder. They had the boat for 4 weeks (from haul out to launch) with new rudder. Final cost around $5,000.00. The insurance paid all except my small deductable. I have no complaints.
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I was out in about 25 MPH following winds when I lost my steering. I looked down from the transom and saw the rudder flopping around, which caused the gelcoat damage. It eventually broke off all the way. The post broke at the hull. I think there is a weld at that location. I'm told that loosing a rudder this way is not that unusual, plus the boat is 27 years old.
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