Labor to swap pontoon boat console

[MASTER Brian]

I am needing an idea of how long it will take to replace one console with another on a pontoon boat. The boat in question is a 1990 Bass Buggy with a Johnson Side Mount Control. The console has a radio, speakers, GPS Depth Finder along with Tach, Speedo, etc. I am planning on buying a new console and equiping it with similar items. I'm just curious to know how many hours a shop might charge for a job like this. How long to tear apart console 1 and remove and then mount console 2 and be ready to go. I need an idea to give to insurance company. Doesn't have to be exact.

If anyone also has idea as to labor time to remove interior on an 18' pontoon and replace seats that would be nice as well. The shops around here charge $90 per hour labor.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Assume 8 hours (at $125 per hour)

Or turn your own wrenches

 

[HotTommy]

I replaced the console (along with nearly everything else) on my old 24' pontoon boat. The console held the gauges and steering assembly. The throttle was not on the console, but would not have been a big issue on my boat if it had been. Keep in mind that this was the first and only time I've done this job, so I would expect a marine machanic to be quicker than me. Here is my estimate of the time I needed and how long I'd expect it to take a pro.

• Remove steering assembly from console. Me: 4 hours. Pro: 0.5 hour
• Remove gauges from console. Me: 2 hours. Pro: 1 hour (My gauges did not have quick disconnect electrical fittings).
• Disconnect console from deck and remove. Me: 0.75 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Decide on gauge layout for new console (it was not pre-cut for gauges). Me: 1 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Cut holes for gauges. Me: 3 hours. Pro: 1 hour (This was the hardest job because the least error would ruin the upholstery on the console.)
• Secure console to deck. Me: 0.5 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Install gauges. Me: 2 hours. Pro: 1 hour.
• Install steering assembly: Me: 1 hour. Pro: 0.5 hour
• Miscellaneous (e.g., clean gauges, replace questionable wiring, etc.). Me: 2 hours. Pro: 0.5 hour
• TOTAL. Me: About 15 hours. Pro: 5-6 hours.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Thanks, I plan to turn my own wrenches and the console I'm thinking of buying is about $499 more if I buy it with gauges already installed, along with fuse panel, that cuts down any room for error and time to install. That still leaves glove box, stereo, ignition key, etc...but those are easy. Like I said adjuster wants a number and this will get him where he wants to be. I think we are just at point it's easier for him to total than not at this $$$ point.

 

[Scott Danforth]

call a marina and get an official estimate for the adjuster.

 

[Grub54891]

Tommy has it fairly close, I leave room for the unexpected, as sometimes things don't go as easily as planned. Add a couple hours to that.

 

[MASTER Brian]

call a marina and get an official estimate for the adjuster.

I've tried that and they don't seem to want to give a written estimate without leaving the boat for a week or so and being able to tell them what console is going back in....ie they want to sell me THEIR console before writing it down. For what it is worth, I've called almost a half dozen shops in the area, some won't quote as boat is too old, the only other one is where boat was when it was stolen from and torn up.

 

[MASTER Brian]

I'm sending the adjuster the 5-8hr approximation. We are seriously less than a grand from it being a total loss for them without this info and he's seeming to want it to go that route, just to be rid of it and make me whole again. I'm hoping he'll accept these numbers. If it is approx 5hrs to swap console and another 3-6 to replace the interior or $500-1000+ to rebuild damaged wood and/or replace the furniture, I think that'll be enough to easily throw it over the top.

 

[WaterDR]

Finding someone to work on a boat this old is going to be nearly impossible. Its a lot of work to put together an estimate for work they know you will never do with them. A marine adjuster should know how to do their job....this is what they do for a living. Based on the work you just described (seats and console) I would be willing to bet that its a total loss on a 26 year old pontoon.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Finding someone to work on a boat this old is going to be nearly impossible. Its a lot of work to put together an estimate for work they know you will never do with them. A marine adjuster should know how to do their job....this is what they do for a living. Based on the work you just described (seats and console) I would be willing to bet that its a total loss on a 26 year old pontoon.

You are 100% correct on that. Unfortunately the one shop that would is the one I'm having issues with. I'll also add the insurance company doesn't have an in the field adjuster for boats in our area, so they rely on the shops to provide the estimates for them. This is something I knew going into and honestly, I've never had any issues with them taking care of my stuff.

It does appear to be a total loss, once it's restored I'm wondering what the value will be! Any pointers there? I've seen similar boats for about what I had it insured for, which was $5500 + $1500 trailer + $2750 unattached equipment. The entire top side will be new carpet, refinished skins and new interior. I'll likely replace all gauges, etc. So the other thing that will be old is the toons and the motor....realizing motor is a lot of the cost of a boat. Is $8000 for the hull/motor a fair value of a restored pontoon?

 

[bruceb58]

I replaced the console (along with nearly everything else) on my old 24' pontoon boat. The console held the gauges and steering assembly. The throttle was not on the console, but would not have been a big issue on my boat if it had been. Keep in mind that this was the first and only time I've done this job, so I would expect a marine machanic to be quicker than me. Here is my estimate of the time I needed and how long I'd expect it to take a pro.

• Remove steering assembly from console. Me: 4 hours. Pro: 0.5 hour
• Remove gauges from console. Me: 2 hours. Pro: 1 hour (My gauges did not have quick disconnect electrical fittings).
• Disconnect console from deck and remove. Me: 0.75 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Decide on gauge layout for new console (it was not pre-cut for gauges). Me: 1 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Cut holes for gauges. Me: 3 hours. Pro: 1 hour (This was the hardest job because the least error would ruin the upholstery on the console.)
• Secure console to deck. Me: 0.5 hour. Pro: 0.25 hour
• Install gauges. Me: 2 hours. Pro: 1 hour.
• Install steering assembly: Me: 1 hour. Pro: 0.5 hour
• Miscellaneous (e.g., clean gauges, replace questionable wiring, etc.). Me: 2 hours. Pro: 0.5 hour
• TOTAL. Me: About 15 hours. Pro: 5-6 hours.

Need to add time for remoaval and installation of throttle/shift control and cabling.

Also, radio, and other electrical wiring.

 

[ahicks]

You are 100% correct on that. Unfortunately the one shop that would is the one I'm having issues with. I'll also add the insurance company doesn't have an in the field adjuster for boats in our area, so they rely on the shops to provide the estimates for them. This is something I knew going into and honestly, I've never had any issues with them taking care of my stuff.

It does appear to be a total loss, once it's restored I'm wondering what the value will be! Any pointers there? I've seen similar boats for about what I had it insured for, which was $5500 + $1500 trailer + $2750 unattached equipment. The entire top side will be new carpet, refinished skins and new interior. I'll likely replace all gauges, etc. So the other thing that will be old is the toons and the motor....realizing motor is a lot of the cost of a boat. Is $8000 for the hull/motor a fair value of a restored pontoon?

Just do a little shopping. That'll give you an education. If you see re-furbed boats that have been done reasonably well, you'll see they can easily double or triple their original value. In our case, doing the work ourselves saves enough to re-power with something new enough to be fuel injected. Those aren't cheap, but REALLY step up the resale value - IF I were even thinking along those lines. As it will be pretty much custom built to our specs. (vinyl floor, door and swim ladder added to right rear, nice console etc, etc, etc.) I doubt seriously I'd ever be interested in selling it.

The only caution I would add to those thoughts is that I'm working with a boat that's been working right for me other than it's dire need for serious attention. If you're struggling with an 18 footer that should be a 24', or your tubes seem overloaded on occasion, you might just want to use this as an excuse to start over again with something that might fit your needs a little better. -Al

 

[WaterDR]

No knowing you and not knowing the boat, this is what I think...take the money and run.

Old boats....even restored ones...don;t get any value. And no one really wants an 18 footer these days. Sorry to be frank.

You would be better off, IMO, taking the cash, and spending a little more to buy someone bigger, and about 10 years newer.

 

[WaterDR]

BTW, I saw a 1988 fully restored 18 footer this past weekend. It look HORRIBLE and the guy had a sale sign on it for 10,500. Still had original motor and was redone all in orange. Boat barely floated with 6 people on it because of the old school pontoons. I sold a 2001 Prem. 22 footer with a 40 hp four stroke on it a few years ago for the same price.

He won't get anywhere close to 10k for it....don't think he will get 4k. But when you have 10k into something, you get convinced that's what it worth, when it is not.

So, unless you WANT a project and plan on keeping it, then go for it.

 

[MASTER Brian]

Thanks, that actually does help a bit. I'm trying to decide what to do. I'm considering throwing it up for sale and seeing what I can get out of it. If I can't get anything, then maybe I'll tear it down and rebuild it. I might have found a 24'er that looks pretty nice and is a 2007 model for about $7000. Something must be wrong with it, but we'll see....