Vallejo Boatworks

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Waynepj4

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2008
RO Number
30904
Messages
398
Good afternoon all,

I succeeded in purchasing a 2001 Bayliner 3055 YAY. I took it for a sea trial this weekend and will have it shipped this week. It will need service and outfitting before its ready to go.

I had a bad experience with Eagle Marine so Im not going that route again. I wanted to find out if anyone has feedback on Vallejo Boatworks? Do they work fast, are their costs reasonable, do they do good work and do what they say they are going to do? Are they a full service boat yard, one stop shop?

Word of mouth is always the best way to find new services.

The boat will need the following:
Canvas
Drive service
engine servicing (oil change, fuel filter change..the basics)
buff wash wax, thorough cleaning inside and out
GPS installation.
 
Wayne,

I'm not sure you will ever find someone who:
-works fast
-has reasonable costs
-does good work
-does what they say they'll do

You can usually get three of the four, but is rare to find someone that does it all. That being said, I have no experience with Vallejo Boat Works. I have had very god luck with Svendsen's in Alameda.
 
Ditto, had very good luck with Svendsen's in Alameda, talk to Ray he can help you out.

Eric
 
It might be better to go to other vendors for some things. For instance, the canvas: A boat yard will outsource that to a canvas shop. Going directly to a canvas shop will save a bit of money, but will involve your researching to find a good one in your area.

Talk to folks in your marina for recommendations. Or when you see a boat's canvas you admire, ask the boat owner who he used. We boaters are always glad to share this sort of info, even to a stranger.
 
I've been to Svendsen's Chandlery many times for hard-to-find materials and have nothing but good things to say about their store. I haven't taken my boat there but my uncle has taken his sailboat to Svendsen's for many years. He keeps the boat in Stockton and believes the trip to Alameda is worth it, so that says a lot.
 
Have you thought about doing the oil change and fuel filter change yourself, along with the cleaning? Nothing like getting to know your boat. These are fairly simple tasks that just require a little elbow grease. Good luck with the new to you boat.
 
quote:
Originally posted by yzer

I've been to Svendsen's Chandlery many times for hard-to-find materials and have nothing but good things to say about their store. I haven't taken my boat there but my uncle has taken his sailboat to Svendsen's for many years. He keeps the boat in Stockton and believes the trip to Alameda is worth it, so that says a lot.

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Got it. So it sounds like Svendsens in Alameda has a great reputation. I found a canvas guy that will do it for a reasonable cost. He did my last boat and did a pretty good job. Definitely upgrading to strataglass.

I will call/email svendsns for a quote. Thanks.

As far as doing the work myself. I have a full time job, a wife and a kid. I prefer to enjoy the boat, not work on it. I just try to find a reliable professional so he can work on the boat while Im at work on my own job and then on the weekends I can enjoy the boat with peace of mind.
 
They are expensive. 330 to haul out 30 footer comparied to 210 at Vallejo Boatworks. One thing I can do is have the shipper ship directly to Vallejo boat works or Svendsens and that should avoid the cost of haul out. A penny saved is a penny earned.
 
Some places are cheap for a reason. And then some places are more reasonable because they've been in business for a long time and are not mortgaged to the hilt. That is where reputation and first hand reports from other boaters comes in, like you are doing here!

Glad you've got a good canvas guy. they are worth their weight in gold when you need some canvas work done! Even though you prefer to hire out the boat work, the more you know and understand your boat's systems, the better the service you will receive 'cause you'll know what questions to ask and recognize when someone is BSing you.

Good luck!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4

They are expensive. 330 to haul out 30 footer comparied to 210 at Vallejo Boatworks. One thing I can do is have the shipper ship directly to Vallejo boat works or Svendsens and that should avoid the cost of haul out. A penny saved is a penny earned.

Click to expand...

Wow! Svendsens is good. I emailed Vallejo Boatworks last night and Im waiting for a reply. I emailed Svendsens this morning and within minutes got a reply back thanking me for the inquiry. They told me my request has been forwarded to Ray and I should have a quote shortly.
 
Wayne,

Being familiar with and knowing how things work on the boat can also make the difference between enjoying a weekend on the boat or aborting that trip to Angel Island (Ouch, that wasn't supposed to be a zinger). I've been able to salvage a few trips over the years because I was able to diagnose and make small repairs without having to return to port.

Svendsen's may sound like a little more at first, but being in business and only having the weekends to enjoy the boat will surely make their price worth it. Every time they have done work for me, they have actually given me a schedule, done what they said and have met their schedule without delay. I hate to say it, but it is rare for any of our Delta boatyards to do the same(they call it Delta Time). To me that is worth the trip down to the Bay and I usually combine it with another trip so that I can enjoy Fleet Week or the Wheelchair Regatta.

Hope you find someone that works for you.
 
Ok. Haul out, power wash and bottom paint labor comes to $585.00 for a 30ft boat. How much for the cost of the actual paint? I'm trying to set my budget for servicing and outfitting for this boat.
 
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/aos/1331876033.html Vallejo boat works quotes 4,800 for bottom paint, drive engine service and wax. That's an awful lot for a boat that works. I found a guy on craigslist who can do all that for $1800. He does servicing for most boats in disco bay.

Good deals are out there if you look.
 
Wayne,

You are going to do what you want, but remember it is much more difficult to track down a mobile service company when you need service. I also don't believe that he does "MOST" of the boats in Disco Bay, or even a large majority. If you have doubts, contact the Yacht Club and ask them. Think about it, where does a mobile service haul the boat out? Do you really want a detailer pulling your outdrives off and servicing them? He may be good on the wax, but I'd get a real mechanic with a brick and mortar presence to do the mechanical stuff.

The warm glow of a few dollars saved will quickly be forgotten when dealing with problems that prevent you from using your boat a few months down the line (remember Angel Island and the repeated trips to the mechanic). Whatever decision you make, I hope it works out well for you and will look forward to a report on how it turns out.
 
quote:
Originally posted by AbsoLoot

Wayne,

You are going to do what you want, but remember it is much more difficult to track down a mobile service company when you need service. I also don't believe that he does "MOST" of the boats in Disco Bay, or even a large majority. If you have doubts, contact the Yacht Club and ask them. Think about it, where does a mobile service haul the boat out? Do you really want a detailer pulling your outdrives off and servicing them? He may be good on the wax, but I'd get a real mechanic with a brick and mortar presence to do the mechanical stuff.

The warm glow of a few dollars saved will quickly be forgotten when dealing with problems that prevent you from using your boat a few months down the line (remember Angel Island and the repeated trips to the mechanic). Whatever decision you make, I hope it works out well for you and will look forward to a report on how it turns out.

Click to expand...

Oh I forgot to mention. This guy is a detailer and can do anti fouling paint. Claims to have 25 years experience working on boats. To be on the safe side he is sending me references. As far as mechanic work he does not do that himself. He said he is referring me to a mechanic he works with who is mercruiser certified.

You know, extra money doesnt always mean quality. I spent 5k to repair a boat and when I picked it up it was a mess and in total dissarray. They didnt put anything back the way they found it. Sure, I spent a ton of money but didnt not get quality service in return.
 
That is why it is so important to check out references from reliable sources prior to making a decision. Ya know, you can save a lot of money by storing your boat on a lift when not in use. The cost of the list would probably be saved within 4 yrs. And look at all the hassles you would save.

No more bottom painting; no more outdrive corrosion; no more worrying about your boat sinking while you are away. I would strongly recommend your considering a boat lift before you commit your funds. You could get along fine with a detailing and outdrive/engine maintenance and your GPS installation and canvas replacement.
 
I agree with Flutter. Lifts are a Delta boat owners' best friend. Craigslist usually has quite a few used lifts listed. I stumbled into mine as a result of looking at a boat. Didn't end up buying the boat, but I did buy the lift once the boat was gone. It wouldn't take many hull cleanings and bottom paintings to pay for it and your outdrives will last much longer.
 
quote:
Originally posted by etyppo

I agree with Flutter. Lifts are a Delta boat owners' best friend. Craigslist usually has quite a few used lifts listed. I stumbled into mine as a result of looking at a boat. Didn't end up buying the boat, but I did buy the lift once the boat was gone. It wouldn't take many hull cleanings and bottom paintings to pay for it and your outdrives will last much longer.

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Maybe one day I'll get a boat lift but I can get the bottom and drives painted for $650.00. I can get a buff, wash and wax from the same detailer for an additional $350.00. No cost of haul out. He has a trailer and will tow the boat out and do the work right there at the marina. Its a great deal.

In terms of engine servicing..the yacht broker recommended a mechanic who does a lot of work with him. He is tuning up and changing the oil on both engines for $250.00 per engine. Partsare an additional 500. So I will have both engines tuned up for $1000.00 and will be good to go for some time.

Im going to have the gear lube oil changed once its hauled out by the detailer and that shouldnt cost too much.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4

Maybe one day I'll get a boat lift but I can get the bottom and drives painted for $650.00
Click to expand...


My outdrive paint job lasted two years. Bottom paints will last about the same, but your "bottom" will need to be powerwashed on land 2-3 times a year.

NONE of these expenses are necessary from the minute you put the boat on a lift..... ROI
 
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