Gunwales

[storm petrel]

Had a couple of quotes to replace teak gunwales on Storm Petrel. The quotes were both "at least $3000 mate". One was at Fenwicks and one up here on the Central Coast.

Who else have had their gunwales replaced? Where did you have it done and what did you pay? I think I will get by with my old ones for a year or two more while I save up.

Cheers,
Mark

[Shaun]

Hi Mark,
Tell 'em their dreaming,mate!

while ive not looked into the process in depth, i just cant see why that high a cost is involved?
Are you talking about major fibreglassing work along the gunwhales for some reason or just replacing the timber toe rail?
if it timber surely materials cost less than $150?? using Beech or something similar??
Intermediate handyman skills should see it done.
Profile it yourself with a router, then fix with SS bolts & then plug & glue over bolt heads, sand, job done.
Surely in 2 days(or under) labour.
cheers
shaun

This could even be a niche' type business to get into,uummm....

[storm petrel]

Shipwrights like to do thinks just right. They both thought the profiled teak would be around $600-1000 and yes there is a bit of fiberglass work to be done but nothing substantial really. I think I could have a go at most of it myself but steaming and seamlessly joining timber is really out of my league. As I said in the earlier post, the old timber is not looking so bad that I can't live with it for another year or two.

Cheers,
Mark

[Shaun]

And then of course there is always the option of painting them, which when combined with also painting other timber(grab-rails) & trims etc really does look quite respectable, filling & repairing dents is no probs if its going to be painted.
cheers