Pushpit repair: How and how much?

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dedwards

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Hi all,

A while back I suffered a hit and run which resulted in the middle leg of one of my pushpits being bent about 30 degrees inboard and therefore being ripped out of the grp. I dont have a photo but have attached one from before the incident.

The bend happens just below the lower horizontal bars.

One boatyard quoted me for a complete removal and replacement of the whole pushpit which was rather expensive. Is there an easier/cheaper way to fix this?

cheers
 
I bet the quote would be a lot lower if you could deliver the work to the fabricator. The yard probably isn't doing the work anyway.

However you may need to make a plywood template to ensure the 'footprint' stays the same. I'm sure I've seen such templates at the workshop at Wicormarine.
 
Have you contacted your insurance company? I had the same thing happen to me, because I was hit on a mooring I don'y lose my NCB or have to pay an excess. Difficult to suggest repairs without a photo, but if the tube is creased it's going to hard to get it right again.
 
I should have got the insurance co on to it but due to other circumstances I never got around to it and its a bit late now.

The tube is indeed creased (at the weld point with the horiz bar).

Is bending it back out of the question? I have considered cutting it a bit with a dremel to weaken it enough to be able to bend it.

Thanks for the bengco link. I am indeed in that neck of the woods. Has anybody had anything similar done? if so, how much did it cost?
 
Best to take it off and take it to a fabricator, they may be able to sleeve another piece of tube inside and make new lower end of the leg. Definitely don't bend it back yourself it will weaken it considerably if it doesn't break off in your attempt.
 
Is there a hole in the bottom of the pipe so you can access from below and knock it out with a blunt ended bar.


(If you can understand that you are a better man than me, but I know what I mean.)
 
Most of the cost will be in removing it and refitting - usually a horrible job. The straightening or even replacement of the tube will be simple for a fabricator such as Ken suggests.
 
For a good stainless fabricator I can recommend Chris at CB Marine, his workshop is beside Chichester Marina, follow the road very nearly to CYC and he's on the right ( well, to the left he'd be in the canal ).

Had excellent work from him several times, and despite the location he's reasonable too.
 
You could also try Spar-Tec engineering at Port Hamble Marina 02380 457444 Mr P Hill, or
Marine Team - Rob West on 07915 382498. I also recommend C& B Marine Chris Silverthorne at Birdham Chichester,but will need to take the item to his premises for repair,this will be a bit difficult to position the feet as original when off the boat after the tube is re weldded or straightened; in my instance I had to have a completely new one built for which Chris quoted £381.71 plus VAT so may be a ballpark figure for a complete replacement.
£50 was quoted elsewhere just to remove it from the boat.
Hope this helps.
If you have a Southampton telephone directory there is another steel tube man, very reliable, his name is Tim Hazell in the Warsash/Locksheath area. I've mislaid his number for the moment and will repost if I find it again.

ianat182
 
Stern rail Pushpit

I met a guy a few months back on the beach of our mooring area. He was loading a new stern rail into his dinghy. I got talking and asked the price. The old one had been damaged like yours. I nearly fell over when he said it was $1200 (about 800 squid) He admitted the price may have been inflated for the insurance claim but that was with him removing and refitting. It is all expensive stuff. Indeed comparable to the value of a low value boat.
Yours may be easily repairable with just one tube damaged but it may still be expensive.

My own pulpit has a dent in it. I try to live with the less than perfect rail. We had a wild storm some years back. I had bought the boat home for safe keeping and a tree fell on it.

If you want it fixed best bet is to remove it and take it to one of the suggested people. You will of course need to repair the fibreglass but that will be the easy part. good luck olewill
 
About a month ago I had the top and middle rails of one side of my pushpit shortened by 12cm to increase the size of the walk-through from astern. I removed the pushpit and delivered it to the yard workshop with clear instructions. It was a cut and shut job, just remove the necessary length from each tube, weld back together, grind and polish. The job done was excellent, not possible to see the join. I was charged for two hours at €55 per hour plus VAT.
 
Thanks guys.. that all sounds a bit more reasonable (I was quoted something like 2k).

I've never done grp repairs but this sounds like a good opportunity to have a go.

Iain, if you find the details for the Warsash guy pls send them to me as that is exactly where I am based.

Boat is in Gosport so any recommendations for that area are also welcome.

cheers all.
 
I'm having a problem getting the phone number I mentioned; he's a Club member but the Data Protection Act is quoted when asking for his number from the office and apparently also ex-directory - probably a mobile user. Will PM you when I get it eventually!
Vyv Cox's idea sounds the most economical repair method for your job.

ianat182
 
I sent( I thought) a PM to you yesterday re the phone number, but doesn't appear to have worked. However I spoke to Tim Hazell so he is aware and his numbers are :
Mobile 07765 510535 and home 01489 589526. Sorry for the delay.

ianat182
 
Thanks Iain,

as all options include removing the pushpit its unlikely i'll be taking any action until the end of the season.

btw I have managed to take a piccy of the damage. please excuse the dodgy netting, I was in the process of installing it when I remembered this thread..
 
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