Marine Fabricator January/February 2023 - 26

HOW IT WORKS
2023 MFA TIME STANDARDS MANUAL
his manual features exterior categories and upholstery categories. Marine canvas and
upholstery is a custom-oriented business, so each product category features a base
set of times that changes according to the various sizes of a specifi c project.
The manual also indicates re-cover estimates on boat tops by classifying frames and
tops into separate categories. For a complete frame and top, simply add the times for both
categories. For a re-cover job, use the times for the top only.
T
EXAMPLE PROJECT
The category timetables do not include any of the options listed at the end of each category.
Why? The list of times to cover every possible product combination would quickly fi ll up a
dictionary, and then some. To estimate the total time for a custom product, you must add the
time from the product table to the times of each of the options at the bottom of the list. See
example to the left:
ESTIMATE EXAMPLE
As you can see from this example, the options
list is the key to getting accurate total hours
for each custom product.
FRAME
1-inch stainless steel frame
4-bow bimini with
a 9-foot beam
Options: Split mount
Dog-leg for one frame
TOTAL FRAME HOURS
TOP
4-bow bimini top with
10-foot beam
Options: Zipper pockets
2-stay cutout
2 sailing windows
2 x 1.50 hours
Storage boot
TOTAL TOP TIME
TOTAL JOB TIME
7 hrs.
2 hrs.
3 hrs.
3 hrs.
1.5 hrs.
16.50 hrs.
20.75 hrs.
*Example based on average of 60 " goods
3 hrs.
0.75 hr.
0.5 hr.
4.25 hrs.
Product
This bimini top on a sailboat requires a split mount to get around the winches. There are two
backstays going through the top, the customer wants two sailing windows, and the beam is
9 feet wide. The customer also wants the top to be 96 inches long from front to back. To clear
the winches, you also must put a dog-leg in one of the two main bows. Finally, the customer
wants a zip-off bimini for easy removal.
According to this manual, the average marine fabricator would require 20.75 hours to complete
this project. This total includes the time it takes to complete each of the following tasks:
* Give the estimate
* Design the product
* Patterning
* Order the materials
* Receive and pay for the materials
* Bend the frame
* Mount and fi t the top
* Cut the top out
* Sew the top
* Install the top
* Bill and collect the money
Considerations Checklist:
These considerations are other product options to take into account when estimating overall
time of a custom product. Here are some factors aff ecting the job time:
* Driving a substantial distance
* Diff erent types of hardware: Common
Sense, Lift the Dot, turns, snaps, zippers
* Replacing snaps in boat and installing
new hardware
* The material fastener is being drilled into:
fi berglass, wood, stainless steel,
(stainless steel window), aluminum
* Specialty hardware
* Track installation: Diff erent types of
track may take more time
* Track removal: Do you have to
remove track?
* Pattern times can vary
* Old versus new design
* Are vents needed?
* Flaps: rain, overlaps, zippers
* Prototyping
* Is there an electrical component involved
in the project? Ask boat owner to remove
electrical items such as antenna mount,
radar mount (not including electrical),
before doing the fabrication
* Is the boat going to be on land or in
the water? This will change pattern
and install.
* Is this a 1-or 2-person job?
26 Marine Fabricator | January/February 2023

Marine Fabricator January/February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Marine Fabricator January/February 2023