MFA Time standards manual, accurate?

[Rich]

Does anyone use the MFA Time standards manual http://marinefabricatormag.com/repository/6/16594/0113mf_tsm.pdf
for estimating boat cover times? Do you find them to be accurate or low or high in their time estimates?
Thanks,
Rich

[Mike]

I find  them very hight i dont recal but i think they said cor a simple
2 pass cockpit  cover from the glass top back crazy times like 6 or 8 hours.
Nut 10us years ago id have 6 boat T my shop and get them all done in a day now ill
Pri e a job as day as id have to go to the bost and pattern on a lift usualy then make it and return to i stall so ill figure 8 hours. But not if the boat comes to you

Id measure and cut and sew a 12' long blank take it out and pin it on the boat trim go in and bind it and then snap it on maybe 3 hours not rushing. 

[Mike]

When i would do 6 a day i sew all the blanks then pin then all and trim bacikly do them alll together

[Rich]

Thanks Mike,
To be fair, I have a reprint of an older standards manual and in that, they list all of the items being accounted for. I don't see it in the online version I linked to, but in the older version it listed just about everything related to the job including consulting with the boat owner, estimating the time and materials, ordering and receiving the materials, etc. So, there time is not just productive labor time. The times were about the same in the older version and the new, online version.
Rich

[JuneC]

I don't understand these standards.  For instance, an attached top (attached to either the windshield or an arch) = the adder for zippered pockets is for a 3-bow, .75.  But for a bimini top, zippered pokcets, 3-bow is 1.5.  I'm sorry... what's the difference?  A zippered bow pocket is just that, regardless of how or if the top is attached to an arch.  And why is it less time for a 9' beam than for a 7' beam?  Bogus metrics, IMHO.  It also depends on how you do your zippered pockets - zip in center of pocket or zip edge attached to main bimini fabric.  It's a big difference in time.  

And v-berth cushions - add 1/2 hour for beveled sides and 1/2 hour for welting.  Really??!!  Ok, if you can use old vinyl or fabric for a template and you're using pre-made welting.  If I'm going to cut 1.5 inch vinyl strips that'll go around a 7' v-berth, maybe 17 or 18 feet for each side, it's going to take way longer than 1/2 hour to make and install same.

Winch cover - small - .75 hours, large - 1.25 hours.  Sorry, but what's the difference?  Just the larger diameter adds half an hour to the fab time?  I don't think so....  Horseshite.

Some things are way too long, and others way too short.  Depends on how meticulous the stitcher is and the technique.  Me, I'd double most of those times.  

June

[Mike]

I don't understand these standards.... zippered pockets is for a 3-bow, .75.  But for a bimini top, zippered pokcets, 3-bow is 1.5.  I'm sorry... what's the difference?  A zippered bow pocket is just that, regardless of how or if the top is attached to an arch.  And why is it less time for a 9' beam than for a 7' beam?  Bogus metrics, IMHO.  It also depends on how you do your zippered pockets - zip in center of pocket or zip edge .

yes it crazy even with zipper in the middle of the pocket on 3 pocket an hour and a half ? REALLY SERIOUS  I don't think so   years ago those time didn't say for extra like ordering and estimating I  saved every magazine for 20 years I tossed them al out last year I felt like a horder I only kept then because ....

[Judy_Boat]

I use them, mostly as a frame of reference against my time spent on a similar job. At least it gives me somewhere to start because I do not have major experience.

[timtheboatguy]

Glad I'm not the only one here that doesn't understand them, thought perhaps I was just a moron. :)