Recovering a Maule

mx7mauleboys · Post by **mx7mauleboys** » Mon Mar 07, 2011 2:47 pm

Has anyone ever totally recovered the Ceconite on an MX-7-180? If so would appreciate any advice on the subject![/b]

TomD · Post by **TomD** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 7:55 am

There is a great thread on this BB:

http://maulepilots.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1683

The MX 7 is the same airframe with different engines. Everything in this thread pertains to your 180

mx7mauleboys · Post by **mx7mauleboys** » Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:12 am

Thanks Tom! Will look into the info. you linked.

Z_Pilot · Post by **Z_Pilot** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 2:07 pm

What would a re-cover job generally cost?

$40k?
$20k?

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 4:47 pm

Just a recover with no other added mods or repairs to airframe, looking at about $20K materials and labor. Generally, you end up doing some repairs / mods, and realistically probably closer to $30K by the time you get it out the door of a shop.... Some places may be a little cheaper, maybe a little more at others, and some places will really low ball a bid, only to add on a bunch AFTER they get the old fabric removed... If you have a shop do it, suggest checking with a couple of previous customers that were done at least 5 yrs prior to see how durable job was? I also think the poly fiber process is a little more user friendly, material is the same stuff, just different chemical process, and price about the same either way...

It's not rocket science to do yourself if you have an A&P or IA who is willing to work with you on inspections, showing shortcuts in fabric process, and otherwise keeping you headed in right direction. You're probably looking at just under $10K in materials, and work is very labor intensive. I have worked with some owners here, and have seen some very nice jobs done with no previous experience, and normal response when they're done is "I didn't realize the time / work involved"...

Z_Pilot · Post by **Z_Pilot** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:07 pm

Thanks for the answer aero101

It was just what I was looking for.

I am just trying to weigh the pros / cons / costs of purchasing my first airplane, hopefully a Maule on floats, next year.

Do I start with a cheaper example that needs a recover & new engine, or do I get a more expensive example that needs almost nothing.

Until I had an idea of what a recovering job would cost, in a ballpark sense, I could not really compare "overall" final costs of what I am looking at online.

Thanks for your help!

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:23 pm

It's almost always cheaper to buy a flying airplane then most projects cost to repair, but on flip side with new recover and new engine, you've got something you could fly for a very long time and would know exactly what you have? Not sure of year airplane you're looking at, but at retail prices you're looking at about $50K dropped off bluebook for work needed, so it would have to be a pretty good deal on the airplane or I'd shy away from it... The recover really doesn't add a lot of value vs what it costs, and of course a new engine will add value, but probably not full value of overhaul? About the only airplane I know of that can recover full cost of recover and engine overhaul is the PA18 supercub, which are way way overpriced in my mind for a nice one. Personally, I'd rather have my Maule.. Good luck shopping!!

Z_Pilot · Post by **Z_Pilot** » Thu Dec 01, 2011 5:47 pm

By the way, one follow-on question:
The $20-$30k for a recover job...does that include a basic paint job, or not?

This is what I am looking at:
http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Trans ... 5_235.html

So, I am just mulling things over (that's a "mature" way of saying that I am fantasizing \ daydreaming over airplanes

).

So, the above linked project would most likely be a full-on deal. However, 30k is pretty reasonable for the airplane I think. The instrument panel does not look horri-bad. It is timed out, so that puts me back $30k...at least. Then, it is 5 years out of annual...so...I think the annual would be a pricey one, perhaps $10k. Then, it would need a recover and paint job if it is original, and has been sitting outside in Alaska for the last 30 years....so....that's another $30k.

I am at 100k right now. So, I could end up with this, looking all shiny and new with my choosing of a paint job and 0 hours on the engine, or, I could try to find something similar with a mid-time engine and good fabric / paint (can anyone say boring paint job) for the same price.

However, with that said, I am sure there are a plethora of other problems and this would end up being a super-expensive project which I can't afford.

By the way, Google has failed me concerning the "Fiber-form" floats mentioned in that ad. I have never heard of them and I can't find any information on them.

Other options:
http://barnstormers.com/classified_6101 ... plane.html
This one is timed out, too.

http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Trans ... 7_235.html
Again, this one is timed out.

Jeremy had the best deal last summer, but I am not ready to buy yet:
http://maules.com/1998M7-235B-Aquas/index.html

I am wanting to spend $80k on a late 70s to mid 90s M5 or M7 on floats...but I am not sure if I can find something like that.

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 12:15 pm

The M5 you're looking at in Nikiski, 1979 model showing bluebook around $29K, and that's for an aircraft in annual, and flyable? Not sure of condition of his fabric or engine and it's been parked for 6 yrs? If you put $90K into a M5, better plan on keeping acft a long time as retail value will probably never reach near that level. Fiber Form floats have been out of production many years and Jeremy may be best source for performance. They add a little to retail value, but not a whole lot.... The other M5 is priced quite high, but you figure what owner has just put into it? I'd certainly talk to Jeremy regarding help shopping. You should be able to find a fairly nice airplane with what you mentioned financially? Good luck!

Z_Pilot · Post by **Z_Pilot** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 3:11 am

It took some real digging, but I finally found some more info about those floats...of course, most of the information was already here in our fourms

(<< rolling eyes at myself)

What took me so long to find information on these floats, was the fact that the advertisement for the above mentioned plane used the term Fiberform floats, instead of the correct term/name: FiberFloats.

http://www.maulepilots.org/forums/viewt ... b22955ec61

http://www.maulepilots.org/forums/viewt ... 0d18775b54

http://www.backcountrypilot.org/forum/v ... =31&t=7239

http://www.supercub.org/forum/showthrea ... iberfloats

They actually sound really neat to me. However, they seem really risky in the above mentioned ad. Many times I have read that these will delaminate if not stored correctly during winter (in hangar, upside down)...and...its looking like the above floats are stored outside in Alaska. Also, it seems as though the mounting process is a two step process in that the final rigging of the floats has to be done in the water. I highly doubt I am going to find a mechanic in my local area that is familiar with these floats, and the required rigging procedures.[/i]

MauleWacko · Post by **MauleWacko** » Fri Dec 09, 2011 7:09 am

Z_Pilot · Post by **Z_Pilot** » Sat Dec 10, 2011 11:46 pm

MauleWacko wrote:How about the 1984 M-7-235 on aqua2400's on the alaska list now.It has the long wing and a 2000tbo engine?

It must be a newer listing:
http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Trans ... 7_235.html

It looks nice, but, I don't see what makes it worth $17k more than: http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Trans ... 7_235.html

MauleWacko · Post by **MauleWacko** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 9:00 am

aero101 · Post by **aero101** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 10:55 am

The one in Bethel does look to be maybe a better deal, but the one in Wasilla has set Aqua 2400's included which depending upon condition could be worth up to $14K... Both have about same engine times... Seems that pics always look better then actual airplane, so they're both probably worth a look?

Mauleguywanab · Post by **Mauleguywanab** » Sun Dec 11, 2011 4:43 pm

quote]It looks nice, but, I don't see what makes it worth $17k more than: http://alaskaslist.com/1/posts/10_Trans ... 7_235.html[/quote]
The floats are the big difference. The 2400's with the green one are great floats and worth every bit of 14K.
I'm not even sure that the one in Bethel is still available. The green one is a previous guide plane but has a new fuselage and the turbine Maule wings. Jim can clue me in on that but I don't know for sure what the difference with the turbine Maule wing is. It's been a while since I talked to the owner but that was a good thing, just can't remember why. I've researched them both and I like the green one. Maybe cause it's here and I got to see it. I think the Bethel one has orig fabric? The green one looks pretty good. I have a new addition coming next spring so I have been thinking about upgrading to the M7 at some point. Just no place for gear anyway so I think I am looking at two trips either way. . 25-30K engine overhaul is a sobering thought.

Recovering a Maule

Recovering a Maule

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