The instrumentation install WAS more than the instruments and these are not cheap instruments. If you went with a standard Raymarine package, the install was about 3x the cost of the instruments.

Part of the problem is the hourly rate. $90/hr. Maybe that is what the industry get's these days, but nowhere in my personal economics can I figure how I'm getting $90 an hour of value out of the project. Maybe if I made $900/hr, I could see $90/hr as a fair rate, but not surprisingly I don't.

In a way I'm glad it turned out this way, because if the cost had been half that would probably would have paid it. As it stands now, we are saving the full cost of the install and my wife is going be far, far, far more empowered on our boat than she ever would have been otherwise. Again, a win-win for us.

Incidentally, in the same area the canvas quote and cushions quote both came in under budget.