Your Metal Fabrication
Questions Answered

ABS stands for American Bureau of Shipping, a maritime classification society that sets standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of marine vessels and offshore structures. ABS certification in marine welding means the welder and shop have been tested and approved to perform structural welds on ABS-classed vessels — including commercial ships, naval vessels, and offshore structures. DolFab is ABS-certified with unlimited thickness capability, meaning we can weld any gauge of material on any ABS-classed project.

DolFab welds aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel. These cover the vast majority of marine fabrication applications — aluminum hulls and superstructures, stainless steel brightwork and hardware, and structural carbon steel components. We use both MIG (Metal Inert Gas) and TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) processes depending on the material and application.

Marine welding costs vary significantly based on the scope, material, complexity, and access to the work location. A simple repair weld may take a few hours, while a full engine room refit on a superyacht can span weeks. DolFab provides free project quotes — contact us at 954-941-5093 or Info@dolfab.com with a description of your project and we'll provide an accurate estimate.

A custom T-top typically takes 2–4 weeks from design approval to delivery, depending on complexity and current shop workload. The process includes an initial measurement and design consultation, CAD layout, material procurement, fabrication, and finishing. More complex T-tops with integrated electronics trays, hardtop panels, and lighting systems may take longer.

MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welding uses a continuously fed wire electrode and is faster, making it well-suited for structural welds, production work, and thicker materials. TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welding uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode and provides a higher-quality, more precise weld bead — it's preferred for thin materials, aluminum, and cosmetic welds where appearance matters. On a boat, structural frames and tank bodies are typically MIG-welded, while brightwork, handrails, and stainless hardware are TIG-welded for a clean finish.

Yes. DolFab fabricates custom aluminum, stainless steel, and steel fuel and water tanks in any size and configuration. We hold a hot permit for gas-free fuel tank work, meaning we can safely work on tanks that have held fuel. Every tank is fabricated to ABYC standards and pressure-tested before installation.

Yes. A hot permit (also called a gas-free certificate) is required to perform welding or cutting on a vessel or tank that has contained flammable fuel. DolFab holds the required certifications to perform this work safely — we conduct proper gas-free testing and follow all applicable safety protocols before beginning any hot work near fuel systems.

DolFab operates a Flow waterjet machine with a cutting bed of 4 feet by 12 feet. It can cut steel up to 7 inches thick, as well as aluminum, stainless steel, and other metals. We work from 2D CAD files or 3D drawings and can cut custom shapes, brackets, flanges, or any profile you need.

DolFab's Adira press brake has a 180-ton capacity and can bend aluminum, stainless steel, and carbon steel sheet and plate. It handles complex multi-bend profiles for hatches, stiffeners, engine room components, and custom brackets. We work to tight tolerances and can produce custom bend angles and profiles to your specifications.

Yes. DolFab can anodize aluminum to match existing colors, apply powder coat finishes, or polish stainless steel to a mirror finish. For T-tops and boat covers, we work with canvas suppliers and painters to match your hull's gelcoat or painted finish. Bring us a sample and we'll match it.

Yes. DolFab has worked on vessels up to 330 feet, including full engine room refits, stainless brightwork replacement, custom hardware, and structural repairs. We have worked with Trinity Yachts and Denison Marine and are familiar with the quality standards and documentation requirements of mega-yacht work.

Brightwork refers to the decorative and functional metalwork on a yacht — handrails, stanchions, cleats, hatches, port frames, ladders, and custom hardware. On a superyacht, this brightwork is typically fabricated from 316L marine-grade stainless steel and polished to a mirror finish. DolFab custom-fabricates all types of brightwork to replace worn, corroded, or non-standard hardware.

A full hull refit timeline depends heavily on the size of the vessel and the scope of metalwork involved. A 75-foot yacht refit with significant structural and cosmetic metalwork typically takes 4–8 weeks of shop time. Larger vessels or more complex scopes (engine room rebuilds, full brightwork replacement) can take several months. DolFab provides detailed project timelines at quoting.

Yes. DolFab has an on-site 3D scanner and 3D printer. The scanner allows us to reverse-engineer parts that have no drawings — scan the part, create a CAD model, and reproduce it in metal or plastic. The 3D printer lets us create rapid prototypes and mockups to verify fitment before committing to metal fabrication. This is especially useful for one-off parts that are no longer manufactured.

A poling platform is a raised platform mounted at the stern of a flats or bay fishing boat. It elevates the angler or guide high enough to pole the boat silently through shallow water and spot fish. DolFab fabricates custom poling platforms in aluminum, color-matched to your boat, with integrated rod holders, lighting, and ladder options.

Yes. DolFab fabricates custom leaning posts for any center console or bay boat. A leaning post is a padded support structure mounted in the center of the boat, between the helm and the bow, allowing anglers to lean against it while fishing. We design each post around your boat's dimensions and can integrate rod holders, tackle storage, cooler mounts, and other features.

DolFab is based in Fort Lauderdale, FL and primarily serves Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. For larger projects (superyacht refits, commercial vessels), we work at yards and marinas throughout South Florida and can travel to other locations for the right project. Call us at 954-941-5093 to discuss your location.

The easiest way to get a quote is to call us at 954-941-5093 or email Info@dolfab.com with a description of your project. For custom fabrication, photos and measurements help us give you the most accurate estimate. You can also fill out the quote request form at dolfab.com/quote. We're available Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm.