I thought I was getting a boat to go boating…….

Doug, I did not mean to insult. I believe we are most likely at about the same boat mechanic level. I have yet to take off my drive myself, although I plan to here in the next few weeks to check my engine alignment. I'll post back if I pull a Gary and drop it on my big toe.

I'm with you however, that it seems no matter how good I maintain something also, the worst can happen. But others, my brother in this point, can fail to winterize his boat until after it has dropped below freezing multiple times, can escape with no freeze damage.
 
I saw on a different forum that the guy bought a boat so he could learn how to work on it.... I think that about sums it up. It's a good thing I enjoy working on the thing because there is almost always some sort of project - whether cosmetic or mechanical.
 
Presentation said:
OK, Thank you.
Click to expand...

No problem. What I meant by the at least you'll know it was done right remark, is that I'm done with dealers, auto or boat. I've had multiple repairs done wrong, half assed, or not done at all. This past trip to a dealer, they broke my truck fuse block hold down clip, and of course denied it entirely.

It might take me a while to figure out exactly how to fix the problem, but at least I don't have to double check there work when its all said and done.
 
I feel your frustration, Presentation! I feel you have the right to much more frustrated given the newer model year of your boat and all the maint. you have done over the course of ownership.

I launch hopefully next week and already have found an alarm issue that won't go off, trim tab actuator leaking like crazy (well at least I found it before it went in the water and I needed to haul out to get at it). I know there will be mechanical issues upon launch (it's 13 years old there will need to be something done), but it sure is depressing to not expect it and have a large bill come up. I have my fingers crossed but am expecting a call next week on what else needs to be done.
 
Presentation,
I did not take firecadet613's comment as an insult to you and he confirmed that it was not meant that way. But the point he made rings true. Like you, I am not a marine mechanic nor did I buy a boat to become one so I feel your pain and frustration. However, due to my lack of experience and knowledge of boat maintenance, I have paid a price. Like you, I had replace an outdrive coupler before it's time. I did not know this was an expensive issue to check out prior to purchasing my last boat because my surveyor did not point it out. On my current boat, I had the alignment checked while the boat was in storage. I subsequently found out it should be done in the water and was told by the Chicago Sea Ray Service Manager Sea Ray 320s are stiff enough, it doesn't matter. Most likely not true. At my new marina, I asked the owner if the mechanics were Mercruiser certified and he said that none have them have taken a cerification course in the past 10 years. Next the firmware in my Raymarine C80 needed to be ugraded to accomodate the new Navionics chart chip I just bought. The marina service manager told me he would send it back to Raymarine because he didn't want to introduce any viruses by installing it himself. I have ordered a blank CF disk, downloaded the software and will do the upgrade myself.

Thus, in my short time of boat ownership I have yet to find a marine service dept./mechanic that I can trust which has cost me several thousand dollars. Reluctantly, I need to educate myself and develop skills to do more of the maintenance and repairs even though I can afford to pay professionals. The reason, I have yet to find a professional that I can trust to do the job right which is precisely the point firecadet613 was making.
 
With what marina's charge as an hourly labor rate...its cheap to repair it yourself. Plus you have 13,000 members here at CSR to turn to for help!
 
firecadet613 said:
With what marina's charge as an hourly labor rate...its cheap to repair it yourself. Plus you have 13,000 members here at CSR to turn to for help!
Click to expand...

Amen, brother I am already getting my religion! Where do you think I found how that alginment should be in the water and how to install firmware on my Raymarine C80? Hopefully with V drives and a newer boat with 55 hours I won't have to tap the knowledge base here as much in the next few years!:thumbsup:
 
320Bob said:
At my new marina, I asked the owner if the mechanics were Mercruiser certified and he said that none have them have taken a cerification course in the past 10 years. Next the firmware in my Raymarine C80 needed to be ugraded to accomodate the new Navionics chart chip I just bought. The marina service manager told me he would send it back to Raymarine because he didn't want to introduce any viruses by installing it himself. I have ordered a blank CF disk, downloaded the software and will do the upgrade myself.

Thus, in my short time of boat ownership I have yet to find a marine service dept./mechanic that I can trust which has cost me several thousand dollars. Reluctantly, I need to educate myself and develop skills to do more of the maintenance and repairs even though I can afford to pay professionals. The reason, I have yet to find a professional that I can trust to do the job right which is precisely the point firecadet613 was making.
Click to expand...

Holy crud, this is the truth!

In my first year, I still will testify that the "professionals" I was using (and paying top dollar for) broke more stuff than they fixed.

I had my car in the shop today. . .to replace a water pump. I asked for a quote on plugs and wires. My "estimate" included a rebuild of the rear axle. My first thought: WTF? Why were they nosing around back there?

Crap. I am hoping they were simply fishing for more work and didn't actually break something. I know nothing was wrong back there when I was driving the car over! (and with a leaking water pump. . .you pay extra attention to everything!)

The admiral once brought a car into a shop for a new muffler. They quoted her muffler, converters, and exhaust manifolds. "Had to be done" they said. Holy toledo. She was in tears (cash was tight). We brought the car to another shop. We asked about the converters and manifolds. "Look fine" they said.

I would love to do all the mechanical work personally. It WOULD make me feel good. I don't have the time. I have other hobbies that I don't have enough time for as it is!

I just want to work with professionals who are not out to create work. At my expense. Sigh. Not like I am not willing to pay for the work. . . I just want to be sure that I am not being taken advantage of. Unfortunately. . .that's the way I feel most of the time.
 
Firec, Sorry, I was too harsh.

Given unlimited money to buy tools and unlimited time to learn and do all repairs myself I could wrench anything this boat has. Unfortunately I’m not in that situation and I don’t think most others are either.

This does have me thinking of a business idea.

Why not have a shop bay or two, with step by step guides available for sale for most common projects, tools available for rent, liability wavers and open a DIY shop?

I mean come on, if I purchased a drive stand it would be used one day a year. If I could rent it I’d consider it.

This could be a business opportunity.

Key would be limiting injury liability, hence the waver.
 
Ok i just spoke with a marina about aligning my shafts .I already have a price of 1 hour per side from the marina i store at.I gave them the info needed about the boat and engines ,told them it has 1 year old v blocked shafts 1 year old props and new packing glands and cutlass bearings 1 year old also.They said from 100 to 500 per side depending on if it needs new packing glands and cutlass bearings.DUH i dont even think he was listening to me just balancing his checkbook or dreaming of a new bayliner s*** some times i think marinas are ok but thats rediculous.
 
There is no reason to pay most High price boating parts & upgrade prices, if you can wait. Not with E-bay, Amazon, and Craig's list. Here are my last 3 Craigs list purchases.
I wanted a Radar & Radar arch to be able to go out at night so, after 3 months searching I now have a 1,499.00 Atlantic Arch radar arch for $250. ( 8 hrs of cleaning) I want to be able to stay out "on the hook" to bypass large Docking fees so, I also needed to up grade my Batteries with my Small 24s Acid to big, big Optima "Blue tops" 31s AMG, Reg. price $275 each times 2. Found on Craig's list, 6mo. old ( still 18mo left on warrantee[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif])[/FONT] only 100 each.
Still Needed a dingy to get in to those expensive Fire Island Bars & Restaurants. 8 1/2 ft. Zodiac w/ 4 hp Four stroke normal price 2,200 found on Craig list for [FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]$[/FONT]800 only 1 year old.[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]
I understand that thing breakdown when you out there but when possible there is a lot of alternatives.:thumbsup:[/FONT]

 
I do a lot of boat maintenance and I am lucky to have a friend that is also a good mechanic who often helps while working. With my 260 - I always had the drives serviced by the dealer. I remember after doing everything right and having the drives serviced they said your coupler is shot. I was really irritated after doing everything right - every season. With so many boats that never have service - I guess many boaters would prefer to break down on the water instead of maintaining their boats. In another thread I mentioned I have a friend that sea trialed a bank repo 2005 Formula 40 PC and a drive blew. He said with 300 hours nothing had ever been serviced. I looked at a used boat and asked to look in the bilge - the guy said he didn't know how to open it - he just had the dealer come at the beginning and the end of the season.
 
NoThanksDad said:
Expense is all relative. I actually consider the cost cheap considering the memories I'm creating for my three kids.
Click to expand...

:smt038

Amen! I have 2 girls and that's all they talk about! This is the by far the best investment I have ever made!

:smt038
 
Last edited:
Presentation said:
You are making three mistakes: keeping the boat outside, in the water and using it.

Stop doing those three and it will take a lot less work and money.
Click to expand...


I almost choked on my soda:smt043 when I read that. Funny stuff!
 
I like to wax takes my mind off work.. I like to clean takes my mind off work.. I hate to pay the repair bills.. but I like to go on trips so my boat must be ready to go.. I like to go on trips takes my mind off of work.. anyone seeing a realtionship here ???
 
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