Why do it yourself? Why not do it yourself?

[OldSkool]

Having been a technical support specialist for 2 of the three major equipment manufactures in the world I can tell you that all technicians are not created equal. It doesn't matter if its car, boats, heavy equipment or what ever some's got it and some's don't.

If you are blessed to have a good one then don't let him/her go. He/she can bring great peace in knowing your major investment is going to work properly when you're ready to use it.

I will say that even the best trained and equipped technicians can run into problems. That's where I come in. If this great technician runs into a real issue and it's his first repair on your boat then you may think he is a dolt. Yet he may have a huge following of past satisfied customers.

I can tell you I get my share of technician wanting to throw parts at a problem to fix it. My worst call is when a guy has spent 2-3 weeks and thousands someone’s dollar on an issue before calling me for help. Many times the problem can be solved by a little research to see if someone else has had the same issue. (That’s why this forum is so beneficial to so many.)

Please let the dealership know if a technician has done you wrong. Complain to the highest level and include the corporate rep if you can get his contact info. Write letters or e-mails to the corporate office if the dealership doesn’t have an ear.

Yes, I enjoy working on my boat and have the tools to do it but I would think no less of someone who has all their work done by a professional. Thank God for you, you give me a job to go to everyday.

 

[Gunn]

Time is never “free”, it always comes with a cost. If you make less than what you pay that is a good deal if you can do the work correctly. Just what is time worth? What would be your bid for an 80 degree day to go boating right now? Time is always a series of tradeoffs. Do I spend a day working on the boat or having fun boating, after having the repairs needed made while I was working? It’s your choice, and neither is wrong.

Ahhh, I knew someone would jump on that. :smt001 Like I said to preface my "time is free" quote, people try to tell me that it's not. But I still disagree. I can make way more at my job than what I'd pay a mechanic to do the work for me. And I can go to work for extra hours any time I want. But would I rather be at work using my head, or at home using my hands? That's worth a lot to me right there.

You'd rather work while someone fixes your boat so you can go home and use it. I'd rather take the day off and fix it, so I can use it later.

Oh, and you mention doing it "correctly". Not sure I get that...I eventually always do things correctly. :smt001

How many times will you use those tools? Are the tools unitaskers? If you will use the tools for other jobs then it is probably worth it. If they only work for this one job not so much.

Ok, I embelished on my love of my tools, no matter how unique they are. Sure beats jewelry. But I've never owned a tool I only used once so far. People would ask my Dad about some odd tool, he'd go off digging around, and out he'd come with it. If you need it once, chances are you'll need it again...someday.

I’ll leave with a story. On July 3rd my alternator went out.

That one's been well discussed...I wouldn't have done what you did...

But it's all good. I have plenty of good friends that I think share your views, and we all get along. They aren't afraid to ask for my help, and I'm always there to help. I enjoy it. Part of the attraction.

And now I'm off to my Mom's to fix her washing machine!

Tom

 

[MonacoMike]

. People would ask my Dad about some odd tool, he'd go off digging around, and out he'd come with it. If you need it once, chances are you'll need it again...someday. Tom

I've got an attic full of tools no one will ever need from my grandfather, who sounds like your father, I just can't part with. Unfortunately much of the stuff is for the quality way things were built 50 years ago, :smt038 not glued plastic of today. :smt021 They didn’t use torx then. :thumbsup: MM

 

[BlewByYou88]

My job is all troubleshooting, hydraulics, electrical, mechanical...SOmeone dsigned it, it worked at some point, and it failed for a reason.

Keeping that in mind, at some point, someone put it together, therefore I should be able to take it apart, and reassemble.

With this forum, our unlimited resources, whether they be good, bad, or not fully there, there isn't any problem with a boat that anyone couldn't handle....Its all about confidence, and tools.

Most likely, if you are at that point where you are ready to tear into something that is broke on a boat, its going to cost you a boat (Bust Out Another Thousand) to fix it anyway!

We are our mnechanics worst nightmare when we get it right, and his best friend when we completely fudge it!:smt038

 

[The Continuum]

Nice post, Presentation! I've learned a ton from this forum over the last two years, and I've been able to take on some of the projects that I would have thought were "over my head." It's a great feeling to do some of your own work.

-Seth

 

[wvsundancer]

What a great post !! I tried to change my waterpump impeller on my own last year but on the 496 it turmed out to be more than I wanted. Great info and I hope to more myself now that we are moving to a private boat club.

 

[andyr]

I would add to your list:
- replace risers and manifolds
- water pump in alpha drive
- water pump
- undo everything so yard can quickly pull the engine
- change props
- rebuild a quadrajet carb (not for everybody)
- adjust shifter 5.7 alpha - good to know

I leave drive work like bellows, gimbal bearing, lower shift cable to the mechanic.

I agree, I feel like I know the boat far better than when I first owned it. When money got tight, the money saved really helped.

 

[rblatter]

This is a great post. But, you have to respect everyone's position. I have worked six day a week for the last thirty years, I can imagine saying to the admiral that "sorry dear this Sunday I am changing the oil, no swimming"... I really have no choice, I must rely on others, meaning honest people to do the work for me. Yes I would love to do it all my self, but that is not possible. All of last year I have had two days off, Saturday and Sundays, we used these days to enjoy our boat to the fullest. I do repair the easy stuff, plumbing, batteries, cleaning and polishing. I do envy you guys that have the time to repair the major jobs, but it is not an option for me. So while I can afford it, my dealer will do the major work, and thank the big guy upstairs, the dealer is honest and has a terrific mechanical crew. I must admit that having a great boat to start with is a godsend...

R.Blatter

 

[tdappleman]

I've done just about everything to mine and learned alot about it in the process. I'm currently repowering and I'm leaving that to a marine mechanic. Too many variables and I just don't have enough time to tackle that one. Even with the shop, the tools (except the engine lift) and experience I wont tackle this one. I'll continue to do all of the other 'minor' things on the boat but it's nice to know his experience will get the boat through this one!