Marine Mechanic Difficulties

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I've waited 9 weeks before on on a 3 day job only to find out the mechanic installed the thermostat in the engine incorrectly guess what happened?

That same dealership trashed the inside of my pristine boat. Guess what happened?

Ohh yeah when I finally went and got my boat back 9 weeks after delivery the job wasn't done. The bill was still over $600.00.

Went and talked to another local (well established) shop I pulled in the man had a .45 on his hip and a half drunk beer on his counter. In 15 years of boating neither my grandfather, my dad, or I have found a halfway professional marine mechanic. I don't expect floors you could eat off of BUT I do expect reasonable service.

Now I do all of my work myself. I don't pay the mark up on parts that they charge and if I screw it up, then at least I didn't get the honor of paying them to screw it up anyways.

Your only choice at this point is to remove the boat from him and hope you can find someone else to do the work. $50.00 per hour is an incredibly cheap rate though. Normal around here is anywhere from $85 upto $125

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I've only ever had someone else service my boat once - Pierz Marine on Gull Lake. Very professional and fixed my problem while it was floating in their docks with no appointment. Another time when I had a rocker nut actually fall off my old 3.0L - guy dug one out of his parts bins and gave it to me when I couldn't find one in stock at the parts counter. Like any other profession there are good guys, bad guys and everything in between.

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Just out of curiosity, did you you buy the new motor from him?

I did not. I built it myself over the long cold winter we experienced here in ohio. I spent about 200 hours (literally) reading, researching, studying marine engine building books and videos. I also spent about 50 hours researching parts combinations that would work for me.

Then I bought all the parts here and there, mostly from Summit and Criags List.

Then built it. I cheated a little and bought a 383 short block.
Learned alot along the way. Got some good deals on some things. Got overcharged for others. ($600 for a machine shop to rebuild Vortec Heads!!! You can buy new from GM for $550...)

Anyway, I wanted to do it. And I needed a hobby. This is what I ended up with.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Ok so since you for the most part built the motor why not put it in the boat? Don't get me wrong but you did the hard part!!

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I would have loved to.
The issue is that I live Downtown. I literally dont have anyplace to do the work. I have a nice garage but its on an ally that I couldnt get the boat down.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Oh, well that sucks...I dunno man your in a tough spot, I guess if it were me I would go down to your mechanic prepared to pull your boat and motor out and see if he jumps, I don't know that he will but what do you have to lose?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

On the bright side I did recieve a text from him today after a "business time" message I left him, he stated my boat would be in the shop tomorrow. We will see.
Also helps that a buddy of mine dropped off his big boat project at his shop today. (Im a little bit of a ring leader in my circle)

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Ok so since you for the most part built the motor why not put it in the boat? Don't get me wrong but you did the hard part!!

I'd have to agree with Lipp-You are smart enough to build, well petty-much, a motor. Go rent a You-Stor-It shed and go at it!!! That way you'll know your boat and you'll be the expert. I've never, had to rely on anyone to do any thing mechanical, be it changing a faucet in the house or building a motor, and I'm a CPA................There's a lot of satisfaction in knowing you did it yourself.
Heck, I pulled my Cobra drive today just to see it my self-installed drive bellows was dry............It was.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Good luck! be sure to let us know what happens!!

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Lipp: I will, and thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate it!
RIDE: I went to Business School and jocky a desk or confrence room during the day as well. I 100% agree with you. Its good to do it yourself... At every opportunity. In this case, I wasnt able to.

 

[sschefer]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Nice job on the build. I built the FrankenMerc motor on the same premise. I completely understand why you want someone else to install it. I wonder if your mech is hesitant because he didn't make any money on the motor. Some shops are like that, they rely on that markup to hit their bottom line.

I'm not making excuses for the guy but he might be having second thoughts. Maybe he's afraid that if he installs it and it doesn't run, you'll blame him. He might just be waiting for you to get mad and take it somewhere else.

If you know of anyone with a forklift you can have that thing out and the new one installed in about 3 hours. If you prep them both ahead of time you'll probably only tie the forklift up for about an hour. Once you have the new one in and loosely fitted you can take it home and rig a come-along with a snatchblock to finish setting it up.

 

[Bob's Garage]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Have you considered that you may be lucky that he hadn't started the swap? At this point you could relatively easily remove your boat and motor. Once he starts the disassembly, the likely hood of his procrastination continuing is very strong, and you will lose the advantage of being able to remove it as easily.

One thing I have noticed is that the clock stops ticking (for them) as soon as you drop off your boat and only starts up again when the work begins. The interim length of time (days) means very little, as most of the mechanics lack the sense of urgency required in other successful business that deal with the public.

 

[JB]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Tell him I said that he gives other liars a bad name.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Sorry, couldn't fight the urge.

Take it somewhere else, I've been there, done that, and got the T-shirt to prove it!!! He's stalling hoping you'll take it somewhere else, he either can't do the work or doesn't want to do the work.

There's nothing short of a cattle prod in your hand and him standing in a #3 wash tub full of water on a concrete floor that will speed him up!!!

 

[wbc1957]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Somebody that unprofessional is not someone I would want to do the work anyway. Imagine the problems if you end up with issues after his work is complete.

 

[freelancer]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

I use to think that I was one of those guys that was early in because I was nuts about boating, that's only partially true.

Some of it also has to do with getting in front of a good marine mechanic before they get backed up in the spring...because there comes a point at which your blood's going to boil if you don't get in the water soon. Been there

I enjoy taking part in these forums because I get a sense of fellowship, I'm pretty good at the whole being on the water thing and from time to time I have something to offer. But not so good with the mechanical aspect of boating.

I've come a long way with not shopping out everything there is to do to the boat anymore and I'm learning every day. After years of going through what your going through, your almost forced to take on more tasks for your own good. Sounds like your already way ahead of me.

Good to hear that your repair is underway, mabe he read your post.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

...Good to hear that your repair is underway, mabe he read your post.

I don't see anything saying the repair is actually underway?

 

[Flysfloatsor]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Stopped by the Shop on friday and my CC is actually INSIDE the building underneath the overhead crane. Thats a huge step in the right direction.

 

[sashimigrade]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Your only choice at this point is to remove the boat from him and hope you can find someone else to do the work. $50.00 per hour is an incredibly cheap rate though. Normal around here is anywhere from $85 upto $125

$125 an hour. Holy Crikies! I always thought the rule of thumb was half goes to the shop and half goes to salary. Do the math and that equals 130,000 per year before taxes salary for the mechanic. I'm not against anyone making money but $130,000 per year seems a little too good for a marine mechanic.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Marine Mechanic Difficulties

Stopped by the Shop on friday and my CC is actually INSIDE the building underneath the overhead crane. Thats a huge step in the right direction.

Thats great news my friend hopefully you will get a call this week telling you its ready for the water!!