Opinions on shop's quoted Bravo 3 maintenance cost

[KD4UPL]

I just took my 2004 Rinker to a mechanic for some winter maintenance for next season. The boat has a 350 mag and a B3. i'v never paid for maintneance on a Bravo setup before; my last boat was an Alpha. It's on my trailer in their yard. They are located right on a lake. It's a shop that has been in business for years with a very good reputation. I'm having them change the raw water impeller which is at least 4 years old. The price for that was $400. I'm also having them pull the drive and change the bellows as they are the originals. The price quoted for that was $900.
The impeller was a little higher than I was thinking but not bad. The outdrive work I really didn't have any idea on. Does this seem in line with what some others have paid?

 

[Scott06]

They are both on the high side, maybe the bellows less so. The impeller depending on where it is located in the engine compartment/acess maybe a MF to do.
where are you located? Is it a more expensive area?

 

[QBhoy]

I’ve always half joked...that to repair or fully service a bravo...you could almost buy a new alpha one...each time

 

[KD4UPL]

I don't think it's a more expensive area. The shop is at Lake Anna, VA. I live about 100 miles west of their toward the mountains so they're really the "closest" marine mechanic. It's not like I'm near the beach or something where there's a ton of shops to pick from.
I don't mind slightly high given that it's a very reputable shop with a guy that I'm pretty confident in running it. I just didn't want to be paying double or something.

 

[lrdchaos]

I just spent 275 to have my raw water impeller changed on my 350mag/b3 setup.
Not sure on the cost of the bellows, I had them pull the drive and check alignment which was 110 in labor.
I think the bellows are 400 ish.

So there’s 500, I’m unsure how difficult they are to install.

 

[Grub54891]

Depends if they come across any issues. Stuck corroded bolts and things like that. An 04 may come apart nicely. Or not. Still labor rates vary in spots also.

 

[Scott06]

I don't think it's a more expensive area. The shop is at Lake Anna, VA. I live about 100 miles west of their toward the mountains so they're really the "closest" marine mechanic. It's not like I'm near the beach or something where there's a ton of shops to pick from.
I don't mind slightly high given that it's a very reputable shop with a guy that I'm pretty confident in running it. I just didn't want to be paying double or something.

You’re close to DC richmond and fredricksburg. Bottom line closer to some metropolitan areas that probably not bad pricing. The bellows parts alone are close to $300. If They’re in there they might as well do the shift cable and check the gimbal bearing.

i would think the bellows even if it goes well and you know what you're doing is minimum 3 hrs likely more

 

[paulswagelock]

Both are high. On the b3, if they are pulling it to do the bellows, have the bearing, water tube, trim sender and lower shift cable done at the same time. Start fresh. In my area, that complete job is $1400.

 

[Scott Danforth]

prices are on-par with local prices near me

 

[tank1949]

I just took my 2004 Rinker to a mechanic for some winter maintenance for next season. The boat has a 350 mag and a B3. i'v never paid for maintneance on a Bravo setup before; my last boat was an Alpha. It's on my trailer in their yard. They are located right on a lake. It's a shop that has been in business for years with a very good reputation. I'm having them change the raw water impeller which is at least 4 years old. The price for that was $400. I'm also having them pull the drive and change the bellows as they are the originals. The price quoted for that was $900.
The impeller was a little higher than I was thinking but not bad. The outdrive work I really didn't have any idea on. Does this seem in line with what some others have paid?

Get manuals, search this forum for solutions and keep your money! MC are easy to work on and parts are reasonably priced. On Bravo 1s, I can remove the OD in less than 30 minutes (scary). I assume your water pick up is via a through hull and may be difficult to access? I'd keep my 1300 bucks. But, I am cheap and retired. Good luck!

 

[Lou C]

Check OE parts prices and find out what their labor rates are. The mechanics I used to use before I started doing every thing myself was $115/hr and that was years ago, but that’s Long Island NY prices. I bought a drive jack and already had the tools to do anything except internal drive repairs. So on the Cobra I can do the impeller for the cost of the kit ($45) and the bellows kit for about $100 or so both OE prices. R&R the drive you need a drive jack, alignment tool and sometimes wobble sockets on the 6 bolts that secure the drive. If it’s got grease-able gimble & u joints you also need a grease gun with marine grease. Not hard work but you really need the drive jack & alignment tool for getting it back on. Or else it will fight you and much profanity will ensue.

PS tank I’m like you semi-retired and cheap lol! And as I said the work is simple and for Merc drives there are parts everywhere and many videos to show how it’s done.

PS for Bravo work check out the you tube channel Long Island Boaters Club with Eddie. He’s local to me and does a great job on instructional videos

 

[tpenfield]

IMO - the impeller sounds a bit high, unless they are replacing the pump body as well. The bellows does not sound too bad at all, but you did not mention if it was just the drive shaft bellows or if it included the shift cable bellows too. Exhaust should just be the tube (not bellows)

 

[KD4UPL]

Thanks everyone. It sounds like it may be a bit high but not too bad. I can live with that. As for doing it myself I just don't have the time to mess with it. I run my own business 50 to 60 hours a week and try to help my wife with our 3 young children when I'm not working. When I manage some time off I want to go boating, not work on it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

take customers out on your boat and use it as a business expense

 

[achris]

... On Bravo 1s, I can remove the OD in less than 30 minutes (scary). ...

Man, you're slow!!! Bravos are quicker to remove than Alphas, and I can have an Alpha off in under 5 minutes. (Check my videos for confirmation).

 

[tank1949]

Man, you're slow!!! Bravos are quicker to remove than Alphas, and I can have an Alpha off in under 5 minutes. (Check my videos for confirmation).

I'm OLD!

 

[Scott Danforth]

I'm OLD!

So is @achris ......and he has to work upside down

Just kidding Chris

 

[achris]

So is @achris ......and he has to work upside down

Just kidding Chris

No, it's true. I'm old... But yeah, the working upside down bit... It's a b...h

 

[Lou C]

Ha, I've been training myself to think in metric for many years, now its 'almost' second nature, and the ironic thing is all US cars have been metric for many years except: diameter of wheel rims, still in inches and lug bolts in some cases, but 19mm and 3/4" for lug bolts are nearly the same size.

When you're old you just have to have better tools:
outdrive jack & impact guns

 

[tank1949]

Ha, I've been training myself to think in metric for many years, now its 'almost' second nature, and the ironic thing is all US cars have been metric for many years except: diameter of wheel rims, still in inches and lug bolts in some cases, but 19mm and 3/4" for lug bolts are nearly the same size.

When you're old you just have to have better tools:
outdrive jack & impact guns

Except you will always need an 18 MM and they are seldom in package deals.