Older Boat Maintenance/Repair Costs..........And, When To Say "Enough Is Enough!"

[flightdoc]

Re: Older Boat Maintenance/Repair Costs..........And, When To Say "Enough Is Enough!"

Re: Older Boat Maintenance/Repair Costs..........And, When To Say "Enough Is Enough!"

It sounds to me like you are getting robbed by the Mech. You said that it the carb was rebuilt right before the PO put it up for sale and then you took it to the Mech the PO used and he told you it needed to be rebuilt again?!?!?!?! That would be a red flag right there. I would shop around. Or better yet get a service manual for the boat. That way you can diagnose the problems your self and go in and tell him what you want him to do. As for the cost of Maintenance, like everyone has said. it is an unfortunate side effect of boating. it is always going to be cheaper if you can do it your self but if you can't it is something you have to budget for. If you find that you can no longer budget for the Maintenance cost then that is when you need to think about pulling the plug.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Older Boat Maintenance/Repair Costs..........And, When To Say "Enough Is Enough!"

Re: Older Boat Maintenance/Repair Costs..........And, When To Say "Enough Is Enough!"

Now we need new Trim Position Switch & Trim Limit Switch and, while talking on the phone, the Mercruiser mechanic ask me the last time we had a complete service done on the outdrive which would include a Transom Seal Kit. This service would be somewhere over $1,000! We have no receipts/info from the previous owner showing anything done to the boat prior to us buying it in 2009.

I am going back to the original problem that prompted this discussion. It's true that you ought to do the transom reseal, the boat hasn't had that while you have owned it and that's 4 summers/years. The senders can't be done without getting right to the transom, and on some Mercruisers the motor might have to be moved to get to the place where the wires come inside the boat. So to put it one way, the mechanic is actually being labor efficient by doing both steps at the same time.
I'd do it myself cause wrenching on my boat is my mental therapy. But since you must pay, why not ask other qualified Mercruiser techs what the job is worth.
Oh, and what is wrong with the senders? If they quit when the motor went in have the tech recheck the wiring, maybe he goofed during the removal or installation. They can be checked for function with a simple meter.
Don't accuse him of fraud, just ask nicely if that is a possibility.