Shop Question

[DayCruiser]

I put the boat in the shop(to get winterized etc)--3 weeks by next tuesday. I called last friday and they said they hadnt got to it yet. Even though when I put it in they said they were usually a week behind. I have heard this about boat places before and this one in particular. The boat place, that went out of biz, I took it to before said they were usually a week behind and stuck to that.<br />I just dont understand what benefit a boat place would have in not jumping on a job in a timely manner? Most auto garages usually do it. And if you are not going to jump on it then why lie about it? The owner is going to find out soon enough.<br />I just dont like letting my boat sit out in the weather and being easily accessable to anyone who wants to climb a fence-- for a long period of time(and I like looking at it everyday . And too its a bad way to start out a business relationship with a lie. i can see going over a week but now we are close to 3 and no call.<br />Learning to repair everything possible in your boat is the best way to go and thats why this is such a great site.<br />I am definitly going to try to do everything I can possibly do myself from now on

 

[arboatdr]

Re: Shop Question

It's not uncommon for a shop to be behind a few weeks or even longer during the summer months. Unfortunatly boating in most of the world is seasonal and keeping techs on just for the busy season is almost impossible to do. The marine mechanic is a rare breed. There are not nearly enough to go around and the industy is not doing much to find new ones. Our shops policy is first come first serve with absolutly no firm time table given for completion. During the summer months if your boat floats and your engine runs you are in good shape and if you bring the boat to the shop for an accessory that is non essential you will be turned away. The weekend warrior traffic is taken care of on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The major jobs are done during the week and everything else is worked in between. We have 7 guys who bust their butt from March to September working 6 to 7 days a week. During the winter we have to find things for them to do or lay them off. If boating was a year round thing you would find repairs similar to the auto industry. Since it is not and mechanics are so hard to find the problem is not going to be solved anytime soon. We do try to have a little tact with customers but honestly can not get to every boat when the customer wants it. Thats why we don't give a "we'll fix it by" date.

 

[NYMINUTE]

Re: Shop Question

Same thing in my area. I found a independent (No major franchises) marina. Repair is their #1 revenue. They take less than 6 days if in mid October or sooner. I have done the oil and filter change the day before it goes in, reducing the cost by $50. My primary purpose to the professional winterizing is the cooling system. I'd hate to f*** it up and wait 6 months to find out I had. If they do, well there are millions of hungry lawyers.

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: Shop Question

Thanks for the response arboatdr and the incite. I wish this place had the nerve to tell me there was no time table. I could have lived with that since its the downtime around here anyway<br />All boat shops around here close at 1 pm saturday and dont open until monday morning(9-5) all year around

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Shop Question

I tell you what. Nothing beats a service manual for your boat. That was the first thing I bought. <br /><br />I also jumped on this site and found out everything I wanted to know about winterizing.<br /><br />Marina wanted: <br />$185.00 Low end Winterize <br />$245.00 High end Winterize<br /><br />Buying all the supplies and equipment to do it myself cost me $184.00 this year. Next year it will cost me about $60.00 since I already have the pumps, winterize kit, etc.<br /><br />I even changed the alternator belt myself. Just asked a couple of friends who owned boats if they could help. Cost me a couple of bears and a $8.00 belt. <br /><br />Labor at these places are like $75.00 an hour and up to begin with. <br /><br />My advice....Learn everthing you can on your own and surf and post on this board when ever you can. If anyone can help, these guys can. <br />Good luck with the marina.

 

[Don S]

Re: Shop Question

To add to arboatdr's reply, the two busyist times of the year are spring when the season first starts(everyone wants their boats done at the same time because the weather is getting nice) and the fall when the winterizing starts. (When the weather starts getting cold the boats come out of the water.....also at the same time) and it happens every year.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Shop Question

I dont think there is an answer for you dilema.YES it is a great thing to get a manual and learn to do some of the things yourself.That can be invaluable!!!! But you also need to establish a relationship with a marina in the event you REALLY need something repaired or replaced during the boating season.A marinas customer will ALWAYS come first in peak season.They are aware that you dont need the boat right now so you may want to bite the bullet and let them do what they have to do in their time frame this time so if you ever have an emergency repair during peak season at least you will be considered one of their customers and you can say "I gave you all the time you wanted to do the winterize but I need this done now".Unfortunately sometimes it takes some effort to establish a good relationship.You would think the effort should come from the marina but it dont always work that way.Charlie

 

[CTD]

Re: Shop Question

I fix almost everything I own, I do it to save money but mostly because I enjoy doing it, I get a lot of satisfaction out of fixing things. I was a mechanic for 30 years and I only met a couple people that I would trust working on my stuff so I also save the stress of worrying about what is and has been done to my equiptment. I don't have to deal with taking it back and fighting to get it right. AND I GET TO BUY MORE TOOLS. I used to own a repair shop too and I always gave an estimate as to when it would be done and if something came up to delay it I called to let them know what the problem was. We called it common courtesy in those days. Throw in some integrity and a little competence and you will have more work than you can handle. Then you have to turn people away.

 

[BigPoppaG]

Re: Shop Question

My manuals plus friends who know something about boats plus this board have saved me big bucks in the short time I've owned this new boat.