Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

[kazie]

I just received a statement from my marina and was charged $620.00 for winterizing my twin 5.0 mercruisers which included an oil and filter change. Last fall I happen to be at the marina when my boat was being winterized and watched the process. The outdrives (2) were removed and the mechanic connected a hose from a 20 gallon drum of antifreeze to the water intake tube in the gimbal housing, started the engine and when the antifreeze started being pumped out of the exhaust he shut down the engine and proceeded to do the second engine. He then pump the motor oil out of the drip stick tube, changed the oil filter and install new engine oil. the total time was 45 minutes at a charge of $620.00. Does the charge sound about right ? Is the the correct method of winterizing the engine?:

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

Seems a lot is missing from your discription.

Was the engine fogged? Did they replace the Fuel filter/s? Did they re-run the engine to make sure the oil filter didn't leak and the oil level was correct? Did they check engine alignment, lube the gimbal bearing, and ujoints, did they change the gear lube in the drives? Did they reinstall the drives? Or is that going to be extra in the spring.

Look up in the Adults Only sticky at the to of this forum on HOW TO Winterize a boat and see what you think. Also look at the Winterizing on Muffs thread, if you have a raw water cooled system, I would bet money your engine doesn't have antifreeze in it.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

while yer in the adults only sticky reading up on winterizeing. get the service manual for rig there. in it you'll find exactly what mercruiser wants you to do to winterize your rig. step by step even... you'll also have the piece of mind that everything was done properly if you do it yourself + save a bunch of bread in the process...

 

[kazie]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

My total bill for winterizing the motors (antifreeze & oil change), remove and install outdrives, annual outdrive service, replacing anodes, paint transom plates, spring start-up comes to $2,600.00. I did not see the mechanic fog the motors so I assume it was not done.

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

Don I didn't see you tell him what you would have charged him?

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

Don I didn't see you tell him what you would have charged him?

And it won't happen either. If I can't see the boat or know something about it, no way am I going to tell them what the cost should be.
It's up to people to find out what their particular place is going to charge and what will be done BEFORE they get the work done.
Really bugs me when someones first post here at iboats is a rant about what something costs, when they didn't even ask the shop they took it to for an estimate and what is included in that estimate.
Winter in New York was started a long time ago, it's now mid Feb. To late to worry about it now. Not only what it cost or what was done.

Homework should be done BEFORE the test, not AFTER the test.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

If I can't see the boat or know something about it, no way am I going to tell them what the cost should be.

they didn't even ask the shop they took it to for an estimate and what is included in that estimate.

those statements are in line with what my mercrusier dealer tells me. they ain't estimating anything w/o going to look first. then they've givin me the est. for what they're gonna charge me, just to go look and see...

 

[kazie]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

As part of the "Annual Docking Contract" there are "Mandatory Winterizing services" that must be performed. The prices are set in a "Service Labor Schedule" and there are items that are "Mandatory" ie: Winterize Engine $310.00 each, Remove & install sterndrive $180.00 each, spring start-up $55.00 each, Annual sterndrive service at $290.00 each and list goes on.
If I want to keep my boat at this marina then I must have the "Mandatory
Services" performed or find another marina.
I want to maintain my boat and have the required services performed, I am willing to pay for the work but I have to question if $620.00 for less than an hours actual labor time for a oil change and pumping antifreeze thru the outdrive water pickup tube is the avarage price charged or should I relocate to another marina. Is pumping antifreeze thru the outdrive water pickup pump an acceptable practice or just a short cut. Your comments would be appreciated.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

Time to find out exactly what something is gonna cost is before you give the go ahead to do the work.

If they called and said something was broke and wanted more to replace it then you can go down and see whats what.

The Marina has to pay taxes, rent , gas , electric, insurance, cost of materials, labor, and equipment, and learning how to use all the equipment, by getting certified.

Whats left over has to go to pay his home rent ,electric,gas, etc, etc.

Then if he's lucky he will have money left over to pay for milk for the baby.

Most here do their own work, if someone can or won't do their own work then you got to pay a pro to do it.

Different parts of the country charge different prices.

Now the guy has to warranty he did good work cause if the motor freezes he has to make good.

So you paid for insurance and the piece of mind that it was done right the first time.

 

[Don S]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

As part of the "Annual Docking Contract" there are "Mandatory Winterizing services" that must be performed. The prices are set in a "Service Labor Schedule" and there are items that are "Mandatory" ie: Winterize Engine $310.00 each, Remove & install sterndrive $180.00 each, spring start-up $55.00 each, Annual sterndrive service at $290.00 each and list goes on.
If I want to keep my boat at this marina then I must have the "Mandatory
Services" performed or find another marina.
I want to maintain my boat and have the required services performed, I am willing to pay for the work but I have to question if $620.00 for less than an hours actual labor time for a oil change and pumping antifreeze thru the outdrive water pickup tube is the avarage price charged or should I relocate to another marina. Is pumping antifreeze thru the outdrive water pickup pump an acceptable practice or just a short cut. Your comments would be appreciated.

Personally, I would be looking for another place to dock my boat.
You already agreed to all that to keep your boat there. What do you expect us to do? You already said OK before they did anything ?????

 

[ziggy]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

there are "Mandatory Winterizing services" that must be performed.

If I want to keep my boat at this marina then I must have the "Mandatory
Services" performed

this sounds reasonable to me. IF. you can perform these "Winterinzing services" by whoever you want to have perform them. (it's your boat, not theirs) including yourself. i make a checklist for myself for winterizing. i check them off and date them as they're done. a paper trail.. sounds like yer being held hostage for service to me... then again, i question authority at the slightest issue, so it might just be me....

i guess the question would be, is the marina so cool (or the only one around for you) that this is where ya just gotta have your boat at? options are always nice...

 

[torcano]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

For whatever it's worth my Marina in NJ gets $400 to winterize (includes fogging oil) for each engine and change oil/filter. They have a menu which spells out the prices. You can have them do as much or as little as you want. I winterized my domestic water sytem myself. I left the motor to them because I'm not capable at this point. When I was looking at marinas, I found one that charged a mandatory $250 fee to set you dock lines at the start of the season I have a lot to learn about boating but I don't need to pay someone $250 to tie down my boat. Needless to say, I found another marina. The price seems reasonable for this area of the country, but making their services mandatory would be reason enough for me to look for another marina.

 

[Zackman]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

I think you need to talk to the marina and the mechanic and ask them what is included in the price. You need to make sure they are very specific about what the price includes.

If they are suppose to be doing more than you saw the mechanic do, then either he did more when you weren't around or he's not doing his job. But you need to discuss these issues with them and get all the facts then you can make a sound judgement.​

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

I just received a statement from my marina and was charged $620.00 for winterizing my twin 5.0 mercruisers which included an oil and filter change. Last fall I happen to be at the marina when my boat was being winterized and watched the process. The outdrives (2) were removed and the mechanic connected a hose from a 20 gallon drum of antifreeze to the water intake tube in the gimbal housing, started the engine and when the antifreeze started being pumped out of the exhaust he shut down the engine and proceeded to do the second engine. He then pump the motor oil out of the drip stick tube, changed the oil filter and install new engine oil. the total time was 45 minutes at a charge of $620.00. Does the charge sound about right ? Is the the correct method of winterizing the engine?:

if it dosnt freeze up and starts and runs this spring consider it money well spent

 

[Jeepster04]

Re: Winterizing 5.0 mercuriser at $310.00 each ?

My total bill for winterizing the motors (antifreeze & oil change), remove and install outdrives, annual outdrive service, replacing anodes, paint transom plates, spring start-up comes to $2,600.00. I did not see the mechanic fog the motors so I assume it was not done.

Good gosh thats insane. We had two engines, a generator, two heads(toilets), and all the plumbing in our boat winterized for a little under $400.

Plumbing included two 75gallon fresh water tanks, water heater, 5 sinks, washer, shower, ice maker, anything that had water in it.

From now on we will be doing it ourselves..