06-22-2009, 06:27 PM
Looks like someone deleted the thread about BestBoatService for some reason. I wanted to post an update regarding the work they have done on my boat in case anyone else is looking for a mechanic. Hopefully this thread won't be deleted as well as it is intended to help others that may need boat work....
So I started out thinking I would probably need a carb rebuild and the tank flushed out as it had sat for quite a while, and wasn't running well when parked (felt like carb plugged up under a load). I also decided to have the fluids (oil & outdrive) changed since it had been sitting for a couple of years.
His quote was $150 for the oil changes, I think it was something like $265 for the carb (4 bbl. carb on a V8 engine). He didn't really give a quote on the tank other than the labor rate of $50/hour.
Well, as we all know, boat repars are never as simple as we hope. He got working on the outdrive fluid and noticed the slightest drop of oil from the boot between the engine and outdrive. He pointed out that losing a bit of oil isn't a huge issue as long as it is checked, but getting water IN that area is a big deal, then quoted me to replace the boot. I said to go ahead and do it, he pulled the boot back then called me back over and pointed out the U-joints and bearings. They were all quite covered in rust. Add another $480 parts and labor to the bill (I think most shops are around $1k to do this job).
He finished the outdrive then took the carb to rebuild it. When he was done with that he said there was a LOT of sediment and flaking varnish in the bowls. He also pointed out that someone working on the boat in the past had not replaced a spacer that goes between the carb and manifold (hence the nasty bend I saw in the gas line going to the carb before). Spacer = another $25.
Got it all back together and found that very little gas was getting to the carb. Guess sitting didn't do the fuel pump any favors. Another $150 parts and labor for that (pump is $105 at the cheapest place I could find).
After all that was done the boat was started up. The carb flooded up and it looks like some sediment got through to the carb from the tank. Add another 3 hours labor troubleshooting fuel problems. Finally I cut a new piece of fuel hose, hooked it onto the intake of the fuel pump and put the other end into a gas can of fresh gas and had him run off that to tune the carb.
All said and done, $1300 down the drain into the boat. It runs GREAT now....as long as I run it out of the gas can. I could see that there is no easy way to flush out the tank, so I had him stop working there. I can do the exact same stuff he would do without paying the $50/hour.
However, even with the repair rate going MUCH higher than I had expected, I still feel that I paid far less than you would through any other boat shop and he does guarantee his work.
I feel I would recommend him to anyone looking to get boat work done. I wasn't as fond of the guy he had to subcontract to for some of the work (his wife just had a baby, so he had to get someone to help out for a little bit).
Now I just need to find some ingenious way to flush the sediment out of the tank. I can't really remove the tank as it is built into the bow, the supports are fiberglassed in. There are no drains anywhere on the tank. All of the holes are in the top so anything in there needs to be sucked out.
Any thoughts????
[signature]
So I started out thinking I would probably need a carb rebuild and the tank flushed out as it had sat for quite a while, and wasn't running well when parked (felt like carb plugged up under a load). I also decided to have the fluids (oil & outdrive) changed since it had been sitting for a couple of years.
His quote was $150 for the oil changes, I think it was something like $265 for the carb (4 bbl. carb on a V8 engine). He didn't really give a quote on the tank other than the labor rate of $50/hour.
Well, as we all know, boat repars are never as simple as we hope. He got working on the outdrive fluid and noticed the slightest drop of oil from the boot between the engine and outdrive. He pointed out that losing a bit of oil isn't a huge issue as long as it is checked, but getting water IN that area is a big deal, then quoted me to replace the boot. I said to go ahead and do it, he pulled the boot back then called me back over and pointed out the U-joints and bearings. They were all quite covered in rust. Add another $480 parts and labor to the bill (I think most shops are around $1k to do this job).
He finished the outdrive then took the carb to rebuild it. When he was done with that he said there was a LOT of sediment and flaking varnish in the bowls. He also pointed out that someone working on the boat in the past had not replaced a spacer that goes between the carb and manifold (hence the nasty bend I saw in the gas line going to the carb before). Spacer = another $25.
Got it all back together and found that very little gas was getting to the carb. Guess sitting didn't do the fuel pump any favors. Another $150 parts and labor for that (pump is $105 at the cheapest place I could find).
After all that was done the boat was started up. The carb flooded up and it looks like some sediment got through to the carb from the tank. Add another 3 hours labor troubleshooting fuel problems. Finally I cut a new piece of fuel hose, hooked it onto the intake of the fuel pump and put the other end into a gas can of fresh gas and had him run off that to tune the carb.
All said and done, $1300 down the drain into the boat. It runs GREAT now....as long as I run it out of the gas can. I could see that there is no easy way to flush out the tank, so I had him stop working there. I can do the exact same stuff he would do without paying the $50/hour.
However, even with the repair rate going MUCH higher than I had expected, I still feel that I paid far less than you would through any other boat shop and he does guarantee his work.
I feel I would recommend him to anyone looking to get boat work done. I wasn't as fond of the guy he had to subcontract to for some of the work (his wife just had a baby, so he had to get someone to help out for a little bit).
Now I just need to find some ingenious way to flush the sediment out of the tank. I can't really remove the tank as it is built into the bow, the supports are fiberglassed in. There are no drains anywhere on the tank. All of the holes are in the top so anything in there needs to be sucked out.
Any thoughts????
[signature]
I know you didn't mean THAT rough of a ride, but it paints a funny picture in the mind!