What is the time limit on boat repairs?

[Wookie]

^What he said. This sucks, and it isn't right. Your powerhead is toast, and for no reason. I replaced my tilt/trim wire in about 1/2 day. Not that big a deal. Replaced my teleflex helm with a new teleflex helm in 2 hours. You were looking at 6 hours of labor for both, now a new powerhead? Not so spiffy.

 

[rhwestfall]

This must be the guy, 3 Best Guys - YouTube, and he switched to boats....

 

[Tom Winters]

I guess it probably would have been less aggravating to just ship the boat to Belize. A 60 hp motor - that's a leetle baby engine. There's nothing all that hard to fix on something that small. I'm not sure about the mechanic running an outboard for 5 minutes with no water flow. You ought to ask the shop owner about that one.
For stuck bolts and a bunch of other products, there is a deal for this stuff:
Google Deal
I never heard of it, but the reviews were pretty good.

 

[decapoddiver]

Boat is coming home today. Brother in law and I will be replacing wiring and steering. The guy is a neighbor who owns a used car dealership. He offered to do it since it would give his mechanics some work during a slow period. Think I was the slow one.


UPDATE: Boat is not coming home today because "you wanted me to work on the trim. Maybe tomorrow". I am driving there tomorrow AM and taking it away even if I have to drag the lower unit right off it. This is unreal.

 

[Tom Winters]

Hey when you do the wiring, make sure you use marine grade, i.e., Ancor brand wire. Figure out what the job entails and get the right connectors, wire gauges, colors - whatever. Don't use automotive grade stuff unless you only boat in fresh water.
Also, if you have a Yamaha, check out Andy at Shipyard Island Marine in Wisconsin for parts, manuals and advice.
If the steering is mechanical, that's easy to replace. Make sure you measure it correctly so you only have to buy it once. Hydraulic's easy too, but your boat is probably too small for that.
Anyway, good luck with all that.

 

[decapoddiver]

Hey when you do the wiring, make sure you use marine grade, i.e., Ancor brand wire. Figure out what the job entails and get the right connectors, wire gauges, colors - whatever.
Anyway, good luck with all that.

Thanks for the advice. It is a 1995 Mariner 60 HP and this will be the third water impeller kit job I've done on it so have that part down pretty well. I will be using Ancor wire. Tired of constantly chasing down issues with the automotive wiring/connectors it had. Lesson learned. Just mad that the only reason I even took him up on the suggestion was I thought it would be done faster and wanted to support a local business. Another lesson learned.

 

[ajtoady]

There is a visual I'm just having a hard time getting rid of.... did you return the gown??

Why of course I returned the gown!! My jeans are worth more than a drafty hospital gown with a view.

 

[decapoddiver]

Final post about the boat:

Mechanic called me and said trim/tilt won't hold fluid so it needs to be replaced. Motor needs new carbs, electrical and water pump. "I have an hour of labor into the boat so you only me $80". An hour?! He had it a MONTH!!! Guess I should be happy he only charged me for an hour. Time to shop for a used 60 HP.

 

[Hank49]

Final post about the boat:

Mechanic called me and said trim/tilt won't hold fluid so it needs to be replaced. Motor needs new carbs, electrical and water pump. "I have an hour of labor into the boat so you only me $80". An hour?! He had it a MONTH!!! Guess I should be happy he only charged me for an hour. Time to shop for a used 60 HP.

If your trim ram is not holding fluid it should be visibly leaking, but it could be bypassing inside the unit. But in either case it may just need new seals. I just replaced that on my 2006 ETEC 90. They aren't cheap. (here anyway. $200 or so) It doesn't sound like you need a new trim motor. That's another $300 (in Belize anyway).
Carbs are easily rebuilt.

Water pump? You just have a little impeller that you have to replace in the foot.

Unless he DID blow your powerhead, this isn't a big deal. Maybe get a second opinion before you buy another engine.

Now, to keep this thread alive and kicking....get a Yamaha. haha. My 90 ETEC used a LOT less gas than the twin 40 carbed two stroke Yamaha Enduros but it sucked up all the gas savings and more in parts and maintenance.

 

[Wookie]

Now, to keep this thread alive and kicking....get a Yamaha. haha. My 90 ETEC used a LOT less gas than the twin 40 carbed two stroke Yamaha Enduros but it sucked up all the gas savings and more in parts and maintenance.

But, the Yamaha 4 strokes are WAYYYY more reliable than the etec's in that horsepower range. I would have an etec in the 150 or better class, but it's a tossup with Yamaha 4 stroke. The Yamaha enduro and saltwater series are cheaper in Belize because some enterprising Yahama salesman sewed up the entire Caribbean with Yamaha dealers. Something about building all of the fishing co-ops, too.

Suzuki's are very popular here in Key West. A used Honda 4 stroke will be very reliable, too.