$850.00 for installation fee???

[mickjetblue]

I inquired about a 40/30 jet motor advertised on the internet, and asked
about the total costs. Well, to not get personal about it, I won't mention
the marine dealer's name or even the name of the motor. I have seen both
mentioned favorably on the forum, though.

My question is about the $850.00 "installation cost" that was mentioned.
I'm no boat mechanic, but I have installed a few outboard motors in my time,
and successfully. I know that in my maturity, I am in some ways, out of it.
Is $850.00 a reasonable fee to install a new 40/30 jet motor on a boat?
How many boat mechanics, and how many days, does this installation take?

 

[Don S]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

With no information there is no way of telling right or wrong. Did the boat already have throttle and shift controls, cables, steering, instruments etc.
If it already had all that from a previous motor, did it fit the new one? Was that price labor only or parts and labor?

 

[ebry710]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

I inquired about a 40/30 jet motor advertised on the internet, and asked
about the total costs. Well, to not get personal about it, I won't mention
the marine dealer's name or even the name of the motor. I have seen both
mentioned favorably on the forum, though.

My question is about the $850.00 "installation cost" that was mentioned.
I'm no boat mechanic, but I have installed a few outboard motors in my time,
and successfully. I know that in my maturity, I am in some ways, out of it.
Is $850.00 a reasonable fee to install a new 40/30 jet motor on a boat?
How many boat mechanics, and how many days, does this installation take?

If you have worked with sites like eBay or Craig's List, you are probably aware that some people make their money on the item, some on shipping, some on cables, some on tanks and hoses, some on gauges and switches, some on other accessories and some on labor. I generally look at how much did (or do) I spend on the engine before I can actually use it for its intended purpose.

Once you have that number then shop around. The internet is huge. Look for the same motor on iboats, eBay and Craig's List. Google it.

Region of the country matters. My Evinrude dealer quoted me a $1000 for installation and throttle/shift controls, but that was for a new ETEC 90 and I live in California.

 

[mickjetblue]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

It's a tiller model motor, so no controls to install.
Location is in Virginia. Big superstore type place.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

if it's a tiller motor than that is indeed rediculous.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

buy it bring it here, i'll do it for third , and still feel like a raped you.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

Depending on the tiller model and brand it would be normal to see a de-crate, prep/test run and mounting fee based on 1 to 2 hours of the shop labor rate.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

So $425/hour shop rate. Sounds like I'm in the wrong business!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

depends.
on a tiller model it seems a bit high. normally when we order a jet the motor comes in one box and the jet unit in another and we have to assemble the two. but even on a 150 its only a couple hours unless the derigging and fitting of the new controls and harness's is difficult.

 

[ebry710]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

If the motor price is cheap and the installation is expensive, then dealer maybe using the cheap price to get you in (which you did) then made extra money on the back side.

The money it cost you to get it lake ready is what you need to look at.

Hooking up a factory fuel line, bolting 4 or so bolts and hooking it to a battery should not be a 10 hour process.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

I am sure there are several folk out here that will eagerly take the job on at a fraction of that cost !!!!
I am one of them !!!!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

It has already been pointed out that controls, cables, the engine monitor gauge/tach or combo gauge accounts for half of that $850 right off the bat. Rigging, stringing the cables, working in confined spaces under the console, and testing all systems is labor intensive. I was quoted that same price two years ago on a new e-tec so this is not unreasonable. Installing the engine is not the issue. Installing the controls and electronic monitor systems is!!

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

It has already been pointed out that controls, cables, the engine monitor gauge/tach or combo gauge accounts for half of that $850 right off the bat. Rigging, stringing the cables, working in confined spaces under the console, and testing all systems is labor intensive. I was quoted that same price two years ago on a new e-tec so this is not unreasonable. Installing the engine is not the issue. Installing the controls and electronic monitor systems is!!

Still seems high for a tiller model though does it not ??? or am I mistaken ???

 

[ebry710]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

I agree that controls and stuff bring up the cost, but tiller controls have none of that. In fact if it wasn't for the warrantee requiring most engine be inspected by a dealer, I would say buy the engine and install it your self.

Without controls and steering, it is just bolting the engine onto the transom with bolt patterns that probably are already there. Plug in the electrical and the gas line and the project is done. I think for a local dealer to pretest and inspection the engine won't cost $850. Ask around.

Or buy the engine and find a local guy to install it. My evinrude dealer told me he would do it if I bought my etec from iboats.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

Ooops! On a tiller that is high. But you might check back with the installer since even though they spec'd a tiller, he/she may have had remote on the brain (like I did) when it came to quoting installation.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

Ooops! On a tiller that is high. But you might check back with the installer since even though they spec'd a tiller, he/she may have had remote on the brain (like I did) when it came to quoting installation.

Very good point !!! confirm with them that the price is for a tiller model. It could be just a standard charge in their book based on a full (none tiller) set up. That would certainly explain it.

 

[dingbat]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

The place he's talking about (I think) has the cheapest equiptment prices in town, bar none. They also have the highest number of customer service complaints.

Do yourself a favor, take the great deal you got on the equiptment and find it someone else to do the install. I know very few guys, if any, that would buy anything from them and let them touch it after the fact.

 

[ebry710]

Re: $850.00 for installation fee???

It's a tiller model motor, so no controls to install.
Location is in Virginia. Big superstore type place.

So buy the motor, get it installed by someone else and go boating.