Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

[Feeez]

I recently purchased a 2001 Celebrity 280s with twin 5.7L Mercruisers with Bravo III drives.

During the pre-purchase survey the surveyor recomended that the drive bellows be checked as they looked to be showing thinning. I got a quote from the marina where the boat is at the moment and they have quoted as follows

This is all in Canadian Dollars

Transom Assembly Repair Kit - 370
13 hours of labour

Can anyone tell me if this is reasonable or not

Thanks

 

[JustJason]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

Parts prices sound about right.

Labor is really up in the air. Does the boat have a swim platform? Has been in saltwater most of its life? The bellows can take 3-4 hours a side in freshwater, and take a month of sundays if it's a salt boat.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

Transom Assembly Repair Kit - 370
13 hours of labour

I would expect 3-4 per side (for me.....I would expect that someone that does it for a living could do it a little quicker ).......

Even the parts seem a little high unless that's for 2 kits.

Here's what Marine Power service charges for a Bravo Transom service kit. (In USD) (it would be somewhat less using Sierra or other after market parts)

http://www.marinepowerservice.com/BoatingStore/browse_detail3.cfm?productID=42211

And another one...

http://www.sterndrive.info/mercruiser-bravo/bell_housing.html



Cheers,


Rick

 

[Feeez]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

Thanks for input.

The boat has only seen fresh water on that point I am 100% sure. I am new to the power boating world but the 13 hours seemed a bit heavy to me.

thanks again... as always buyer beware!!

This quote came from the marina where the boat is currently being winter stored so I think I will have some other quotes on the work done after I move it in the spring!!

 

[TFHTECH]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

i own a boat repair shop on lake norman nc.
and i charge $600 parts and labor

 

[Feeez]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

I assume that would 600 per drive.

 

[Feeez]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

to TFItech

I also need to get a pre delivery mechanical inspection done on the boat before I take final possession. The Pre-purchase survey is done. What would you estimate the cost would be of the mechanical and what are the key points that should be included.

Thanks in advance
Fraser

 

[TFHTECH]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

yes thats 600 per side most any dealer will do a mech. inspection for a hour labor per motor and wil check all the basic stuff but wont get into pulling the drives for that price (belts hoses compresson fuel lines oil gear oil check it for codes spark arester fuel pressure if injected ) yo can allso find a independent surveyr to look at it from bow to stern for around $250 well worth it

 

[Feeez]

Re: Bravo III Drive Bellows retro fit

thanks again for the info.... I had a full pre purchase survey done on the boat but a mechanical could not be done as the boat was already out of the water. You are so correct it was well worth it. A number of maintenance items were found that allowed me to get a reduction on the price of the boat. As they say on some of the surveyors sites... most of the time these surveys end up being free.