found the leak, now a question

[ryanr623]

After having the boat be bone dry every time i pulled her out, this last time about 5 gallons or more poured out the back. I thought it might have something to do with my chips.... nope, tilted the drive up and there were two slits on the top bellows on either side. Not sure why all of a sudden it went, but it did.

Now, i got quoted from a marina $600 parts and labor. I called a guy that has an ad on craigslist who says he's been doing it for 30 years, and he quoted $350 parts and labor. He seemed knowledgeable, said I should get it fixed before the grease washes away in the housing, but it still seems a little cheap.

My question is this: I've always heard that changing the bellows weren't all that hard. How much could he screw this up if he really doesn't have thirty years experience? Anything I should inspect when i get her back?

Here's the craigslist ad FWIW http://toledo.craigslist.org/boa/2469142091.html

 

[ezmobee]

Re: found the leak, now a question

Well I had my '00 Buick Regal ruined to the point of having no choice but to trade it in by having a wheel bearing replaced by a guy on CL with a similar ad.......:facepalm:

Maybe there's a happy medium between the two. A boat repair shop that's actually a real business with insurance and stuff? The problem with the CL guy is if he screws it up, you really have NO recourse.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: found the leak, now a question

Well I had my '00 Buick Regal ruined to the point of having no choice but to trade it in by having a wheel bearing replaced by a guy on CL with a similar ad.......:facepalm:

Maybe there's a happy medium between the two. A boat repair shop that's actually a real business with insurance and stuff? The problem with the CL guy is if he screws it up, you really have NO recourse.

He works out of his house so I'm assuming no insurance. He does have several boats in his side lot, and a nice big garage. He also has the parts in stock, so he must do it fairly often.

How much could he mess up by changing the bellows? Is there anything to check afterwards?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: found the leak, now a question

as to what could be screwed up... if the bellows are not properly installed they could pop off.... If you think you had a lot of water coming in with the little slits wait till you see what happens if the bellows pop off... Sooo worst case scenario, swimming back to shore...

If you are concerned then sit with him while he does it (not talking tho let him work) Make sure he cleans off all the old bellows adhesive and that he uses actual quicksilver bellows adhesive and not some silicone or such when putting it back together.... Also go ahead and get new trim senders installed at the same time... they are $70 and all the same stuff has to come apart.... It's also a good time to replace the water hose

 

[Fireman431]

Re: found the leak, now a question

Just get other prices from shops who specialize in marine work so you have an idea of the local average. You'll want the peace of mind behind the insurance, business license, and ability to point a finger if something bad happens. Some things are just better done in actually licensed businesses.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: found the leak, now a question

Did you ask him if he has error/omission insurance...it's possible that an independent guy takes precautions.

 

[RIDEPATE]

Re: found the leak, now a question

"I've always heard that changing the bellows weren't all that hard"....

If you can pour gas in your lawnmower, you can do a bellows.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: found the leak, now a question

"I've always heard that changing the bellows weren't all that hard"....

If you can pour gas in your lawnmower, you can do a bellows.

Damn, thats what I thought. I'm mechanically inclined, I should've just done it. I've changed the starter in my boat, and always do my own brakes in my cars. Oh well.

BTW the incoming water washed some of the grease from the gimbal bearing, so I told him to replace that as well. Better safe than sorry. Everything else looks good including u-joints.

 

[ryanr623]

Re: found the leak, now a question

Damn, thats what I thought. I'm mechanically inclined, I should've just done it. I've changed the starter in my boat, and always do my own brakes in my cars. Oh well.

BTW the incoming water washed some of the grease from the gimbal bearing, so I told him to replace that as well. Better safe than sorry. Everything else looks good including u-joints.

Also, it was a 20 minute drive from his place to my house, and he called before I even got home to tell me the drive was off, and about the gimbal bearing. Didn't realize it was THAT easy... oh well, next time I do it myself.

 

[produceguy]

Re: found the leak, now a question

350$ to change a bellow, that seems cheap to you?
I would of done it for 100$.
You'll need the rest of it to pull your boat out of the abyess. Just kiddin......

Yea its pretty easy.