I know its bad to talk about this but....

[Kracken]

I am starting to think about winter and the end of the boating season.

I have always winterized my boat and never had a problem. I got a new boat this year and it has fuel injection, the old one was carborated. I am unsure about the difference in winterization. I am already having nightmares about screwing up. In the past if a screwed it up?well a good reason to buy a new boat. (the old one was 20 years old)

I have been looking at local marinas and found one that does this for winterization.

1. Run Motor and check basic operations
2. Inspect water discharge
3. inspect lower unit for water and pressure check if necessary
4. Drain water from block and refill with anti-freeze
5. Change oil and filter
6. replace water separator filter
7. apply anti-corrosion grease to all out-drive fittings
8. add fuel stabilizer
9. Fog engine block carburetors and fuel lines
10. Check belts and hoses, and general condition of motor and lower unit
11. Drain Gear oil and refill

All for $200.00

They recommend:

Pull and service Outdrive:

1. Grease splines on shaft
2. Grease U-joints
3. Check condition of Gimbal Bearing
4. Check condition of Bellows
5. Replace gasket and O-rings

Additional $75.00

Peace of mind is a great thing, but the question is:

Is this priced right, should I keep looking around or should I go it alone?

Thanks

 

[esobofh]

Re: I know its bad to talk about this but....

$200 + $75 does seem reasonable.

Myself, I would opt for the $200 portion. And only go for the $75.00 if you suspect a problem.

the $75.00 inspection is nothing more than a "search for stuff we can replace and charge more for" - if it needs replacing, great.. maybe they will apply the $75.00 towards whatever repairs you "end up needing" as a result of the inspection. But I think this is largely an exercise in finding more work

 

[Thad]

Re: I know its bad to talk about this but....

I am starting to think about winter and the end of the boating season.

Blasphemer



Take the $200 service. As for the outdrive, they are quite simple to remove and you can check everything yourself. My dealer/mechanic lent me his alignment and gimbal tool, which I then took to a machine shop and had my own made. You can even find the alignment tool on, dare I say it, e-bay. Check the alignment, inspect the u-joints and o-rings. Grease the shaft and your on your way. Any questions on removal and installation, I bet you could do a search and find it in one of the forums.

 

[BigJ08]

Re: I know its bad to talk about this but....

The $200 is a pretty good deal for all of the normal winterizing stuff. Skip on the $75 "Check the outdrive" package. And just let me say I'm so glad I live in FL and don't really have to worry about "winterizing". Just check the LU oil and run some seafoam through the tank and we're good to go!

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: I know its bad to talk about this but....

Not to burst anyones bubble, but you aught to read alot of the forums about all the nightmare of people who had brought their boats in to have winterized and summerized, Happens every spring, Post like EXAMPLE "HELP Mechanic screwed up my boat" Most of the people who have been here awhile on Iboats know what I am talking about, DonS usually has a Sticky: on "How to winterize your boat" Read it and see if it would be easier if not better just to do it youself> It's cheaper and at least you'll know it was done right by YOU. It's not that difficult to do, I do my own every year with The exeption of last year, My wife did it with these guys help here on Iboats, They know who they are and I am still greatfull, boat ran fine from the very first start of this season. If my wife can do it and she has never worked on a boat or car in her life, you can do it too!!