I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

[MCNPathfinder]

Tell me it's going to be okay... LOL! My mechanic has had my boat for a few weeks now before getting to it on Tuesday. Today I get a call on my way to work from them. They told me they had started it, which had me really pumped up. HOWEVER, my $800 bellows job turned into quite a bit more than that. Quite honestly I knew it would be more than $800, so I saved $1200. I don't have any luck with anything that has an engine, thus the extra savings. I'm convinced I could buy a BRAND NEW car, drive it off the lot and start having problems with it, that some how would not be covered under warranty.
Back to my original problem though, there was something weird when they winterized it last season, some contamination in the outdrive. Although they were able to drain my gear lube and do it themselves and it was fine. However now that they've got everything cracked open for the bellows they're finding that the seals in the outdrive are faulty. The top seal needs to be replaced, and the bottom seal should be replaced. They ballparked about $1800 by the time I'm said and done with it... UH! I mean what do I do? I mean I have to fix it right? I hate spending money, so this hurts A LOT, but it is boating right? I mean it just straight up costs money to be a boat owner. Bust out another thousand, eh? I literally spend hours during the cold winter months just watching boat videos and looking at pictures from my previous seasons. Boating is what I do in the summer.
Just tell me it's going to be okay.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

If your as ate up with boating as you say, I see you have two choices.......Pay the repair bill and go on and enjoy the boat, or take the opprotunity to pick out a new one! Whats the boat worth?

 

[BTMCB]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Ok - I will comply.........................it's going to be ok!

Good luck (after you write the check!) and enjoy the boat this summer.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

i say its a good excuse to save that 2k and use it as a down payment on your BRAND NEW BOAT!!!!!!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Its tuff some times, I spent 3 long hard days working on my lower unit fixing shoddy work from a PO and ended up spending 5 days on a heating pad poping pain meds. the first trip out all of that faded away, smiles.

Yes it dose cost a good bit some times to fix things but when you reach over to hit the throttle its a lot better knowing its gona do what its suposto.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Take a look in the mirror . . . Maybe you have dollar signs imprinted on your forehead.

Everything is going to be OK though.

 

[1973Chieftain]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Fixes are always more expensive then guessed it seems, and at the front of the season. It will be fine though man, get it fixed right and enjoy all the warm sunny days on the water!

 

[ericp501]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Cant you get a whole new motor for like $2,500? Buy a new motor, and sell the old one. It'll prob end up costing you the same after you sell the old one lol

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Thanks everyone, I feel better. I feel like they're not just yanking my chain. It's a small shop with a great reputation. I've brought the boat there to have it winterized. I asked them if this was something I could attempt if I was somewhat mechanically inclined, and they said sure, but there is a lot of special Mercruiser tools that they have to use in the process. I don't have a lot of time on my hands, and I think I failed to mention that I'm kind of a poor college student (great hobby to be into, huh...), and don't really have the money to do things twice. I'm hoping we don't have anymore major problems for the next few seasons. If it was anything on the engine, I'd be all for fixing it myself because it's so open under the doghouse (and it's just a big old V8 pulled from a Camaro), but quite frankly the pieces that touch the water are what scares me. I'm a tinkerer and a DIYer, but when it comes to the safety of others and myself, I'll leave it to the pros. I think I'm doing the right thing here, I mean I want to keep this boat, rather than getting something different. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Cant you get a whole new motor for like $2,500? Buy a new motor, and sell the old one. It'll prob end up costing you the same after you sell the old one lol

I'm not sure I understand? The motor is fine, purrs like a kitten. In fact it's the most beatiful sound I've ever heard in my life. It's the outdrive that needs seals and such.
I suppose I should also add what type of boat I do have. It's a 1990 Cobia Spirit 2250CC. 22' Cabin Cruiser with a built 305 V8 I/O with the Mercruiser I want to say Alpha 3? I can't recall though.

 

[ericp501]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

I'm not sure I understand? The motor is fine, purrs like a kitten. In fact it's the most beatiful sound I've ever heard in my life. It's the outdrive that needs seals and such.
I suppose I should also add what type of boat I do have. It's a 1990 Cobia Spirit 2250CC. 22' Cabin Cruiser with a built 305 V8 I/O with the Mercruiser I want to say Alpha 3? I can't recall though.

My boo.. Get a new one of those lol

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

My boo.. Get a new one of those lol

Get a new outdrive? I thought they'd be close to like $3,000. The $2000 includes the $800 they quoted me for bellows. And the $2000 was really closer to $1700, I'm just mentally preparing myself for the worst.

 

[Part-time]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

It might seem like alot of coin but doing it right is still a better deal than getting towed, ruining your weekend, getting another outdrive and paying to start over again...

 

[roscoe]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

You put a car engine in your boat?

 

[series60]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

Not knowing which outdrive you have you may still be better off buying a new SEI outdrive. Install new bellows yourself and go boating and enjoy!

 

[MCNPathfinder]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

You put a car engine in your boat?

I think there's probably more to it than that, but the PO did yes. It's great because if I need any parts, all I do is go to the U Pull salvage yards and check out the one of many GM engines that are sitting in there, most likely going to find the part I need. LOL!

I was looking at those outdrives, what are they generic OEM replacements? Why are these things so expensive, haha!

 

[roscoe]

Re: I need some reassurance from my fellow boaters...

I think there's probably more to it than that, but the PO did yes. It's great because if I need any parts, all I do is go to the U Pull salvage yards and check out the one of many GM engines that are sitting in there, most likely going to find the part I need. LOL!

I was looking at those outdrives, what are they generic OEM replacements? Why are these things so expensive, haha!

I hope he put all the proper safety parts on there, or you could go boom!

Did they swap out any of the internals?