Spring Start-up Package

[lexer440]

Last year I got my boat from the marina ready for the water as we do, great! Now its almost time for that event again and it was the subject of discussion recently and I asked the guy at the dealers, What exactly, do you get for the "Spring Startup Package" that I paid $94 for last year.

I was amazed! he said someone climbs on your boat and turns the key, if the engine starts its good to go. And I was the idiot that paid for it. because if it doesn't go they will charge me to fix it.

Like, because I own a boat I can afford it? I will make a point of asking more questions in future visits, may even start with "wheres the next nearest dealers"?

 

[aspeck]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

For that price I will do a road trip and do that in your driveway! LOL!

 

[R Socey]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I find more and, more that companies try to exstract every penny they can from you instead of looking out for your interest. When I perceive that to be the case, they loose my buisness! I know sometimes your almost forced to deal with them - that is when prudence is a must!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

Last year I got my boat from the marina ready for the water as we do, great! Now its almost time for that event again and it was the subject of discussion recently and I asked the guy at the dealers, What exactly, do you get for the "Spring Startup Package" that I paid $94 for last year.

I was amazed! he said someone climbs on your boat and turns the key, if the engine starts its good to go. And I was the idiot that paid for it. because if it doesn't go they will charge me to fix it.

Like, because I own a boat I can afford it? I will make a point of asking more questions in future visits, may even start with "wheres the next nearest dealers"?

Yes, and I'm sure that's not the end of things that they (marinas, boat yards, etc.) do for a quick $$$. Knowing that, I am happy to do those things (and more) myself and knowing that things actually got done and keeping the extra money for the 'new boat fund'.

Kind of reminds me when I took my new car in for its first scheduled oil change and 'check-up' . . . amounted to pretty much a $300 oil change. Haven't been back since. . . I do it myself.

 

[Philster]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

Personally, the OP is in no position to bash anyone offering a service if the OP paid for the service without knowing what the service included.

Wait... I am incorrect. The OP can bash the OP. :facepalm:

Sorry, dude; you're just asking for it!

 

[BonairII]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

It amazes me, that such a large percentage of the general population own expensive motorized vehicles(boats, cars, motorcycles, etc) and have no idea how they work. If they spent a little time learning about their vehicles, they would save themselves a lot of money.

I'm no expert mechanic, but I make sure to buy a Haynes manual for every car I own....and now that I own a boat/motor, I bought a manual for that too.

Last year, my '06 Mustang(just out of warranty) had some problems that I feared that might be serious. I paid my local dealer $80 to diagnose(so I could fix myself). They gave me an estimate for $1100 to replace alternator and idler pulley!!! They claimed it was a 4 hour job.

Long story short, I fixed replaced the alternator and idler pulley in under an hour for a total cost of $300.


People want everything to be "turn key". That's fine, but be prepared to pay thru the nose for that convenience.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

It amazes me, that such a large percentage of the general population own expensive motorized vehicles(boats, cars, motorcycles, etc) and have no idea how they work. If they spent a little time learning about their vehicles, they would save themselves a lot of money.

There are three types of "expensive motorized vehicle" owners. There are people that make a hobby out of working on their toys. There are people who work on their toys out of necessity and there are people that bought their toys for the enjoyment and have absolutely no interest in working on them. I would image the majority of owners fall into the third category.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

And then there are those of us who would like to work on our boats but are afraid we'll royally screw something up and have to pay big $$ to have someone fix our mistakes!

 

[Sunsetrider]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

While I fall into the third category for the most (but not all) part, I never patronize dealers, whether for my cars, motorcycles, or boats. The bikes I do everything myself, the cars I bring it to an independent mechanic, and the boat I have my local boat and small engine guy over twice a year. And I watch him do the stuff so I can soon learn to do the seasonal stuff myself.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

And then there are those of us who would like to work on our boats but are afraid we'll royally screw something up and have to pay big $$ to have someone fix our mistakes!

What could possibly go wrong . . .

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

What could possibly go wrong . . .

Even if it goes wrong in the process, you will learn to fix your own mistakes. Such is the price of education.

The money you save by doing most jobs yourself will pay for the parts, plus replacements for the parts you ruin, the special tools needed for the job, and a nice meal afterwords.

Plus the work will be done by someone who really cares that is done right and even overdone.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I've been learning a lot on this board... it already has helped me avoid some mistakes.

 

[ricohman]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I've also bee wondering about this.
New boat with a 4.3 merc. It was winterized by the dealer and I was told it was test run but it basically has zero hours.
Should I put it in the water on the initial start up? I'm unfamiliar with running anything but an outboard on muffs.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I've also bee wondering about this.
New boat with a 4.3 merc. It was winterized by the dealer and I was told it was test run but it basically has zero hours.
Should I put it in the water on the initial start up? I'm unfamiliar with running anything but an outboard on muffs.

If it's a new boat/motor....I'd assume that you'd be fine doing initial startup on the water. If the water is a big drive from your house, probably wouldn't hurt to start it at home to make sure it does indeed start.

Probably wouldn't be a bad idea to have a spare set of plugs with you. JMO

 

[Philster]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I've also bee wondering about this.
New boat with a 4.3 merc. It was winterized by the dealer and I was told it was test run but it basically has zero hours.
Should I put it in the water on the initial start up? I'm unfamiliar with running anything but an outboard on muffs.

Slap some muffs on 'er; just like you did with the outboard.

Wouldn't hurt to warm it up. Proceed with break-in instructions. Good times.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

There are three types of "expensive motorized vehicle" owners. There are people that make a hobby out of working on their toys. There are people who work on their toys out of necessity and there are people that bought their toys for the enjoyment and have absolutely no interest in working on them. I would image the majority of owners fall into the third category.

There's another category, dingbat. Those of us who taught ourselves the knowledge and skills to do it ourselves, but are no longer physically capable of it. I was a DIY'er from the time I owned my first bicycle. It really pains me to pay for stuff that I used to do a lot better and cheaper than it's done now.

Not everybody who has someone else do all the work, is afraid of getting their hands dirty.

My .02

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Spring Start-up Package

some "spring astart up" is stuff they could have done in the fall--check/change the LU fluid, filters, plugs, thermostats, hitting all cylinders, etc. Run through the electricals. A good shop will spot problems.Some "spring start up" might be worth it. The key is to know, not assume, what you are getting. I agree that $94 to turn the key is a rip-off.

What if your first trip will be to launch on Friday afternoon at a remote location to transport you, your family and gear somewhere. Having someone in advance testing the battery, and that the motor will actually start, plus bilge pump, running lights, etc. can be worth it if your boat has been in storage all winter, and you are picking it up to drop it straight into the water. Or it's already in the water. Not everyone can take it home to work on it. A surprise at the wrong time can cost you more in time than $94. Some boats, you have to depend on.

The issue is to ask first, and then decide how your time and money is better spent.

Dingbat, your "three types" is way too simplistic. There are plenty of boaters who CAN do the DIY stuff, are interested in it, and who also can afford to have someone do it. For example, I CAN paint my bottom, but I work for myself and make more per hour than paying a boat yard per hour to paint. Painting a bottom isn't fun. So I let someone else earn his wage; I support the business so that when I need it, it's there. OTOH it probably wasn't cost effective, either, for me to mount my VHF and my fish finder in the console, repair a power winch, change to LU fluid, install the swim ladder, replace a winch strap, repair a trailer guide, wax the boat, etc. etc. but I enjoy that sort of thing, and do it, and am glad to save the money, so I could afford oil, gas and bottom paint!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

I applaud this marina for actually telling the truth as opposed to rattling off a giant list of things that the "check" which they don't actually do

 

[Philster]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

Dingbat, your "three types" is way too simplistic. There are plenty of boaters who CAN do the DIY stuff, are interested in it, and who also can afford to have someone do it. For example, I CAN paint my bottom, but I work for myself and make more per hour than paying a boat yard per hour to paint. Painting a bottom isn't fun. So I let someone else earn his wage; I support the business so that when I need it, it's there. OTOH it probably wasn't cost effective, either, for me to mount my VHF and my fish finder in the console, repair a power winch, change to LU fluid, install the swim ladder, replace a winch strap, repair a trailer guide, wax the boat, etc. etc. but I enjoy that sort of thing, and do it, and am glad to save the money, so I could afford oil, gas and bottom paint!

This was me a couple of years ago. My boat was far from home in a boatel, and I had extensive experience with boats, but no time to deal with them. My wife and I decided the only way to enjoy our boat was to have someone store it and drop in on demand. An awesome experience it was. Break out lots of money for tips and regular maintenance, but it allowed us to work, chase the kids from event to event and still show up and enjoy the boat. My tow vehicle at the time wasn't ready for long hauling either.

The single biggest problem was that the marina's perception of us was 'dolts' who don't' know anything about boats, so they'll just give us the run-around is what they thought. The problem with that was that I knew what was right, and I knew what was wrong.

It was painful to know I needed X,Y or Z but they wanted to do A,B, or C. At one point, they were insulted when I hauled the boat out of there so a friend and I could work on it. Their business model was (and is), "wait for something to fail catastrophically, then have the blind-faith owner/dolt cough up 3500 bucks for it." I guess they get away with it. I know a lot of people that use that marina and it's all salt water boaters, and most ARE naive and ARE paying for whatever breaks.

That marina doesn't know how to change manifolds and risers*, but they know how to sell/install a reman engine that hyrdolocked or rusted out from water intrusion.

*point being that they don't replace them as preventative maintenance -- only as an engine install.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Spring Start-up Package

Dingbat, your "three types" is way too simplistic. There are plenty of boaters who CAN do the DIY stuff, are interested in it, and who also can afford to have someone do it. For example, I CAN paint my bottom, but I work for myself and make more per hour than paying a boat yard per hour to paint. Painting a bottom isn't fun. So I let someone else earn his wage; I support the business so that when I need it, it's there. OTOH it probably wasn't cost effective, either, for me to mount my VHF and my fish finder in the console, repair a power winch, change to LU fluid, install the swim ladder, replace a winch strap, repair a trailer guide, wax the boat, etc. etc. but I enjoy that sort of thing, and do it, and am glad to save the money, so I could afford oil, gas and bottom paint!

Hobby - an activity or interest pursued for pleasure or relaxation and not as a main occupation:

I don't see the difference between someone who ?enjoys that sort of thing? and someone who pursues an activity for pleasure or relaxation?

I'm a hobbyist with a PhD in fixing things that is getting more and more tired of fixing and installing things all the time. I have reached the point in my life where I have more money that time. Becoming a Type 3 is looking more attractive all the time.