What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

[MikDee]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Good luck with that one Don, I had a 72'- 18.5' Wellcraft airslot with 188hp (an 888) Mercruiser 302Ford V8 with a 2bbl. (saltwater used) that looked a lot better then that at the time, I went to change the sparkplugs, and they were tightened, and rusted so much, that I had to take one head off to get one out! They were either AC Delco, or Autolite, I don't remember right now, but I believe they were an Orig. Equip. Mercruiser number, and were not Plated plugs, just black steel rusted so bad, that the shell stripped, and I couldn't get a wrench in there to get them out, being as they are such a tight fit in the recessed socket of the head (be careful about this!) I replaced tham with the only cross referenced plated plug available at the time, Champions.

 

[watermellonI]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Which ever way it goes We re here for ya Grumpy...I mean Don.

 

[watermellonI]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

'Cause you re alway here for Us, Thanks

 

[4.0l sahara]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

You need to get more pics of this thing.

 

[rodbolt]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

DonS is like me, done this gig way to long working for idiots,bosses included occasionally.
what we do is simply carefully document everything we see and everything we do so if and when it ends up in court we are covered.
been there done that

 

[Wotam]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Looking on the bright side, the flame arrestor on the carb is still shiny. :>)

 

[Lyndy]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Hey Don, didn't a read a while back that you had retired or something? Thought this was all in the past for you?

While reading this amazing thread I was thinking the same thing. I guess some things never change. I will never look at my Junkyard Dog quite the same ever again. Wonder what would have transpired if this was an OMC Engine and Drive

 

[thewooddogg]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

I'd love to see Don an owner of a boat repair shop! I'd drive from AZ for that!

 

[JustJason]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

don....

I don't know if your a smart cookie or not... but you sure as sh@t know your stuff when it comes to boats.... Why not work for yourself??? Or get a partner and work together. I don't know 1/4 of what you do.... and I manage to make it. Some days are a struggle, but some are JNC machine happiness (jason needs cash)

I live by the motto of "it is what it is".... but "be fair about it"

I couldn't tell ya how many boats i work on that I've put 10 hours on, but I only charge for 6 or 7.

When your getting the whole 70/hr though (pretax..... and cash talks) it's ok to do it...

I've so far (and i'm only a newb of a couple of years in marine) Have found this business more like contracting. You look and see (and charge a few bucks for the looking and seeing and diagnosing and writing estimates). But after you've looked,,, you put an estimate on the repair.... and you tell the customer it can go 10-15% either way in the end. It still is what it is.
The biggest thing is just being fair about it all.... If your work is on the short side, then you charge on the lesser side of the estimate. At the same time spending 3 hours at 70+ hr to remove stripped bolts is a little on the steep side for torching bolts... so i charge for 2 instead of 3.
Maybe i'm leaving money on the table..... but i can't complain about the money... and i haven't had 1 customer complain about a bill in my 4 years yet.

I've also given customers the bill in the end, and talked to them through line by line on my repair order. And actually sat down and explain every little detail. I've had jobs that i went way over the estimate on. But in sticking to the estimate and being fair I have told customers... (for example- We did this this and that), i know I quoted to you in an estimated 10 hours of work, even though it took 15 coz of this and that. I am still only going to bill you for the quoted 10. And then I ask them if they can swing a few extra bucks for my extra time that i'd really appreciate it. As I put alot of work into your boat. And i leave it at that.
Some people make the check out for "the 10 hours" but the majority make it out for closer to the 15... I've always found people to be more than willing to pay if you just be fair about it all.
I've had more than my share of looking at boats and telling the customer it's all or nothing. And they go either way. Sure the ones that end up as "all", i've made great money on... and sometimes not as hot. But I haven't really "lost" yet. Although i'm sure it's gonna happen sooner or later.

If ya ever make it out to the east coast... i'd love to sit and chat with ya.

Take the labor rate into consideration and i'd give someone with your knowledge whatever you wanted (unless your a beamin drunk). Even If i payed you the entire labor rate.... with the "bill fair" motto that i have..... having someone with your expertise on hand i'd never lose money in the long run.

ps~ i was kidding about the salt water.... that's just the evil genuis in me........... muahahahahahahah!!

 

[magster65]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

That should be easy... there's already a decent flame arrester, now you just need the rest.
I hate working on junk like that but I hear ya'... paid by the hour it is.
Good luck!

 

[oops!]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

You're preaching to the choir Chris. I know the game, and how it works and exactly what you are saying. The shop owner on the other hand .................... not so much.
Personally, I looked at the boat and said no before I ever put a wrench to it. I also explained my concerns to the owner (of the shop, not the boat) that this was going to be another loosing job. We are doing the job.
I may pack up my tools and call it quits before it's over, but as it is. The job is a job, and I will try to do my best to fix it correctly. It's all out of my hands. I am just an employee.

just say im with the choir.........

chris has some fantastic points and his frist post is rofl....

but don.....your right...a job is a job...does it matter what motor it is?....
you get paid to work on motors......if the boss is out to lunch...thats not your problem....imho the only reason he took the job is cause if it could be done....he knew you could do it.......too bad he doesnt think about what the coustomer/wants..(really wants...a working boat cheep)......

i guess id just hate to see you get mad and quit.....but if you do....how would you feel bout a shop of your own in canada?????

or mabe...you and bond-o...with your own little setup....i know of an investor....

oops

 

[dcg9381]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Wow.. that one is toast. I can't believe you're being asked to work on it, Don.

The "fix ya up" isn't going to be very cost effective...

 

[Don S]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like...... UPDATE

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like...... UPDATE

Well, I guess all my talking did some good. The shop owner talked with the boat owner about all the $$$$ it was going to cost in labor. Boat owner then found a used 888 that was in fresh water only. Looks almost new outside, runs good (I ran it this morning) and the compression is good. While it is a bit smaller in hp (188 compared to 233) he knows it will be marginal and slow planing, but will at least give it a try and see what happens later.
Will be putting on new manifolds and risers. Carb, alt., starter, distributor, all MARINE, actually OEM Merc.
If the snow isn't too deep tomorrow, I may have to start on the transom shield, steering, cables, wiring, etc. Still a lot to do, but he wants to go fishing this coming weekend........ I just looked at him, smiled, and said he might want to set up an alternative plan incase I'm not done. He smiled and said he has that covered for the next couple of weekends if needed.

To answer some other questions, at 62, I am NOT going to try to start a new boat shop. Been there done that when younger. Don't need the hassle now.
Right now I can tinker around at very good pay and only work 30 or less hours a week. Keeps me out of the house and trouble. Was home for 3 months acting retired ............ Not ready for that yet.
In my off time, I like to spend too much money. This tinkering allows me to replace that old 2 stroke OB with a new 4 stroke Merc here in about a month. Wife can't wait for that, she hates the fumes from a 2 stroke Plus replace some tools in my wood shop.

 

[QC]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like...... UPDATE

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like...... UPDATE

Wow, missed this. Brought back memories of serious PsOS coming into the truck shop . . . Maaaaaan, they rarely listen like your new boss got that guy to. That owner deserves a congratulations for getting a clue . . .

wood shop.

Hmmmmmmmm . . . do you like sanding down other people's finishing mistakes? My arms are killing me!!!

 

[thewooddogg]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

Sounds like you're doing well and happy Don! Most of us can only hope to be in your shoes someday!

 

[oops!]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

good for you

glad to see he (the owner) didnt make a stupid mi$take

ya know.....i wonder what would have been said by you if the owner posted that pick here........or ......better said.......if the owner was to see these responces......any how, glad he changed his mind....

btw....i just put 5 bucks on the chance you take that peice of scrap home just for a challenge


oops

 

[Don S]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

btw....i just put 5 bucks on the chance you take that peice of scrap home just for a challenge

Not a snowballs chance in he!! Besides, the boat owner picked it up. He had a buddy that wanted the block.

do you like sanding down other people's finishing mistakes? My arms are killing me!!!

I don't do refinishing, I hate it.

I love bare wood

 

[JustJason]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

damm.... i really really wanted to know what it ended up having for compression.... and if the lower end sounded ok.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..........

Sounds tempting, but I don't work that way.

I got a kick out of reading this thread, but the thing that really caught my attention were the words above. Integrity is less popular than ever, or at least more subjective in most people's minds. My hat is off to you.

 

[starsnstripers]

Re: What a saltwater boat looks like..... UPDATED

Well there, Thats gotta be a relief to ya! The boat gods were watching over ya Don. A better deal, Good for you