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SUGGESTION: Directory of marine mechanics
- Thread starter Waynepj4
- Start date
quote:
Originally posted by J-I-T
Wayne should post it up
im pretty sure you can find him on other boards, LOL
just in time mobile marine mechanic fixed my boat. Just had a 44 mile round trip from Martinez to angel island and not so much as a hiccup. A good running boat allows me to be much more confident at the helm and worry a lot less about breaking down out in the middle of San pablo bay. If you need boat help give rich a call...
quote:
Originally posted by J-I-T
Thanks Wayne
The boats problem was plagued with water in fuel
It made my work look bad for some time, but we resolved it we think by burning it off
Yea man..I put in 45 gallons of fresh gas, Stabil and ran the boat to Angel Island and back..I think the water is out of the fuel. Great work though..like I said..all I wanted was a good running boat..thats what would make me happy..you got it done and now I can start boating again right in time for the season..
Wayne hit the nail on the head repeating the comment, "All I want is a good running boat". We all want that, but we have to do our part to get it. First, when you find a mechanic you are comfortable with, stick with that guy (or gal). Follow the service schedule recommended. Keep a log of all the problems you have, the ones addressed, and the resolutions. Good mechanics see way too many boats to remember every problem.
Also remember that good mechanics already have all the friends they need. The reward for being good at what you do is being well paid for your services.
Also remember that good mechanics already have all the friends they need. The reward for being good at what you do is being well paid for your services.
Im still trying to understand the point of this post. It assumes that I wasn't doing my part as a boater. In correct. In terms of following the recommended service of the mechanic I followed the exectations set by the mechanic. When the mechanic didn't meet his own time expectations I was of course disappointed. When he met his time expectations I was pleased. This cycle of expectation/ disappointment was repeated until the boat was ultimately fixed. A that point it was worth giving the mechanic a good review. Looking to make friends was not my aim. Quality service in a reasonable time frame is what I wanted. The time was a lot longer than I would have liked taking several months but after a trip to the bay and bk
without engine woes I was happy with the result.
without engine woes I was happy with the result.
quote:
Originally posted by FindMe
Wayne hit the nail on the head repeating the comment, "All I want is a good running boat". We all want that, but we have to do our part to get it. First, when you find a mechanic you are comfortable with, stick with that guy (or gal). Follow the service schedule recommended. Keep a log of all the problems you have, the ones addressed, and the resolutions. Good mechanics see way too many boats to remember every problem.
Also remember that good mechanics already have all the friends they need. The reward for being good at what you do is being well paid for your services.
Wayne, a rule of thumb I use is to double the estimated time frame a mechanic quotes and then I am usually still disappointed! I'm not sure why that is, but it is one of the constants of boating..... And the nicer the weather becomes, the worse this problem becomes! So plan ahead as much as possible and take a great big patience pill when something unexpected comes along.
Another thing: many new boaters have expectations of their boat that they have of their car. The will guarantee disappointment. Boat have more problems and require more TLC then our cars.
Another thing: many new boaters have expectations of their boat that they have of their car. The will guarantee disappointment. Boat have more problems and require more TLC then our cars.
Wayne,
I think what FindMe was trying to point out is that, unlike a car, good boat mechanics cannot be found on every corner. If you don't want to work on your boat yourself, you should try to develop a relationship with a mechanic. If you can provide him good information regarding past history and problems he can do a better job for you. It also helps to use him for routine maintenance when it fits best into his schedule rather than, like most people, waiting until a couple of weeks prior to opening day and asking him to get it done for you. I have found the same thing as Flutterby when it comes to getting things repaired in the Delta. Delta time always seems to run slower than I would like. So much so, that I take my boat down to Svendsen's in Alameda when work is needed. They have met their promised date every time I have been there, even when I added additional work on to be done. Their cost may be a little higher, but they do good work and get it done on time. To me that is worth it.
I think what FindMe was trying to point out is that, unlike a car, good boat mechanics cannot be found on every corner. If you don't want to work on your boat yourself, you should try to develop a relationship with a mechanic. If you can provide him good information regarding past history and problems he can do a better job for you. It also helps to use him for routine maintenance when it fits best into his schedule rather than, like most people, waiting until a couple of weeks prior to opening day and asking him to get it done for you. I have found the same thing as Flutterby when it comes to getting things repaired in the Delta. Delta time always seems to run slower than I would like. So much so, that I take my boat down to Svendsen's in Alameda when work is needed. They have met their promised date every time I have been there, even when I added additional work on to be done. Their cost may be a little higher, but they do good work and get it done on time. To me that is worth it.
Wayne
We had a list (sticky) of local mechanics, detailers, canvas guys etc. in the LICC forum and Les removed it. It was a great resource when you needed to get something done on your boat.
I understood where Les was coming from and the reason he removed it. I asked him if those local businesses paid a "sponsor fee" would he consider that. I never got an answer on that.
Also,
It wasn't like we had there websites posted, it was just what the did (canvas guy, 631-xxx-xxxx)
Maybe you will have better luck.
Walter
We had a list (sticky) of local mechanics, detailers, canvas guys etc. in the LICC forum and Les removed it. It was a great resource when you needed to get something done on your boat.
I understood where Les was coming from and the reason he removed it. I asked him if those local businesses paid a "sponsor fee" would he consider that. I never got an answer on that.
Also,
It wasn't like we had there websites posted, it was just what the did (canvas guy, 631-xxx-xxxx)
Maybe you will have better luck.
Walter
Absoloot gets my point across better than I could have. I'm really a do-it-myself kind of guy. So when I hire someone, I only want to hire the best. And I stick with them. Walton's Marine Repair has hauled my boat three times since I bought it. In 2006 I had them replace the stringers and bulkheads in my engine room. They replaced the wimpy 2x's that the engines sat on with some true kiln dried timbers. However, someone made a mistake. The stringers were measured from the outside, rather than the inside dimensions. There was no room for the engines between those big fat timbers when they finished. Oops. After a few tries, and taking apart the engine mounts a few times, they called Nordic Marine. He evaluated the situation, teased them, and showed them what had to be pocketed out. They did the work, reglassed the stringers and dropped the engines back it. The guy from Nordic came back to align the engines.
Other people told me that the guy from Nordic was the best. As far as I am concerned, he is. I had owned the boat for 8 years at that point, and when I fired up the engines, everything felt normal. But when I pushed the transmissions into gear, things were no longer normal. The boat was so quite and smooth I just stood there and said "Now I get it". This year my boat gets another haul out and bottom job. Waltons will do it again.
As an other endorsement for Waltons... My ex-wife is a big time waterskier. 55 yrs old, and she still waterskies 3-5 times a week, year 'round, and attends the regionals and nationals just about every year. She is pretty gentle on her boat, but several years ago, she whacked a prop pretty good. I had Bob Walton fix it. Last year he straightened and welded two other props for her ski club members, including another one for her. They like his service and work so much, they both called me to thank me for recommending him. The Santa Clara County waterski club is going to put a free ad for Bob on their website, because they think everyone should know about the prop service he does.
I on the other hand have found a way to avoid prop damage. My boat is a dock potato. 12 years now, and I haven't whacked a prop yet that way.
Other people told me that the guy from Nordic was the best. As far as I am concerned, he is. I had owned the boat for 8 years at that point, and when I fired up the engines, everything felt normal. But when I pushed the transmissions into gear, things were no longer normal. The boat was so quite and smooth I just stood there and said "Now I get it". This year my boat gets another haul out and bottom job. Waltons will do it again.
As an other endorsement for Waltons... My ex-wife is a big time waterskier. 55 yrs old, and she still waterskies 3-5 times a week, year 'round, and attends the regionals and nationals just about every year. She is pretty gentle on her boat, but several years ago, she whacked a prop pretty good. I had Bob Walton fix it. Last year he straightened and welded two other props for her ski club members, including another one for her. They like his service and work so much, they both called me to thank me for recommending him. The Santa Clara County waterski club is going to put a free ad for Bob on their website, because they think everyone should know about the prop service he does.
I on the other hand have found a way to avoid prop damage. My boat is a dock potato. 12 years now, and I haven't whacked a prop yet that way.