Summerize...waste of money?

[capo]

Wondering if I really need to summerize with a mechanic or just check fluids, batteries and go.

[sailor55330]

Did they give you a list of actions they are performing? I don't think your boat has any heads or fresh water systems (sinks, etc). I would check fluids and batteries and go assuming all other maintenance is up to date.

I'm sure others will add soon

[jhnmdahl]

I think if the usual suspects (impeller, oil, bellows, etc.) are done as part of winterizing, you can get away without a separate bill for "summerizing" when it's time to go back in the water. In MN, I'll still have to reconnect water hoses and charge the batteries before the first time out, but that's quick and easy to do and I could just as easily reconnect the hoses after winterizing.

John

[Holy Smokes]

My shop says that's the only way their insurance will cover a potential issue. I'm against the exuberant fee, but if I turn the key and water shoots out the side of the block it's on me, apparently.

[Krob1114]

It was a package deal at our marina. One price for both.

[sailor55330]

My shop says that's the only way their insurance will cover a potential issue. I'm against the exuberant fee, but if I turn the key and water shoots out the side of the block it's on me, apparently.

So, the shop that "winterized" the boat won't stand behind the work unless they "summerize" the boat in case of a winterization failure----time for a new shop in my book.

Actually, that may not be legal under some antitrust laws----I am not a lawyer, but pretty sure you can't make pricing and or warranty conditional on the required purchase of mulitple products.

Did they tell you this upfront or did they hit you with this after. If it's upfront, then you basically agreed to the condition. If they hit you with it after you had the winterization done then they are scamming especially if they market the winterization and summerization as separate services. I can't see how a cracked block from a botched winterizatin woudl be contingent on a "summerization" procedure. If something went wrong, a lawyer would have your name on the building before you could blink.

They would have gotten my last dollar.

[dsthomas]

I agree with Sailer on the "won't guarantee the winterization without summarizing", sounds pretty low to me. I check fluids and batteries and go, I also pay for routine maintenance every year as well.

[jhnmdahl]

Sounds to me like they're intentionally skipping some steps in winterizing so they can do them in the spring (new oil, impeller, etc?) and send a second bill. I can't imagine they can do anything to the Cobalt warranty, but if their shop offers a guarantee only if you buy a certain package, I can see how that would be legal (but not a great sign).

[bruceb58]

I winterize my boat myself. The only thing I could possibly think needs to be in the spring is if they left the plugs out or they like to do water pump impellers in the spring vs the fall so that the impeller doesn't sit all season for nothing. I always replace my impellers in the spring so the vanes aren't compressed for nothing for 6 months.

[jwill323]

My shop says that's the only way their insurance will cover a potential issue. I'm against the exuberant fee, but if I turn the key and water shoots out the side of the block it's on me, apparently.

Water shooting out is the only way i know I missed something, also the only way i can find where the last blue plug goes! I always thought summerizing was a scam.