Maintenance Cost - Is this in line?

[Motex2011]

Set up my boat for the 100 hour Service and the "Bronze" Winterization.

100 hour Service $1,262.48 - New plugs, oil & filter, impeller, gear lube and fuel filter. includes labor of $894.00.

Diagnose Trim switch not working on shifter - $84.19

Winterize $174 - Includes Labor $149
Re-install (Un-winterize and make it ready for next season so I just start it and go.) $138 - Includes labor of $112.

I figured I would have my dealer do it all the first time to start a service record. Going forward, I will probably do the winterization on my own, but this way, I will know it is done right.

[akorcovelos]

well, the 100 hour service seems absurd to me. $900 in labor to do a tune up? And they are obviously marking parts up at least 50%, this is a $200 service IMO. The trim switch seems fair. Winterizing after the 100 hour service is basically draining the engine, and maybe filling with antifreeze, though the dealer likely dry winterizes so they're charging $174 to pull the drain plugs, and another $138 to put them back in...around me the going rate for a winterize job is $250 and that includes everything you listed in the 100 hour service except new plugs, wires, and impeller. The impeller is every 2 years, why do they do it at 100 hours? BB would still be on his original impeller if that were the case, lol.

If you are at all handy and have basic tools you can do this yourself for MUCH less.

[Motex2011]

It seems very high to me also, but this is a Cobalt, so I'm thinking the dealer is going to be higher than what I would think is fair. I can do all of the things that they are charging for, but I would want really good step by step instructions on the winterization to make sure that I didn't miss anything. The impeller would be the most challenging only because of where it is located on the Merc and the fact that I've never done it before.

I've seen the winterization thread on here and even cut and pasted it into a word document, but I want to do more research and create a good list of steps, so I will wait until next year. Fortunately, that is fairly inexpensive. I'm planning to pick some brains at the regatta next year when I have all of those great minds together.

[sailor55330]

As a reference only, my dealer charges $175 for basic winterization. Flush & fill with antifreeze and inspect the outdrive/bellows, etc. Labor rate is $139/hour.

Other than the 100 hour service, it doesn't seem that far out of line for marine service. Sometimes I swear the word "Marine" is the most expensive word in the english language. I remember one time on my sailboat when I replaced a "marine" water pump for the sink. It was $249. I found an RV pump that was the same make--the only difference was the model was 1 digit off and it was $39. It probably wouldn't have lasted that long, but I know it ran for 5 years...so do the math. Replace pump every 5 years @ $39....that's 6 new pumps and it was a bolt on part. I'll take my chances on some things....

[kas232ca]

As a reference only, my dealer charges $175 for basic winterization. Flush & fill with antifreeze and inspect the outdrive/bellows, etc. Labor rate is $139/hour.

Other than the 100 hour service, it doesn't seem that far out of line for marine service. Sometimes I swear the word "Marine" is the most expensive word in the english language. I remember one time on my sailboat when I replaced a "marine" water pump for the sink. It was $249. I found an RV pump that was the same make--the only difference was the model was 1 digit off and it was $39. It probably wouldn't have lasted that long, but I know it ran for 5 years...so do the math. Replace pump every 5 years @ $39....that's 6 new pumps and it was a bolt on part. I'll take my chances on some things....

"Marine" isn't the most expensive. If it is an aircraft part, you need to add another digit to the $249.00 part. $2490.00 is more like it, or maybe $4490.00.

[cmattj]

Maybe they didn’t break it out to show you the value of the service.
Now I’m a car guy but as I’ve done these items on my boats and they are a pain as you need to be small and patient.
Consider your demographics, and the Dealer is possibly at a $ 120.00 a hour.
Let’s break it down with my guesstimate shall we?

They quoted you..
100 hour Service $1,262.48 . ????

1. New plugs, platinum or above .

$1.8 hrs plus parts ($ 295.00)

2. oil & filter and required lube points. 1.4 hr ( $195.00)

3. impeller 1.6 hr. ( $295.00 )

4. gear lube drain, pressure check and vacuum check , and install new orings.
2.0 hrs ( $ 295.00 )

5. fuel filter. .2 hrs ($ 89.00)

So it’s about 7.0 hours of labor ish? Labor 840.00 ish.

$ 1169.00 is what it comes up to . And keep in mind it’s up to Dealer staff to explain the value of each service.
Shame on them for that but I believe it’s fair.
Let’s get it done, and put her away with good thoughts of next season!

[Big Block Power]

Maybe they didn’t break it out to show you the value of the service.
Now I’m a car guy but as I’ve done these items on my boats and they are a pain as you need to be small and patient.
Consider your demographics, and the Dealer is possibly at a $ 120.00 a hour.
Let’s break it down with my guesstimate shall we?

They quoted you..
100 hour Service $1,262.48 . ????

1. New plugs, platinum or above .

$1.8 hrs plus parts ($ 295.00)

2. oil & filter and required lube points. 1.4 hr ( $195.00)

3. impeller 1.6 hr. ( $295.00 )

4. gear lube drain, pressure check and vacuum check , and install new orings.
2.0 hrs ( $ 295.00 )

5. fuel filter. .2 hrs ($ 89.00)

So it’s about 7.0 hours of labor ish? Labor 840.00 ish.

$ 1169.00 is what it comes up to . And keep in mind it’s up to Dealer staff to explain the value of each service.
Shame on them for that but I believe it’s fair.
Let’s get it done, and put her away with good thoughts of next season!

That's outrageous. I deserve a discount. I have a coupon.

[cmattj]

That's outrageous. I deserve a discount. I have a coupon.

So true

[Big Block Power]

That's outrageous. I deserve a discount. I have a coupon.

So true

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

[Bfun220]

That's outrageous. I deserve a discount. I have a coupon.

So true

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

Sorry you had a bad day but it sure made me laugh.
Maybe you should take up drinking.

[AsLan7]

That's outrageous. I deserve a discount. I have a coupon.

So true

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

.
I love “general public” stories.


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[Big Block Power]

So true

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

Sorry you had a bad day but it sure made me laugh.
Maybe you should take up drinking.

I'm eating Halls like it's candy. I feel like hell and dealing with the public sometimes. Oh just saying.

[AsLan7]

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

Sorry you had a bad day but it sure made me laugh.
Maybe you should take up drinking.

I'm eating Halls like it's candy. I feel like hell and dealing with the public sometimes. Oh just saying.

.
Our family actually embraces these experiences. We know what great stories they’ll make around the dinner table as we all compare the worst of the worst.
We present in three phases...
1. The general public situation you encountered.
2. What you wanted to say but cannot
3. What you actually said

For instance.
While I was in uniform, I went to grab some napkins at Chipotle a few weeks ago and a roughly 11 year old child with long blonde hair in a pony tail sporting pink and purple highlights and pink & black flower leggings was standing in front of the napkin dispenser.
I said “excuse me young lady”.
The child said “I’m a boy”!
I paused and said “ ok we’ll go with that”
Then the mom looked at me in disgust and shuffled her “son” away.

I wanted to say “you are messing that kid up”.

I actually said “my apologies ma’am “.

.

[Ytmsn]

So true

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

.
I love “general public” stories.


.

Hahaaha! That story about the kid is both terrifying and funny at the same time! And "Dealing with the public" stories? That deserves it's own thread, and I'll be a contributor!

FB_IMG_1563302532903.jpg

Except Driller of course!

[akorcovelos]

Omg is it a full moon this week. Today I had 2 I deserves this. Another one that was plan crazy. She watched another Customer open a door and hit her car and they went off on each other and he left and she said it's my fault because I parked them on the lot. Wants me to pay for the ding. Oh it was a great way to finish my day.

.
I love “general public” stories.


.

Hahaaha! That story about the kid is both terrifying and funny at the same time! And "Dealing with the public" stories? That deserves it's own thread, and I'll be a contributor!

FB_IMG_1563302532903.jpg

Except Driller of course!

Having worked in New Braunfels between San Antonio and Austin for years I can confirm that is 100% true.