Boat's in the water part 2 with pics now part 3 with pics

[jimrs]

Wed I got a call that the old boat was ready and I needed to pick it up. I finally got off my butt and went and got it. Here is the list of what was done. Some is a little high but some is real high.

1ea Exide group 24 xxhd Battery 117.00 (High)
1ea Gear lube 8.05
2ea NGK Spark Plugs 11.85
1ea Impeller-w/p 24.92
1ea Filter fuel 7.30
1ea Mercury 8ft fuel hose 52.75 (High)
8 gal Unleaded fuel 44.32 (DamnHigh)

Total Parts 266.19

Labor
1ea Water pump 190.00
Motor service 95.00
Change Battery 47.50 (high)
Repair fuel 95.00
Total Labor 427.50

Shop Supplies taxable 7.50
Vat fee 8.50
Boat Detail 650.00

Tax 54.84 wrong
city tax 67.58 too high
Total 1,461.31

The Boat looks like new. I can't complain about the work that they preformed with the exception of the taxes were figured wrong the city higher than the state?

The only thing I find wrong with what they did is take the bimini top off the frame and clean it and put it back on back asswards. I now have to reverse the direction of the canvas. They did treat the tires but not the vinyl on the boat but I will do that tomorrow morning. I loaded in the water at my sons house and drove it back to mine it is sitting up on it's lift just waiting to go out and play. I wish I was 10 years younger I would have done it all myself and save a bunch of money.

I will get some pictures and post them of the job done. I finally remembered to look at the hour gage 31.5 hrs on it.

[Texoma Toon]

I would have a major problem with the $650 detail. The impeller on mine including parts and labor was $136.00 and $47 to charge the batt.......WOW!

[Bamaman]

I would understand the $650 detail if you lived in a high expense place, like New York City or Toronto. In the south, democrats are hand washing and detailing cars in every old out of business gas station. I got a complete professional car detail including buffing the clearcoat and a wax job for $120. I wouldn't think they'd use a $110 per hour mechanic to detail any boat. Some "brother" probably had the job farmed out to him.

They made enough profit on an $80 battery to install it, so they got you there. If you'd ran the boat by Advance Auto Parts or Autozone, they'd installed it for free. The $95 "service fee" is probably a charge for moving your boat around the lot--a 10 minute job.

I'll be changing my water pump tomorrow, so I better not jinx myself with an opinion. I saw Mercury's factory mechanic change a whole 250 hp Optimax XS powerhead and install a new lower unit last year in under an hour. I cannot think the water pump is a 2 hr. job.

Just take the satisfaction that the dealer will not see you again, and that you have the ability to tell others to avoid his place of business. His greed can cost him many times over what profit he made on this deal.

Now, it's time to enjoy the day.

[lx22f/c]

Glad you got your boat back and everything is done to your satifaction.Other than the detail job being high i think you came out allright. There is not much mark up on an 80.00 battery we sell car batterys at the shop were i work and that batt probaly cost them 65 to 70 dollars. I think they gave you an estimate for 1400 and they were pretty close. Now go enjoy your boat and have some family fun.

[waterlab]

Glad I do my own work

[jimrs]

After checking out Exide batteries they might not be as high as I thought. They are real expensive batteries. Most of them are around 150 to the high 200's. Hope they are worth it. I have not bought a battery in over 5 years so looking at the prices they all are expensive.

[Bryden24shp]

I'm in the wrong business! I need to start a boat repair/detail shop, keep my EzFender business and get out of the Chemical Plant. Might be able to retire sooner plus live longer!

[Bryden24shp]

Glad I do my own work

I agree! My pontoon polishing would have cost 5 grand! Dual Battery install probably $750.00 or $800.00! I had $175.00 in parts. Labor is expensive! Plus you can charge book time of 4 hrs if it only takes 1 to do the job... Take a 3 hour break???

Damn!
Another reason to start my own shop!

[jimrs]

Here are a few pictures of the boat after the work was done. Lake is turning green again this time its duck weed. The state has run out of money or so they say so spraying has been eliminated.

[Bryden24shp]

It looks good, Jim! Now instead of being behind a camera, you need to be behind the steering wheel! Go have fun!
Looks real nice!

[cwag911]

Damn Jim! That looks like a new boat!

[Heatman]

Looks Great! I know it seems like a lot of money, but you did say it was pretty rough and they took the seats out to clean it right. The real question, is the toon worth $1,500 more now than when you took it in... I would think so.

[jimrs]

I think that I will put it up for sale next week. I'm going to ask $12,500.00. It might be a 2001 but it only has 31.5 hrs on it. We just took it out and tied up to sons houseboat and drank beer all day. I just don't think I will use it much without Sharon being here.

[gramps]

The boat looks great and good luck selling it.

[hyper]

Boat does look great, but the lake looks like your yard....I would not want to drive it until the lake cleared up.