Summarize Bill... AND a question about my bimini

[Homeskillet]

I have attached my bill for this Spring. I am not complaining... I was just a little shocked. I have always trusted the dude who works on my rig, and I know there were a couple things done this year that won't be done every year (Like the impeller was done - I saw it after the fact and it was definitely time). He's the kind of guy who doesn't want me to be stuck on the water, so if it needs attention, he does it. I just haven't gotten a bill this large from him before. Before we bought the boat, the seller too it to this fella to have the water pump was done, it was aslo tuned up and de-carbed, etc etc. He says I should start a rotation for the future where next Spring they service the lower unit, and then the next Spring they do a full tune up, and then start all over again the follow Spring with the water pump. Just wondering how it looks to you in terms of pricing and needed maintenance.

Summarize Bill.jpg

Then there is a question I have about stowing the Bimini when the top is down. Right now, it just lays on the back cushion. I was told not to do that because it'll ruin my cushions. He said Cobalt makes something for the Bimini to rest on, instead of the back cushion. He also said you can tow with it like that. Any idea what that's called, looks like and where I can get one/some??? They couldn't think of the name for it.

[Big Block Power]

Sorry but a $100.00 for a oil change. Then $150.00 to reconnect everything they disconnected in the winter. Crazy. My summerize is turn the key and go. They don't leave anything disconnected. Maybe the battery only. I tell them not to though. And I change the fuel filter on 5 minutes before starting it. They changed 3 diff fuel filters with 3 diff charges. So I'll keep my opinions to myself.

[Homeskillet]

So maybe I'll tell him to winterize things, and then not disconnect anything (I have that battery shut off so really shouldn't have to disconnect the batteries). I store it in my garage over the winter. It's not heated, but it's connected to the house. I wonder if it's time to put heat out there ???

I am feeling a little icky about my guy, here.

[Big Block Power]

So maybe I'll tell him to winterize things, and then not disconnect anything (I have that battery shut off so really shouldn't have to disconnect the batteries). I store it in my garage over the winter. It's not heated, but it's connected to the house. I wonder if it's time to put heat out there ???

I am feeling a little icky about my guy, here.

I added heat but my garage stays 40 anyways. I don't disconnect I hate resetting every thing. I don't like to say places are over charging but. I felt violated from here.

[cmattj]

That’s more of a winterize bill if you want to view it another way?
As impellers/ oils / and filters can add up. Plus Mercury has additional labor for Impellers/ fuel and outdrive.
Depending on your hours you may skip the impeller, but if you shop other facilities it may be in the ball park.
Hey the greased the trailer bearings !

[Big Block Power]

That’s more of a winterize bill if you want to view it another way?
As impellers/ oils / and filters can add up. Plus Mercury has additional labor for Impellers/ fuel and outdrive.
Depending on your hours you may skip the impeller, but if you shop other facilities it may be in the ball park.
Hey the greased the trailer bearings !

Right pumped them up for a 100 bucks. Opps sorry.
I get the merc impeller I didn't question that one.
I don't disagree too often with you.this time I will. But what did he do to winterize it and how much was that bill. I don't like to get into a charge argument because it's my business too. But I'm not a fan of a bunch of this one.

[cmattj]

That’s more of a winterize bill if you want to view it another way?
As impellers/ oils / and filters can add up. Plus Mercury has additional labor for Impellers/ fuel and outdrive.
Depending on your hours you may skip the impeller, but if you shop other facilities it may be in the ball park.
Hey the greased the trailer bearings !

Right pumped them up for a 100 bucks. Opps sorry.
I get the merc impeller I didn't question that one.
I don't disagree too often with you.this time I will. But what did he do to winterize it and how much was that bill. I don't like to get into a charge argument because it's my business too. But I'm not a fan of a bunch of this one.

Did you figure the “No written.. is a recreation industry estimation “?
Haaaa. See starts to make sence now. It’s a different world.$$$
Yes I’m with you as that’s unusual add ons.

[Big Block Power]

That’s more of a winterize bill if you want to view it another way?
As impellers/ oils / and filters can add up. Plus Mercury has additional labor for Impellers/ fuel and outdrive.
Depending on your hours you may skip the impeller, but if you shop other facilities it may be in the ball park.
Hey the greased the trailer bearings !

Right pumped them up for a 100 bucks. Opps sorry.
I get the merc impeller I didn't question that one.
I don't disagree too often with you.this time I will. But what did he do to winterize it and how much was that bill. I don't like to get into a charge argument because it's my business too. But I'm not a fan of a bunch of this one.

Did you figure the “No written.. is a recreation industry estimation “?
Haaaa. See starts to make sence now. It’s a different world.$$$
Yes I’m with you as that’s unusual add ons.

I'm just saying at FarCon marine that bill wouldn't look like that

[sailor55330]

I can only compare to what I paid at a dealer. The $100 inspection and wheel bearing grease plus battery hook up is an interesting line item. I agree with everyone else...the rest of the list seems to be more of a winterization process. What I am about to say is not judgement as it may be the fair price in your area, but a little recon might go a long way next season.

[Homeskillet]

20200406_102920.jpg

Here is what was done last Fall.

[JTinMO]

After seeing that bill I'm glad I do all of that maintenance myself. Well, except for the impeller change. I had the marina do that as the boat was already in for a repair.

On the winterization, I'm confused on the Antifreeze. Only 1 gallon? My system takes about 3-4 gallons to fill and I run through all 5 gallons when I winterize just to be safe.

[ajcampen]

Their are certain items that you might decide to take on yourself in the future. For example the oil and gear line change. Very easy items to do yourself in an hour and a half. Gear pump $10 1x buy. Oil pump $100 or less 1x buy then just parts go forward. Just depends if you have the time and don’t mind a little elbow grease. Not for everyone and I pass no judgement. Just putting it out there

[Homeskillet]

Honestly, I don't mind doing some of the maintenance. But I'm that sort of goof where if I do something wrong, and have a catastrophic failure because of my actions (or lack of actions) I can't ever stop kicking myself for that - because then I pay tons to get it fixed, and then for the future I have them do it anyway lol!!

There's that AND I have a lawncare biz that I run on the side, in addition to my full time employment elsewhere. The biz is nothing huge but it's good income and a great job for my college bound son. By the time Fall rolls around, with those super short, cold days, I don't have time to use the bathroom, let along winterize the boat. But, I may need to find time at the current prices I'm paying.

[sailor55330]

To me, the winterization bill doesn't seem out of line. The 1 gallon of Antifreeze seems a little low. I think winterization here is $175 on average.

[Homeskillet]

Any thoughts on that Bimini thing-a-ma-jig???