Bill Higham Marine

[landlockedpirate]

I have been using Bill Highams for years, but on my last visit it appears a revolution is under way.

It doesnt matter what you want, if its ever hung off the back of a boat then Bill would have been able to find it.

But it was a bit 'quirky', all the work was done outside, whether it was heatwave or knee deep in snow and the only person who could find anything was Bill. Every inch of floor space was taken up with piles of dismantled engines, and the 'showroom' looked more like a jumble sale, with £1000's worth of boats and engines stacked all over the place.

But not any more, order has decended on the old church in Manchester. Lots of space for the guys to work, nicely ordered spares in racks and drawers and more props than I have ever seen in my life, all neatly ordered, tagged and priced.

I got what I was after with no drama, lots of choice and an excellent price. No connection at all, but a satisfied customer that feels this altar to the 2 stroke outboard should get more recognition.

Bill Higham Marine

 

[aquapower]

I have bought from them aswell and found all the staff very helpfull and they know what they are doing, never been there so not seen the place. Anyone who has been going as long as they have should be ok to deal with.

 

[catalac08]

Mmm.. I wonder if Mrs Higham or Simon are now running the show. She seemed very efficient. I only dealt with them when I bought a new engine once but I was very satisfied in my dealings with them!. They do have lots of O/B engines, second hand and new but not the cheapest.

 

[michaelh]

When I was there 2 weeks ago it was very strange. There was a clear work bench with a sign saying ' This bench to be cleared each night' or something similar. Bill said he couldn't find anything now it been cleared up. He was working on a very rusty piece of electrical charging equipment on a bench behind the fly presses. I don't think he instigated it.

Interestingly there were 3 new high end outboards in crates - Yam 250 & 2 big Optimaxes so maybe they are going a bit upmarket.

Still a great place to get what you want with knowledge thrown in. I wanted a fuel fitting so got into a discussion about the differences between BSPT & NPT threads.

 

[landlockedpirate]

I don't think he instigated it.

I don't either, Mrs Higham wasnt there.

I'm still in shock after seeing the number of props he's carrying, he's always had them apparantly, just that you couldnt see them !

 

[Jim@sea]

I must admit that the first time I went to the Higham place I thought I was at an Outboard Scrapyard as when I walked to the front door there was someone with a cutting torch burning the bolts off an outboard leg. Not that I have anything against cutting torches as I used one many times in my own garage but I did not do it at the entrance to the place and make customers take avoiding action.
However he does provide a useful service insomuch that he is an "Outboard Trader"
I had bought a 15ft Bayliner without an engine thinking that the redundant 9.9 Evinrude from my old boat would go on the back so I could use it as a tender on Windemere.
(after all why mess around with a 9ft dingy when you can do it properly)
Anyway because my 9.9 Evinrude was tiller and the Bayliner was Steering Wheel I took the Bayliner complete with 9,9 Evinrude and a spare 4 hp Mercury to Highams, Part Exchanged both engines for a second hand Suzuki 25hp and they fitted it while I waited, without charging for the labour (mind you they had the profit on the outboard I bought) and I went away a happy bunny.
So because he will "Wheel and Deal" I am going there on Wednesday to see if I can buy an auxiluary. Keep up the good work.