East Coast Yanmar...recommendations ??

[stefan_r]

I am looking for a decent bloke on the east coast to do some tinkering with my Yanmars. Starboard gives some black smoke under heavy load (port is clean) and they both smoke a bit too much on startup.

Any suggestions?

I see French Marine pitch themselves as Yanmar guys but I have no experience of them.

Based in Burnham but willing to travel for the right man, if you know what I mean...

cheers

 

[FullCircle]

I have excellent service from French Marine, especially returning warranty calls.
They have been offsite to my boat twice in 3 seasons, usually next day, and have sorted my issues.
Dont know what their servicing costs are like, as I do my own.

 

[ex-Gladys]

French Marine are very expensive....

I have used Tollesbury Marine Engineering (very thorough layup of our Vetus on Amber) and now use Ohm at West Mersea. Both are one man bands and very "pragmatic". Ollie (Ohm) is top rate, but don't call hime till he's finished my alternator this week

 

[Cobra]

French Marine are Yanmar main agents. As has already been mooted, they are not the cheapest, BUT they are thorough, and being a main agent...

Maybe worth having a chat with Dennis Beeston at DB Marine Engineering also in Brightlingsea. Dennis is quite a difficult chap to pin down, BUT he does a very good job with a real in depth knowledge of marine engines.

 

[MrCramp]

Only tried to use French Marine at Tichmarsh once. Water pump was leaking on a BMW single pot engine. At 4.30pm they shook their head, said it would be some time next day before they could look at it, and thougth a new one would have to be ordered which might take a week and might cost £200.

Went to Halls at Walton, about 5 o'clock, they said they were sorry they could not do it immediately but it would be repaired by 9 am next morning and cost about £20. I turned up at 10.30 am and they said they were sorry but they had needed a spare bit (bearing? seal?) and had had to send the lad to Colchester to get it, but the pump was now refurbished, but they would have to charge £35 to cover the transport costs.

At Walton I would go to Bedwells or Halls as they will both tell you truthfully what they can/cannot do and will charge at a reasonable rate.

There must be a good independant engineer at Burnham.

Have bought bits from French Marine at Levington but they are expensive, an oil filter costs 3X they compatable one from a commercial vehicle dealer.

PS. This view is not a reflection on Titchmarsh Marina (the marina operator) as I have found them to be very reasonable to deal with and very helpfull.

 

[Athene V30]

Have used French and agree they are good but you pay for it too!

Have used DB Marine and he is good too.

Was introduced to Peter Coleman by Jon the Boatman at B'sea - very busy but did me a quick fix on my yanmar exhaust to keep me going until he could do it properly. Very happy with job and price. He lives in Thorrington near Colchester. 01206 250076.

 

[Crowblack]

Third vote for Dennis Beeston at DB Marine in Brightlingsea very professional and thorough, can't speak highly enough of his workmanship - you can be confident he will do a good job.

Ditto to the above re French's