is this to much

[chrisarvor]

i have just recieved my bill for servicing my 220hp mercruiser .
price with 4 hours labour inc vat £311.50.
i think thats bloody expensive.
12 litres of oil£54.!!!!!!!!
i dont mind paying anybody but south woodham marine thats taking the p**&

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[longjohnsilver]

Presume you didn't ask beforehand?

Unfortunately that amount doesn't look too far out for a marine engineer, as for the cost of oil then they all make a killing on that, including most garages!

Unless you are tied by a warranty then you'll almost certainly find a good local one man band who will do the same job much cheaper. Just ask around where you keep the boat.

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[gjeffery]

I fear it may be the going rate. Why anybody bothers to qualify as an engineer when they can obviously make more money as a fitter, is quite beyond me

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[steve_cronin]

I always thought that....

Firstly,

This was a PRACTICAL Boat Owners Forum in which case why don't you do it yourself?

Secondly,

That BMW garages were a rip off but at least they allow you to take your own oil.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[chrisarvor]

Re: I always thought that....

unfortunately it is under warranty and it has to be serviced by this company.
what shocked me is that the 20 hour service was £167. but 100 hours is so much more

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[bedouin]

Re: I always thought that....

FWIW I think you'll find the company cannot void the warranty if you have the engine serviced by someone else

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[VicMallows]

Here Here. And the plumbing/sparky work is often more satisfying than sitting at the desk all day (tried it).... Why on earth did my father encourage me to go into 'science' in the 60s rather than follow him into law......suppose it was the 'in-thing' then. But then, have enjoyed the numerous overseas adventures.........

Vic

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[Koeketiene]

When we got Yanita the service history of our Volvo Penta was "dodgy". It failed twice when we sailed her back to the UK; so first thing I wanted it fully serviced by the local Volvo agent. Set me back... £580. So I thought I had bought myself some piece of mind, the list of things they had serviced or replaced looked impressive. Money well spent... so I thought.

Two months later we go away on a 5 week cruise. The engine fails 3 times, for various reasons (Dieppe, Boulogne & finally we just manage to limp into Ostend). The local Volvo rep gives the engine a quick look & tuts (argh!). I fear the worst. Goes to his van, gets some parts, fits them (all in under 90 mins), and presents me with the bill - €50 (+/- £35). Job well done. What pissed me off immensely was the fact that he needed to replace parts that were supposedly replaced by the UK agent only 20 engine hours before, but turned out to be at last 3/4 years old. Rip-off Britain still alive & kicking.

Since Etap are Belgian boats I have since located 2 yards in Belgium that more or less specialise in Etap boats - so now, whenever something needs doing I sail Yanita to Belgium. Labour is approx €30/hour (£20) and I haven't been able to fault their workmanship in 2 years.

I am surprised not more people are doing it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[duncan]

Re: I always thought that....

Chris - I think you will find that the services are completely different.
20hr will be an oil and filter change plus basically an examination of belts / bolts etc
100 will include tappets and other things as well - you should have a service guise in your user manual if not I can point you to the full Mercruiser Manual online for your engine <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf>http://www.boatfix.com/merc/mainmenu.pdf</A>.

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[steve_cronin]

Re: I always thought that....

Gives you a whole new view of "..the labourer being worth his hire" doesn't it?

But I shouldn't say that or someone will come on and tell me that my fees are too high!

Is society saying to us "...this man has a right to rip you off so that he can feed his family"?

I just don't know, but what I do know is that an electrician around here lives in a mansion and has a nanny to look after his kids but a GP lives in a council flat.

Ahh I've got it!

"You should have enquired about all these ongoing costs before you bought the boat!"

That's what the smartarses will be saying.

Steve Cronin

<hr width=100% size=1>The above is, like any other post here, only a personal opinion

 

[VicMallows]

Re: I always thought that....

Steve,

Just been reading latest 'IEE Recruitement'. Leading article is the usual 'why don't more girls go into Engineering .. we must do something about it'. Turn a few pages to the ads. THEY HAVE MORE SENSE. Salaries for fully Chartered Senior Engineers with at least 4 years experience £20-25k. Senior (chartered) project manager on London Transport £31k. Am I mistaken, but don't tube train drivers get rather more?

No I don't begrudge you your fees........everyone assumed when I 'left' IBM at 45 I would be going into your occupation...but decided to get some sailing in first...and oh well...!!



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