Mechanic recommendation needed

M

manticore999

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Apr 22, 2005
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17103
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408
Anyone know a good mechanic around the B&W Marina area? Actually, the boat's on a trailer so I guess it could be anywhere, but still - finding a good, reliable marine mechanic is a lot harder than it should be.

Any recommendations appreciated.
 
You can't beat tooling up getting the manufactures' shop manual for your engine and taking control of your own maintenance. I did that last year and she running better than she has since she was new 8 years ago. I bought the manufactures shop manual for my Chevy truck too when the local dealer closed this spring so I could take control of that maintenance too. Torque wrenches are a pleasure compared to what we had 35 years ago. Get yourself an assortment of small metric wrenches (called ignition wrenches), sockets, extensions, allen, torex wrenches, a good multimeter you will never regret it and you will never be taken advantage of again.
 
It's actually my friends' boat. As for me, I work in IT - I know what tools are, but have no idea what to do with them. Seriously, I have zero aptitude for mechanical stuff. Plus, I work all week. I have no desire to work all weekend on my boat. I'd rather be using it!

As for my friend, I'm sure he's not interested in taking on something like that.
 
I work in IT too and I work all week. It was having my boat sit in the marine yard queue for 3 weeks last year, I used it for a weekend and it smoked and ran so rough it had to go back and sit for another 3 weeks that motivated me to take control of my own maintenance so I could be using my boat. The Yamaha shop manual for the outboard and the Chevy shop manual for the truck really make it easy, much better than the generic shop manuals I had before, if you can read you can use them. You can do some Google searches to find the origional shop manuals. Your IT skills will come in handy reading the schematics in the manual, checking continuity, voltages and impedance. It is empowering to take control of your own maintenance. If you find a mechanic it will only be a matter of time before they go out of business in this recession, tool up get the manuals and you will be good for life.
 
Manti:
You are right about finding a good mechanic. These days it is worse than ever. Everyone who has some vacant space is a mechanic, if you have some money. The boat detailing shop where I am is now advertising marine repairs. There is a boat in front of their shop with the outdrives removed. It has been there for going on two months. But, I rant.
Your posting doesn't include a description of the problem, or symptoms. Is your friend looking for preventive maintenece, an engine repair, steering, electrical, or new wheel bearings? Need a witch doctor to help with that curse? Is the key broken off in the ignition lock?

As Bob Dylan once sang in "The Mighty Quinn"

"Tell me where it hurts you honey,
And I'll tell you who to call"

Find Me,
cleaning my boat
 
We were out on the river, up on plane cruising along nicely when the boat simply 'died'. It wouldn't restart. It actually sounds like the motor's seized (or maybe the outdrive?).
It an 18' Chris Craft runabout with 4.7L omc engine. He's a retiree with absolutely no desire to go crawling around an engine with a shop manual. I'm an IT guy with not a lot of free time, and probably about as much desire to be a mechanic as him :)
 
I think these forum rules preclude mentioning another business by name but if you do a Google search on the sponsor for the Lake Tahoe Concourse De Elegance boat show they have the best shop, spares, craftsmen and experience working with Chris Crafts out West. They are not cheap, a restoration to mint condition can be $150,000.
 
Yea gads! He needs a repair, not a restoration!!! Worst case, an engine or outdrive replaced.
 
I don't think much of the idea that a good running engine just seized. Every boat that I have been in that seized an engine was running too hot. You could smell it. And they made some noise as they seized. On the other hand, the outdrive could do just that. I have learned that the hard way. I am not retired, and I am a pretty good mechanic, but I cannot stand crawling around the engine compartment of an I/O powered boat either. It seems there just isn't any room to work in those things. Is the boat still on the delta?

Find Me, taking a nap in in the 12' wide engine compartment of a twin engined houseboat.
 
The boat is in storage right now at B&W while he (we) try to find a mechanic to diagnose it.
 
There are a lot of good mechanics out there. Finding one is another problem altogether. Owning a boat, you'll discover that your two new best friends are a good Harbormaster and a trustworthy mechanic....

If you haven't found a mechanic by now.... Call Don's Mobile Marine in Walnut Grove (916) 825-3846 Ask around, he has an excellent reputation in Walnut Grove and surrounding areas.

Mike
 
quote:
Originally posted by DeltaDawg

I think these forum rules preclude mentioning another business by name but if you do a Google search on the sponsor for the Lake Tahoe Concourse De Elegance boat show they have the best shop, spares, craftsmen and experience working with Chris Crafts out West. They are not cheap, a restoration to mint condition can be $150,000.

Click to expand...
Why restore for 150k. In this market you can buy a yacht for half that amount.
 
Yeah, and this is a little runabout! Mike, I passed your recommendation on to my friend (thanks!). We'll see what happens now.
 
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