So, this is just a little rant about the timeliness of the repair shop working on my throttle cable. I’ve got an old, '79 Merc 115 with tiller steering on my boat. Back in WA, I’ve never had any problems getting parts or top of the line service. The shop it’s at now came recommended by many guys on the site, but they have had my boat over 2 weeks for such an “easy” fix. I really don’t get it. Granted, parts delivery took 7 days, but then they didn’t work on it for 4 days. Once they started, they realized they needed a couple more parts, but are having a problem finding them. So, here I sit. Boatless for the 2nd weekend in a row. Never will I go back to these people.
Does anyone know an honest Mercury mechanic that can get parts, and do a job in a timely manner? There has to be one within 45min of North Charleston, I’m sure.
im sure the peoples boats they are working on have been there for 3 weeks now. Its the busy season, everybodys stuff is breaking. im sure parts for a 79 are hard to come by.
hold your horses and im sure they will get it fixed when they get it fixed. Im not sure who you took it to but if its who i believe you did from your quote “came recommended by many guys on the site” they are behind because they are the best.
“The amount of money I’ll be makin would hurt your parents feelings. Remember the class where I taught you all how to make it rain? That’s what I’ll be doin every night, dollar…dollar…bills y’all.”
well NWtransplant
as the owner of the shop your boat is at, I sympathize with your plight, but as teh other guys have stated, its the busy time of year.
you have a 1979 mercury 115 WITH A TILLER HANDLE.
its the tiller handle parts we are repairing.
the parts have to come from wisconsin that are available(mercury), no one around here has anything like that. the parts we are waiting on now, are no longer available, and my parts lady found a dealer in maine that had your part.
when the parts get here, we then have to finish what we had in front of you before we can work on your boat.
I will be glad to sell you the parts we ordered for your motor, or send them back and you can take it to any of the other shops in town, for them to make the repairs, since we are not able to provide the level of service you are accustomed to.
I’ve found that the good mechanics are usually booked, especially two weeks before July 4th holiday. Now I do know a couple of jack leg mechanics that can get to it right away, but you’ll probably wind up back at mechanic #1 before its over with.
So, this is just a little rant about the timeliness of the repair shop working on my throttle cable. I’ve got an old, '79 Merc 115 with tiller steering on my boat. Back in WA, I’ve never had any problems getting parts or top of the line service. The shop it’s at now came recommended by many guys on the site, but they have had my boat over 2 weeks for such an “easy” fix. I really don’t get it. Granted, parts delivery took 7 days, but then they didn’t work on it for 4 days. Once they started, they realized they needed a couple more parts, but are having a problem finding them. So, here I sit. Boatless for the 2nd weekend in a row. Never will I go back to these people.
Does anyone know an honest Mercury mechanic that can get parts, and do a job in a timely manner? There has to be one within 45min of North Charleston, I’m sure.
Man, you are now living in a community surrounded by water. A large portion of the populace own boats and boats have a strange tendancy to break down. Especially older ones. Complaining about repairs on an outdated engine with limited availability parts on one of the biggest holiday weekends is insane. Be glad that you have taken the boat to someone that will not only find the outdated/scarce parts but will ultimately stand behind their work.
A little Chuckfishin advice, don’t disparage a local business like this as it is still a relatively small community. Grin and bear it, we all have to do so from time to time, its the nature of the beast. Good luck, negative comments like this will surely get you sent to the back of the que.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you conside
So, this is just a little rant about the timeliness of the repair shop working on my throttle cable. I’ve got an old, '79 Merc 115 with tiller steering on my boat. Back in WA, I’ve never had any problems getting parts or top of the line service. The shop it’s at now came recommended by many guys on the site, but they have had my boat over 2 weeks for such an “easy” fix. I really don’t get it. Granted, parts delivery took 7 days, but then they didn’t work on it for 4 days. Once they started, they realized they needed a couple more parts, but are having a problem finding them. So, here I sit. Boatless for the 2nd weekend in a row. Never will I go back to these people.
Does anyone know an honest Mercury mechanic that can get parts, and do a job in a timely manner? There has to be one within 45min of North Charleston, I’m sure.
Man, you are now living in a community surrounded by water. A large portion of the populace own boats and boats have a strange tendancy to break down. Especially older ones. Complaining about repairs on an outdated engine with limited availability parts on one of the biggest holiday weekends is insane. Be glad that you have taken the boat to someone that will not only find the outdated/scarce parts but will ultimately stand behind their work.
A little Chuckfishin advice, don’t disparage a local business like this as it is still a relatively small community. Grin and bear it, we all have to do so from time to time, its the nat
Being from the Pacific NW myself I can tell you that Mercury/Mariner motors are WAY more popular there then they are in the SE region. Parts will be hard to come by for ANY shop, especially for a tower-of-power tiller handle. Chris V has been tons of help to almost everyone on this site. I am surprised that they (his shop/parts person) was able to find anything for that motor. I dont think you will find too many shops going above and beyond like that, calling the country, to find a part they is no longer in production. Have some patience or get a newer Yamaha
Chance for Rebuttal: Alright fellas, I’ve been put in my place. I’m just not used to having to wait so long, any time of year, for something that seems minor, in my mind (no major engine build, outdrive work, hull patching, etc). I may have been a tad spoiled from the exceptional service in Gig Harbor because they may be used to dealing with tiller parts more than here. If that’s how things are done in Charleston, that’s what I’ll plan on for the future.
ChrisV: I was trying to leave the name of your shop out of it on purpose. No disparaging intended. Just a little frustration with the lack of communication. Go ahead and finish the repair, sir.
On another note: Why don’t I see more aluminum boats with tiller handles fishing inshore here? 90% of the boat traffic on the rivers in WA are set up the same as mine. Even the guys that fish halibut out in the Pacific run big aluminum boats.
Hey Kyle, welcome to Charleston. We tend to do things our own way. ( first shot, remember that) You’ll find that Chris and the other reputable shops here in town take care of customers as best as they can. This time of year is busy. On the subject of aluminum boats, I don’t know what to tell ya. When in Rome? You know. Tight Lines.
GW 232GT Gulfstream
150Yam x 2
“3rd Day”
Gen. Chap.1 Vs.9-13 BRETT “Skibo” JOHNSON FOR MAYOR OF JAMES ISLAND
Know where you’re coming from NW, I have a 1980 115 Merc. and is tough to find some parts for as well around here. A lot more Yammahas here on the East coast vs Mercs on the West coast, espicially up in WA state, seems like 70% of otbs are Mercs up that way. More shops out that way too, seems like Bellingham, which is smaller then Charleston had about 15-20 shops just there.
You really couldn’t find a better shop around here tho then Charleston Marine, Like others said, it’s just that time of the year and the shops get slammed pretty hard.
Give me a shout and we’ll go run around in my boat maybe saturday for a bit or first of the week or something to get yer saltwater fix in! Sent ya mssge.
Russ B. www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
Chance for Rebuttal: Alright fellas, I’ve been put in my place. I’m just not used to having to wait so long, any time of year, for something that seems minor, in my mind (no major engine build, outdrive work, hull patching, etc). I may have been a tad spoiled from the exceptional service in Gig Harbor because they may be used to dealing with tiller parts more than here. If that’s how things are done in Charleston, that’s what I’ll plan on for the future.
ChrisV: I was trying to leave the name of your shop out of it on purpose. No disparaging intended. Just a little frustration with the lack of communication. Go ahead and finish the repair, sir.
On another note: Why don’t I see more aluminum boats with tiller handles fishing inshore here? 90% of the boat traffic on the rivers in WA are set up the same as mine. Even the guys that fish halibut out in the Pacific run big aluminum boats.
Yeah that is very true. That is a good question. Everytime I go home on leave I am yet again surprised at all the Alumawelds and Alumacrafts I see…halibut/king salmon rigs! Maybe T2B can lend some wisdom on that?
We do, we call them Jon Boats, creek boats, duck boats, mud boats etc. Chances are if you have a CC you also have a Jonny.
Mark
Mako 262 Twin Yammaha F200s
Yeah, but do you consider a dog to be a filthy animal? I wouldn’t go so far as to call a dog filthy but they’re definitely dirty. But, a dog’s got personality. Personality goes a long way.
“Life’s tough…It’s even tougher if you’re stupid” John Wayne
Chris V. has a very good reputation in the service industry, and as a shop owner myself, I completly agree that a two week wait is not unreasonable, for any kind of repair. It’s not the fact that your repair is simple, but combined with the issue of getting parts for older or unique engines, with all of the work that was in front of you would explain the wait. It is not fair, or good customer service to put simple repairs in front of the customer getting the larger repair and push his wait time out.
I stopped by a dealer/repair shop to buy a trim switch fuse yesterday and had to navigate a yard full of boats in shop for repair to drive out of the parking lot.
Repair shops stay slammed from the spring through the fall and everybody wants their boat fixed first.
“I am constantly amazed at the stupidity of the general public.”
~my dad
Equipment:
190cc Sea Pro w/130 Johnson
1- 15 year old
1 - 11 year old
1 - wife (The Warden)
Hey chris v, like yalls new shop logo. Those stickers look good but they are not vehicle worthy, if they were just a white vinyl outline i’d slap one on
quote: Why don't I see more aluminum boats with tiller handles fishing inshore here? 90% of the boat traffic on the rivers in WA are set up the same as mine. Even the guys that fish halibut out in the Pacific run big aluminum boats.
I've noticed that aluminum boats are more popular in areas with rocky coastlines and fiberglass tends to be more popular in areas with soft bottoms, like around here. Aluminum is light and can take a beating without puncturing but it is hotter and not as flexible in design as fiberglass.
There are plenty of aluminum boats around. Look in the rivers, creeks or around duck blinds they are everywhere. Don’t see alot on ICW or harbour.
There are so many different types of boating and fishing in the low country that on type of boat wouldn’t work.
When I was fishing the ICW and entertaining a lot my 18ft fiberglass cc was the way to go. Now that the wife and I have young kids and less time to entertain, I downsized to 14ft jon boat and fish the rivers. Jon boat is a lot more convienent and easier to get on the water. Plus less maintnence is a real good thing.
