Took my boat to a local dealer (won’t mention it here) for a 20 hour service and also to install a marine radio and flush mount a Garmin. Was just told the boat is ready and the cost was $937. I haven’t seen the invoice yet, but that seems awful high for a 20 hour service and install 2 pieces of equipment. So…did I get jacked and chalk this up as a lesson learned, or does this seem like a fair price?
That all depends. What parts are needed for a 20 hour service? I know those fuel filters and oil filters and oil add up quickly. Throw in $100 or so an hour for labor and stuff adds up quick. Price to flush mount a Garmin could be a lot of work. Did they have to run a GPS antenna, a transducer, etc.? Did they have to run wire? Lots of variables. Radio - did they have to install speakers? Run wire? Tune system? Install amp? Lots of variables there too…
As far as getting jacked and learning a lesson, the lesson here in my mind is that if the cost of boat ownership/maintenance/upgrades done by the dealer is too expensive, it’s time to learn to do it yourself…I know it’s not possible sometimes, but your exact post is the reason I learned to work on my own stuff (house/cars/boats/etc), because I’m cheap!
I wouldn’t panic until you see the invoice. If it says “shop supplies” were $300 or something crazy, then you have a gripe. If it’s all itemized and laid out well, I would chalk it up to the old adage B.O.A.T. - Bust out another thousand!
Wadmalaw native
16’ Bentz-Craft Flats Boat
Do you know what BOAT stands for? Get used to it, or learn how to do somethings for yourself!
Dang, you beat me to it leadenwahboy! I need to type faster:smiley: Took my little boat in for a service and they wanted $150, to hook it up to the computer. The Service didn’t require it, so it was extra, if I really wanted it[:0]
yeah, I know what BOAT stands for and kinda figured I would pay more than doing it myself, but wasn’t expecting $1000 for this service. I’ll see the invoice and go from there…just seemed awful high.
My wife takes her little Volvo in for dealer service and I can’t believe the stuff they find wrong with that car, every time![:0] I tried to tell her she was getting ripped off, but they give her a loaner car, so she’s happy! Besides, she pay’s for it, so who am I to complain?
I did my own 20 hour service on my Zuke a few months back and all it called for was changing lower unit fluid, changing oil, change oil filter, and inspect water pump. Check your manual to find out what exactly had to be done for your service and figure the time and parts.
As far as the install of the other things, Cutting and fitting the GPS is at least an hour, and they’ll probably charge an hour for running the transducer. The marine radio is going to be cutting holes for the radio and speakers and running all the wiring. If they’re a good shop you figure they’ll spend extra time to make sure the wiring looks nice. I’d figure 5-6 hours labor for all of the install work that you requested at around $100 per hour you’re looking at $600 ± and then probably $50-$80 in parts for your service depending on size of motor and 1-2 hours for labor at another $100-$200 and I could see how you get to $937 after taxes.
My advise would be to do your own service work and keep all of your receipts. Make notes in your manual and you’ll be fine as far as warranty goes, if there is ever an issue.
East Cape EVOx
You got sodomized. I bet they were polite to you though
Not sure about the electronics install, but a 100 hour service on a Yamaha 250 at most local shops will run between $400 and $500 (20 hour service is roughly the same animal). You can do it yourself for less than a $100 in parts and fluids. That being said, your bill doesn’t look out of line at all.
Pioneer 222 Sportfish
Yamaha 250
yeah, I can do simple stuff like change the oil and filters, etc. and I didn’t mind paying for the flush mount of the Garmin since I know my abilities and wanted the thing to look good. And I probably could have done the install of the VHF as well, as the boat has an electronics box that was pre-wired from the factory. Just thought since I was taking for the service, I’d just have them do everything at once and could spend my weekend doing other things besides working on the boat. I usually don’t mind taking to others and paying for service vs doing myself. But at moment, just feels like I got hosed and learned another hard (expensive) lesson. We all get screwed at one thing or another at some point in our lives…in my case, more than once! Stupid ex wife.
That’s high. However, depending on access to get your equipment installed is another thing. Some boats are easier than others. For example, my dealers does not like wiring Pathfinders due to the limited access thus taking longer than normal. Just like everything else in Charleston it is expensive to have work done on home, boat or car.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
The 20 hour service on my motor (Yamaha 115 SHO) cost around $200 at Marhsall’s Marine. I had a Humminbird Helix 7 installed on the bow at that same time and I had some trailer lights worked on. The whole tab was just over $500.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
The one thing I don’t see mentioned here is asking for a price up front. Any service related work I would always ask for an estimate or quote. If a shop won’t give you one, I’d go else where.
leadenwayboy covered it pretty good. at $100 bucks an hour it doesn’t take long to add up. Especially if the shop has one of their “slower” or newer employees on your boat. I don’t take anything in to be repaired unless it’s warranty work.
“Why Bruce?”
I was told first service on a new 250 zuke is $800.00. They don’t just change fluids and filters. I was told they hook it up to a computer and do fine adjustments to how the motor has been running. I won’t know. I bought a used boat. That was this spring.
sodomized
Easy,
I just had my 200 Zuke 100 hr maintenance done and it was under $325. That included everything and the computer read out which was 3 pages long.
He must Increase,but I must decrease. John 3:30
Did you ask for an estimate? Every time our boat goes in for any service I always ask how much will it cost. And if it’s diagnostic, they will give me a call to tell me approx how much and get my ok before they start the work. With your’s it may be high but not outrageous, depending on the labor.
Yes, the “hourly rate” is pretty high, but at Marshall’s they have specified “time limits” for specific jobs. Meaning, a “20 hour service” should take “X” amount of time. A bow mounted electronic should take “X” amount of time. So while the hourly rate can be high, it is given the same amount of time regardless if a “slower or newer employee” is doing the job or their best tech. That’s one of the things that allows them to give a quote prior to turning a wrench. I’ve never had work done on my boat, truck or house without having an idea of what I was going to be paying first, before the work begins.
I know it’s after the fact now but I definitely agree with the comments suggesting getting a quote before allowing your tech to turn a wrench. I still honestly believe you got, to borrow from PeaPod, “sodomized” but you did leave the door open for that.
No matter how much it hurts, how dark it gets, or how far you fall…you are never out of the fight.
well…just p/u my boat and looked at the invoice. this shop’s rate is $99/hr…basically, the installation of the VHF charged 3 hours, the installation of the Garmin was 3 hours,and the 20 hour service was $275…plus tax, etc, that equaled the $937. After seeing the invoice, I don’t necessarily feel as shocked as I did when I first heard it over the phone. I’m sure these techs do these all the time and can probably complete the job in 2 hours or less, but I know if they go 2.1 hours, you get charged for 3. But I know there is no way I could have done both of these in 4 hours if I was doing in my driveway on a Saturday. Knowing my abilities, probably would have taken me 2 weekends, and highly doubt it would look as good as they do now…so all in all, lesson learned. Hopefully now I won’t have any other issues until it’s time for the 100 hour service. And when that comes around, I’ll probably have watched a video or two on how to start doing this stuff myself.
Any time you go to the dealership, be prepared to pay. It doesn’t sound to bad thought for a professional looking job. The price of boat ownership. 
2008 War Eagle 15ft
1995 Johnson 25hp