You Have To Take Care Of Your Boats And Motors

[Sam]

At my bass club meeting last night I was sitting there, hearing the guys lie to each other and startred to make a mental note of the problems the guys have had with their boats and motors.  Here is a list of the problems:

 

Engine Block blew - Cost of repairs with used parts $3,000 (I expect it to blow for the fourth time in two years on the Pamunkey this weekend as he keeps going back to his friend and not a certified Mercury dealer)

Lower Unit failed due to fishing line tearing up seal and letting the oil flow out and fill up with water seizing engine while it was open throttle - Estimated cost $10,000

Electrical Problem - Cost $2,600

Motor Failed while fishing - Cost nothing. Three repair shops told him how to fix the problem and we will find out if they were right this Saturday.

Motor fell off boat on the Potomac - Loss of Mercury priced at $18,000 plus $700 prop. Used brass bolts as they were too cheap to go to Lowe's to purchase the correct bolts when they worked on the jack plate.

Motor making funny sounds - Friend tried to fix it himself but has not eliminated the funny sounds. Will find out if it blows up this weekend on the Pamunkey. Motor blew up two years ago on the Rappahannock and he does all of the work himself.

New 2012 Four-Stroke constantly needing adjustments on the water and before blast off - And we think Yamaha is a great motor

Motor Will Not Start - No estimate given. Boat and Motor in shop but expected to get it back today or tomorrow.

Fuel Injectors went bad - Cost $850 to repair on a new Evinrude.

 

What I am saying is for everyone who is looking to purchase a boat to make sure the motor is in good condition by taking it to a certified dealer not associated with the boat's current owner to have the motor tested. A company selling used bass boats will check out the boa and motor for you and although it may cost a few dollars more, you may be doing yourself a favor by purchasing your boat through a local dealer. The repair shop and dealer can tap into the motor's computer and get a printout of its usage. Be sure to ask for this printout.

 

Lots of guys out there repair their motors themselves with limited knowledge. That is why I have a tow rope on my boat just in case I need to tow them somewhere.

 

Also a lot of guys do not winterize their motors and just put them up for the winter months without draining and replacing the fluids or spraying the oil in the motor.

 

Motors will have problems but you don't want to buy them from someone else. You want them to develop on your watch!

 

[RyneB]

I lucked out when I bought my 2000 Ranger last year. Motor runs flawlessly. But the trailer is a whole different story. I have had to put on 2 new tires, new cranking winch, all new rollers, new bunks, redo the electrical. I have more money invested to keep my trailer going than I do the boat.

[Traveler2586]

Sam, here is something you can share at your next meeting.

 

I can work on the engine myself, but know not to as I have learned over the years that a boat is no place to be cheap; at best you could find yourself stranded adrift, or in the case of my 30’ cabin cruiser - sinking.  You need the expertise of a certified mechanic to protect your arse where it counts.

 

With that in mind the first thing I did when I got my 2003 Ranger 185 VS was to take it to a certified Mercury mechanic.  I had the engine tested, serviced, the boat hull toughly inspected, and both were river tested for performance ( I told the mechanic to take it out and have fun ).  The report was very good; they told me the previous owner obviously took very good care of the boat and the engine really didn’t need servicing.  I vowed to do the same to protect my investment; and an important part of protecting my investment is my boat insurance.

 

Case in point:  My latest adventure of hitting a shoal July 10^th is still ongoing and the cost so far is:

On water towing $743.45; my cost $0.00 thanks to my BoatUS towing insurance.

Lower unit and prop replacement $3,372.40, plus Hull repairs $1,341.00. My cost $500.00 thanks to my boat insurance.

Without proper insurance I would have waited for a passing boater and prayed they would tow me two hours to my ramp (ha) and be out of pocket $5,456.85.

 

I also carry a tow rope and a set of jumper cables for safety.  I use them both every season to help other anglers who find themselves on the short end of the stick.

[Siebert Outdoors]

In buying boats I have learned to take the boat to a shop before buying and have it checked.  Its worth paying out 100-200 and not buy a broken down motor.

 

I also do not do most of the maintenance.  The motor is too expensive and I prefer to have a reliable do the work so if they do it wrong they will have to fix it.

[JD96]

I have a pelican bass raider and I drag it on boat ramps.

Waiting on my big boy boat to come one day haha.

[TRYTOFISH]

B.O.A.T. Break out another thousand.