Servicing prices?

[Stevie101]

I was having a conversation about the price of servicing of boats compared to cars and trucks.
I run 3 HGVs a couple of LGVs and a couple of cars and a a boat (V6 4.3ltr) and the difference charged between them for servicing is really interesting.
So I was just wondering as we are all over the country what you pay for your servicing on your boat?
I'll start!
Mine is booked in for April at an estimated cost of approx £350 for standard service + any additional parts and we are in South Yorkshire.

[ColinR]

That sounds about right for a V6 4.3. Based of South coast prices.

[BruceK]

lucky devil

[Ianfs]

Mine is booked in for April at an estimated cost of approx £350 for standard service + any additional parts

Hopefully you had a mild winter on the canal and she didn't freeze. We had down to -5c on the South Coast so any plain fresh water may have frozen. From what you said previously I think you were debating whether or not to winterise her because you wanted to use her. As Colin said £350 would be there or thereabouts depending upon labour charge and what is deemed standard service.

I think you said you were handy with spanners, if so check this out......all priced as Genuine parts rounded up.

Engine Oil x 2 @ 3.8l each £60
Quicksilver oil filter £12
Quicksilver Fuel filter £10
Spark Plugs x 6 £21
2-4-C Grease £9
Gear Oil Sterndrive x 2 946ml £36
Lube pump £7
Washers for Sterndrive oil plugs 3.50
SUB TOTAL £158.50

If you want to drop the leg to inspect the impeller and gimbal bearing add these.....
Sterndrive Gasket set £15
Impeller £40
Anode Kit £66
Lube pump £7
Plus an impeller gasket or two.
Oh and a good oil suction pump, not a cheap and nasty one but a good Pela or similar.

[sprocker]

Last year - Single Suzuki Df115 - £353 (Main Dealer price as still under warranty).

This year - Twin VP D3 190's with outdrives - approximately 4 times the price.

[shibbs]

Last year - Single Suzuki Df115 - £353 (Main Dealer price as still under warranty).

This year - Twin VP D3 190's with outdrives - approximately 4 times the price.

Is that an annual service cost?

[Bigplumbs]

I know I will be shot down in flames here but I don't thing all the things people often do ever year need doing every year. Particularly 2 stroke outboards. For Example:

Spark Plugs will last at least 3 years
Lower case gear oil will easily do 2 years
Impeller will do at least 2 years
Fuel Filter will last 2 years

And always do what you can your self rather than get so called professionals to do it especially if you have an outboard, That way you know what has been done and how it was done and also you will have some idea what to do and how things work and break if you get a problem on the water. You will also save money and feel a great sense of achievement when you finish the task.

Dennis

[sprocker]

Last year - Single Suzuki Df115 - £353 (Main Dealer price as still under warranty).

This year - Twin VP D3 190's with outdrives - approximately 4 times the price.

Is that an annual service cost?

This boat is new to me (Also VP/diesel new to me) so I wanted a full service on everything, including bellows etc, so I could be confident everything was correct.

It should be less next year, and I will also start to do my own servicing as I get used to the Volvo layout etc, so labor costs will be removed.

[betty boop]

I know I will be shot down in flames here but I don't thing all the things people often do ever year need doing every year. Particularly 2 stroke outboards. For Example:

Spark Plugs will last at least 3 years
Lower case gear oil will easily do 2 years
Impeller will do at least 2 years
Fuel Filter will last 2 years

And always do what you can your self rather than get so called professionals to do it especially if you have an outboard, That way you know what has been done and how it was done and also you will have some idea what to do and how things work and break if you get a problem on the water. You will also save money and feel a great sense of achievement when you finish the task.

Dennis

no shots fired from here, definitely agree on those items, + a few others, if you fully investigate Mercrusier servicing procedures not what mercrusier agents recommend 'they carry out' the impeller for instance can go longer dependant on hours used and condition when inspected and replaced. Boats are in a harsher environment but a trailered boat used in the summer is easily DIY serviceable unless you have something to prove or way to busy etc.

On the original post that £350, I assume is the engine only not the Leg included?

[shibbs]

Last year - Single Suzuki Df115 - £353 (Main Dealer price as still under warranty).

This year - Twin VP D3 190's with outdrives - approximately 4 times the price.

Is that an annual service cost?

This boat is new to me (Also VP/diesel new to me) so I wanted a full service on everything, including bellows etc, so I could be confident everything was correct.

It should be less next year, and I will also start to do my own servicing as I get used to the Volvo layout etc, so labor costs will be removed.

So can I ask, what would be the expected service cost for a normal annual service on a Diesel engine, excluding the drive leg etc?
I'm just curious to compare really, and are Diesel engines serviceable by the owner.. I.e no special diagnostic kit required etc?
I only ask as eventually, I'd like to think that I will be upgrading to something like what you have just purchased and when I read your post it kind of ruled it out completely!
At present it costs me a couple of hundred £ to service the engine and leg myself.. (I'm still amazed at how much simpler to remove and work on than a mercruiser leg is compared to a VP)