How would you handle??
 

Several years ago I had my motor rebuilt by a Marine Performance shop in my local area and had the following experience.

On dropping off the boat the shop owner and myself went over the boat for the purpose of going over to identify if any damage was present before leaving the boat. This would be like when you rent a car and before taking the car any dents or damage are identified to protect the customer and business when it is returned.

The issue in question involves the Alpha One outdrive. Upon leaving the boat there was no damage existing on the Alpha One drive other than some paint repair (cosmetic) around the lower gear case near the prop (just sanded by me and painted).

Upon picking up the boat when the motor was complete and installed in boat, I was surprised to see a chunk/piece of the lower gear case fin missing (size of golf ball half). When I brought this to the attention of the owner, he claimed he knew nothing about the damage. During the initial walk around the boat before leaving it, he had given the drive a once over and even commented on the paint repair.

I made it known to the owner that the chip was never there but received no further comment. At that time I was excited to see the performance gains from the new engine build and I guess knowing I was going to spend a good amount of money on the build, just wanted to water test to see the benefits/gains.

At that point the owner requested to take care of the bill first and then water test the boat (thought that was odd) which was done. Where my performance expectations met? That is a whole other story but was not that bad.

This was several years ago and must say I continued to have my boat serviced by the same shop but this has always bothered me and would just like hear how you all would have handled the situation. I can assure you that there was definitely no damage to the drive when the boat was dropped off.

I believe the damage was caused during the replacement of the water pump and the separating of the lower unit from the upper unit. Looks like the shape of large hammer head.

This brings into question of why a shop would not live up to its mistake and admit to the error and resolve it??

I know what you are all thinking, why did you continue to service the boat there? Well, there are not that many performance marine shops in the area and was concerned not to muddy the waters in case of a motor warranty issue.

Your Thoughts :popcorn:

I have a rental house. When a tenant moves in, I give them a disposable camera and we do a walk through and they take pics of any issues. The photos are developed and put in their contract file.
No way to dispute anything at that point.

May be a requirement when dropping anything

have u repaired the damage yet,if not,ask the shop owner how much he wants to do the repair,then remind him again that it was not damaged before,and ask him for a price break on the repair,my guess is that he will work with you.no shop wants to loose a good customer,espically in these troubled economic times.good luck.

I think the several years ago part might be a problem in trying to go back for any compensation at this point...

You have 2 choices, find another shop, or live with it. If the guy hasn't owned up to the damage yet, I doubt he is going to change his story now.

You waited to long, stuff like that has to be addressed upon event... No immediate action implies acceptance.

No sh!t... Fooled you once shame on him, fooled you tw..... Well you know.


Move on and screw him, let your friends know so they don't get screwed.

Hope this helps.

Good Point!!
 

That would have been the best insurance. But you know, you just expect that a place with a good reputation (I thought) could be honest.

For all the high dollar boats that are worked on at this place, you would think that a lower gear case repair on an Alpha would not be such a great cost to resolve??

Happened a while back and have accepted. If I ever have to sell, it will need to be replaced or repaired. Lucky it did not affect performance.

Thank for your comments.

you forgot to tell us the other story :kiss:

Sure Thing
 

The so called "performance shop" promised and I have it stated on the bill that it was a 400+ hp build. However, this was not the case as according to external prop dyno sheet provided which was 312hp at around 5200rpm. 100hp loss to the prop, do not think so.

This is why my next motor will be marine crate or will do it myself. Have done it years ago and can do it again.:drink:

:kiss:

that suks BIG time ,you mentioned you had to pay the bill b4 testing/sea trial your new power did it perform what you expected and where told ??? just curious

In the past, but just thought I would ask
 

No not really. Was told by the builder that I needed more bow lift (props fault). That statement was just an excuse for the lack of promised HP as I have been told by many other boaters who have seen the boat run that the boat runs almost completely out of the water at WOT on the tail of its pad V hull.

Best speed recorded was 63.8 @ 5100rpm but this is with ideal conditions low fuel, two adults, slight chop water, cooler temps etc...

I was expecting at least an easy 65mph in summer time conditions.

But this is all in the past and accept it. I am more informed now. Should have known by the cam used CC XM HR 270 that a 350 could not make 400+ hp but that was my mistake and there dishonesty.

Thanks for the comments.

yep we all live & learn ,thats why it pays to stick with and use the reputable ones. have a great weekend

As long as this builder was not in TX, I am ok. Had my HP500 rebuild done this past May.

Did the owner do the work? R&R the drives and engines. Maybe one of his knuckle headed help broke the drive and he is oblivious to the damage.

fixx
 

CC XM HR 270 that a 350..

mine makes over 400 ponys with that cam but im sure i have alot more hp parts in my engine tho..

I would not have payed the bill until ALL repairs were done..

Personally I would have paid the bill in full before running the boat,
kept quiet about my dissatisfaction with the work, continued to use
this mechanic for years, then get on the world wide web and inform
hundreds of strangers that I acted like a buffoon. But that's just me.
:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
:lolhit:

You do have a point.:kiss:

But the main reason is to point out that SOME of these so called PERFORMANCE BUILDERS are not as honest as you think. If you have tons of $$ to spend you will probably be alright but once they find out you are on a budget build, the profits are no longer under control and the cost to replace a lower gear case is to much of a cost for them.

Just keep that in mind????

The gear case probably doen't need to be replaced. A skeg repair is not really that expensive. Probably $150-200.

No Sir.

Take Care

we use a shop in Texas and they go 110% and work is awesome :drink:

Cut a piece to match. Have a female take the lower unit and the piece to a wielding shop with coffee and donuts before the coffee truck shows up. It will be fixed in 15mins....