Dean great info. I also run a small shop and have spent 30 years chasing money from deadbeat boat owners. I didn't see where he got any money down, just $2000.00 when the boat was picked up. I usually ask for a deposit only when repowering or doing a major repair but i usually like a credit card # on file. I won't use it if they send a check in reasonable time. And people always ask why do you need a deposit you have my boat. When you think about it, what can I really do with their boat. I have had leins and judgements and never collected. Small claims court has been a waste of my time.
I didn't see what engine we're talking about but it sure would suck if the ticking noise was something stupid like a Thunderbolt rotor disc bent and hitting the sensor.

Ask your attorney about a mechanics lien, it is not full proof, but the best thing going. Basically you are a creditor on the title and it can not be transfered until you sign off. Plus you can collect interest equal to your states post judgement rate...

Works in MOST states, but I can not vouch specifically for NJ...

hi bowtie,

2 k down for bb manifolds spacers and risers 2500 in parts along with other repairs total partsand labor came to 3800

when working several jobs and parts money out on all and then to have a hard time collecting and having to pay helpers ect it adds up....not to mention this guy had to have it for the "WEEKEND"

Im just a little guy trying to make a living and do more for my customers for free then most guys working for someone make in a year because my rep means everything to me


heck pulled a head this morning to get a cust on the water by next week end

Joe,

PM Sent...

dean

nothing there yet will ck in a couple of min

got it reply sent

Sorry I thought we were talking about the original post and thats where I didn't see a deposit. I agree with getting money up front, sometimes its just for cash flow, but necessary. I seem to have the same problem as you I do a lot things for free, but in the end I think it all works out. After all these years I think I finally have learned to screen customers, not boats.

very true, but in the back of my mind I always worry about " next week "

Mechanic put lifters for $200 plus parts, I picked up boat friday morning. He did not sea trial, only ran it on the hose. I took the boat out saturday, Lifters all sound good, but when I try to go past 2000-3000 rpm the motor is backfiring through the carb, so i slow it down to idle, no backfiring at idle. I take off again get up on plane it starts popping again. I stop again. Third time I try taking off everything sounds good, i brought it up to about 4000-4500 with no problems and it ran fine for the rest of that 45 minute ride. We hung out at Potters Bay in thousand islands for a couple hours. When I leave, the entire senario above happens again. After a couple of starts and stops the boat finally runs fine for the rest of that ride too. This also happened once before the lifters were put in. I am not sure if this means anything but both engines dont have thermostats in them, the temp gauge doesnt go past 100. Any ideas what might be wrong with this thing?

Im asumming he did a compression test before doing lifters in which case pretty much has to be ............


popping through the intake indicates that a intake valve is either open or leaking during the inginition stroke of the motor


if the valves are adjusted too tight it will cause this, so would a bad valve spring


it really sounds like this guy has no clue what hes doing