And thru out many years of being in Texas I can not tell you how many times an AC company / repair person could not fix a broken AC unit nor a lot of people paid for the repair fix and two days later their AC unit was blowing warm air again in 100 degree weather. I probably could have done better myself but would never claim that I am better than most AC trained persons because I never had any training from the factories that sells or makes the units.

What marine training have you had, if any, by whom? Are u current with PCM 09 / Visteon marine catalyst engines ? or E- controls catalyst marine engines or how about any MEFI 6 training ? What marine diagnostic equipment and tools do use on your marine repairs. How current are they ? Do you use CDS G3 a lot ? If so for what ? I would think you have all of this plus are well trained with all marine systems and diagnostic equipment currently since you work on boats especially being better than most boat mechanics. Most good marine techs are very current with all of this and know this right off the top of their head.

Most good marine techs are factory trained and stay current with what they work on most or what the shop receives as far as boats & engines. Yes there is some bad boat mechanics just as well some bad auto mechanics and just as well as bad HVAC businesses and AC repair men. To be honest I hear more about HVAC repair businesses being more of a rip off than boat repair businesses in my area. I own three AC units but would never claim that I am a better AC repair man than a trained one. There are plenty of good mechanics out there but again there is some really bad ones as well.

If you are an honest and really care about what you do plus care about doing the right thing plus are well trained, you should be really good at what you do for a living no matter what you work on.

Man, this thread is getting some mileage. I didn't know pulling a motor out of a boat and replacing a coupler was that big of a deal.

Yeah, it's starting to look like one of my threads! :helmet::evilb::lolhit:

Luckily he didn't ask if it was easier to change a coupler in a cig or a fountain :D

Lmfao! Idk.... I heard that Cig engine couplers are hand laid, and do better in the rough water, but a fountain engine coupler will always go faster with the same power...? Lol

Ill take 1 of each. Will they work in a Donzi?

It would only take 5 mins in an APACHE :party-smiley-004:

Have a good weekend all !!!

Heck this is a short version thread compared to the rest of them up here. We could make it run for a two years longer if everyones favorite jumps in - (a certain engine builder who has a special room ) wait to he starts posting then this thread will triple in size,1 day tops. Can't wait for that. You will be happy I won't post no more on this thread. I'll PM - PS to ask him to give his view points about this thread.

Don't forget that the Fountain couplers include the length of the zerk fittings to inflate the advertised size of them. ;)

Speaking of zerks, what do you suppose would be better synthetic or..... :daz:

All natural butt butter...

SO - I guess charging 9 hours labor is fair and even. Now we know how you think. The last time any of my boats was at a marina was 35 years ago. They didn't have fuel injection. Heck electronic ignition was in its infancy in boats. And as far as inventory - most of the time I need a part they usually have to order it. Yeah and you are right there are a lot of HVAC companies out there that are doing crappy work. They have the same mentality as the 9 hour marina. hire the cheapest labor and charge the most they can get away with.

Maybe the marinas should work as non profit centers? Have you looked around, not many getting rich in this game! I also do my own work, for 3 reasons. 1. I don't like to wait, summer is short. 2. I enjoy it 3. No one will pat as much attention to detail as I do.

But for this who can not, or will not, a good mechanic is hard to find. Some day when I am tired of it, I will pay someone to do it for me. And I will be top dollar if they are the best, vs shade tree joe.

This quote is far from out of line, that has been explained. The car industry is the same. I know guys working 40 hrs a week and getting paid 80+ cause they are good and can beat the clock. But when they have a come back they are working for free.

I agree with padding the bill a little to cover the unexpected but double the hours for a job as simple as a coupler change. A lot of the HVAC companies have gone to book pricing. That price is based on worst cast, worst tech doing the job. And you guys think that is fair to the customer. I have read all of the sales pitch on " BOOK " pricing. And heard the sales pitch on what Your TRUE hourly costs are. I say BS. I know what my hourly costs are and every year my bank account gets fatter and I am able to live a nice life but I am not greedy. FAIR AND HONEST PRICING has gotten me where I am today.
Enough said.