Down again
 

Seems I can't catch a break

I had my Outboards gone thru before the season started and was told both lowers need to be overhauled. Seals were shot and Drive shafts were worn and needed replacing. Almost 6 grand later I got only 1 hour out of the boat , I was cruising at about 60 when the new port side Drive shaft cuppling I was told must have been faulty and it broke causing the upper driveshaft to smash my flywheel. They replaced the parts (merc waranteed the drive shaft only) but still cost me 1900 in labor and a new flywheel they would not cover. That was two and a half weeks out of service.
Take the boat out again after I am told everything is NEW & have not got 5 hours on the boat and on Fathers day weekend I was cruising and about 75 and I feel a loss of power, I throttle back and go to restart and I find I am suffering the same exact symptoms, port side will not engage.

Damn I am furious. Called the mechanic and with NO compassion I was told they mght fit me in after the 4th of July, ARGGGGGG !!!!

I can't get any play time in cause I break down damn near everytime I run. Sorry for the rant I am just pissed off on this beatifull Saturday starring at my broke boat !!!

Thats Sucks. Are still going to bring it up to LG for the Columbus day run? Your welcomed to launch here.

Try Ed Riley of ER Pro marine. 516-868-0621. He's worked on my skaters since 1992 and has always done a great job. Good luck! Sounds like mercury should pony up for the other repairs if the damage was caused by their faulty part!

something doesnt sound right, how did your drive shaft coupling come in contact with your flywheel.

I did'nt get that either ? :eek:

Call Diamond Marine in Ft Lauderdale, Joe and Marty are The Outboard Guru's ! 954-525-2600

Ed Riley is right in Freeport NY, was thinking he could get him back on the water quickly!

I have a guy in NH that will do it asap...he is working on our 28 powerplay with 300's...still teaches the merc school in new england. best around.

You need a new mechanic,sounds like you are getting stroked. :eek:

Damn man, I feel your pain. I have had a couple of long summers with my lowers also. So far so good, but what I did learn was to find another mechanic. Simple jobs such as replacing the seal kit was paid for, but never done. I would not had known had I not taken it to another mechanic. After that issue was fixed, I went through 2 propshafts and propellors in a really short period of time. Like was already mentioned, I would get someone else to look at the boat. I have spent a lot of time on the phone with Marty from Diamond Marine, they really know their stuff!

This reminds me of the old days of working with the merc 2.4.s
I didnt know sh@t about them till I bought a boat with triples
Then I became a expert.:eek: I,m telling you I had more parts for those motors right down to the needle bearings in the wrist pins.

What I use to do was keep a spare powerhead and a couple lowers kicking around.
That way ya just throw it on and fix ya other.

Good luck
KR

I am sorry if I mislead you, I was told the cuppling was faulty this caused the drive shaft to come apart and I guess the top shaft smashed the flywheel.

Thanks for the well wishes. I am trying to stand by the guy (who has a GREAT rep) in hopes that he'll do the right thing this time around. If it doesn't work out I'll never use him again. I am a very loyal guy BUT I can't afford to pay a part changer to locate the problam by trial and error.

Again thanks for the support.

Choke it was me who snapped the pics of you in your boat south of LBI. I was in the Edmond Fitzgerald Outerlimits with my buddy Joe.

Get that thing together. We plan on doin some runs to AC.

I will post your pics.

Hey Hey Pro !! I saw you , damn your buddies boat is nice. I was just heading in to the public ramp by the causway. That was the end of nicest day I had on the water this year so far, I got a few hours out there with no trouble but with the kids in the boat I was going nice and easy all day.


I look forward to gettin her back and meeting up with you out there, next time give me a shout.

Will Do. JD should be getting his boat back from the motor guy. He has had some mechanical gremlins.

Thats Sucks Big time SKATER Bro ,sorry to hear about your grief ....
ITS A SKATER NATION !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!

The sportmaster lower units for the 3.0 motors are a weak link for performance outboards. Mercury needs to step up and redesign them. I don't know anyone who hasn't had issues with them. Good luck, I feel your pain.

Dude, so sorry to hear of your troubles.

Having a "great rep" from others clearly hasn't spilled over to your situation. You also never know what exactly someone else had done to their boat by the guy to deserve a "great rep". He may have sold them a dockline for $10 off....or changed someones oil. I'm not saying this is the case, but I've heard it all!

I'd go to a new mechanic right now before you spend even more. The guy doesn't sound like he's trying to get you back on the water asap either. Even if you are paying for new parts again, I'd expect him to take a look at the work he JUST completed asap. This is not a "we'll get you on the schedule" situation anymore.

Good luck whatever you decide, and I hope this is the last major problem you have! :cool-smiley-011:

Here comes my new RANT !!!!!!

So I lost power on the port side remeber, Not sure if I told you that the lower end lossened up considerably You could shake it and it would move side to side slightly. OK Mechanic tells me that the studs coming from the mid section to the lower are no good and won't hold the nuts tight. Says it would be expensive to send out to a machine shop and have those studs removed and new ones put in.
He remembers I had a 3rd motor I purchased awhile back because I have been contiplating going to Trips.
Anyhow he says bring me the 3rd and I'll just swap out mid sections. You'll be good to go.
2 weeks have past and I got a call today, his secretary says Your boat is finished. Ok what do I owe you. She tells me the price - Just under 2 Grand. Two Thousand dollars to swap mid sections. I asked what parts did they need ?? None other than the 2 gaskets. I Asked why so much and she said it was very labor intensive. The mechanics had Over 15 hours of labor in it. She said the mechanic will be in tomorrow to better explain.

Before I talk to him could you please help educate me here guys, to me this seems INSANE.

Does 2 grand seem in the realm to swap out mid sections on a 300X ??

Sorry for *****ing and I am really looking forward to any advice you all could offer.

X

I just called ed riley over at er pro marine in freeport, explained the situation, and he said he could have done it for less that a grand. Also says the studs should have been able to be replaced. :eek:

Thanks for the input S.

I am not sure but I think one of the guys snapped a stud trying to tighten the lower to much, which would need a machine shop to get it out.

get new mechanic !!! I can swap drives in less than 30 min and replacing studs is not very time consuming or hard even if its broke off. 2grand is ridiculous!! there are no gaskets to change when you change lowers either. sorry just re read and you said swap mids thats alot more work, but he should have re studed your mid that needed it and put lower back on much less work and you would still have complete spare motor

I am going to see this guy tomorrow, I am pissed. But I guess nothing I can do.

Fealt damn good to be on the water again !! I got a few hours in on Saturday.

coty marine ?? saw your other post.

Yes I launch my boat very close to the Coty Marine that had a MONSTER Skater named Torque Power parked in front. The boat was amazing to look at - HUGE !! So I was asking if anyone had any info on it. It is for sale but they hav no info written on it.

Was curious as to year, power, who had it, etc. etc.

As I said it looks like an AMAZING machine.

Just found this

http://www.cotymarine.com/content04....87864&indid=1&

i was wondering if they are your mechanic ??

No No. Fuller Marine

Things are very slow in the marine ind , maybe that is why they clubbed you like a baby seal ??

LOL, Good anology !!!!

Just trying to make you feel better sunshine !!

How did your conversation go with Fuller Marine?

I have had so many problems with breaking studs, I replace them everytime I change the water pump. Yearly.

As expected, he just swore how my problams were individual circumstances unrelated to the last bill he robbed me in and then swore up and down how fair his pricing was due to the hours he put in.

Get a new mechanic.....learn how to check out your boat your self. A hundred dollars in tools that you know how to use will save you THOUSANDS in the end.....check your powerhead & gearcase bolts EVERYTIME your boat goes in the water.....

check your powerhead & gearcase bolts EVERYTIME your boat goes in the water.....
 

Or learn how to this.

I have owned three twin or triple OB cats in the past. I also used to keep a spare powerhead and lower unit as spares. They are fast and would break....alot....

I have blown at least 10 2.5L power heads and six lowers. That is why I went with I/O power now. My 32 with sixes is bulletproof.

I wanted an outboard cat years ago and didnt do it because the old 2.5 were fast but a ticking timebomb , then they came out with the Opti's and I heard they make the 2.5 look like a pile of S**T !!! In the spring I'm buying a set of 300 opti's , that is when my boat will be done . I have heard of 900 + and still running strong !!! Not many inboard motors will go that long

Larry

Chokester you gonna be around the bay this weekend big guy?

Wanna Roll around. We will be at Waters Edge on Sunday.