[rob.t]

My buddie had the head of his 225 Merc outboard swiched by a boat mechanic in Bay Shore a few years back then he went out of bussiness. Thanx to insurance it was replaced. But Im sure he's still out there.
Now the motor was running a bit rough at full throll like it would not take off when warm but not over heating and we checked the plugs like it was not getting full spark and it still doesnt go full throtel so we had it looked at by a guy near Augies in Babylon and he fixed the problem due to connections supposibly and on inspection there was scrathes along the hull that where not there and the bottom fin of the lower unit has a gouge taken out of it and was painted over to look like nothing happened. But we all know how that paint was missing due to running in low water? He says he will take care of the scatches but the fin is connected to the lower unit. It probably will have no effect but why should we take the chance on his neglect? It was probably pulled out of the water with the engine down due to the test drive he needed to take to determine the engines problem? What course f action should we take and we didnt except the boat back yet because we didnt want to sign any paperwork? Please help and share your thoghts on the scam mechanics out there so we can all stay away from them?

 

[622769]

While i can't comment on your situation, i just wanted to add that i lost my favorite mechanic this year. Bill over at "Outboards Unlimited" (Bayshore)closed shop in early August and i'm a lil' bummed over it. He was one of the most honest mechanics i've met and he did excellent work. I heard the business is tough so thats why he shut down....was taking it's toll on him.
Does anyone know of a good OMC mechanic for my tired '88 'Rude?

 

[bestduck]

mechanics

striperkid: You are correct in saying that your engine is a bit old. But if anyone could repair it, it would be Outboard Service of Freeport. They are located at 180 Woodcleft ave. Freeport N.Y. Their phone # is 516-379-7212. I've done business with them for thirty years and believe me they are the best. Mainduck

 

[leakyrivot]

Fixing that skeg

As for that skeg; a decent aluminum welder can more or less repair anything on the shell of that lower unit. It's not expensive either, 30 minutes of work tops and then paint (anyone can spray paint). A friend of mine has done it enough times to eyeball the triangle, cut off whatever needs to go on the old one, if required, and weld it on in minutes. A little smoothing down with a grinder and you wouldn't know any different. If it's just a nick, it's probably nothing to worry about either. There's a place in clearwater, florida that actually sells skegs (I wouldn't bother because it's only $2 worth of aluminum and easily built) called "Precision Mfg"; they have a website. Also, there are plastic replacement skegs out there that can bolt on over the damaged section.

Enough about skegs, time to bitch - The whole marine industry is out of control; they have the worst customer service (generally) of any business and charge the most $$. Problem is there's not enough of them to make for real, competition because it's seasonal. All or nothing as far as demand. Go into a marine shop and they make you feel like they are doing you a favor just for working on the boat.. or selling you outragously priced parts. Not to mention that half of those "mechanics" don't know *hit. I'm all for small privately owned businesses, but I'd really like to see a big chain come in to put the bad shops out. I do all my work myself, with the exception of "warranty" work, which allways ends up costing $$ somehow. Bastards.

Jon

 

[superdave]

I can't comment on the proper course of leagl action to take I can tell you that depending on the size of the gouge it shouldn't affect the proformance of the engine I had a 1 inch long 1/4 inch high piecs knocked of the bottom of my lowewr unit 5 years ago I still use it with no differance in profomance. but to be safe check with the mechanic I'm going to list below.

striperkid my recomendation for a good mechanic would be TOP repair in patchogue Tim is very knowledgeable about marine engines old and new his # is 631-289-0035

 

[fishologist II]

possibe resolution

If you are a member of BOATUS,write them a letter explaining your situation and ask them for advice.I did this 15 years ago and they were prompt and helpful.
My favorite mechanic is George,he owns Argo boat Co.,an Evinrude dealer.
Located on Rockaway Blvd,at the Queens side of the Queens-Nassau border,behind JFK.
Phone 718 527 9870
Pete

 

[rob.t]

Thanxs for the replies but after seeing the skeg its nothing to worry about.
Just the 2 tone color of the bow where they loaded it on the trailer wrong bothers me more. They glassed it over not knowing the boat had an emron finish which left there fix up job noticeable. 2ft high by a 1/2 a foot in the front. And they never said anything until noticed but did say they would fix it by RAYBO in Lindenhurst whom has done GREAT work before. Not looking for miracles just be honest. And is strange to see 4 gal of oil down in 2 trips???

 

[613098]

A good, honest mechanic is a rather rare bird nowadays, but there are a few out there. We keep our boat "Vanguard" at Bay Park in Oceanside. Pete and his crew at All-Island there are simply excellent. They don't work for free, but I don't mind paying top dollar for top work - just don't like to worry about getting screwed over. That is never a concern with them.
Paul

 

[620368]

Rob sorry to hear about your bubbies boat.I agree with superdave,I also know Tim at TOP he`s a great guy and very honest.His shop is right behind my house he helped me out a great deal this spring.You have to see the boat he built,he laid the glass and everything.Very knowledgable guy and he will not B.S you.Good Luck,wheels

 

[B.Attitude]

A great honest outboard mecanic is Niel from Jenson marine in Copauge,L.I.
PAULIE