The price of working on a boat

cls10105

Hey guys i wanted to ask how much i should expect to pay for the following work on the engines. Keep in mind i am supplying all the parts. Changing oil and filters, plugs, wires, rotors and caps, iac, impeller and fuel water separator for both motors.

raybo3

Around my area (Boston) you could pay anywhere from $130 to about $150 per hour for labor. My guess is you have about 3 hours work there so I would assume your about $500 in labor. Just a guess......

randy56

Shops around here charge a little north of $100 per hour, but sometimes they charge piece work, per item. by the book, agree with Ray about $500. 

cls10105

@raybo3 is that per motor or total for both

cls10105

@randy56 is that per motor or total for both

Dream_Inn

I would say that the 3 hrs is per motor.  Changing just impeller, I've seen places charge an hour or more per motor.

Liberty44140

Around $1500

bry1429

You should sell 50/50 split the pot raffles ticket for this,  I am guessing $450 per engine. I changed my Impellers this past spring and I am still sore and walking crooked.. Give me 2 squares on this pool💵.
@cls10105 : at least this way it's a win win for all of us 😁

DanD2

Not sure what you have for a boat but on my 2005 342, all those tasks are pretty easy and can be done in less than 4 hrs total.

TonyG13

Here are a few prices straight from our yacht yard's (Chicago) latest pricelist:

Change Impeller - Main Engine - $250 per engine + parts
Oil & Filter Change - Gas Engine - $125 per engine + parts
Change Fuel Filter(s) - Main Engine - $65 per engine + parts
Tune Up - Main Engine - $250 per engine + parts

Tune Up includes: Replace spark plugs (and wires if needed), cap and rotor, clean flame arrestor, check IAC (Idle Air Control) filter, replace if dirty.

As @shawnmjr said, most can be done yourself if you're mechanically inclined, but I'm with @bry1429 where I'm getting too old to crawl around in spaces I can no longer fit. So when I'm lazy and can afford it I pay them and watch. :-)

PickleRick

I specialize in the wrong engines!!! If Someone towed a boat into my shop id charge between 1100 and 1250 for all that.  

If the customer purchases his own parts (im not a mercury or volvo dealer)  id have no issues installing customer provided parts,  some shops have issues installing outsourced parts. But, anyway that would save you money on dealer mark up parts.

I do marine work on the side because i enjoy it.  When i need automatic transmission work or machine work done i source someone who does it on the side or is retired. It usually saves me time and money and it's usually someone who does it because they enjoy it.  Being that im in the power equipment service industry my networking is pretty good with other shops.   

Obviously find references first, make sure they are not a shade tree parts changer.  

Aqua_Aura

All of those tasks can easily be done yourself just do a little research. I assume you will do this at the end of your boating season so you'll have plenty of time to work on it. The first task I ever did on my boat was replace the impeller and it was about an hour to do. You will need a vacuum pump for the oil, I purchased the Topsider linked below. 


With all the money you save you can keep the beer fridge stocked for months!!!

Air Power America 5060TS Topsider Multi-Purpose Fluid Removing System https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001445IZ8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0x-zDbEBPJGPB

davidbrooks

So i will tell you.  Everything everyone says here is really right on point.  I got my feet wet doing an impeller replacement on my last boat.  One engine.  I found a guy on Craigslist.... yeah i know what could go wrong.  Well he did what i asked but messed everything up.  So i took it back.  Even after the second time it wouldn't prime.  So like everyone here says i did the research and then just took it on myself.  Never looked back.  There are some things i wont do.  That is really the key.  Know when to accept that you need someone with more experience.  Ask around locally.  I found a guy that is good, not great.  Onry old fart but he does good work and charges a fair price.  That is all i can ask for.

reneechris14

I'm with raybo3 500 bucks any more do it yourself.  Some things to take note on dizzy cap can not be over tightened you will break it. Impeller 2 hoses on back must take note to be returned back to correct place, and make sure no scoring if it is the brass housing.oh and the more you push the throttles forward the faster the boat goes.

cls10105

Thanks for all the great feedback everyone. You guys are awesome!