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Do all repower projects go horribly wrong? First I find a reputable guy to do the work. I get it in writing. He calls tells me my motors are in, I pay him the money for my motors he says they'll be there in a week. 4 month's later my motors aren't there. I ask are we still on schedule? "Nope!" I ask when will you begin as the deadline is looming? "Dunno these other boats are taking longer than expected."
So what can I do now. It is already very late to try to get into someone elses schedule! and how do I get my motors without sending the wrong message. I don't think he is a thief. I just think this is part of the game these guys play.
But the most disheartening, Now people who told me he is the best in the area are telling me "oh ya keep on him, other wise you will never get your boat" One guy even went as far as to say "ya my boat was supposed to be done in october"
I don't want to upset yuou more, but my repower with t/Suzi's went well. The timeline was followed closely and the price was close, a few hundred more for new fuel lines/filters, new steering components, and some re-rigging with new battery switches. All in all, I say it went great.
Having personally done one serious repower with diesel inboards and having been witness to several repowers done under contract I can only say that unless you can do it yourself be prepared for a long drawn out process and to have the job not end up as you might hope in terms of completeness and workmanship.
Repowers done by others can be a dark hole - some yards/mechanics are great but most aren't, unfortunately. Done correctly it takes more time (at yard rates) than most people are willing to spend. There is a lot of grunt work that you could do yourself to speed things along (removal of old engines, cleaning & painting of bilges, replacing old wiring & fittings, etc). In fact, my repower started out with my intent to just do the prep work but once I got into it I just kept going and did the whole job and it came out great. My only yard charges was craning the old engines out & craning the new ones in a month later.
I'm confused: 1) reputable guy? 2) your motors are in? 3) they'll be here in a week 4) 4 months later nothing!
You don't want to send the wrong message duh.
This thief has been playing you like a fish-get an attorney to send him a letter, the boating season is here and you will not be.
Sorry to be so rough but I hate to see someone get shafted and take it. Put his name on the web so others won't be taken too.
I have had four repowers in 15 years and they went down as promised. A little input from the boater was needed at times. $$ for the labor was paid last-motor cost up front.
I work for a dealer and most repower (outboards) are done int one week. even when swapping brands. We do not require any payment in advance exept for a 500$ deposit. to ensure we don't sell the motors. Sorry you had such bad luck.
Dont unleash the dogs on him yet. How about going up to him & recapping that fact that the deal was to have it done in one week. Remind him that although you both agreed on a week - 4 months ago it was a week that was agreed upon. Becasue he chose to go past the deadline does not mean it ceases to exist. Kindly tell him you will consider the week to start at the end of this conversation and at that time you will either 1) have your baot and motors complete or, 2) have your money.
The last time I had a boat repowered (besides doing my own), was 12 years ago. I ordered the engine and left my boat. The old engine (blown powerhead) was traded for labor as part of the deal. It only took a week or two from the time I negotiated the deal to the date I picked up the boat and got break in instructions. I don't remember the exact time it took, but I was happy - and I can be a very impatient person where my boat is concerned.
I think you need to sit down with this fellow and have a long talk. Be strong in your position, but respectfully let him know that your patience has reached it's limit and it's crunch time.
It is my intention to have one more discussion with him to try to sort this out. I don't want to start posting names or anything unil then so as to not hurt my chances of a ammicable agreement. But at that time I will repost to discuss everything so no one else goes thrugh this.
take a tape recorder with you a secretly record the discussion so if you have to get the "dogs" you have a record of your attempts to reasonably resolve the problem. Review what has happened and the oral contract you had with him and the $$ you gave him. This is not illegal it is for your own protection and if needed for the future.
I agree be civil and non threatening, gets you no where.
take a tape recorder with you a secretly record the discussion so if you have to get the "dogs" you have a record of your attempts to reasonably resolve the problem. Review what has happened and the oral contract you had with him and the $$ you gave him. This is not illegal it is for your own protection and if needed for the future.
I agree be civil and non threatening, gets you no where.
good luck
I don't know where you are but in Florida secretly tape recording someone in that situation is a criminal violation as well as inadmissable in court as evidence (against the person taped).
15 weeks behind schedule. I would find someone else to do if I had to drive 100 miles one way. Get your motors loaded in the back of a pick up and your parts. Get the money back for labor costs. And for god sakes get it done. This guy is a greedy - Sorry, I will learn to watch my language - that promises eleven times more work than he can put out. If you screw around much longer you may be september before you get any bugs worked out. The huge mistake you made was paying all of the costs up front. He has no incentive to deliver what he promised, he's been paid in full. Situations like this are why home builders only pay contractors for phases of completion. Otherwise the contractors to degree would drag ass on the work until their funds where depleted, then try and make it up with shoddy work.
Good luck on getting the repower done.
Don
__________________ Get the Captains Club Membership, worth 20 times what it cost's.
All I can say is be upfront and honest with the guy and tell him how you feel. If he can't remedy the situation take your motors boat and parts and run for the hills. Cut your losses and find another shop! you wont get it done by memorial day. but you will get it done.
I'm confused: 1) reputable guy? 2) your motors are in? 3) they'll be here in a week 4) 4 months later nothing!
You don't want to send the wrong message duh.
This thief has been playing you like a fish-get an attorney to send him a letter, the boating season is here and you will not be.
Sorry to be so rough but I hate to see someone get shafted and take it. Put his name on the web so others won't be taken too.
I have had four repowers in 15 years and they went down as promised. A little input from the boater was needed at times. $$ for the labor was paid last-motor cost up front.
Who recommended this reputable guy?
good luck
Gotta agree here. My last repower, including ordering the motor and getting it done, took a whopping 10 days. Build a little fire under his butt.
My repower ...
found the deal on Tues and thought about it overnight
signed all paperwork on Wed and dropped off boat
the shop did it on thurs
picked up on friday am and went straight to the water to start break-in hours.
$500 up front to secure the deal, balance paid in full upon completion.
Could not be happier!
I had an inboard engine blow in early June, shopped around, I was convinced to repower and it was going to be done in 2-3 weeks. I did not get the boat back until the 2nd week of August, you are basically F'd and if you paid him too much then he probably took on some other job with a small deposit and is getting it done
if I ever have to do it again, I would beleive the guy who told me 6 weeks if I dropped my boat off in June.
Had a number of repowers myself, the real key is get PLENTY of references, if the shop/yard/marina has a reputation for not delivering, you will find it with talking to people.
To all those approaching repower, get the delivery date in WRITING.
I also have made this mistake once in the past with a repower job of twin outboards. I gave him $10 grand up front, and he hit me from behind..... stalling and every excuse why the motors hadn't come in yet. I will never make that mistake again....and to this day I wouldn't buy a spark plug from him if it meant driving 100 miles the other way to buy one.
do all repower projects go horribly wrong. 
