Steering shot -aftermkt replacement

[sven]

Just spoke to my marina (Irwins Red Bank, NJ) mechanic today and he's quoting me 3-4 hours labor (at 120 per hour). So I'm looking at almost a grand to fix when you throw in $200-250 for the part and the $200 fee they charge to pull the boat. I dont have a trailer so im kinda screwed. Thats why i was hoping i didnt have to pull the motor. If i didnt have to pull the damn motor I'd do the job myself. If i have my boat hauler pull it for me and block it that alone is pretty big expense in itself, so I might as well just let the marina mech do the job. This boat costing me too much! I'm still dealing with an overheat alarm so once i get the steering done who knows what.... [just did the water pump - pees fine so i think it may just be the stats which looked like crap - though they did open at 135 degrees on the stove when i tested which concerns me that it may be some other problem]. I wish I could afford a new boat and have a few years problem free! maybe one day.

[sven]

If I do it myself I will post some pics....i owe this site alot so I will give a little back....it may not be pretty and my mug is one ugly mug so bare with it....

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by sven

Just spoke to my marina (Irwins Red Bank, NJ) mechanic today and he's quoting me 3-4 hours labor (at 120 per hour). So I'm looking at almost a grand to fix when you throw in $200-250 for the part and the $200 fee they charge to pull the boat. I dont have a trailer so im kinda screwed. Thats why i was hoping i didnt have to pull the motor. If i didnt have to pull the damn motor I'd do the job myself. If i have my boat hauler pull it for me and block it that alone is pretty big expense in itself, so I might as well just let the marina mech do the job. This boat costing me too much! I'm still dealing with an overheat alarm so once i get the steering done who knows what.... [just did the water pump - pees fine so i think it may just be the stats which looked like crap - though they did open at 135 degrees on the stove when i tested which concerns me that it may be some other problem]. I wish I could afford a new boat and have a few years problem free! maybe one day.

Ugh... That's rape in the first degree. (IMHO) For that kind of money it might pay you to look in Craigslist for a trailer and do the job yourself. $700 is a lot of money to spend for no tangable return. ($120 x 4 = $480 + $200 = $680 x 7% tax = $727.60) That's pure LABOR and you still have to pay for the part(s)

At least if you buy a trailer you have:

1) A trailer
2) No slip fees (in your locale at least $1200 annually)
3) Easy access to doing any work on the boat that
you want to do.
4) The ability to go to lakes, rivers and shores that are
out of your reach right now.

I used to have a slip at Leonardo State marina and a much bigger boat, but the State kept increasing slip fees and truthfully, as I became an empty nester the larger boat was more trouble than it was worth. So I downsized to a V20 and left the slip and the expense to others. To my way of thinking, trailering is the only way to go. It's easy, cheap compared to slips, and gives me freedom to go where I want.

This is, of course, assuming that you have a house where you can keep the boat, a vehicle that can tow it, and the skill to do your own repairs. If you don't then forget everything I just said and pardon an old salt for spoutting off.

Oh.. and I used to have that same kind of overheat problem with my 200 Merc...turned out to be one of the overheat sensors on the motor. Might want to check them out before you spend any more money

[reelapeelin]

Sven...don't go down on the first quote you get...look around and find an individual who's capable, has a trailer and will do the job w/out stressing your wallet...there are guys out there who'll do a good job for you and not wipe out the life savings...

[macojoe]

For a Grand I would cut the shaft and remove the steering, buy new Hydraulic steering and install myself! No need to remove the motor or boat from water that way

[willy]

The Wind Talker makes a good point, for that much money you can install a power set up yourself.
Sometimes MJ you are pretty sharp, inspite of what Bob and Tim say about you.

[bigshrimpin]

This hynautic k6 rams bolt to the front of your motor (and don't use the tilt tube at all). They work with seastar lines/helm and you can easily put a set together for that price. If you don't want pull the boat out of the water . . . just use a sawsall and cut the old steering out in pieces and buy one of these setups.



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Hynau...ssoriesQ5fGear

[sven]

I just may do that (cut old off and install hydaulic system) if i can get a new system for not too much cash. Thanks for that advice!