A Day in the Life of.....

[Shlbyntro]

Being a boat mechanic can be fun. I get to play with other people toys/pride and joys on a nearly a daily basis and I'm usually getting paid to do it.

but........

























no, its not always glamorous.

and yes, my labor rate is much higher for certain types of work.

Have a great weekend guys!

 

[DaveC]

Morning, shitter is full

 

[boatdoc55]

Being a boat mechanic can be fun. I get to play with other people toys/pride and joys on a nearly a daily basis and I'm usually getting paid to do it. View attachment 1099786

but........

























no, its not always glamorous.

View attachment 1099787






and yes, my labor rate is much higher for certain types of work.

Have a great weekend guys!

When I got started in the biz I made a pact with myself, if it didn't make the boat move forward or back I wasn't going to work on it. That was in 1979!!!

 

[BingerFang]

Had roofing guys working at my house…. One of the workers asked if he could use the bathroom.

Me- Sure bud, no problem.

If they weren’t working for dirt cheap I woulda shot the fucker and buried him in the backyard.

 

[DWC]

Had roofing guys working at my house…. One of the workers asked if he could use the bathroom.

Me- Sure bud, no problem.

View attachment 1099816


If they weren’t working for dirt cheap I woulda shot the fucker and buried him in the backyard.

At least he didn’t throw it in the wastecan.

 

[BingerFang]

At least he didn’t throw it in the wastecan.

He was a white guy! Lol

 

[DWC]

He was a white guy! Lol

Makes sense. One of those tell me you are without telling me you are.

 

[Shlbyntro]

feminine waste products were clogging the system and caused a bellows blow out on the vacuum pump. I spent the last 2 some odd hours clearing the stuff out of the lines with a fish and a shop vac but will have to order a new bellow and play with more bodily waste another day

 

[clarence]

Every Formula salesman I've talked to seemed surprised I was so adamant about not wanting a head on a 240/270BR.

Never, ever want to deal with it.

 

[LazyLavey]

HATE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS..!!

Had it a couple times when my daughters friends were not properly briefed..

Now we have briefing prior to take off....

P P P only...... Pee, Poop and Paper......

and thank you American Airlines for the donation

 

[RichL]

Every Formula salesman I've talked to seemed surprised I was so adamant about not wanting a head on a 240/270BR.

Never, ever want to deal with it.

This makes me laugh. The head on my 292 has never seen use (to date) and I'm the third owner.

 

[monkeyswrench]

@Shlbyntro , I call it "the sliding scale"...adjusting labor rates for things that suck. With cars now, pretty limited. With construction, a constant. We used to call roofs with lots of pipes and penetrations "spaghetti farms". No straight runs, lots of detail work and things that can go wrong.

@BingerFang , hell no! My guys used a shit sauna on commercial gigs, but residential, closest burger joint or gas station. With a steady diet of beer and burritos, any of us would blow up a restroom! No human should endure that!

 

[liquid addiction]

Dammmit!! How about a warning. I was just starting to work on a chocolate shake that I have been craving for a couple weeks.

 

[rrrr]

Being a boat mechanic can be fun. I get to play with other people toys/pride and joys on a nearly a daily basis and I'm usually getting paid to do it. View attachment 1099786

but........

























no, its not always glamorous.

View attachment 1099787






and yes, my labor rate is much higher for certain types of work.

Have a great weekend guys!

Is that a Chaparral 280 open bow? They're damn nice boats, but can you imagine the hassle of towing a tuber with that beast?

As for unclogging the toilet, I have experience. In a one week interval back in 2008, I had to deal to with it in our Chaparral 260 and our Sea Ray 290. It's not fun. Tampons clog the little macerator wheel, and the toilet has to be removed from the head to access it.

But you already knew that.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Formula 31PC

 

[JJ McClure]

Shitty job - Bandit

 

[sintax]

holy crapppp I think I would have sent that boat down to Davey Jones locker to look for my lost AR's and filed an insurance claim. That is a shitty job

 

[HAVASUSUN]

That reminds me that the boat we have in the Abacos has a bad pump for the shitter tank. Last time we were there I could not get the part I needed so I left it full of piss and those blue tabs. That was two months ago. I have a new pump and supplies and will be there in a couple weeks. Gonna be a fun job!

 

[bonesfab]

Being a boat mechanic can be fun. I get to play with other people toys/pride and joys on a nearly a daily basis and I'm usually getting paid to do it. View attachment 1099786

but........

























no, its not always glamorous.

View attachment 1099787






and yes, my labor rate is much higher for certain types of work.

Have a great weekend guys!

just a long drill bit through the bottom should take care of that.

 

[boatdoc55]

feminine waste products were clogging the system and caused a bellows blow out on the vacuum pump. I spent the last 2 some odd hours clearing the stuff out of the lines with a fish and a shop vac but will have to order a new bellow and play with more bodily waste another day View attachment 1099846 View attachment 1099847

Fuck that!!!!!!! Stick to what a boat mechanic does, engines and whatever is behind it to make it move.

 

[Shlbyntro]

And the 280 Searay is going back together today. Ive been on the phone all morning and it's been going slow. but im hoping ill be fully assembled by end of day. And then I get to play with it!

some pics in no particular order

 

[Kachina26]

feminine waste products were clogging the system and caused a bellows blow out on the vacuum pump. I spent the last 2 some odd hours clearing the stuff out of the lines with a fish and a shop vac but will have to order a new bellow and play with more bodily waste another day View attachment 1099846 View attachment 1099847

Should have used a fish with a plunger. That way you wouldn't have to get dirty.

 

[Dr Rob]

HATE IT WHEN THAT HAPPENS..!!

Had it a couple times when my daughters friends were not properly briefed..

Now we have briefing prior to take off....

P P P only...... Pee, Poop and Paper...... View attachment 1099852
and thank you American Airlines for the donation

Aside from toilet paper, do not put anything in this toilet unless you ate it first. We have this sign in our Carver.

 

[Shlbyntro]

one of my toys for today, a 28ft Chriscraft Corsair. unfortunately stbd engine overheat and it needs a housing. more pictures to come when I get back to it with fresh parts in hand, until next time! now on my way back to my Regal I put a transmission in to button up the bow thruster install

 

[Shlbyntro]

in case any of yall ever wondered what goes into installing a bow thruster, complete and udder destruction is the answer. and then it has to be put back together.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Being a boat mechanic can be fun. I get to play with other people toys/pride and joys on a nearly a daily basis and I'm usually getting paid to do it. View attachment 1099786

but........

























no, its not always glamorous.

View attachment 1099787






and yes, my labor rate is much higher for certain types of work.

Have a great weekend guys!

You don’t have to share everything with us.

 

[Shlbyntro]

You don’t have to share everything with us.

you would know if I was sharing everything. trust me

 

[Shlbyntro]

back together. I'm calling it a night. well technically I called it about an hour ago and brought some beers to the guys who have been helping me out on the 280 Searay.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

one of my toys for today, a 28ft Chriscraft Corsair. unfortunately stbd engine overheat and it needs a housing. more pictures to come when I get back to it with fresh parts in hand, until next time! now on my way back to my Regal I put a transmission in to button up the bow thruster install View attachment 1101585

Is that at LTM? I saw one of those being delivered like 3 years ago. Beautiful boats..

 

[attitude]

Funny you mentioned you bought beers for the guys helping you. I was just going to ask what happens if you find yourself doing a job that you need some more hands to help? Is there a mechanics network who help each other out?

 

[HST4ME]

Glad my days of bilge rat are pretty much over.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Is that at LTM? I saw one of those being delivered like 3 years ago. Beautiful boats..

Crosswater Marina

Funny you mentioned you bought beers for the guys helping you. I was just going to ask what happens if you find yourself doing a job that you need some more hands to help? Is there a mechanics network who help each other out?

Yes and no. I am fortunate to have made friends with a lot of upper management at most of the marinas in my area. Im good at playing by their rules because I am a very by-the-book cya mechanic and I am a hardass with my customers. I don't let them cut corners and make them do things right or tell them they can find another mechanic. Marina management likes that, and most my customers do too.

I have a lot of my own accounts for parts but occasionally when I need big ticket genuine factory parts there is a local shop I buy them through. (such as the transmission for the 40' Regal) My 28' Searay has also been sitting on one of their service trailers for the last month because of the unexpected engine replacement. There was some horsetrading involved regarding the use of their trailer but they have helped me out in a big way more than once and I do my best to return the favor. these are the guys I brought beer to tonight but I will also bring it to the equipment operators at some of the marinas, for after hours of course it just helps grease the wheels for when I need something.

 

[Shlbyntro]

My Project for today. I worked on this boat for the previous owners and now the new owners. It is one of my favorite boats on the lake and today's work is the coveted "Triple, Triple"

3x oil and filters,
3x tuneups,
and 3x Impellers

Then later I get to walk down the dock and pull the carburetors off this 90ft beauty and start preparing her to be operational again.

 

[paradise]

in case any of yall ever wondered what goes into installing a bow thruster, complete and udder destruction is the answer. and then it has to be put back together. View attachment 1101617 View attachment 1101607 View attachment 1101610 View attachment 1101611 View attachment 1101612

Is that the final on the thruster? Seems like that thing would buffet like crazy at any speed? Curious how that works

 

[Shlbyntro]

ya its an aftermarket bolt on unit. The customer insisted on having it even though the boat didn't really need it. The boat is amazingly easy to drive for its size, I just don't think he ever got the hang of it.

It sits just below the water line so when the boat gets underway it lifts up out of the water. I think the measurement was something like 5" to center below the water. I spent 4 hours measuring and 4 seconds drilling if that makes any sense.

I'm personally not a fan of them but they're getting more and more popular and they are well built units despite being ugly as sin

 

[Shlbyntro]

sometimes you only get these views when you work late

 

[Shlbyntro]

Home Sweet Home

 

[attitude]

That is a beautiful lake, does it stay warm enough to boat year round?

 

[Shlbyntro]

Most here call it an 11 month lake. We have our cold spells during the winter but there's usually breaks of 60s and 70s between the occasional freeze. usually the Freezes don't last more than a day or 2 but you may remember Snowmageddon from a couple winters ago

 

[Shlbyntro]

another one ready to be shipped off to California

 

[Shlbyntro]

I made an emergency call this evening. Luckily the thunder storm that was supposed to come never materialized so it didn't cost as much

happy customer and easy money. I wish they were all this way.!

great view on my way out

 

[Shlbyntro]

today's lesson:

do not use permanent weather tape OR epoxy for a temporary weather solution!

I've been peeling this crap for the last 2 hours on just a single window hatch. Hes going to have to get a professional to come take care of the residue

 

[HNL2LHC]

today's lesson:

do not use permanent weather tape OR epoxy for a temporary weather solution!

I've been peeling this crap for the last 2 hours on just a single window hatch. Hes going to have to get a professional to come take care of the residue
View attachment 1104072

I feel your pain. I have homeowners secure doors & windows in their homes the same way for years and can’t understand the damage that they cause and added expense.

 

[Riverryder]

another one ready to be shipped off to California View attachment 1103390

Why? Sold it to someone? New rebuilt?

Thanks for sharing this stuff with us!

 

[manxman]

today's lesson:

do not use permanent weather tape OR epoxy for a temporary weather solution!

I've been peeling this crap for the last 2 hours on just a single window hatch. Hes going to have to get a professional to come take care of the residue
View attachment 1104072

Try Naptha, or lighter fluid, works great and wont harm the gelcoat. It softens the glue residue. https://www.amazon.com/Ronson-ounce...&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583589110297996&th=1

Amazon.com: Naphtha - M6500047 Size 1 gal. : Industrial & Scientific

Buy Naphtha - M6500047 Size 1 gal.: Industrial & Scientific - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

 

[Ace in the Hole]

I feel your pain. I have homeowners secure doors & windows in their homes the same way for years and can’t understand the damage that they cause and added expense.

I got pissed one night when I was slightly "intoxicated" read as far beyond h20 decoder status.. My sunroof drain had been leaking and ford had tried multiple times to remedy my wet carpet. Well I was over it. Gorilla tape had came out and I taped that son of a bitch shut lol. When I sold it two years later the guy asked me about it..I was honest. He told me it was awful to remove later on when he did try to fix it. Liquor logic is quite powerful.

 

[Dan Lorenze]

What a cool job you have.. I would imagine you have a few well to do customers that just need a guy to take care of things for them.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Why? Sold it to someone? New rebuilt?

Thanks for sharing this stuff with us!

commissioned build for a guy out in Long Beach for his SeaRay. I can say that I'm not a fan of the mechanic on the other end

 

[Shlbyntro]

What a cool job you have.. I would imagine you have a few well to do customers that just need a guy to take care of things for them.

income is never brought up between my customers and I, but some of them do pretty well and I do have a few fringe benefits in the mix

 

[braindead]

today's lesson:

do not use permanent weather tape OR epoxy for a temporary weather solution!

I've been peeling this crap for the last 2 hours on just a single window hatch. Hes going to have to get a professional to come take care of the residue
View attachment 1104072

acetone!

Lay some rags over the tape and soak the rags for a couple mins in the acetone