Dewinterizing - help!
 

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the engine
to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina owner
has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things are
slow, that overhead continues. Personally, I think it's a good idea to
utilize their services from time to time even if you could do it yourself,
because someday you may need their services for something that you can't.

RCE

Dewinterizing - help!
 

"RCE" wrote in message
...

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was
worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the
engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see
if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina
owner has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things
are slow, that overhead continues.


I agree that operating a marina has to be tough. So is operating a
restaurant, bar, retail store or just about any other business.

Unless there is a valid reason otherwise, offer the pre-launch service but
do not put a gun to the head of the customers mandating the service.


Personally, I think it's a good idea to utilize their services from time to
time even if you could do it yourself, because someday you may need their
services for something that you can't.

RCE




A good marina will provide service for you even if you have never utilized
any of their optional services in the past.....they would be silly not to.

Remember that some folks like to tinker on their boats as they enjoy doing
so. Others do it to save money. Why penalize these folks with a
ridiculous prelaunch service that really most any boater can do themselves?

Dewinterizing - help!
 

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
. ..

"RCE" wrote in message
...

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was
worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the
engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see
if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina
owner has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things
are slow, that overhead continues.


I agree that operating a marina has to be tough. So is operating a
restaurant, bar, retail store or just about any other business.

Unless there is a valid reason otherwise, offer the pre-launch service but
do not put a gun to the head of the customers mandating the service.


Personally, I think it's a good idea to utilize their services from time
to time even if you could do it yourself, because someday you may need
their services for something that you can't.

RCE




A good marina will provide service for you even if you have never utilized
any of their optional services in the past.....they would be silly not to.

You missed my point. Sure, they'll provide it .... it they have it to
provide.


Remember that some folks like to tinker on their boats as they enjoy doing
so. Others do it to save money. Why penalize these folks with a
ridiculous prelaunch service that really most any boater can do
themselves?


I am not saying you can't or shouldn't putter on your boat. I am just
saying that if you like have the resources available of a full service
marina, you should use them from time to time, otherwise they won't be
there.

90 bucks? You'll blow that in one afternoon of cruising.

RCE

Dewinterizing - help!
 

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:31:06 -0400, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:

A good marina will provide service for you even if you have never utilized
any of their optional services in the past.....they would be silly not to.

That's true, but the difference is if I call with a problem, or like
what happened on my previous Contender (major gouge by some transient
nimrod), it is taken care of immediately. I have a long term
relationship with these guys and they are very attentive to their
clients who utilize their services. I have my boat on a regular haul
basis once a month - bottom wash, hull wash, back in water.

And if you want to do something yourself, half the time they will just
jump in and help - no charge.

It's a win-win situation.

Some guy off the street might not get that kind of immediate service.

Even though I do most of the work on my boat myself, I have never been
turned down in the past for timely service when it was something I could not
do or needed advice on. Never.

I have also had excellent relationships with the owners and employees of
marinas I have docked at in the past.

Dewinterizing - help!
 

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:31:06 -0400, " JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT
comREMOVETHIS wrote:

A good marina will provide service for you even if you have never
utilized
any of their optional services in the past.....they would be silly not
to.

That's true, but the difference is if I call with a problem, or like
what happened on my previous Contender (major gouge by some transient
nimrod), it is taken care of immediately. I have a long term
relationship with these guys and they are very attentive to their
clients who utilize their services. I have my boat on a regular haul
basis once a month - bottom wash, hull wash, back in water.

And if you want to do something yourself, half the time they will just
jump in and help - no charge.

It's a win-win situation.

Some guy off the street might not get that kind of immediate service.

Even though I do most of the work on my boat myself, I have never been
turned down in the past for timely service when it was something I could
not do or needed advice on. Never.

I have also had excellent relationships with the owners and employees of
marinas I have docked at in the past.


Our marina has several hundred boats. Maybe a thousand. Maybe more. I
don't know for sure.
There are about 14 full time techs that work for the marina. The number
includes a mixture of certified diesel, gas and outboard engine techs, plus
others that refurbish and repair fiberglass and wood. Then, there are others
that work on boat systems in general, water systems, heads, etc. In order
to maintain this level of service, they all need to be generating revenue
for the marina otherwise their positions can not be justified. So, by
utilizing some of the marina services during slow repair periods, you help
the marina maintain a level of capability and response during the more
hectic times.

I've gotten to know several of the techs at the marina we are at. They try
to be responsive to everybody's service requests, but when it gets busy
during the summer months it's well established that customers that utilize
their services for some of the basics during the slow periods get priority
in terms of response time. In our case, with two boats at the marina, once
of which stayed in the water all winter, it is also comforting to know that
the boats are being looked after in our absence, which they do. They do an
excellent job.

On this subject, but away from the main discussion, Mrs.E. was on a mission
during the winter months to refurbish her little GB and the marina staff
did the work. The results are amazing. The boat looks like a model with
all the exterior teak and brightwork redone, and the rest of the boat
cleaned, detailed and waxed. A new full enclosure for the flybridge plus a
new refrigerator and stove top were added as well. In addition, half of the
below water level seacocks and fittings were replaced (the other half will
be done next winter). They really did a super job. All that remains is
waiting for the interior seat cushions to come back from being
reupholstered, and for the new mattresses to arrive for the forward and aft
beds. Sanding and varnish of the interior woodwork be next and we will
probably do most of that ourselves.

If I get down there sometime in the next few days I'll try to remember to
bring the camera and take a few pics.

RCE

Dewinterizing - help!
 

On Sat, 15 Apr 2006 18:06:41 -0400, "RCE" wrote:


" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the engine
to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina owner
has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things are
slow, that overhead continues. Personally, I think it's a good idea to
utilize their services from time to time even if you could do it yourself,
because someday you may need their services for something that you can't.

RCE


I've no problem using their services, when they are actually *doing*
something. I would easily pay for the three hours labor for a 'spring tune
up', which I've done. But, they don't offer that anymore. Now it's $120 for
a dewinterization 'check up'. If the engine won't start, they don't fix the
problem, they just mark the checklist. Then, the customer must call and
schedule the repairs to the engine.

As an earlier poster said, the marina has a waiting list, so they're not
being hurt much. I've never seen them have a slack time!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

Dewinterizing - help!
 

"RCE" wrote in message
...

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was
worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the
engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see
if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina
owner has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things
are slow, that overhead continues. Personally, I think it's a good idea
to utilize their services from time to time even if you could do it
yourself, because someday you may need their services for something that
you can't.

RCE


I dont mind supporting them, but something doesn't add up. I called today
asking about why this is mandated. They said its some regulation. What about
the boats that launch in ramps daily? Makes no sense. Gonna check it out. I
am not complaining about the $90 as much as the fact that it will now take
an extra 2 weeks to get the in water - my last name starts with S and they
are doing these checkups by alphabetical order with 5 mechanics... They have
like 300 boats.

Dewinterizing - help!
 

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"RCE" wrote in message
...

" JimH" jimh_osudad@yahooDOT comREMOVETHIS wrote in message
...

"Dan J.S." wrote in message
...

"JohnH" wrote in message
...
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed
the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was
worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than
checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine
running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The
result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any,
found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the
engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see
if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what
'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

my marina has mandated this service to be mandatory.. its $90 - kinda
sucks, but you cant do anything since there are wating lists to get in
anywhere else..



That sure does suck. Even a blindfolded monkey can do those simple
things.


Pay the 90 bucks and support your marina.

Running a full service marina has to be tough. In order to respond to
patrons' boat problems during the season in a timely manner the marina
owner has to adequately staff with qualified service people. When things
are slow, that overhead continues. Personally, I think it's a good idea
to utilize their services from time to time even if you could do it
yourself, because someday you may need their services for something that
you can't.

RCE


I dont mind supporting them, but something doesn't add up. I called today
asking about why this is mandated. They said its some regulation. What
about the boats that launch in ramps daily? Makes no sense. Gonna check it
out. I am not complaining about the $90 as much as the fact that it will
now take an extra 2 weeks to get the in water - my last name starts with S
and they are doing these checkups by alphabetical order with 5
mechanics... They have like 300 boats.


See? If they could afford to hire 10 mechanics, you would only have to wait
a week! :-)

RCE

Dewinterizing - help!
 

JohnH wrote:
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any, found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what 'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I use to just put the muffs on and go. The only thing I have had to deal
with in the past was finding a drain cock on the block had not been
reinstalled after winterization. So I would run it on the muffs and look
for leaks on the engine and plumbing.

Of course check oil etc.

So of the winterizations I have seen they will intentinally leave some
plumbing disconnected, hoses etc. Thus creating a "need" to return for
dewinterization. I guess some need to check for that ?

Capt Jack R..

Dewinterizing - help!
 

On Mon, 17 Apr 2006 02:44:50 GMT, Jack Redington
wrote:

JohnH wrote:
My marina has a new 'special' this year. Three years ago, they had a
'spring tune up' special. They installed new plugs, rotor, cap, timed the
engine, adjusted carb, checked belts, etc. for $195. I felt it was worth
it, especially given the 'guarantee' for 90 days.

This year the 'Dewinterization' special consists of no more than checking
flluids, all the lights and switches and accessories, and engine running,
for $120. Note that there is no 'fixing' of anything involved. The result
of the special will be a list of items checked and faults, if any, found.
Then arrangements must be made to get the faults corrected.

What I'm wondering is: can I just hook up the muffs and start the engine to
run the anti-freeze out of it? I'm planning to go up tomorrow and see if
the damn thing will run. The batteries are charged, must be installed.
Other than that, and checking to see that everything works, what 'special'
things must be done to 'dewinterize'?

Thanks!
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************

I use to just put the muffs on and go. The only thing I have had to deal
with in the past was finding a drain cock on the block had not been
reinstalled after winterization. So I would run it on the muffs and look
for leaks on the engine and plumbing.

Of course check oil etc.

So of the winterizations I have seen they will intentinally leave some
plumbing disconnected, hoses etc. Thus creating a "need" to return for
dewinterization. I guess some need to check for that ?

Capt Jack R..

Thanks. I'll check it out as you suggested.
--
'Til next time,

John H

******************************************
***** Have a Spectacular Day! *****
******************************************