Baller Andy Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 My 89 Barefoot Nautique, which I bought new, has been to a mechanic once for a transmission issue. Carbs and points are easy, but honestly it's been a great boat and virtually trouble free. When I find the 196 w/theZR6, I'll have to learn something new. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller braindamage Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I like doing boat improvements but when it comes to maintenance I leave it to the guys at the shop. The risk/price ratio is just too high. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller jhughes Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 Everything. Working on boats is a relief compared to working on our cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 Unless it is warranty work, I prefer to do all my own work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted February 28, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted February 28, 2015 For the maintenance, mechanical repairs and winterization, I have the dealer do it. However, I did install my shower, heater, and heated seat. Yes, @Horton, I know - "What's winterization?" The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller thager Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have always done my own maintenance work which includes winterization, oil change, upholstery, tune-ups, steering, ZO installation, heater install, electrical, and rudder work, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller fu_man Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have learned more about engines since I got my boat than I ever did with the cars I've owned. I get no enjoyment on working on cars, but I really dig working on the boat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller sharkbait Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 Everthing. 2000 Ski Nautique GT40 Just got done replacing rear main oil seal and damper plate. Had the "rocks in a can" noise only between 700-900 rpm when in gear. Replaced oils, filters and impeller. Polished, waxed, deep cleaned carpet and vinyl. With a heated garage and my old job experience of turning wrench's years ago I actually enjoy it and it gets me through the winter. Parts by Skidim always. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ Wish Posted February 28, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted February 28, 2015 Can do the general stuff...oil, thermostat, impeller, packing, wires, plugs, filters and such. Used to do a little more on my carbed PCM Supra. Changed the wood floor for composite and did the carpet in that boat. But being a skier on a budget DYI, seeking help from friends (have a gear head buddy....sooo knowledgable), web sites like this all help a great deal and keep the cost down. But with all the electronics on the fuel injected computerized motor along with other big things, even help doesn't get it all done so pros are a must. But it really helps to have one of these...300+ pages of help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller ALPJr Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I did almost everything to our 92 MC. Tune up, new carb, fluids, winterization. Only thing I had a pro(a ski buddy) do was rebuild the tranny. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyler_R Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Newer boats I have the dealership work on, my always sitting around old boat projects are all done by me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gt2003 Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 I do the little things as far as winterizing, spark plugs/wires, installed a new radio, oil, lower unit oil etc (yes, I/O...). If something goes wrong and I am confident I can fix it then yes, I do it on my own. Up until now, I've been a pretty good judge as far as where I draw the line between what I do myself and what I have the boat shop do for me. I did rebuild a pair of sea-doo engines a few years back (top end). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Rivvy Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 Almost have to. This sport is getting so costly. Between the time to get anyone to look at a boat and cost to have the work done just doesn't make sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Kelvin Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I try to fix everything myself. It's a pain to take the boat to the mechanic and then I'm without a boat for several days/weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Texas6 Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 Oil changes, impeller, winterize, and general maintenance are all me. Anything inside the motor or unfindable gremlin and she's going in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller RAWSki Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I have installed, heaters, cruise controls, gauges (oh my back!) and changed oil and impellers. But I actually take my boat in to dealer for full going over, oil winterize and suggested service. I have seen too many buddies DIY and then have little issues in the spring like busted heater cores, trans coolers etc. It's worth it for peace of mind and I like to give my dealer some work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
E_T Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 The current state of the intergalactic light ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted February 28, 2015 Baller_ Share Posted February 28, 2015 I forgot that, in addition to heater/shower/heated seat installations I completed in my current boat, I also installed the StarGazer in my previous boat 7 years ago. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DmaxJC_ski Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I try to do as much as I can unless it's computer related. Most dealers around here are about 500 bones give or take a 100 for a winterize/service... I can do it myself for about $100.... 3 or 4 hundy can buy a lot of beer.. And the going shop rate is well north of 110 an hour here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jalama Posted February 28, 2015 Share Posted February 28, 2015 Do almost all of it myself. Carb engine with no electronics makes it easy. I like messing with points etc. It's a good feeling to hear your boat running well and know you had a hand in it. When I first got my boat I took it to a dealer to winterize. They screwed it up so I decided to do all the work myself from that point on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Web Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 I do all my own work unless warranty. I had to take my 2009 Ski Nautique in for warranty, so I brushed the carpet nap all one way before she went in, so I could track them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Web Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 It was nothing serious, just the fuel sender. The level intermittently would not read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller TEL Posted February 28, 2015 Baller Share Posted February 28, 2015 The new fuel injected engines are just so much more reliable gas, oil change, fuel filters, impeller, grease where needed Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BWHITE Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 I have been doing it all. Winterizing, PP Stargazer, plugs, impeller, heater,grease, etc.till 650hrs now. But, what do I do with an electronic ('07 Indmar Monsoon) when it needs more loving? Must have to take it to someone with a computer analyzer and electronic tune up skills? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller oldjeep Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 @Bwhite - there are some commercially available MEFI cables/software but they are not cheap. There is a guy on another board who has been built a couple of his own cables and is getting the data streams out of a Malibu, but is still working on decoding the data that is coming out. One option if you have MEFI 1-4 http://www.mefiburn.com/mefiscan.asp If you have MEFI 5 then it is a lot more expensive http://www.mefiburn.com/mefi5scan.asp Unfortunately it hasn't quite gotten to the point cars are at, where I just plug in my $25 blue tooth OBD2 reader and look at all the data on my phone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller robscholl-OF Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 I just do the easy stuff cuz my best friend/ski partner, the Pro @richarddoane does everything else.....OF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GAJ0004 Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 I winterize, detail, change oil and tranny fluid myself. Do some minor repairs myself, but take it to the marina for tune-ups, engine alignments etc. I bring it to a marina every 400 hours for service. That is part if the reason why I have never missed any skiing due to a breakdown. The season is too short as it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller eleeski Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 Six miles in on a dirt road and crappy trailers. I kind of have to. Doug Moss gives me awesome telephone advice and has correctly troubleshot a couple serious issues. Now I have to fix the GPS issue with my boat... Wait, did anyone really think I am not a DIYer? Eric Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boarditup Posted March 1, 2015 Share Posted March 1, 2015 Unless it is warranty service, I do it all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rayn Posted March 1, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 1, 2015 I keep to the simple stuff that I can't screw up. Oil, Winterize, change out a definitely bad part(thermostat, water pump,steering cable) Did put some skins on I bought from Chee(when you could actually get them from him) Will not do major engine work ie, lifters etc or anything fiberglass or gelcoat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller rockdog Posted March 2, 2015 Baller Share Posted March 2, 2015 When I say "I" do everything, I mean "we". Dad is a long time motor mechanic with passion for boats. Not much he can't do. Soon to retire though so no more factory to work in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swardco Posted March 2, 2015 Share Posted March 2, 2015 '91 Prostar. Oil changes, winterization, impeller, spark plugs, transmission fluid changes, belts, hoses, manifold gaskets... If something bad happens it will go to the shop. Haven't had to do that yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoProblem Posted April 4, 2015 Share Posted April 4, 2015 I've always done everything myself. Luckily, the only part failure I've had was a fuel pump. Pretty easy to replace. The only thing I didn't do was install the tower. That's because I dropped it off so that they could build the tower to the boat. Other than that, it's all me. The list includes; all regular maintenance, winterizing, now on the third stereo system including sub enclosure and elimination of tower speakers B) , gauge and switch panels reworked for elimination of Airguides and addition of PP Stargazer, design and install of ballast system which includes entire trunk redesign to accommodate custom ballast sacs, rebuild/reshape swim platform, install FAE, underwater transom lights, all new bunks and inner fenders. I'm sure there's more. Installed pop up cleats! I even do my own hoisting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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