Fixing stuff yer self is rewarding

[feeez]

DIY.... rocks. Just yesterday the admiral and I did oil and filter changes on our engines and generator. That would have cost us over $400 in labour alone. Haul out next week, sad but it has been a great season

[Viper]

Qr Bbpost.....That would have cost us over $400 in labour alone.....

Really? What's their door rate?

[Carcare]

That's an ambitious job. I did a little canvas work on my last boat repairing seams and snaps, but a whole top ? I'll think about it.

[mjk1040]

Ah DIY! Yep, changed both engine oils and oil filters, got the generator done too. Drained and blew out the water systems and filled with antifreeze. Blew out and winterized the AC units with antifreeze. Blew out and winterized the generator. Cleaned out both shower sumps and antifreeze. Pumped off for the last time this season and antifreeze. Waiting for haul out to finish up, change sea pump impellers, and winterizing the engines. Another fine season of boating, seems like we just launched her. Mike

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost

Qr Bbpost.....That would have cost us over $400 in labour alone.....

Really? What's their door rate?

Viper
If you are referring to their hourly charge it is 110/hr. For end of season work they have a flat rate charge
Oil change - 110 per side
Fuel Filters - 65 per side (are ya kidding!!!!)
Genny oil change - 110

So that is $460 plus Tax labour only. This year I bought all my filters from Amazon... Pretty good deal and delivered to my door.

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost Blew out and winterized the AC units with antifreeze.

Mike,
I am interested in your AC winterizing technique. The last 2 seasons we have disconnected the hose from the through hull, raised that hose above the pump, rammed a funnel in the hose and fed the antifreeze through the AC with the pump running until it comes out the side of the boat. It is kind of awkward. I have thought about forcing the the antifreeze from the outside and out the bottom of the boat (we are doing this after haul out). I am not sure about this as my AC unit is above the cabin. Are you using a compressor?

Fraser

[mjk1040]

No Fraser! I bought the $ 100.00+ Sea Flush funnel with all the attachments. I use a shop vac to blow out the system both ways. Go to their web site and watch their demo video's. Mike

[Viper]

Fraser, are you saying that it's $65 to replace a fuel filter?

[RGrew176]

Yep, there is a certain satisfaction when doing some of this stuff yourself. You save the labor charges and there is a certain amount of satisfaction when doing it yourself. When I pull my boat I am going to have them winterize the engines and A/C. Probably also have them do the oil changes. The rest I will do myself.

[feeez]

Qr Bbpost Fraser, are you saying that it's $65 to replace a fuel filter?

Yes Sir.... and you can add another 45 to that price if they are not winterizing the the engines. 65 + 45 we are back to the 1 hour of labour to do just about anything.

Fraser