Monday, April 8, 2024

How Much Do Boat Mechanics Charge Per Hour

Hourly Rates For Maintenance Work

Judge Can’t Believe What This Mechanic Charged per Hour for His Labour! | Judge Rinder
Messages
133

Peterlewis321 said:Am sure lots if folk are having annual maintenance work done at the moment on their pride and joy. Am curious to see how the labour rates fare by location…..we use a great company in Denia to keep our boat in shape and they typically charge labour at 40 per hour for basic maintenance work , 45 per hour for anything electrical or related to the Volvo engines and drives, and 55 for works on the Williams jet tender. All plus the dreaded IVA of course!Am guessing the rates in the Balearics etc are much higher than this…..? And maybe lower in some other areas…..? Be good to see how it differs!!

Bristol
Conwy

BruceK said:Dunno. I am the first to admit that I hate not being quoted for a whole job but told an hourly rate and am also the first to admit that anything boat is difficult to put a time limit to because each boat is unique and when you start scratching the surface all the gremlins pop out. I have extreme respect for marine engineers because I invariably end up having to do the work myself because I can then at least budget on parts. In so saying, any marine engineer selling himself at your prices is under selling himself because working on these things is nothing but pain and frustration.

Messages
3,012

How To Price Your Services To Attract Business And Make A Profit

By Stephen Fishman, J.D.

Independent contractors can charge for their services in a variety of ways, such as a fixed amount for an entire project, an hourly fee, or a sales commission.

No matter how you bill clients, however, you first need to figure out how much to charge — even if you charge a fixed fee for the whole project. You can’t determine how much your fixed fee should be unless you know roughly how many hours the job will take and what you need to earn per hour to make it worth your while.

If you’re experienced in your field, you probably already know what to charge because you are familiar with market conditions. However, if you’re just starting out, you may have no idea what you can or should charge. If you’re in this boat, try using a two-step approach to determine your hourly rate:

  • Calculate what your rate should be, based on your expenses.
  • Investigate the marketplace to see if you should adjust your rate up or down.

Who Are The Top Employers For A Boat Mechanic

These are some of the top-rated companies that hire marine mechanics:

  • U.S. Navy: The United States Navy is one of the nations seven uniformed services, engaging in naval warfare and allied services. You can get a competitive salary and excellent perks and benefits at the organization.
  • U.S Marine Inc. : USMI is well-known for its diversity, excellent wages, and employee welfare. Currently, 510 employees are a part of the growing workforce that strives to bring integrity and quality in all aspects of its work.
  • Tiara Yachts: Headquartered in Holland, MI, Tiara Yachts employs 750 professionals in different areas of its manufacturing activities. An average boat mechanic at the company can earn about $43,000.
  • Aqua America: Aqua America is one of the U.S.s largest drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure and service providers. It also offers an average annual salary of $56,979 to boat mechanics.
  • Big Rivers Electric: Big Rivers Electric is a medium-sized utility services organization based in Kentucky. Zippia.com has ranked the company as#1 in the Best Utility Companies to Work For in Kentucky category.
  • Sea Ray Boats: Founded in 1959, Sea Ray Boats is a leading manufacturer of recreational motorboats. It currently operates as part of the Brunswick Boat Group, a division of Brunswick Corporation. The company offers an average marine mechanic salary of around $45000 per year as per recent trends.

Also Check: Remove Mold From Boat Seats

How Much Does It Cost To Service An Outboard Motor

Lets talk about saving you some green $ when servicing.

Our first tip in saving as much money as possible when servicing your engine is to simply keep a log of your service records.

This doesnt have to be a rocket-launch checklist. In fact, you only really need to keep track of three main pieces of information:

  • How many hours are on the engine at the time of service
  • What was the date of the service
  • Exactly what components got changed during the service

A little organization goes a LONG way when it comes to boat maintenance.

If you want to save money on the maintenance cost per year, then youll need to get creative on how to do it by playing around with the log. Let me explain.

Most of the time, if you are paying a shop or mechanic to service your boat, there is a labor charge involved.

Whether the labor cost is $100 an hour or $150 an hour, there is always going to be a charge for the time the mechanic was involved with your service.

Generally, the time rate involved with servicing an engine is roughly 2.5 hours .

When the impellers are swapped, the lower units on the engine have to be removed in order to be changed.

Everything You Should Know About Transmission Repair Costs

Craigcat gas

Transmission repair cost can be very expensive and cost to rebuild transmission can range from $1,100 to $3,200, based on your particular car model and where youre taking it to get fixed. Transmission rebuild cost is so high because it has several complex components, most of which are simply irreplaceable and can cause significant damage to your vehicle.

On the bright side, you may not have to pay exorbitant transmission replacement costs if its minor repairs that are required. Most of the time, its something as simple as a leak, which should cost a few hundred dollars at the most. Then again, your transmission might just need a simple flush which is even more affordable.

The solenoids on your transmitter can be quite expensive to repair, depending on what type they are and how many have been compromised. Your cars specific model and the type of parts that it requires will also contribute to the new transmission cost.

Don’t Miss: Bitlife Boating Test Answers

Boat Upholstery Repair Cost

Boat upholstery is more about the material that covers the seats on a boat, and if you just recently purchased a utilized boat that has older seats, or if the upholstery is worn out due to the weather condition, you might be thinking about getting the seats reupholstered to create a more recent look. Reholstering, usually, will be more affordable than purchasing brand-new seats.

Farm Machinery Mechanicsmedian Rate $33 Per Hour

Most positions in NZ pay between $30 and $40 per hour. Companies vary in their overtime policies with some paying a slightly lower hourly rate with overtime between 1.5 and 1.6 of the base rate where others choose a higher flat rate of pay. The dairy industry turns down in2015/2016stabilised rates but now recovery is occurring rates are moving.

You May Like: Freedom Boat Club Newburyport

Two Common Problems With Fiberglass Boats

Air bubbles in fiberglass laminates weaken the hull yet are almost impossible to see by the naked eye. There are so many layers of fiberglass in the hull that air bubbles in the innermost layers are undetectable. When complete, it is impossible to inspect most fiberglass hulls as decks and other structures cover them. If the boat sits in the water for long periods of time, these air bubbles can appear as blisters on the bottom of the hull. If the blisters are left unchecked they can destroy your boat. Usually, an expensive bottom job is needed to repair the damage and there is no guarantee the blisters return.

If you store the fiberglass boat on a trailer, it may cause eventual damage to the trailer itself. Fiberglass boats are extremely heavy, so it can cause a lot of strain on the trailer.

Heres Where The Savings Come In

How much do I make doing mobile mechanics?

The cost of labor, impellers, seals, and thermostats together is about equal to the cost of the anodes, plugs, and belts.

You can spread the expense by scheduling half the expensive parts during one service and the other half the next.

Essentially, you are equalizing the cost per year over every year.

In other words, instead of one year costing $1000 in service and the next year costing $500, well split it up and it will cost an even $750 per year, every year.

This will save you more money per year by keeping more cash in your hand, instead of having a large, and expensive service all at once!

An additional benefit to scheduling your service dates is knowing exactly when your service will be, and what you will need to do to your boat .

Don’t Miss: Boat Seat Mildew Remover

When Or How Often Should I Bring My Boat In For Service

You want to follow the service schedule outlined in the owners manual for your marine engine, and for other systems on the boat that require service for example a watersports boat may need to have the water ballast system winterized at the end of the season. The same will be true of fresh water and head systems on cabin cruisers.

Engine service is usually required annually or by the hours of operation, and will include an oil and oil filter change, fuel filter change, check of valve clearance and inspection or replacement of the water pump impeller. A good tech will note other areas of your boat that may need service attention to avoid trouble down the line.

Looking for more information on boat maintenance and ownership? Read…

A Couple Of Typical Issues With Fiberglass Boats

  • Air bubbles in fiberglass laminates deteriorate the hull but are nearly impossible to spot with the naked eye. There are many layers of fiberglass in the hull that air bubbles in the innermost layers are very hard to detect. When finished, it is difficult to check most fiberglass hulls as decks and other structures cover them. If the boat is in the water for longer periods of time, these air bubbles can look like blisters on the bottom of the hull. If the blisters are left unattended they can damage your boat. Normally, a pricey bottom job is required to fix the damage and there is no assurance that the blisters wonât reappear.
  • If you keep the fiberglass boat on a trailer, it might lead to some eventual damage to the trailer itself. Fiberglass boats are very heavy, so it can lead to a great deal of pressure on the trailer.
  • Read Also: Mildew On Boat Seats

    The Do It Yourself Route

    Now that I have scared you from doing it yourself, let me tell you how to do it yourself. Disclaimer – if you go down this path, you might be saving money, but you won’t be saving your time or your nerves.

    Then again, this might be one of the most fun DIY projects you will ever have undertaken in your life.

    How Much Does A Marine Engineer Charge An Hour

    How much does it cost to get your boat surveyed?

    How much does a Marine Engineer Charge an hour?

    £25 + per hour

    £40.00 + £50 an per hour

    The average price for an experienced Marine Engineer is £40 £50 an hour often plus VAT. Usually they are considered experienced in their field and should easily spot faults quickly and efficiently. They are usually equipped with a vast range of specialised tools for the work.

    £50 + £70 per hour

    Usually charged by the top brands in the marine industry such as Volvo Penta and Yanmar. They will have access to the latest specialised and expensive equipment for the job including computers.

    Servicing

    Most companies charge by the hour but some may give a fixed rate for winterising or re-commissioning an engine. They may also have fixed rates for an Annual Service on an outboard. This will not cover any service parts needed.

    You May Like: Freedom Boat Club Milwaukee

    What Are The Additional Expenses

    If you will be doing the repair work yourself, you will have to get the right tools and materials to finish the project. These materials might consist of a fiberglass filler, gel coat, gel coat reducer, non-reusable spray tool, buffing substance, wax, and/or sandpaper. The tools required should include a heat tool, sanding block, rotary tool, and/or safety equipment. These costs will depend upon which materials/tools you get and their brands.

    If you do choose to get the boat restored with brand-new carpet and/or furnishings, for instance, then the expense of these new products might be something to think about. For instance, if you want a brand-new captainâs chair, you will need to spend on the labor of removing the old one and putting in the brand-new one in addition to acquiring the chair itself.

    What Does A Boat Mechanic Do

    You hire a marine technician to maintain your boat and its engine, to prepare it for off-season storage, or to repair any system that is not functioning correctly. As an alternative to performing your own maintenance, the service of a quality technician will help keep your boat reliable and your time on the water trouble-free. In most cases, a good tech has skills and tools you probably dont have.

    You May Like: Freedom Boat Club Cost Jacksonville

    Do You Need To Rebuild Your Transmission

    For one, your car probably wont be safe to drive until youve rebuilt the transmission, especially if the damage is really extreme. Plus, rebuilding your transmission will also help you avoid a lot of car trouble down the line, which might occur as a result of malfunctioning components.

    It might be a good idea to invest in a transmission rebuild now so that you can save money later by avoiding future malfunctions. While your car might seem to be working just fine, the transmission could still possibly give you issues, especially if youve been driving your car for a while now.

    The best way to avoid costly repairs down the line is to rebuild the entire transmission, and one of the best ways to save money on the rebuild would be to purchase the transmission from a junkyard instead of your standard dealer.

    Type Of Welding Project

    How Do Boat Engine Hours Affect Used Boat Value

    The type of welding project also impacts the overall price. For larger projects, as a welder will give you an estimate upfront based on the specifics of the job, type of metal to be used, wages, and other considerations.

    Here are a few example prices for common interior welding jobs:

    • Baby gate for top of stairs: $550$750 for one full day of cutting, one full day of welding and construction, one to one and a half full days of grinding and painting, and a few hours of installation.
    • Room temperature wine cellar gates: $1,200$1,800, depends on how much scroll work or vines and grapes are requestedgrape clusters are $10$15 each.
    • Chilled room wine cellar gate: $2,200$2,800, including wages for three people for five to seven full days of grinding, painting, finishing, cutting, design or CAD work, welding, ordering materials, and other tasks.

    Pipe repair is another common reason to hire a welding specialist. Pipe repairs cost an average of $120-$160, nationwide.

    Also Check: Freedom Boat Club Membership Fee

    How Much Does Boat Maintenance Cost

    Almost everyone wants a boat. But

    not everyone wants to pay for the maintenance of the boat!

    When it comes to the costs associated with boat maintenance, things can get expensive.

    Thankfully, there are several methods you can use to save you some sweet cash in the process of taking care of your boat.

    Before we dig into the details of how to save as much money as possible. When performing outboard maintenance, lets define what maintenance really means, shall we?

    Maintenance, or service, is the process of swapping out old parts of your engine for new ones. These parts are what are considered service items.

    This change of parts keeps the engine running properly when items wear out or become dirty with continued use.

    Your normal service items on a two-stroke engine include the following:

    • Boat fuel filter
    • Lower unit seals
    • Sacrificial anodes or zincs

    Depending on the age of the engine, the fuel-injected two-strokes will also have screens and filters on the Vapor Separator Tank.

    While these arent necessarily considered normal service items. They are still considered service items.

    Now, when it comes to a four-stroke engine, you typically have to service all of the exact same parts found in a two-stroke with the addition of the engine oil and oil filter.

    Most people wonder why it costs more to maintain a four-stroke over a two-stroke.

    Sell It From The Water

    Take your prospective buyer out for a short cruise and make them fall in love with your boat. It will be much easier for them to see the value in your boat when they know just how much fun it can be.

    While youre cruising, tell them about all of the fun trips youve been on and explain to them the unique features of your boat. After looking at a few boats, the prospective buyer is much more likely to remember their fun boat trip versus the boat that they looked at in someone elses driveway.

    Read Also: Cost Of Freedom Boat Club Membership

    Mobile Mechanic Albuquerque Nm Service Cost

    Your Albuquerque NM mobile mechanic charges only the base cost of parts, plus our flat rate $30-60 per hour labor fee.

    There are several main factors that determine labor rates. Dealerships are generally more expensive than independent repair shops. One of the main reasons is because consumers see them as being more qualified to work on their cars. In some cases this might be true, but in some cases it isnt. Dealerships generally have brand specific diagnostic tools that are very expensive and this adds to their labor cost as well.

    Another determining factor for labor rates is where the shop is located in Albuquerque NM. Where it is located in the city and which city it is located in both play a role. If it is in the middle of town where building lease rates are high the labor rate will probably be higher. If they are located in a small town they will usually have lower labor rates. Some cities have higher rates than other similarly sized cities.

    As far as a reasonable rate, there are also several factors to consider here as well. The main thing to think about is are you getting good service and quality work done on your car? If the answer is yes then you should be willing to pay a premium for that since it is so hard to find.

    Most independent repair shops charge between $80-$90 per hour and most dealerships charge between $80-$125 per hour.

    GET PEACE OF MIND WITH OUR EASY TO UNDERSTAND, TRANSPARENT QUOTES.

    LOW OVERHEAD MEANS SAVINGS FOR YOU.

    Popular Articles
    Related news