Winterization - How much is too much?

[Indy]

Guys I know it's too early to open this thread, but truth be known I dropped the boat off this afternoon. Between Grad school and work there is just no chance it will be back out again until Spring. Stinks for me!

Anyway the premium winterization with stabil, oil change, 3 ballast tanks, heater etc. . is going to run me over $400. I think too much water is getting in the boat when I leave the boat in the water overnight so to "water test it" is another $100, Then there were a couple other little things and before we knew it we are talking $600 bucks.

the dealership is good and I understand they need to make money too just seems steep. How many of you do your own winterization procedures?

[CMW]

sounds similar to the premium winterization my dealer charges.... that does include an oil change though... worth it to me to know it is done right.

[pokesgrad02]

If you are handy at all I'm sure someone has a youtube video out there showing you how to do everything you need to. I winterize and do all of my own maintenance. It is pretty simple once you have someone walk you through it.

[vision]

Value is dependent on the service provided. To simply make your boat safe for freezing weather takes less than 10 minutes. I do this throughout the winter as we ride in the warm days.

But many folks use the term winterization for performing both freeze protection and routine maintenance. To do everything recommended for the 100 hr service interval is much more time consuming.

So winterization costs of $400 is reasonable providing they are doing more than just freeze protection and an oil change.

[obd666]

before we knew it we are talking $600 bucks.

screw that !?!?! hahaha

gotta learn to do that stuff yourself, and is really the only way to know it has been done to your satisfaction. Its not hard, and this is just the place to gather all the necessary info.

[azeus17]

Lets be honest...If you can not find time to ride, you most likely are not going to find time to wrench. I would rather pay $600 to the dealer than $300 to some Wal-mart tech that says they can do it.

[Nordicron]

I never paid my dealer to do it but think their piece was about $400 total which included oil change. They broke out prices also, $75 for the heater and $25 for each tank.

[swc5150]

I guess if you spend $80-120k on a boat, $400 isn't much. I, however, will always do my own maintenance. I'm not convinced that the local dealership service guy is any better than the Walmart guy, plus I want to use the products of my own choice. Your dealer will likely not use a Motorcraft or K&N filter, or premium oil like RP or M1. Granted many will say these products are not necessary, but that's ones own choice. (BTW, the 200 jumped 2 to 3mph WOT immediately after dropping RP in the motor, so I'm sold.) I remember after my 196's 20 hour service, the oil filter used was so cheap I practically could've poked my finger through it, and that was from an awesome dealership. I guess if I absolutely didn't have the know how to do it myself, I'd purchase the materials myself and pay the dealership to do the work.

[obd666]

I'm not convinced that the local dealership service guy is any better than the Walmart guy

thank you

[swc5150]

That is unless I'm taking my boat to Jody's shop:-)

[AirTool]

I guess if I absolutely didn't have the know how to do it myself, ....

I agree. Sometimes I wish I didn't know so much. I hear ignorance is bliss.

[TxJole]

I guess if you spend $80-120k on a boat, $400 isn't much. I, however, will always do my own maintenance. I'm not convinced that the local dealership service guy is any better than the Walmart guy, plus I want to use the products of my own choice. Your dealer will likely not use a Motorcraft or K&N filter, or premium oil like RP or M1. Granted many will say these products are not necessary, but that's ones own choice. (BTW, the 200 jumped 2 to 3mph WOT immediately after dropping RP in the motor, so I'm sold.) I remember after my 196's 20 hour service, the oil filter used was so cheap I practically could've poked my finger through it, and that was from an awesome dealership. I guess if I absolutely didn't have the know how to do it myself, I'd purchase the materials myself and pay the dealership to do the work.

Thats statment gets me everytime. No I can afford to pay cash for my boat because i'm smart with my money and don't throw $600 at something I can do with alittle knowledge. Same with my lake house, anytime I get a quote on anything it's 10-20% higher because I can afford a lakehouse.

[swc5150]

Sorry to offend you

[DanielC]

You need to find out what the dealer does for a winterization. Then you can make a more informed choice.

[swc5150]

Thats statment gets me everytime. No I can afford to pay cash for my boat because i'm smart with my money and don't throw $600 at something I can do with alittle knowledge. Same with my lake house, anytime I get a quote on anything it's 10-20% higher because I can afford a lakehouse.

I normally wouldn't respond like this, but your statement has chapped hide as well. You're making me out to sound like some weenie saying, "what's the difference, you can afford it!". That couldn't be further from the way I feel. I would expect winterization and storage to be considerably more on a large and expensive boat than $400 - not sure where I said $600? I maintain my own boat, so here's a different example of what I'm talking about. I dropped big scratch on my Coversports cover for my last 196. Why, because it's the best, and since I already spent a considerable amount (to me) to buy the best boat, what's another $750 to get the best cover? With maintenance, I'm not convinced the dealership will provide the best service, that's why I do it myself. I live on a lake as well, and pay the BS tax rate because other voters assume I can afford it. But I pay because it's worth it to me. In relation to what a person is going to pay for a new SAN, I don't think $400 is out of line for service, BUT it certainly can be done cheaper if done yourself - like pretty much everything in life.