Winterization Cost?

[AirNautique211]

I have seen a wide range of cost for winterization of my AN211. What do you guys pay for someone else to do the work?

[AbunDiga909]

RE: Winterization Cost?

Dealer charges about 300 for me.

[AirNautique211]

RE: Winterization Cost?

So, tonite I took the boat in for some serviceat MDBoats in Indy - I had a couple of upgrades, warranty things, and winterization to get completed.

I will tell you what - those guys are great to work with. I have had my boat 2 seasons now and these guys handle all of my needs. Mark D. is the rep that takes care of me, but the few times I have worked with Mark Q. I have been very pleased.

If you are looking to buy and are within driving distance to Indy - check out MDBoats - the guys are honest, fair and will take care of you.

Did I tell you about the time a wheel hub on my trailer exploded on the ramp at Eagle Cove on Dale Hollow? Mark D. brought me a new trailer to use while mine was repaired - he brought it all the way down to KY/TN - 5+ hours each way.

They are great to work with!

Thanks guys!

[redelf75]

Re: RE: Winterization Cost?

Did I tell you about the time a wheel hub on my trailer exploded on the ramp at Eagle Cove on Dale Hollow? Mark D. brought me a new trailer to use while mine was repaired - he brought it all the way down to KY/TN - 5+ hours each way.

Can't deny that customer service. Good job MD!

We were impressed when NE CC brought a demo boat 3 hours from NH to ME for a customer just in case he couldn't fix a problem on site.

[Hollywood]

RE: Re: RE: Winterization Cost?

MD is pretty good, and actually KNOWLEDGABLE about their boats.

[NAUTI84]

:shock: 300? is that as in $'s ? - Yikes!
Actually I'm jelouse of you lucky bastards, playing with these beutiful new Nautiques, living on the lakes and having someone else winterize it.
While I'm in my backyard on Knees and elbows, soaking wet, covered in grease and anti-freeze!
Oh well, i guess its all part of the fun! :grin:

[winebrad]

I took mine to Hammer's in Petaluma and the charge was $110. I have to say that Grant and his Son Chad are a great addition to Jim's Company. I have had a few issues and they have been very good about resolving them.

Brad
02 Air

[DanielC]

Winterization cost is going to vary depending on the type of boat (V or direct drive), where you live, how long the boat os going to be layed up, and if the dealer does any extra work not really required at winterization. You could just pull the plugs out of the motor, let the water drain, and be done with it. I do not recommend this. Put fuel stabilizer in, fill the tank. A full tank gets less condensation in it, and the fuel stabilizer may prevent a fuel pump fron gumming up next season. Change the engine, transmission, and V-drive oils. They might contaminated, or have water in them. This is just a start of the winterization process, elseware on this sight it is explaned. the point is, just pulling the water plugs is about a ten minute process, but doing the whole checkup, oil changes, etc makes your boat last longer, and a lot more reliable next season. i would also expect a dealer to have to do more work in Maine, or Minnesota, than if I lived in southern California, and be charged more. Some dealers also leave the motor ready to run, this usually involves putting anitfreeze in the block and hooking everything back up, other dealers leave hoses and plugs removed, and do that work in the spring when the boat is recomissioned. Do not use this web site to compare what your dealer charges for something as vague as "Winterization" unless you know exactly what is done and maybe even why. By the way, talking to your dealer, or his mechanic for a half hour takes them away from doing some work that they could be getting paid for. I doubt if any boat dealers are getting rich very quickly, and they are putting in very long hours, to keep you all happy. If a dealer does not make enough money to cover his business expenses, and your service will be worse.

[DanielC]

What I meant was, if a dealer does not cover his expenses, he will eventually go out of business, and then your service will be worse.

[redelf75]

What about heaters and ballast tanks? Do they need winterization? How so?

[BigBald]

I would add the same comments for MD....they are great.

I just got my 99 Sport (inboard) winterized....$244 It did go up a bit from last year....but not too bad. Oil and antifreeze prices are high right now.

[DanielC]

Of course you need to deal with everything that has water in during the season for winterization. Heaters, showers, speedometers, water strainers, ballast tanks, bilges, ski sorage lockers, anywhere water could of gotten into. If water is confined into any space, and freezes, something will give, and not the water (ice).