Who does your mechanical work??

Over the years I've wondered who carries out the mechanical work, servicing etc. on the boats in the loch. Having had various "professionals" (tongue firmly in cheek ) carryout warranty work on my boat(s) over the years I get the impression it's a bit hit and miss. There doesn't seem to be any urgency about them to get your job done, everything seems a bigger problem than it really is and it reminds me very much of the motor-trade in the late 80's. I have diesel engineers in the family, and now my warranties expired I get them to do my servicing etc. in exchange for a cruise up the loch ...but I still get stuffed for the exorbitant cost of spares...it seems the word "marine" on a box or filter adds at least £20

Who does your work and who would you confidently recommend ??

I normally do most of the servicing myself and purchase the spares from Trickett marine see web address.
http://www.trickettmarineproducts.co.uk/
I have used Nick O'Donnell who normally does work for Ardlui and Rhu, but also covers Cameron House Marina he is a bit pricey. Also Colin Camburn who used to work for Prossers and has now gone freelance does works at Cameron House Marina and does an excellent job and is slightly cheaper than Nick O'Donnell. Colin I would say is more reliable and will tell you exactly what is required and approx how long the job will take plus he will start the job on the day he say's unlike others that I know.
Sometimes it is better to source the parts yourself as many local suppliers will charge the earth. Trickett marine are good on price and quick dispatch. I have also used Boatfix in the USA www.boatfix.com especially for drive leg kits and gaskets etc. It is really down to individual preference and recommedation from other customers. Nick and Colin do an excellent job and I wuld recommend on using them.

John

I am a mechanic to trade and like John do most things myself. But as the marina has no lift out facilities yet. ( Although I understand it is due to be started later this year)

I use Eddie Crossan down in Balloch.
I found him very good and not too expensive depending on what you need done. He was also kind enough to let me valet my boat on his trailer while he serviced the leg a few years ago using his electricity and water supply.

I used Ardlui they have a proper boat lift and will block up the boat as well. They anti fouled my Bayliner and Nick O'Donnell carried out the Drive leg work and I serviced the engine and repainted the drive leg and gave it a coating of anti foul to ward off corrosion on the Merc Bravo 3 drive leg. Also gave the whole boat a good polish with 2 coats of wax. All in the boat was out the water for 6 weeks so the hull could dry out.

Overall cost was £1400, but I had buget for £2000. Only issue was the travelling from Cumbernauld to Ardlui and back 110 mile round trip, but was worth it.

Work carried out,

Anti foul hull 2 coats
Engine service
Shift cable replaced
Oil pipe replaced at drive leg as they normally break when drive leg removed
Gimbal bearing and all bellows replaced,
Raw water pump replaced as impeller and body almost destroyed.
Anodes replaced and prop cone anode added to B3
Polish and wax
Drive leg re-enamelled and anti-fouled
Hydraulic drive leg trim cylinder leaking oil. Repaired and new hoses fitted
Top up oil levels.

If using Ardlui have the boat lifted out in September before end of boating season.

John

Hi Guys,

There is a place in Dumbarton ind est called Lennox Motor Factors. The chap in there is able to cross reference almost any Mercruiser or Volvo part number. Over the years I have found a saving of up to 40-50% in parts cost. You would be surprised how simle these engines are to work on wit only a basic mechanical knowledge.

Allan

Hi Guys,
Colin Camburn & Eddie Crossan are both very good and I would recommend them to people in Cameron House. I am sorry to hear John has named me as pricey and a little unreliable. I do try to be fair with pricing and always do a first class Job.It can be hard to run to an exact daily schedule when I have 80 something boats to look after, many of which often require extra work once started. This extra work is usually expected to be accomodated by the boat owner and I do my best to please everyone. I carry out a wide range of repairs but specialise particuarly in mercruiser and have the latest laptop based diagnostics if anyone requires my services in the future.

NickOESEngineer wrote:

Hi Guys,
Colin Camburn & Eddie Crossan are both very good and I would recommend them to people in Cameron House. I am sorry to hear John has named me as pricey and a little unreliable. I do try to be fair with pricing and always do a first class Job.It can be hard to run to an exact daily schedule when I have 80 something boats to look after, many of which often require extra work once started. This extra work is usually expected to be accomodated by the boat owner and I do my best to please everyone. I carry out a wide range of repairs but specialise particuarly in mercruiser and have the latest laptop based diagnostics if anyone requires my services in the future.

Hey Nick

This needs a tune up..........



Sorry could'nt help it.

On a more serious matter I have a technical question you might be able to help with. I'll post it in the boat yard.

Paul

OMG

I read about this ages ago, So thats who it was

http://www.lennoxherald.co.uk/dunbartonshire-news/dunbartonshire-news/loch-lomondside-news/2009/04/10/false-alarm-loch-lomond-rescue-operation-sparked-114557-23334351/

NickOESEngineer wrote:

Hi Guys,
Colin Camburn & Eddie Crossan are both very good and I would recommend them to people in Cameron House. I am sorry to hear John has named me as pricey and a little unreliable. I do try to be fair with pricing and always do a first class Job.It can be hard to run to an exact daily schedule when I have 80 something boats to look after, many of which often require extra work once started. This extra work is usually expected to be accomodated by the boat owner and I do my best to please everyone. I carry out a wide range of repairs but specialise particuarly in mercruiser and have the latest laptop based diagnostics if anyone requires my services in the future.

Hi Nick I did not quote you were not unreliable only certain individuals that I have dealt with in the past. Check out specsavers they do some great offers on reading specs. Quote I did say you do an excellent job and you are a bit pricey. Hey that is the cost of running a boat plus good to see you are on the forum we just need Colin to chime in for tech stuff. I forgot to mention that you do have a well stocked mobile workshop on four wheels in me last post to the members. One thing I should have mentioned is that you guys are very busy during the boating season and if any boat owner requires work to be done they should contacts you all in advance for availability instead of last minute .com. I assume I should have a few hours banked by now that you have been mentioned on the forum.

Anyway good to see you on the forum. Can you pass on the site to Ardlui members that way we have a larger coverage of boat owners on the loch who can use the forum. Cheers

John

Hi John
Quote " I did not quote you were not unreliable only certain individuals I have dealt with in the past". Checkout Clydebank college they have some good English classes!
As for the "hours in the bank" gag. Do you remember when you were last at Ardlui you informed me I should have charged you more for previous work, (after I saw the price of your new boat). That will still apply if you don't button it! Of course, this is assuming you want to use me again. I am excellent but a bit pricey!.
I have alot of specialised Knowledge & tools particuarly in the Merc side of things. You get what you pay for my friend!!
Anyway, I am pleased to be involved in the forum and where possible will be glad to help advise with tech stuff providing its not taking work away from other Engineers. I am sure you can appreciate this.
Nick.

Nick I have passsed on your name to a number of boaters as you do a great job always. The forum is good for engineers like yourself and others who join the forum as it is good for business as seen on USA forums. I hope Colin, Eddie and Neil eventually chime in as you all have specialist experience in different areas associated with boating.

Welcome aboard the forum.

John

Thanks John.
Nick.

I use this guy, He's very good & reasonably priced, he's a Volvo Diesel specialist but does do work on all Diesels. I've never asked him about petrols but I'm sure he's brushed up on them as well. The great thing for me is he comes to my driveway to do the work so coming to the Marina would not be a problem as well. He does charge for mileage as well but if a few guys got repairs/servicing done together this would cut out multiple mileage charges. I would highly recommend him.

NickOESEngineer wrote:

Hi John
Quote " I did not quote you were not unreliable only certain individuals I have dealt with in the past". Checkout Clydebank college they have some good English classes!
As for the "hours in the bank" gag. Do you remember when you were last at Ardlui you informed me I should have charged you more for previous work, (after I saw the price of your new boat). That will still apply if you don't button it! Of course, this is assuming you want to use me again. I am excellent but a bit pricey!.
I have alot of specialised Knowledge & tools particuarly in the Merc side of things. You get what you pay for my friend!!
Anyway, I am pleased to be involved in the forum and where possible will be glad to help advise with tech stuff providing its not taking work away from other Engineers. I am sure you can appreciate this.
Nick.

Is this your toolkit

Love the Reg Plate

Hey Paul

I reckon you dug that out of your old archive of pics from your apprenticeship days




I'm right am i not

I have to give a recommendation to Nick O'Donnell, I spoke with him about 3 weeks ago for the 1st time and booked in a date for this Friday, he got in touch a couple of days later to say he had doubled booked and brought me forward to today (bonus). He was waiting for me in the car park at 8am sharp as agreed, I was impressed with the array of tools he had in his very well stocked van, he had all the diagnostic software, laptop etc from my engine, I was impressed with his ability, enthusiasm, knowledge and professionalism, we hopefully have found the issue I have had since last season and certainly won't hesitate to use him again.

I do reserve the right under Scottish law to remove or modify this glowing report if Nick attempts in anyway to take the piss with the bill

You will be ok with Nick he does do a good job and will no doubt pin point the fault.

Good luck