www.iFourWinns.com

I have 2009 V358 with Inboards
My dealer sent me a list of maintenance items and I selected a couple to be done.(without knowing the cost in advance)

Wondered what you think of labor charges of $480 to Check Twin Engine Alignment. Not fix any misalignment, just check it.

Also, another $480 labor to Remove the props and send them out for tuning and balancing. Again, not including the tuning and balancing, just the removal and sending out.

Seems crazy to me.

Yes, those seem like big numbers. As a comparison, the mechanic I used in November charged $85 per hour for work, and charged about 4-5 hours for both engines when I had to have the props pulled and new keyways installed (long story, my fault) and one prop was sent for re-tuning. I certainly didn't get a "deal" from him, and he didn't do anything with the alignment, so your prop issue should be under $400, I would think, since my stupidity was more involved.

I would also question that unless your performance numbers are off, why do any of it?

_________________
2007 Meridian 341
2008 SeaDoo Speedster 200 "Caliente"
1994 Larson Cabrio 280 "Liquid Asset"- Sold

Get a new dealer or shop. Do not pass "go''. Do not collect $200.00

RUN!!!!

_________________
07 Azure AZ200,
Previous boat,
95 278 Vista,
And a lot of others.

Ontario, Canada

So pretty much their labor rate is $480/hr?

Yeah. Find a new shop.

Now.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread

I'm not that familiar with inboard alignment but how long can it take? 3hrs per engine?
I'd call around and ask what others are charging.

My mechanic charges me less than an hours labor to pull my drive, check alignment, gimbal, bellows, grease shaft, and replace seals. It was less than $100 including the new seal kit last fall when I had him do it.

_________________
2004 248 Vista "Amante"
MC 5.0MPI/B3

I bet they are charging 2 hours per side for each task. $120/hr

2 hours to check the alignment on inboards may not be that excessive. Especially considering how poor access to the coupler between the trans and shaft probably is in that boat. To check it you have to be able to get get at that coupler and at a minimum use feeler gauges to check the alignment. However, depending on the shop they may have a more sophisticated sight gauge that will actually check the alignment by looking through the strut and shaft log to the coupler to confirm alignment. This requires removing the shaft.

2 hours to remove a prop and pack/ship is excessive....very excessive.

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

Thinking about it more, they probably are charging 2 man hours per side per task. The alignment check is probably 2 people, which makes is definitely better, 1 hour each per side. Thinking about it that way, it is not that excessive at all.

It shouldn't take two people to remove a prop. One person should be able to do it with a halfway decent puller in less than 30 mins, add 30 mins. to pack/ship. MAX 1 hour per side. @$240

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

If your boat was at my marina, I would not check alignment unless we knew there as a potential issue. Have you had any groundings or hit anything that causes you to be concerned? Is there a vibration or noise that has you concerned?

Checking alignment is a good idea, but why go through the expense if there is nothing to cause concern?

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

Thanks for the replies.
My performance has been poor, that is why I ordered the work. But really it was just an after thought. They send a form listing all the work that can be done and I had never had those items done and it was easy to just check the box without thinking.

Bad idea.

I wouldn't say it is a bad idea, if you are having issues.

You note that you are having performance issues. What do you mean by that?

A misaligned engine/shaft will kill your transmission/v-drive. Then you are looking at $3k repair.

_________________
Current Operational Boats:
'04-Four Winns 180 Freedom 150 HP Evinrude
'72-Chris Craft Commander 31 Sedan Twin-350Qs

Fixed for prices that OP's mechanic charges.

_________________
1981 Columbia 8.7
2015 Yamaha FZR - 87mph - sold
2006 Yamaha GP1300R - sold
2003 Chaparral 215 SSI - sold
2009 Stingray 195CS - sold
2000 Four Winns H180 - sold
1976 O'day Daysailer II - sold
Rick's Four Winns H180 Mods/Upgrade Thread