"Boating is expensive!"

breausaw · Posted: Mon Aug 16, 2010 8:06 pm Post subject:

My main is a Honda; I make a point not to buy anything with Honda stamped on it. The Fram oil filter on my Honda civic is the same one I put on the outboard, any marine gear case oil will do, but I’ll opt for High quality Wally World 10:40 at 3 bucks a quart. All these products either meet or exceed the manufacture recommendations, and it all gets changed every 100 hours, twice a season; about 25 bucks a pop.

Everything else seems to cost $$$$$$$ Cocktail

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:52 am Post subject:

One caveat-

Marine grade motor oils contain extra additives to prevent corrosion on internal parts when the engine sits unused.

Also, the new Suzuki oil is a synthetic blend, just for the record.

And yes, guys will sell this stuff online for less. But that extra cost from the local guy is for the convenience factor, and it helps keep him in business, so when you have a problem, he's there to help.

Captains Cat · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 11:59 am Post subject:

localboy · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 12:24 pm Post subject:

Matt, I'm not saying "don't buy local...". All I'm saying is the prices were a bit high IMO. MOST of my original post was meant as toungue-in-cheek sarcasm (Meredith is a champ at it Laughing

).

Now I don't know exactly what the profit margin is on the supplies I bought and I have no issue w/ a fair profit margin (it's what business is all about after all, and drives the economy), but the retail price of that oil filter is what really chaffed my wallet. The thing is smaller than my coffee cup. I know it's small potatos in a world of $70K boats and $10K outboards, but if it had been $10 or even $12 I wouldn't have even noticed it. That same dealer did the original 20 hour service and it was nearly $500. I'd have gone back to you (Kitsap Marine where I bought the boat), but with the drive, distance, location and bridge toll, this local Suzuki dealer was just [obviously] more convenient for us.

Matt Gurnsey · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 2:06 pm Post subject:

I knew you weren't saying that. And I haven't even checked to see what we charge for that filter. I want to encourage you to buy from the local guy, even if you bought the boat from us, just as we want people who live near us but bought their boat elsewhere to come to us for parts and service.

ccflyer · Posted: Tue Aug 17, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

Just wondering whether any Brats have calculated what it costs per hour to own your C-Dory?

I use Quicken and log my seasonal hours so I'll take a shot at putting a number together over the next several days. I recall being told I'd never want to do this but, if I did, I should cost it out by day and not by hour. Cry

DaveS · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:42 am Post subject:

Wefings · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 6:13 am Post subject:

A bit of warning on those cheap cardboard Fram filters . They are inferior and cheap . We had a fellow that had two of them come apart and clog his oil system costing him not 1 , but 2 powerheads on a pair of Suzuki 140s . I still cant or wont try to justify the regular price increases by all motor manufacturers on everything, but sometimes you can "cheap " your way into some big expensive problems . Honda oil at this time is 2 or three bucks cheaper than Suzuki . Has the "Marine" rating . FC-W. Just make sure its the right grade for your motor I.E. 10/30 or 20/40 .
From Yamaha's info
Yamalube 4-M surpasses Yamaha factory requirements
Superior formulation for a higher level of bearing protection
Superior rust and corrosion resistance
Polymers that resist breaking down even under the severe high load, high speed conditions common to outboards, water vehicles and sport boats
More anti-wear additives than regular passenger car motor oils
And the highest amount of detergents and dispersants, needed to keep your marine engine clean inside.

Maybe its so expensive since BP has cornered the market on dispersants ?
Marc

DoryLvr · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 8:54 am Post subject:

Cost to run my C-Dory -

Staying out of the Shrink's office -$100/hour
Not accompanying wife to store -$150/per trip
Not buying fish at the store - $15/meal
Not having to pay for hotel when traveling - $75/per night
Lifelong learning while boating approx -$150/credit hour

Heck I could go on, but so far I think my boat is saving me money! I think I may need a bigger one to save more Very Happy

1TUBERIDER · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:04 am Post subject:

I was thinking how expensive to change oil. Cost me $100 for my twins.
At the time of purchase the counter gal told me I could save money by purchasing the honda oil for mowers. I though great recommendation for them to get more expensive motor repairs later. I bought the good stuff.

The alternative to maintaining a boat that you can use whenever you desire is to rent or go on charter boats. Then you loose the whenever you desire benefit. I would rather own my boat.

patrick and linda · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 11:22 am Post subject:

boat ownership, like playing the lottery, requires that one, not be good at math!
best regards
pat

ps: leaving thursday afternoon for a 3 1/2 day cruise!

DaveS · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 12:57 pm Post subject:

Wefings · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:09 pm Post subject:

Actually from what I understand the NAPA filters are made by WIX , which has a good reputation for quality .We took those Fram filters apart and they just disintegrated . I would bet that Kubota is fleecing the tractor dealer and they are passing the fleece along . Most dealers have a standard markup to achieve their goals and business plan. We have seen Yamaha parts pricing go up almost weekly recently . We cant quote a part that is not in stock until we check the current price . It crazy . Its also time consuming for my parts guy .
Just the way it is these days .
Marc

Will-C · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:11 pm Post subject: Boating is expensive!"

kids are much worse than boats if you are talking about total cost

DoryLvr · Posted: Wed Aug 18, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject:

I have been buying the West Marine brand of oil and filters for both the gear casing and engine with no issues for the last 200+ hours. I have also been buying the fuel/water separator filters and in-line fuel filters from West Marine as well. My Yamaha dealer told me that while he wished I would buy from him instead, that it didn't void the warranty and that the oil and filters "technically" met the standards, the biggest concern was quality control of the non-name brand items. I can't believe that there are widespread issues, otherwise a store like West Marine would go bust. I have seen the way the watermen on the Eastern Shore who depend on their boats for their livelihood treat their hulls and engines, they certainly don't baby them the way we do, they run them hard and use what is cheap, and they keep going. I have the feeling that it is frequency of use, or rather the length of non-use that affects the engines.