Hi all
Had a chat with my boatshed manager today regarding repairs required to my '22'. I need a new seal fitted as existing one is perished and letting in water. Have previously mentioned this on other topic and suggestion was £2-300 for work to be done. £900 for labour alone is the estimate plus parts !!. Not much I can do about this other than have another drink.  On top of this news, I was asked if the gear change was working ok. It's an electric shift (magnets employed) requiring the neutral button to be pressed prior to pressing the forward/reverse buttons when a change of direction is required. I was told that parts are not available for this system due to it's age. I am now a worried man as I have a boat which could be rendered useless if this system fails. Does anyone else have this set-up fitted or can someone advise me of parts availability if and when required ?.
Cheers

Crikey!  That seems a lot for a seal repair.  I'd've thought that these things were made to be accessible?!

We have a shaft drive (and a cable-driven gearchange) so I don't know what's involved at all, but, if I were you, I'd ask around on other forums for other types of boat who use the same sort of seal arrangement.

Gosh!

"If in doubt ask about" sorry but I dont know about your problem but I am always a bit cynical about boat yard engineers they have it a bit too easy in my opinion, £900.00 for labour! How many hours is that? Trouble is you are stuck and they know it.
As Brian says do as much investigating as you can yourself, maybe it is a big job.

I paid £300 for a new 'Log' and that included the part, and aligning the engine.

It has not leaked a drop since fitting, and hasn't been touched all season.

If yours is an outdrive, it may be different....

Hi

Yes, got me by the short & curlies so to speak. To shop around would involve me getting the boat trailored to another yard with all the hassle involved. Four days labour equala £900 apparently. The work involves removing the leg, fitting the seal and re assembling, which, although I am no fitter, seems a long time to take over such a job. No takers on the electric shifter then ?

Cheers

Never seen one....

Four days to remove a Leg???

WTF  

As previously mentioned the quote seem way over the top. Try getting on to Fairline Holiday Club web site. They cater for Fairline cruisers who seen to have a variety of different propulsion motors/ drives. Tony, the administrator, is also a first class engineer and has a wealth of knowledge. I am sure that he would be aware  of such a drive system.

"£900 for labour alone is the estimate plus parts !!. Not much I can do about this other than have another drink.

How about scouting around for a touring mechanic?  Our marina doesn't have a resident mechanic, however... a local chap has just left an established boatyard to set up his own business and he tours the local marinas doing work on boats.

Is there someone like that in your area?

Hi Brian
It's a rule of the marina that no work is carried out other than general maintenance/cleaning etc. They've pretty much ensured that if serious work is to be done, they'll be getting the job. Although the marina is in a beautiful setting with good facilities, i'll be seriously considering alternatives come renewal in Spring.

And if it does end up with you having to pay £900 for 4 days work, I would spend all of those 4 days watching the mechanic.  That way, you can (a) learn how to do it yourself next time and (b) check that it does indeed take 4 days.

By the way, which marina is this?

Brian
Good idea, if I can spare the time. Waveney River Centre is the place, Norfolk Broads.

Quote :

"Waveney River Centre"

Looking at it in Microsoft's Virtual Earth... Very nice.  Lots of trees though.  Oh, are they permanent chalets down to the south-west or are they holiday lets?

They are privately owned but let out. Not sure what general rates are but as an 'occupant', I can hire for £200 pw, very useful if your boat is out of the water as mine is !!. The trees are more apparent from up above though they're not really noticable on the ground. I'm in the dyke which can really test one's skills when the tide is strong. What really amazes me about the place is that it is accessed via of a few miles of very narrow roads. It's amazing what they've achieved in such a place.

I have to say that it does look very nice.