Boat mechanic needed

Looking for someone that’s honest, fairly priced with a quick turnaround time to replace the water pump and perform other annual services. Who do y’all recommend and what should I be looking to pay? I have a 2016 Yamaha ShO. Looking for the Fort Worth area

I’m sure there may be a few exceptions, but it’s likely that anyone that is honest and affordable has a significant backlog. I’d be more suspicious of anyone offering a quick turn around. Although water pump replacement is pretty straight forward.

I brought by boat in last year and it took over 2.5 months to get it back. I was frustrated and everyone kept telling me, “I bet you don’t bring it back to them.”

Actually I would, because I’m confident when I pick up my boat it’s not going to leave me stranded due to any fault of theirs.

It sucks going months without a boat, but I have had poor experiences with those that guaranteed a quick turnaround.

So do you have a recommendation?

If you in the Forth Worth area, Look up Aaron Towner @ Texas Boat Works. They are out of Azle. I take my boat to them and they do all my motor maintenance and electrical upgrades. He does have a wait, but that is because he is fair and honest. If you need his contact information let me know.

I’ve got his contact. I didn’t realize he did things outside of just electronics. I appreciate it man

No Problem. I do not think he advertises the motor stuff because he is so booked with electronics. I like having a one stop shop for all my needs when it comes to my boat.

Adams marine in Whiskey flats. Been using him for years

There is an axiom in construction. You can have 2 out of 3.

1) Good.
2) Cheap.
3) Fast.

>If it's good and fast, it won't be cheap.
>If it's good and cheap, it won't be fast.
>If it's cheap and fast, it won't be good.

My 500hour service last fall was around $550 here in East Texas. That's water pump impeller, plugs, fuel filters, oil change, oil filter, lower unit service, and a few other small things. I'm sure it has gone up some since then. You can do it yourself for about half that, but you will probably need another set of hands to help pull the lower and put it back on. My dealer here usually has less than a week turnaround on a simple service like that. I always schedule it the week before I take it in. No way I would wait 2.5 months for a super simple service like that. That repair for one tech is less than an hour of actual work.

One thing that the factory suggests that is often overlooked is the timing belt. Factory recommends checking it regularly and replacing every 1000 hours or 5 years. I have a buddy who saw a SHO go boom the other day when his belt broke on his 250 SHO. The belt costs @ $185 but is good insurance versus a new power head.

the problem you have is that "quick turnaround" consider it is just annual maintenance. Most good shops are up to their necks in boats getting their annual maintenance right now and will be for several months to come. Get in line. Two good ones around here is Sartens and Service Marine.

shops that aren't crowded watch out for.

Charlie's Outboard in Alvarado does good work. Been around a long time.