Winterization Costs

JayMan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 2:23 pm

ThatGuy wrote:

Another thing, maybe I'm in the minority here but don't you either ask what the charges are for something or at least get a copy of what you're having done prior to giving the ok? I know before I towed my boat into the dealer I called ahead to schedule and inquire about costs. Then when I dropped off my boat they printed off a work order/invoice and had be sign for approval. They kept a copy and gave me one as well. I haven't picked up my boat yet but know from having service done over the summer that I will get a final copy of the work order/invoice when I pay and pick up my boat once it's complete.

Does everyone not do this? I'm not discounting the ass plundering they're giving you one bit, but still, I feel you dropped the ball somewhat here as well if this is coming as a complete surprise.

Yep. I won't commit to anything without knowing that final price or at least a solid quote. If any additional work is done they should get your approval before doing it. It only takes getting burned one good time before you take the cautious route.

ercAXISA22 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:26 pm **Posts:** 30

I'm at fault for sure. I dropped my boat off with an assumption of what it would cost. I was wayyyyyy wrong. Lesson learned and it won't happen again. That is certain.

JayMan · **Posted:** Fri Oct 16, 2015 4:01 pm

It happens.. I actually had my truck in the shop this week and they jacked the price up by a couple hundred bucks when I picked it up. Some businesses just use shady tactics and you have to call them out on it. At the very least it may help the next customer. See if they will work with you on the labor..that's pretty ridiculous.

SomeYeahoo · **Joined:** Thu Jan 22, 2015 6:21 pm **Posts:** 213

I think my winterization was $160-170. Add 50 for the heater. $299 to include the oil change. They recommend doing the V-drive and tranny every other year, so this year is the lower charge, next year it'll be higher.

ercAXISA22 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 03, 2014 9:26 pm **Posts:** 30

I found a Malibu/axis dealer closer to my lake which will put me in line with what others are paying. I paid the ridiculous cost to my dealer to stay on good terms but I will only be using them for warranty items now. With storage included, I'll be paying about 1k less next year.

2015T22 · **Joined:** Sun Aug 10, 2014 9:19 pm **Posts:** 36

You guys should try doing this yourself. I just spent $65 and 1.5 hours winterizing and changing the oil/fluids and that includes the 20 minutes or so getting the boat up to temp. It requires zero mechanical ability or tools (ok, you need an oil change pump, a wrench and a flat head screw driver) but it really doesn't hurt to familiarize yourself with your boat. There is a great thread on the process. The OP was charged 5hours labor which is nuts.

r33pwrd · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2015 7:25 pm

2015T22 wrote:

You guys should try doing this yourself. I just spent $65 and 1.5 hours winterizing and changing the oil/fluids and that includes the 20 minutes or so getting the boat up to temp. It requires zero mechanical ability or tools (ok, you need an oil change pump, a wrench and a flat head screw driver) but it really doesn't hurt to familiarize yourself with your boat. There is a great thread on the process. The OP was charged 5hours labor which is nuts.

Personally I paid for it this year as it's the first year with the boat and I want dealer service records while still under warranty. Next year I'm all over it

ThatGuy · **Posted:** Wed Nov 04, 2015 9:22 pm

I'm with the guy above. Plus I had some warranty issues they needed to address.

What are you guys doing with the batteries? They said they disconnect them and recommend I put a trickle charger on them a week before first use in the spring. Anything else needed?

jdiaz78 · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 7:51 am

ThatGuy wrote:

I'm with the guy above. Plus I had some warranty issues they needed to address.

What are you guys doing with the batteries? They said they disconnect them and recommend I put a trickle charger on them a week before first use in the spring. Anything else needed?

I'm also curious about this. My boat has been winterized and being stored indoors. My batteries are still connected, but the battery switch is off. Is there a problem with this? The storage is heated if that matters.

AJWest · **Posted:** Thu Nov 05, 2015 2:24 pm

jdiaz78 wrote:

ThatGuy wrote:

I'm with the guy above. Plus I had some warranty issues they needed to address.

What are you guys doing with the batteries? They said they disconnect them and recommend I put a trickle charger on them a week before first use in the spring. Anything else needed?

I'm also curious about this. My boat has been winterized and being stored indoors. My batteries are still connected, but the battery switch is off. Is there a problem with this? The storage is heated if that matters.

Trickle chargers are fine if the battery is ready in good condition or topped off. I'm not a fan of trickle charges for my boat batteries. I'd rather have a quality onboard smart charger that can desulfate batteries and can actually monitor the batteries. If you don't float much and have a decent cruise time to the dock then your alternator should do a decent job but if you sit a little while with the stereo playing and have a short cruise back then your battery is being put away somewhat depleted and not recharged right away which is not good for the extended life over time. I do quite a bit of floating and music playing so that's why I use a nice 50A onboard charger for my 4 batteries. Rule of thumb is to pick a charger that is 10% of your total amp hours (200 amp hours = 20A charger). This is the model I use but the same company, Promariner, also has the ProSport 20 which is probably the most popular charger used for 2-3 battery setups.
http://www.anchorexpress.com/promariner ... rger-63150

ProMariner ProSport 20A
http://www.anchorexpress.com/ProMariner ... oCpBTw_wcB

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Winterization Costs

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