Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

I don't like the thought of my boat sitting at the dealership for multiple weeks at a time. If the dealer says bring it in, I expect that service will begin within a day or two and be completed in no more than 2 weeks. I'm not talking about major repairs either: bimini frame, throttle not engaging smoothly, toggle switch bulb... all are warranty items. So how long do you typically leave your boat at the service yard?

Same day, however, I've bought 2 boats from them and my 2 friends have bought 5 boats so I get treated pretty good. I just call ahead, they put me on the list and I bring it in at opening, go to lunch and run around the city having fun then pick up at the end of the day. My dealer is about 60 miles away.

I have joint custody with the dealer. They get it Monday through Thursday and I get it on the weekends. I still managed 126 hours on it my first summer.

Gone both way. When I had the 20 he service done I did like AJ did and called a couple weeks ahead, dropped off first thing and they called me by 1 saying it was done.

But now for winterization it's been there for 3 weeks and I'm picking it up today. They said that's just how they schedule their winterization, just drop it off and we get to it in the order they came in.

I'm not a fan of it sitting out either, I store it indoors so this is about the only time it's been out longer than when on vacation or something. I'm planning on doing oil changes/winterization myself in the future to avoid this as well as to save money, after looking into it it's pretty simple.

I know with our dealer (AJ's reference) it all depends on time of year too. Right now most dealers are absolutely slammed with winterization orders and prepping for the big boat shows.

Typically if you work with the service manager and are flexible with your schedule you can get same day standard services.

My Bu was broken into last time it stayed at the dealer... cut the amp rack and ran. Dealer stepped up and paid the deductible, but it was still a major PIA. My boats will never stay at a dealership (outside at least) again.

Awesome service for ThatGuy and AJ - wish my dealer had this kind of insight.
My bent bimini frame was an issue from day one, bought it new in May - dealer broke a frame screw while putting bimini up. Told me he had ordered a new frame and will put it in at the end of the season. Beginning of Oct. and the frame wasn't even ordered yet, now my boat sits on foreign land in deplorable conditions.

I wouldn't take the boat there until the part was there. It's a bimini...you can do that yourself and have the dealer ship it to you from their source because it wouldn't cost them much more and it's inconvenient to you. That's what I would've insisted on or when the part came then call you and have them install it on the spot while you waited. You need to be a little more firm with your dealer

I also have a great dealer who I have a very good relationship with. I call, they tell me when to bring it, and then I pick her up either the same day or the next. A lot of customers are looking for a few weeks/month of free storage, especially around winter. My dealer knows and appreciates that I will pick mine up as soon as its finished and bring her home, so they dont mind squeezing me in. Like AJ, I too am about 60 miles away from my dealer.

You are right AJ, I need to be more assertive with my dealer. When he told me to bring it in I assumed that they would start working on it within a day or 2. However, I couldn't wait for it because the throttle lever and cracked dash needed to be addressed. I was told 2 weeks so we'll see what the story is tomorrow. On Monday when I called for an update they hadn't even touched it.

It really does depend on the time of the year. If you are getting service when everyone else does a few weeks seems to be the norm. I've seen this all over town.

I'm a big fan of getting to know the service manager. If you and the service manager are good it seems to really help get your boat in and out. If you are a pain in the rear you might get it out fast but you will burn your future turn around times. I've packed and shipped thousands of packages while techs worked on boats. I can tell you that the guys that have the better relationships with the service guys tend to get the best results.

See Dick call and yell on the phone
See Dick bring his boat in
See Dick demand his boat get fixed now
See Dick wait an extra week to get his boat

Don't be Dick......