a new used boat

[dirtvet]

Well thanks for the input on my other post, and I'm happy to say that I am the proud new owner of a 20' Spectra. It runs great, but it needs work! When Summer is over I would like to get it painted or gel-coated and the upholstery redone. I was hoping that I could get some good referrals on some local shops.
Thanks in advance, any info would help.
-Steve
PS. hopefully I can post some pics soon.

[RiverLife]

SWEET!! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Congrats on the new toy. I'm sure you'll me more than happy with it and I guess it will be at Cottonwood Aug. 3rd for the Hot Boat photo spectacular?!?!? I am also doing my boat after summer but only know of So. Cal. shops. I can get the names and numbers if you like.

Jason

[Rude]

congrats on the new boat!! you'll definitely have to post some pics when you get them. as far as advise on where to go i'll tell you my story. i dropped my boat off at A&M marine in boulder city in february (i think it was way back then, it's been so long i really can't remember). my plan was to have the interior redone this year with new gel next year. well i still don't have my boat back!!!! from what i've seen of my boat the work has been very good (the upholstery was actually done by Jim's Custom Upholstery also in boulder city right across the street from A&M). but it has taken a very long time. it's partly my fault because when i dropped it off i told them i was not it big hurry and that i wanted it done right the first time. it seems they have taken full advantage of that "not in a big hurry" statement. make sure you give them a deadline. well wouldn't you know everything that came in behind mine seemed to get done before my boat. during this process i told about a mechanical problem i wanted looked at. they recommended All Seasons Marine in BC. ok sounded good to me. i haven't been in vegas long so any recommendations helped. after being told they were 2 weeks behind i waited my turn patiently. my boat finally made it to All Seasons early last week. the only thing i wanted was an estimate to fix the problem areas. one week later he still had not looked at the boat!!!! so to make a short story long, he has until tomorrow afternoon to get me an estimate or i'm dragging my boat to another shop. these are the only three boat shops i've had any dealings with in vegas so take it for what it's worth. sorry for the long drawn out sob story. any ideas on other shops would be of great help to me also. i have an evinrude o/b though if that makes any difference on the where i would take it. good luck! http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif

[RiverLife]

Yeah, be very carefull on what you say to these shops, they are usually very good at what they do, but what they DON'T do is listen. My story (I'll try to keep short http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif ) is 2 years ago, I took my boat to a very respected engine guy in SoCal (he has his own artical in Hot Boat for cryin' out loud) to have my tired engine given a new life. He told me it was a very good engine, better than what you could buy so to just freshen it up. I said cool, give me an "ESTIMATE" of what it would cost to freshen it up............ and add some power to it! So about a week goes by and no word from him. I call and am put on hold for like 15 min., when he gets on the phone he tells me the boat is almost done!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WTF do you mean almost done??!!!!!!!?? I said ESTIMATE, not DO IT!!! He tells me, "Well, we got about $8,000 of the $13,000 worth of work done. I thought you told me to do it! I can't take it all back, parts were machined special for your motor."
To sum it all up, it WAS very good work that was done, so to avoid a huge debate (although I had never signed anything so it was his fault) I got ALL of the work done for 1/2 price. But for the amount of money I spent I could have had a crate motor put in that has the same or more HP this one does.

Just be careful!!!

Jason

[LV-Advantage]

rude,

Try Offshore Marine on lakemead! Had a good experience with them getting my new boat everyone is real cool. Service department seems good, seen alot of nice boats come through there(turnaround seemed quick also). Good Luck!!

[Beach Bum]

I know exactly what you mean about shops locally. However, I have had a number of great experiences with Dunsmore Marine, who is just down the street from A&M. Bill Dunsmore has always treated me right, and everyone who I have referred to him has been impressed. He must be doing something right, he works on Paul Tracy's boat, and builds motors for George Marnell, that's an endorsement I'd be hard pressed to ignore.

[Rude]

i did hear from the boat doc today. he told me i'm looking it's going to be in the ball park of $500 for a mercruiser pump, another $300 for new hoses and fittings. that's just a rough estimate. the parts are for an evinrude 235 with an older jack plate which parts are not available for anymore. i asked him if i would be better off just buying a new jackplate and said no. i don't really know what to think. i've heard offshore marine is good from at least two other people on this board. dunsmore marine i've not heard but i'd be willing to at least talk to them. do both shops work outboards?http://www.lasvegashotboats.com/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/confused.gif