Routine Service Wait Time

Bud Kennedy · August 09, 2021, 06:24:20 PM

It is so frustrating that you really can't plan for routine maintenance with our local marine service shops. It seems that no matter what you need, the servicer wants you to bring the boat to them only to have them leave it in their lot until they can perform your requested service. This means your boat will be unavailable for use for the next 2-4 weeks in most cases. In our region this condition exists year round.

The serivice shops just say they are so busy and backed up and you will just have to wait your turn on a first come first serve basis. Well if that is the case why do they think it is ok to be without your boat for all that time. For sure we must have them confused with someone who gives a damn that we won't have use of our boats. Just does not seem right to me. Over the past year I have just switched to do all of my own work. I don't mind doing it but but would rather hire it done in most cases since I am an older guy. Currently my trailer hubs could use a complete service and I wanted a dealer to do this PITA job. While they will be more than happy to perform the service they still want your boat in their lot until they get around to it. Seems to me you could simply be on a list and with a simple phone call I would take the trailer in. A phone call a couple days before service would be better than being without a boat for 2-4 weeks. Sad, Sad, Sad state of affairs but it seems to have been that way for a bunch of years. Guess I will just have to suck it up and do my own hubs.

BassmanRudy · August 09, 2021, 06:41:37 PM

Yeah its the same here... I really don't understand this "leave it or else" so called service plan. Give me a time and I'll be there. If they can't plan ahead for the parts they may need(within reason for your make/model) then that shouldn't be on the customer to be "boatless" for who knows how long. If I bring it in at a set time and "then they find X wrong" we can go from there.

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WTodd · August 09, 2021, 06:45:37 PM

As much as I loathe Bass Pro their service department is pretty solid and the only time my boat wasn't ready the same day was when they had to do some glass work (long story but they paid for it).

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Donald Garner · August 09, 2021, 06:49:09 PM

Here in Central Texas > Belton, Temple and Harker Heights we have (3) Marine Dealership. We have the same issue here that you're talking about > Waiting time < You drive by any one of them and there's boats parked out front etc waiting to be worked on. It is and can be frustrating for sure. I used to do my own hubs but I got tired of the mess and headache.

At one of the UBCS events I attended in Louisiana I noticed that some of the guys had Oil Base Hubs on their trailers. I talked with the guys and spend some time with Mike Cork asking questions. I have since switched to Oil Base Hubs on both of my boat trailers. Now then I don't fish or travel as much as I used to. I've had these now maybe 5yrs and the last time I checked them was year before last. On my Stratos Trailer the hubs are sealed and you have to unscrew the cap to check them. On my G3 the hubs are Clear and I can see the fluid level in them.

Here's the link to the hubs I have on my Stratos > Vortex Hubs. Take a look a this link. No more than you use your boat these would be prefect for you. This system is designed to be maintenance free for 6yrs 100,000 miles.

Boat trailer hubs

WTodd · August 09, 2021, 06:50:32 PM

2nd on the Vortex hubs

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geneinnc · August 10, 2021, 05:30:25 AM

I only use mobile service unless it's something they don't handle.

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Princeton_Man · August 10, 2021, 07:03:55 AM

I've dealt with those kinds of shops a couple of times. I once had a shop tell me to "bring it on down and we'll get started on it in the morning". Nearly a week later I called to check on it and was told they had it in the shop but couldn't tell me what the status was, so I drove the 50 miles to check on it the next morning. It was still sitting exactly where and how I had left it. They had never looked at it. Before I went inside, I hitched up, then I went inside and told them exactly how I felt. I know I've helped contribute to their drop off in business, but they'll survive.

Maybe your trailer maintenance could be performed by a local garage while you wait, if you have a reputable local garage nearby. Heck, bring it on over to my place. I'll help you get it done.

Mobile service is a great option if you have one nearby and the Vortex hubs look like an awesome solution. I'm very fortunate to have a shop that takes into consideration the distance I have to travel. I work with him on date/time, but for routine maintenance, installs, etc, he schedules me, I take the boat down and bring it back the same day.

Bud Kennedy · August 10, 2021, 07:12:55 AM

Jim I have decided to take the boat and trailer down to Charleston SC in the fall. Terry G and I will be fishing the Cooper river then and Charleston Trailer the builder of the trailer says if I drop the boat off the afternoon prior I can pick up the trailer after I am done fishing on the next day so I can take it home. They will also do it while I wait but by doing it this way I can save some time and not make a special trip of 200 miles round trip and just have it done while I am at Terry's.

Oldfart9999 · August 10, 2021, 07:15:34 AM

This is proven technology, large trucks have been using oil bath hubs almost from the beginning. They just plain work.
Rodney

Princeton_Man · August 10, 2021, 08:41:14 AM

Quote from: Bud Kennedy on August 10, 2021, 07:12:55 AM
Jim I have decided to take the boat and trailer down to Charleston SC in the fall. Terry G and I will be fishing the Cooper river then and Charleston Trailer the builder of the trailer says if I drop the boat off the afternoon prior I can pick up the trailer after I am done fishing on the next day so I can take it home. They will also do it while I wait but by doing it this way I can save some time and not make a special trip of 200 miles round trip and just have it done while I am at Terry's.

That sounds like an awesome arrangement Bud!