Got a question for anybody in or around the business of marine repair shops. I know of several that have large fenced in yards. They are always full of boats - like so full you can barely find a place to park. It has always been like this at multiple shops in multiple cities. Yet you drop yours off and wait time is only 1-2 weeks. Do that many people get their motors fixed and never pay/pick up? 25 boats with unpaid repair tabs could easily be $15,000-$20,000 sitting outside.
Waiting on parts perhaps?!?
Maybe storage?
That too, I know both shops I use have winter storage.
From talking to a shop near me, he says 4 things happen.
1) repairs are made and owner just wants free storage
2) diagnostic work is done and owner can't afford to pay repair or diagnostic work, leaves boat sit
3) diagnostic work is done and paid for but owner can't afford repair. Owner is attempting to sell the boat thinking if it is in a repair business it is more saleable.
4) Owner is deciding if he should repair once he knows the cost.
'14 Triton 18XS 150 Optimax Pro XS Fortrex 80
Kropf Park model on Chautauqua Lake
Fish Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie
Love bass and fly fishing for Trout and Steelhead
Mine is sitting in a parking lot since December for winter storage.
" Talking to you is like clapping with one hand "
Anthrax
I'd say...
Most are probably there for storage...
A few are new waiting to be bought...
Then, used boat that were traded in...
Boats waiting for service...
Then boats waiting on parts...
And a few that are waiting on the customer for pick-up...
Dealers aren't fixing a boat, sinking hundreds of dollars in shop hours and hundreds of dollars in part and then having the owner say "hey I'm outa cash, I'll be back next month... If the boat owner does I'm sure the dealers are tacking on storage cost... Dan
I had my sons diesel truck worked on a few months back. I talked to the owner about buying the truck and he said he had quite a few in the parking lot where the owners didn’t have enough money to pay for the repairs. He stated that even though he told them beforehand what the repair would cost they’d still want it fixed then not be able to pay. He said most would just bring him the title if they had it and he’d keep the truck. Wonder if it’s the same with boats to some extent.
I'll add waiting on insurance company.
I forgot about that one. Agree.Originally Posted by Matt20xd
'14 Triton 18XS 150 Optimax Pro XS Fortrex 80
Kropf Park model on Chautauqua Lake
Fish Chautauqua Lake and Lake Erie
Love bass and fly fishing for Trout and Steelhead
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