outboard mechanic?

[Phunybonz]

Can someone direct me too a reputibal(honest)outboard mechanic. I live in the St. John's area and would like to get this pig running asap. It ran great last time out, should be something simple. Yeah right, all i ask is for one break to go my way....what makes this worse, I saw people coming in to cathedral park with FISH and there I sat idling!

[WaterDog]

bonz,
I know a guy in Kiezer, north of Salem. Yeah I know he is aways away for you but he worked on my kicker and I was pleased with price and knowledge. He runs an ad in oregonian on sundays and says he gets people from Vancover to Medford that bring him motor's. He mostly works on Merc's but I think he'll work on any brand.

Sims AAA Mercury, Inc. 503.390.2068

[Trout,myster]

You may want to try Larson's Marine just down the slough from Fred's Marina. I haven't used them personally, but a friend of mine has and he gives them good words.

[garyk]

I sympathize with you phunybonz, I spend way too much time in repair shops. For carb. work/tuning I've had the best luck with Greg's Marine in Garibaldi. The head mechanic there, forget his name, is really good with the fussy reed jets.

Unfortunately, I can't recomend Larson's. Although he was happy to take my money, he never resolved my Merc.'s carb. problems after repeated visits.

Folks seem to speak well of Steven's Marine, although they always say 'spendy' in the same sentance.

Good luck.

[Gone Fishin]

Mark is his name, Service Dept. Manager for Greg's Marine in Garibaldi. Phone: (503) 322-3643. I'd give him two thumbs up! Mark is very sharp on outboards and a very straight shooter!

[White Willie]

toms outboard in milwaukie he is very good with mercury and yahama products, any motors really he has been around a long time.

[garyk]

Yes, Thank you Gone-Fishing for filling in for my memory lapse. Mark is both an excellant mechanic and communicates well with his clients -- doesn't try to baffle you with BS or prove how much he knows and/or how stupid you are.

He put our Merc.'s carb. right after repeated efforts by others failed.

[backlash]

Hey, I would definetley 2nd the vote for AAA Mercury Marine. The guy is sharp as a tack and honest as the day is long.

[Phunybonz]

Wow! Thanks for the choices. I'm gonna bite the bullet and go with Steven's in Tigard. I am going to print this thread to show and tell them, "If you don't do me right, my buddies are gonna hear about it." This board is a great resource for just about everything! I'll keep you posted.
PS. Anyone have a spare seat for kelly point sturgeon this Sun. morning. aklein@pcez.com

[WaterDog]

I wasnt going to say anything in my above post but I will now.

The ONLY thing Stevens Marine is good at is SELLING boats and motors. NOT SERVICEING THEM! They are expensive, they dont follow directions, and they dont fix anything when they try! I have no problem buying motors from them, just wont let them work on em'. Me and two others have had the same experience. GOOD LUCK!

[Pete]

I will weigh-in in defense of Stevens. Certainly they won't cut corners or give you the lowest price in town, but if you pay for a repair you aren't satisfied with you can count on them to stand behind their service. In some ways, they are like everyone else -- if you treat them reasonably and give them a good description of the work you want done or the problem you are trying to solve you can expect satisfaction.

[Big Willie]

I've had good luck with Sportcraft Marina in Oregon City.
-Gary

I have too Gary. ... As for Steven's Marine, they are a top notch dealer and a very good service dept. I've used their service many times and you will get a quality job done right. However, they are a little higher priced than others. If you go in, tell Service Mgr.'s Rick or Bob that Steve Hanson recommended them; and say hi for me. - RT

[jet]

Hey all

I can not recommend anybody but I can tell you who to not use. Toms Outboard service, my buddy had Tom do a complete rebuild on his 200 Merc. (a lack of oil problem) it took 3 months and tons of phone calls. Tom usally said maybe next week it will be done The job was done right but it took way tooooo long. IT seems they take lots of fill work (small jobs) like (installing 4 blade stainless inpellers) without appointments to make some quick cash while they make the larger jobs wait. I know this for a fact.

Do I sound a little bitter? Yes I do, that is no way to treat a paying customer, it was not even my motor and it really torked me. This is what you do when somebody is not treated right, you tell friends.

Jet~~~

[Tanner]

Let's see. Honest - Outboard mechanic. I really don't think those two words can be put together. Everyone I have dealt with (and I have dealt with three of the biggest ones in town) has screwed me in one way or another. Stevens is way overpriced and if they tell you it will be done in 3 weeks, plan on 10. Lannies Marine is expensive as hell but does real good work, and Tom of Tom's Outboards is a downright crook. Gave me an estimate for repair (after paying him for the estimate) and when I went to pick up my boat he had additional charges of almost $700.00 on the bill. He said they were for some other things that needed to be taken care of. He never once contacted me to discuss these additional charges with me. This my friends is why I now own an inboard motor. I have some family that are real good mechanics and can work on V-8 motors all day long. As far as my kicker motor, if I had to take it to someone for repairs, it would probably be Cascade Marine.

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There's No Nookie Like Chinookie

[Pirate]

I've had work done at South River Marine near Corvallis and have always been satisfied with their work and they are very professional. 541-917-8800 ask for John Weidner.
Unfortunately, I needed work on both my truck and boat, which I highly suspect was caused by using TEXACO fuel!! If you use it expect carb/injector problems as well as new catalytic converters in your truck and cars. I've had it all.


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B

Jet and Tanner, I have heard several corraborating stories like yours about T's OB. Unfortunate, given the fact that small biz's best ally is good word of mouth.