Why do so many marine mechanics not want to work on jetboats?

[dgfreeze]

Ok, so I've been seeing a lot of you mention how your marine mechanics don't want to work on these Yammie jet boats, and I'm trying to determine exactly why that is. Yamaha is a major manufacturer of outboard motors, so I would guess most of them would be Yamaha Marine dealers, so that shouldn't be a factor, unless the jet boats are a different division. If that's the case, do these places only work on brands they're a dealer for? They're really quite simple in basic design and concept, and not difficult to work on, so I can't see complexity being a factor. The electronics are obviously getting more involved, but I wouldn't have thought they're worse than the next brand?? This is an issue I haven't (and likely won't) have to deal with, because I'm a mechanic by trade, and trust my skills farther than most others, but it has really piqued my curiosity over the past year. What are some real reasons why they shy away? Are they just not popular enough?? I can't see that, as it seems that these Yammies are one of the most popular boats at the lakes I go to. I've truly been stumped, and a recent post just really prompted me to delve further into the subject. Enlighten me...lol

 

[haknslash]

Yamaha outboards are not the same division as their PWC and jetboats.

You would likely find a PWC dealer will work on a jet boat.

The run-of-the-mill marine service shops tend to stick with what they know best and if that’s generally conventional outboard or I/O boats then that is what they’ll focus on.

 

[tdonoughue]

I think that is right. I don't think it is so much that they can't, but they simply do not know from not having done it. And there are issues particular to jet boats that a mechanic will be expected to address--with bad results and reviews if he or she is not able to do so. Imagine someone bringing in a jet boat with the (very common) problems of 'vibration'. We here on the board know how to diagnose those, but an I/O specialist likely will not know where to start.

Plus, remember that Yamaha's and other jet boats have frequently been 'cheap' boats. Someone who dropped $100k on an Axis is going to be much more likely not to blink at a $2k service bill where the Yamaha person will be more critical of that number. Simply a function of the boats targeting a different demographic. But in the lower-cost demographic, there is less money for service, too. So less incentive for a mechanic who knows I/O's and can charge a premium to drop down and learn a new type of boat.

Pure conjecture on my part, of course.

 

[Julian]

I think its because there is so little that can go wrong there isn't money in it!!!

 

[WREKS]

@dgfreeze Problems with the engines and/or jet drives require diagnosing. That takes time, money, and some expertise. Once the problem is identified, the engine may have to be removed to fix it such as replacing an intermediate bearing or shaft, water in the oil, overheating, the list goes on. Once the problem is fixed, the engine has to be reinstalled and tested.

 

[dgfreeze]

All valid points, and I do certainly understand the frustrations of taking on jobs that are outside your “wheelhouse”, and then end up with extra non billable time due to researching procedures, specs, tolerances, etc. It just seems these boats are simple enough for the average mechanic to be comfortable wrenching on them. The basic mechanical engineering on them is virtually the same for the last 15+ years, so it’s not like it’s an ever changing mechanical merry go round. The electronics I understand, I wouldn’t want to dive into that mess without Yamaha support, but general mechanic work on these things is just a breeze. That said, when I’m busy with jobs that are in my wheelhouse, I tend to shy away from jobs that are outside my wheelhouse, so I can understand that side of things.

 

[WREKS]

@dgfreeze Here is an example: There is water in the oil because of a leaking head gasket. The engine has to come out. Not too bad if you can crane it out. But before doing that, checking the drive coupling clearance is certainly in order because the rubber motor mounts may have compressed over time and the engine has to be shimmed when it is reinstalled. Totally unrelated to the immediate problem but very important to the jet boat working properly and avoiding future damage to the intermediate shaft and bearings.

 

[dgfreeze]

@dgfreeze Here is an example: There is water in the oil because of a leaking head gasket. The engine has to come out. Not too bad if you can crane it out. But before doing that, checking the drive coupling clearance is certainly in order because the rubber motor mounts may have compressed over time and the engine has to be shimmed when it is reinstalled. Totally unrelated to the immediate problem but very important to the jet boat working properly and avoiding future damage to the intermediate shaft and bearings.

Agreed, I guess I tend to look at things from through my personal lens. I am more driven to learn different trades, and develop a more varied set of skills. I'm a mechanic and steel fabricator by trade, but enjoy the challenges of learning how to do all sorts of things. I see the value of that, but I know a lot of businesses don't, and I understand that it's not always the best use of your time when time is money. Heck, I reupholstered my whole boat this past winter, because I knew I could do it, and loved the challenge of learning a new skillset. Bought an appropriate sewing machine, all the material, and got to work. Took all winter, but I'm happy I did it myself. Flip side, in business, there's more money to be made when you're laser focused on a specific skillset, but then you're more dependent on market fluctuations, aka, all your eggs are in one basket. I tend to lean the other way. I like the idea of being able to do all sorts of things. Just me and how I tend to look at things, I guess.

 

[Neutron]

After many, many years of working on automobiles, I found the thought of working on motorcycles, atvs, jetskis very scary and would never attempt to touch them.
Then 15 years ago my friend who owns a Motorcycle/jetskis shop needed help, so I helped him on my days off from Toyota. He taught me tons, from tuning to cylinder boring.
Turns out they are way easier to work on.

So there is a lot to be said about being afraid of what you are not sure of. An outboard is a lot different from a jetdrive

 

[WREKS]

@dgfreeze I am very impressed with your thread on sewing your own upholstery. You are a steel fabricator and a mechanic. If you want to be able to work on your boat engine, you need to be able to remove it and reinstall it. With your skills, you could probably build a lightweight aluminum gantry crane to do just that. I did, and I am willing to share some ideas.

 

[2kwik4u]

After many, many years of working on automobiles, I found the thought of working on motorcycles, atvs, jetskis very scary and would never attempt to touch them.
Then 15 years ago my friend who owns a Motorcycle/jetskis shop needed help, so I helped him on my days off from Toyota. He taught me tons, from tuning to cylinder boring.
Turns out they are way easier to work on.

So there is a lot to be said about being afraid of what you are not sure of. An outboard is a lot different from a jetdrive

I had a similar hangup on bicycles. I'm a mechanical engineer by day, and have been a gear head my whole life. I've rebuit automatic transmissions, various piston and rotary engines, there are VERY few things on a car/truck I'm not willing to tackle. Then, on top of that, I literally spent 5 years building space flight equipment for the ISS.....BUT, for some reason was completely and totally paralyzed by the idea of working on my bicycle. Even for easy things like adjusting the shifters that was turning a screw for a position adjustment. Just completely paralyzed. It's dumb, and completely psychological. Finally had a buddy of mine that used to work at a bike shop in college go through how everything works, and what special tools I need, and things like that. It's an amazingly simple machine, but good grief it paralyzed me with fear of tearing it up.

 

[mwalker4]

@dgfreeze , also being from Central Ohio, I've never seen a marine mechanic who didn't have a long waiting list during the boating season. With all the boats sold during this season, I don't see that changing. There is economic disincentive to working on different types of boats. The mechanic may want to learn, but the shop or dealer wants to make money. Where I took my previous boat, they would not work on a boat older than 15 yrs (i think that was the number), because of training and not stocking parts.

 

[dgfreeze]

@dgfreeze I am very impressed with your thread on sewing your own upholstery. You are a steel fabricator and a mechanic. If you want to be able to work on your boat engine, you need to be able to remove it and reinstall it. With your skills, you could probably build a lightweight aluminum gantry crane to do just that. I did, and I am willing to share some ideas.

Thank you, I appreciate that. I am quite blessed in that my work shop has a 3 ton crane that travels the length of the building, with an 11' 6" ceiling, so I don't think I'll need a crane, but I do appreciate the offer.

@dgfreeze , also being from Central Ohio, I've never seen a marine mechanic who didn't have a long waiting list during the boating season. With all the boats sold during this season, I don't see that changing. There is economic disincentive to working on different types of boats. The mechanic may want to learn, but the shop or dealer wants to make money. Where I took my previous boat, they would not work on a boat older than 15 yrs (i think that was the number), because of training and not stocking parts.

Here again, I can understand when a shop is backed up on the brands they focus on. It just seems there are a lot of members who have nobody around them anywhere who is willing to work on them.

I had a similar hangup on bicycles. I'm a mechanical engineer by day, and have been a gear head my whole life. I've rebuit automatic transmissions, various piston and rotary engines, there are VERY few things on a car/truck I'm not willing to tackle. Then, on top of that, I literally spent 5 years building space flight equipment for the ISS.....BUT, for some reason was completely and totally paralyzed by the idea of working on my bicycle. Even for easy things like adjusting the shifters that was turning a screw for a position adjustment. Just completely paralyzed. It's dumb, and completely psychological. Finally had a buddy of mine that used to work at a bike shop in college go through how everything works, and what special tools I need, and things like that. It's an amazingly simple machine, but good grief it paralyzed me with fear of tearing it up.

Sometimes we just need to get out of our own way. Lol, and then on the other hand, some people who attempt mechanic work should probably get into their own way.

 

[tdonoughue]

I am more driven to learn different trades, and develop a more varied set of skills. <snip> I like the idea of being able to do all sorts of things. Just me and how I tend to look at things, I guess.

That is why you are here with us, why we love having you, and why you are a great addition. Not too many on this site are boat mechanics, formally. But many who have acquired many skills along the way and are willing to share them and learn a new one.

Good to have you with us!

 

[dgfreeze]

That is why you are here with us, why we love having you, and why you are a great addition. Not too many on this site are boat mechanics, formally. But many who have acquired many skills along the way and are willing to share them and learn a new one.

Good to have you with us!

Lol, at least SOMEONE is glad to have me!! I'm gonna go tell my wife...

But seriously, I appreciate all the helpful people on this forum. It's a pretty awesome group of dudes and dudettes!