In Search of Outboard Mechanic

[Buck]

Hello all, I'm a student in Fayetteville who fishes above Beaver in the river quite a bit. The other day I was around Goshen and I banged up my lower unit and now it won't run under load. Does anyone know of any good outboard mechanics between here and Springfield, MO that won't charge and a leg to do repairs? All it is is a 1997 Yamaha 25hp two stroke. Thanks in advance!

[J-Doc]

Shoot fishinwrench a message and see if he can help. It's a little further than Springfield (Gravois Mills) but worth the drive. Good work, good prices, and he will help you out. 

[Buck]

Awesome, thank you! With my classes that may be a little far for me, but I'll keep it in mind!

[J-Doc]

Cabelas also has a service shop and they have always treated me well.  John Wolfe is the service manager there.  Wolfe Marine is also a good place if you're near the Roger's area. Cost wise, ole Glen (fishinwrench) is hard to best though. 

[Quillback]

If Fishinwrench is too far away, you can give Bella Vista Marine a shot.  Do you think you need a new lower unit?  If so, you could give BV a call and see if they can give you an estimate, and then you can do some comparisons with other mechanics.  I used BV Marine about 6 years ago and they always treated me fairly and got the job done.  But, they have grown quite a bit since then.  Even though they call themselves BV Marine, they are located in Rogers.

http://www.bellavistamarine.com/

[Buck]

I don't think I need a new lower unit, it runs and shifts fine in a barrel and on muffs, so I'm thinking I may have just shot one of the bearings down there. I took one of my other outboards into Mobile Marine Repair in Springdale and they were extremely knowledgeable, but also extremely expensive. 

[fishinwrench]

Drain the lower gear lube.  The bottom plug will have a magnet on it.  See if there is any metal on the magnet or any signs of metal in the lube.

How's the prop, prop hub, and prop shaft?  

Post a pic of the lower so we can see the suspected damage. 

[Stump bumper]

Just to let you know I got a $500 estimate from BV marine to rebuild my carbs on a 115 hp Merc. When I picked it up the bill was $750 and I could not even get the motor to pull the boat off the trailer.

Maybe I should have just gone back but I get upset and don't return when things like that happen. Fishinwrench guided me through trouble shooting and resetting my choke and idle and I got the boat running ok but still not what I expected for laying out $750.

 

 

 

[Robert Haynes]

I used BV Marine on my Skeeter Bay boat for various things. I thought they did me right. I used Mobile Marine in Springdale for years and they always did me good except I was broke down on the gulf coast last fall and I called several times over a 3 days period and could not get any advice from the owner. If I cant talk to my  mechanic during working hours or they will not return a call, I will never use that mechanic again.

[Ozark Flyer]

I agree with you, Robert.  I try hard to be loyal to my service people and don't pick them over small change.  I ask only one thing in return....SERVICE.  I walked in the same for a quote to repower my Kenner bay boat with a new Yamaha 115.  Never even a call back.  I ended up buying from Barling Boat Sales in Barling AR.  If they're not interested in a $10k motor sale, I surely wouldn't expect them to return my emergency service call.  

A two hour drive down to Barling Buck, but Will will treat you fair.