First, your boat is designed with your dream in mind: sunpad, swim platform, fishbox and stowage aplenty. Unfortunately, the swim platform covers the outdrive, which means the boat often has to be removed from the trailer for drive servicing. The sunpad covers the engine, so frequently aft sections of the interior have to be disassembled and removed to access items such as bilge pumps, oil filter, fuel coolers, power steering, drive belts or even spark plugs, not to mention starters that get wet.

Second, the engine and drive service equipment are proprietary. This means the rights to this equipment are owned by the manufacturer. You can’t go into Best Buy and get a diagnostic program for your MerCruiser, for example. Nor can you download one for a Bombardier, Yamaha or Suzuki. Additionally, techs need to attend yearly weeklong service schools to learn what to do with the information that pops up on the computer screen once they have the correct diagnostic equipment. Many tools are not available at Sears or the Snap-On truck and have to be purchased directly from the manufacturer.

Third, most marine dealerships’ service departments are seasonal, despite their best efforts to maintain a steady supply of work. There is rarely any off-season planning by customers. This means a work drought in the winter and more than can be handled in the summer. The labor rate reflects not only what it takes to run the service department on a seasonal basis, but also what it takes to retain skilled techs when there is no work.