$160.00 to paint transom plates ??

[kazie]

I have twin bravo 2's and just received my annual outdrive service bill and noticed that I'm being charged $160.00 to paint the transom plates. I looked back at my annual service bills and apparently I've been charged every year for this item. I cannot find any mention in the Mercruiser maintenance schedule of painting the transom plate. I don't mind paying for maintenance services that are needed but I don't want to pay for items that are added to "pad" my bill.
Is this part of the annual maintenance ?

 

[Presentation]

Start by simply asking them what this is.

I have the BIII Merc manual. There is no record of painting the transom plate as a routine maintenance item.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Start by simply asking them what this.

It's 5:00 somewhere... :smt001

But, yes, ask them to be more specific as to what that actually is. Maybe they're referring to anti-fouling painting everything?

 

[kazie]

Painting the outdrive is part of the " Annual Outdrive Service", the "painting transom plate " is a separate charge. As it does not appear in any maintenance manual, I assume that it is a "Pad The Bill Charge".

 

[Lazy Daze]

Hmmm. That's an interesting charge. Definitely call them and ask to clarify.

What did they charge for painting the outdrive?

 

[Presentation]

Have you tried picking up the phone and asking them about this item?

 

[Presentation]

Have you tried picking up the phone and asking them about this item?

 

[Woody]

Have you tried picking up the phone and asking them about this item?

Pres, what does that "for sale" mean? You hanging it up or moving up?

For the OP what is a transom plate?

 

[Presentation]

Pres, what does that "for sale" mean? You hanging it up or moving up?

We are undecided.

If it does not sell we use it.

If it sells we take at least this summer off and try a variety of family things. We use to do a lot of varied activities. Over the last 6 years, summer weekends are mostly on our boat. We then reevaluate a year from now and go from there. Bigger? Smaller? Different? Done? We are undecided.

 

[Woody]

Maybe you just need a change in scenery. Find a slip up in Door cty and I'll bet the whole family will get pretty excited, lots to explore and do up there. Try that for a summer and they'll be wanting a bigger boat for sure.

 

[boatmailster]

most likely they call trim tabs that way.
better marinas use same paint on outdrives and trim tabs (both aluminum), some others use 'regular" bottom paint.

 

[Bridog]

Actually the trim tabs are 304 Stainless Steel.

My trim tabs need painting every year otherwise they are covered with barnacles within 3 months. They don't charge me extra, it's part of the drive service.