Cost to have the prop shaft duramax compression seal replaced?

[BroncoJohn]

Hi,
My Hunter 386 is in for a few service items. Having worked at a marina, I do all my service work but the marina I am at will not let me do any work on the boat when they haul it out and block it up. I was charged 7 hours of labor at $149 an hour to replace the compression packing. This seems crazy but I wanted to run this by the group before I say anything to the marina.
Thanks

 

[jssailem]

A little over one boat buck. That maybe valid depending:

• on the condition of the coupling,
• their experience with the duramax compression seal,
• the ease of slipping your shaft back to get space to remove and replace the shaft seal,
• Refacing then reinstalling the coupling
• Checking alignment of engine, transmission, and shaft
• And breaks

It is fair game to have a discussion to understand what they did or missed in the process. And to get clarification about the warranty concerning their workmanship.

 

[Rich Stidger]

If by "compression packing" you mean the shaft cutlass bearing, I had my yard change ours this Spring. I had removed the prop (a 3-blade feathering AutoStream unit), completely cleaned the shaft, and loosened the setscrews holding the cutlass bearing. All they had to do was press out the old bearing and press in the new and tighten the setscrews.
They charged me $354 total - $150 for the Duramax bearing and $200 labor at $125/hr. I could have purchased the bearing for just $100, but I didn't have the time. The previous cutlass change at a different marina was just one hour of labor, so I think the labor this time was a bit high considering that all the R&R prep was done by me.

 

[Ralph Johnstone]

I was charged 7 hours of labor at $149 an hour to replace the compression packing.

Are you referring to the fiberous packing material in the shaft stuffing gland?

If so, I would first get a written detailed description of what they did and then deliver a letter showing them your intention to sue in small claims court. Highway robbery unless they :

- found the shaft coupling to be corroded into a ball of rust
- found the shaft to be bent beyond repair
- removed the shaft in the process.
- provided a new shaft
- provided a new coupling
- washed, cut polished, and waxed the boat in the process.