Boat medics???

[Warren]

I was picking my son up the other day from his sailing program, and I saw a van in the parkinglot of my club. On the side a little sign read "Boat Medics". The guy who was getting ready to leave was very nice. He explained that they can do pretty much anything. I went on their web-site http://www.boatmedics.com It didn't have all of the info that I had hoped for but it was enough to get me curious. I called the number and spoke with a guy named Bill. He was very nice and explained how it works. My question is, Has anyone else used these guys. I really like the idea of a guarnteed response time of no more than 48 hours to fix my boat. They have a 24/7 tech support line too. I also like the idea that if I am in Port Jeff, or Greenport, or Montauk... they will come and help me! How cool is that. So, If anyone else has used them I would like to know... Good or bad.Thanks,Warren

 

[Justin - O'day Owner's Web]

I'm a skeptic

Color me a skeptic, but I don't see the angle. Membership is $280. Service is done at a rate of $55, assuming its during regular business hours. Around here, Portland, ME, labor is 60 - 68 dollars an hour. At that rate you'd need ~28 hours of service a year to justify the cost of the membership. I assume labor is more expensive elsewhere but that much more? Maybe. As far as the other perks - fitness checks can be obtained from any mechanic. Just ask for an estimate to have your unit refurbished. 48 turn-around would be handy but is service _that_ hard to come by in other parts of the country? Again, we may be spoiled but there are any number of people who will come out to your boat to fix it in these parts - I used to be one of them. I know nothing of the quality of service. Could be fantastic. It just seems like a lot of money for not a significant benefit.YMMV -Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Warren]

You have a good point

Thanks Justin, I think that you have a really good point. My only delemma is that NOBODY afound here provides decent service. That could just be that I am choosing the wrong people, but it seems universal down here. I needed a new bilge pump in my boat... It was during June my busiest month (I won a catering hall and I do 20% of my entire year in June) I asked someone that I knew in the business. We arent great friends, but I knew him & he knew me. It took one month to do it. I really can't have that. I could go on and on at the incopatence in the industry down here. It is the only thing that has hurt my love for this. I am learning to do most things my self. But with owning a catering hall and having a wife & 2 kids, I want to enjoy using the boat with them, not vanish for a day at a time just to do something simple. I honestly have found nobody that I can consider even close to reliable. I come from an aviation backround... I was a corporate helicopter pilot for 9 years... People in that business fixed things right and right away... I am really at a loss down here. I will keep you posted. Thanks for the input.Warren