Who's the best Mercruiser service shop on/near the lake

[dippasan]

Hi Folks
I have a Formula bow rider with twin Bravo III's that has developed a vibration.
Props were just reconditioned so now it's on to the drives.
I don't want to bring my baby to just anyone. I don't have a lot of experience with local shops because I do all the winterization and minor services myself.

I'd love to hear who your top 1 or 2 shops are for service of this type. I do have a trailer and can tow it locally if necessary.

Thanks in advance for your replies

[BroadHopper]

In Gilford is the best of the best in Mercruiser stern drives.

Number two will be Lakeport Landing.

[dippasan]

Im glad to hear that you like Dave's. I had heard that from a friend that has known Dave for quite some time.
I would obviously have to pull the boat and bring it to him but that's not a problem.

Thanks again.

[BroadHopper]

If you bring the boat to Glendale, he will pull it out and bring the boat to the shop. You don't need to trailer. His buddy Thom is best known outboard mechanic in NE!

[codeman671]

If you bring the boat to Glendale, he will pull it out and bring the boat to the shop. You don't need to trailer. His buddy Thom is best known outboard mechanic in NE!

The boat is not outboard powered, it is I/O. Not saying that they won't do a good job...

I prefer Matt Resca at Supreme Marine. He is the most responsive mechanic I have dealt with in the area, and is a true stern drive specialist. He does not touch outboards, he refers them to Dave and vice versa Dave sends some stern drive work his way. Most of the serious performance boats in the area seem to end up with him. Gold Digger and the Spiderman boat to name a few of the well knowns, as well as all of the other Outer Limits boats that have been around in the last few years.

He did a lot of performance work on my Sonic and has done a performance motor for a friend with a Baja. Also just replaced a transom assembly in a boat for me.

[Woodsy]

Dippasan...

Who reconditioned your props? and who put them back on? Its really easy to screw up the timing of the 2 props (one spline off gives a vibration) and depending on who reconditioned them, they might not have done a good job.

I seriously doubt the vibration is in the drives unless you smashed into a rock or something. Then you might have a slightly bent driveshaft.....

Woodsy

[dippasan]

Woodsy
Accutech in Dover did the props and they look great. I had the same vibration last year as well. Seems more like "U" Joints or gimbal to me and I think it's only in the port engine/drive best I can tell.
According to mercurymarine.com there's no mention of "timing" the props. (See attached instructions)
Formulaforum.com info shows nothing definitive about it either

Thanks

[codeman671]

Having done 2 transom assemblies in the last few years on different boats I can say from experience it is about the same to replace an entire assembly as it is to do just a gimbal replacement. They are not really worth replacing as you have to drill and plug the housing.

I assume one drive is connected to the other via a steering link? Which side is the slave side?

[Dave R]

Having done 2 transom assemblies in the last few years on different boats I can say from experience it is about the same to replace an entire assembly as it is to do just a gimbal replacement. They are not really worth replacing as you have to drill and plug the housing.

I assume one drive is connected to the other via a steering link? Which side is the slave side?

I've done a Bravo gimbal swap using the "drill and plug" method combined with the JR Marine method (that I highly recommend) and it only took me a day, working by myself and taking lots of pictures. Also did the shift cable at the same time. I made a public album full of pics and tips here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1500205917053.2071101.1591328395&type=1&l=a95d978078

I have the giant tap (1" NPT if memory serves) required for the drill and plug method if anyone needs to borrow it.

[dippasan]

After a bit more on line research I did find some info related to "timing" the bravo 3 props. One stern drive was timed perfectly the other was out of timing. I removed the outer prop and timed them as described on line.

Drove the boat this weekend and the vibration is still there so it looks like I'll be putting it in for service. I'll be sure to post when it's fixed.

Thanks for the reply's and info!!!

[Island-Ho]

To return this hijacked thread to the original question; I've always been satisfied with the work performed at Lakeport Landing. That's a 30+ year history. There is another shop in Glendale that I will never use again.

[dippasan]

To return this hijacked thread to the original question; I've always been satisfied with the work performed at Lakeport Landing. That's a 30+ year history. There is another shop in Glendale that I will never use again.

Thanks
I was wondering if I'd get any more recommendations
I'm curious about Paugus Bay Marina. They are the Formula dealer now.
I visited them last year and they seem like great people.

[Red apple]

PBM has been great to deal with for the past three years. We did not buy the boat there but we do store it in the valet year round service and there service has been excellent. Yes we so have a Mercruiser and that have worked on that also.

[Donzi Minx]

Without any doubt or reservation Dave Ewing, his wife and Tom.
If you can get by the dry sense of humor, honorable, straightforward, and most of all fair.