45 Sea Trial at the Rendevous

[saltshaker]

And from boat owners I have talked to, that "pay them fairly" rate is going down due to the economy. I've heard of MOH's going for half what they did a couple years ago -- and heard of a trawler only mechanic now open to working on convertibles or anything else. These stories range from NC to New Jersey.

The good ones are still in demand. I waited a while for my mechanic of choice to do my rebuild. He is very busy and has no need to cut his rates. Many yards are cutting deals because they are slow but a good Detroit mechanic will stay busy. Here in NJ we have a lot of boats both commercial and recreational so there is no shortage of work for the good mechanics. With the way Detroit part prices are rising, I wouldn't count on a true MOH becoming cheaper.

 

[C. Edmund]

The good ones are still in demand. I waited a while for my mechanic of choice to do my rebuild. He is very busy and has no need to cut his rates. Many yards are cutting deals because they are slow but a good Detroit mechanic will stay busy. Here in NJ we have a lot of boats both commercial and recreational so there is no shortage of work for the good mechanics. With the way Detroit part prices are rising, I wouldn't count on a true MOH becoming cheaper.

supply and demand is an immutable law -- though in certain areas certain mechanics will have plenty to do.

 

[Paul45c]

I really don't know the raw water config on an 8v71TI, but on my old 6v92's and my current 12v71's, the first thing in line is the gear oil cooler; if that's fouled, you'll have very restricted flow from there on. How does the volume of water coming out of the exhaust look?