Thread: Average cost to do a yearly service on a boat

There’s a reason i do all that stuff myself 12-1500 is criminal….

I’d have to look at my records if I can find it for the impeller change. Want to say maybe couple hundred for that. Mines a 2 stroke but I do the footer gear oil and spark plugs change myself. It’s easy for me though


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Originally Posted by BAMA S

Oil change , plugs,foot oil. Impeller. Basic stuff
what are y’all paying. I’m hearing 12-1500 hundred going rate.
is that correct??? I’m outa the game right now just curious.

I do my own. Rough numbers for 90 4s merc
Oil change $100 for filter and oil
Lower unit oil maybe $10
Couple fuel filters, $3 each.
Grease for hubs of trailer and motor, maybe $10-15.

Only ever done one water pump, last year, it was like $160 in parts and me and a buddy did it in 20 minutes. Motor is 10 years old and it didnt even need done, just did it for prevention.

Only ever changed plugs once, they were a 4 pack of ngk for around $30.


The first year i owned the boat i took it to a local shop for the maintenance. I think it was $600 total.

On my 2006 60 hp mercury I had thermostat plugs lower unit oil and some seals and impellor, oil change and fuel line and filter for 860 dollars and some change.. thats in Eastern Iowa. 1200 would be on the higher end unless the marina has a high hourly rate.

I was just quoted $800 for my five-year service, including the water pump impeller from Chatlee Boat & Marine here in Sanford, NC., where I ordered it new in late 2019.
I have a 2020 Triton 18tx that came with a 5-year warranty on the 115 Mercury 4-stroke, so I have let the dealer handle all service so that it would be properly documented in the event of any engine problems.
Next, I expect to replace all the batteries, as I am seeing some weak cranking after several hours of fishing, probably another $800 to $1000. Best I can figure, it's always going to be something when you own a boat.

If it is a 4 stroke, I recommend don't touch the plugs. My 200 Yamaha SHO is 14 years old and 285 hrs. I was told when I bought it to not change them unless it runs bad. It starts with a bump of the key and will still run in the lower 60's on a 20 ft Xpress. I do the rest myself. Usually about $200 with the impellor. About $150 without. That is oil upper and lower. Oil Filter, fuel filters and water separator. They sell oil change kits on amazon.

If you are having a shop or DIY two things you want OEM is the Water Pump Impeller and Oil Filter. Both I have had to deal with where a customer had a non-dealer shop do the job and Sierra parts were used with premature failures. I have seen Sierra oil filters leak new. Instance not a pattern but buy OEM oil filters and impellers.

sounds pricey to me , but everything sounds pricey to me these days
1200 to 1500 sounds strong .....and some of what was mentioned to change does not need to be done every year