Bodnar Boat Works

Before Mr [redacted] came to us for service, Mr [redacted] purchased a year old boat with motor and trailerApparently, the first time he took it out on the lake, it did not start or run correctlyMr [redacted] then brought the boat into our facility to see if we could fix itBecause of the age of the boat and motor, and the issues he was having, we suggested, as we always do in these cases, to Mr [redacted] that, to start with, we needed to do an "Annual Service", which is a standard starting place on older engines, so that we can see, first, if the motor has good compressionIf it has good compression, then we should be able to get it to run, but, with a motor this old, more work may need to be done on it to get it to where it can run goodAn "Annual Service" should be done every year on every boat motor and this motor looked as if it hadn't seen a qualified technician for at least 10-yearsBy doing an Annual Service, we can also let the customer know if the motor is worth fixing or notMr [redacted] agreed, and we completed the Compression Check and Annual ServiceThe motor did have good compression, and after the Annual Service was completed, it ran fine for us here, at our shop, and we told Mr [redacted] to take it out for a lake test to see how it would runAt our shop, we cannot run any motor under loadWe do not have a lake here, and have to run it hooked up to water or in a tankMotors will run differently on the lake, under a load with people and coolers, etcin the boatMr [redacted] paid for the service and took the boat to the lake and noticed that under load there was a problem and brought the boat backWe looked at it again and noticed the the "Needle & Seats" were installed wrongThese are parts that are not part of the "Annual Service""Needles & Seats" are not included, nor are they looked at during an "Annual Service"Whoever put in the "Needle & Seats" previous to Mr [redacted] bringing the boat to us, put them in wrongWe never touched or looked at the Needle & Seats during the Annual Service as it is not part of that serviceWhen we found this problem, we did change them out for Mr [redacted] and the new ones were installed correctly by usAs Mr [redacted] was told by myself and our employees from the beginning, 75% Marina's do not even attempt to work on anything older than 10-years oldMr [redacted] was also told that the old Johnson motors can be a problem and have issuesMr [redacted] told us that he had a hard time finding someone to work on his motor the first time he came in to usThere are so many issues, and parts can be obsolete or hard to findWe told him that he cannot expect to take the boat out and for it to run perfectly the first time, the second time and possibly the third timeIt's unfortunate, but, on these older motors, it's not over until we can get the motor to run goodWhen he paid for the "Needle & Seat" work, Mr [redacted] was already extremely mad at us and didn't even want to talk to any of as he felt that the "Annual Service" should have made his boat run properly the first time aroundHe felt we should have found the "Needle & Seats" problem during the "Annual Service" alsoHe was told that an Annual Service is the compression check, changing out fluids, new impeller, and filtersIf other problems occur, they will be charged separately, labor and partsAgain, we previously told him that he may not be out of the woods just yetHe would be extremely lucky if it did run right the first time! We were keeping our fingers crossedIt didn't happenWe tried talking again to Mr [redacted] the second time when he picked up his boat because he was so upsetI told him that he paid for an "Annual Service" and that is what he got, and that was what we were to "start" with, "start" being the important word hereI told him, again that you cannot always fix all the issues from the start in such an old motor as hisI then offered to send our Lead Tech out to the lake with him on his boat so that he could try to diagnose what was going on with the motor on the lake, under loadI also told him that I would pay for all labor until we could get the motor running correctly and that he would only have to pay for parts, if any were neededMr [redacted] refused our generous offerWe want to help Mr [redacted] get his motor runningWe want to make him happyMr [redacted] is acting as if the "Annual Service" was to be some kind of insurance policy or service contract purchased from us on his boatBodnar Boat Works will not refund him one penny back because he was informed several times that there may be more issues on this motor to addressAlso, he agreed to "start" with the Annual Service and that is what he paid forBut, as previously stated, we will work with him to get his boat running by sending our tech to the lake with him, and not charging him the $per hour labor (only charging for parts), if he changes his mindWe believe Mr [redacted] is extremely mad because he made an uneducated decision to purchase an old beat up and run hard boat without taking it to the lake and test running it firstThe Seller of this boat more than likely told him that it runs great and Mr [redacted] took his word for itBoats are like cars, you usually test drive a car before you purchase oneSame thing goes for a boatUnfortunately, we see this all the time in our businessPeople get excited and purchase a boat without test running it on the lakeIt's a hard lesson learnedWe feel that Mr [redacted] is taking out his anger on the business that is trying to help him get his motor running properly because he made a bad purchase and didn't know what he was in for with a used motorWe are not here to just take him for his moneyWe told him up front there may be more than likely more work as we have been down this road before with these older motorsMr [redacted] purchased this boat and motor, not usWe are just trying to help him, but Mr [redacted] refuses our helpWe are not rated an A+ company with the Revdex.com for not trying to work with our customers and make them happyWe value our customersThank your for you time with this matter

Before Mr. [redacted] came to us for service, Mr. [redacted] purchased a 35 year old boat with motor and trailer. Apparently, the first time he took it out on the lake, it did not start or run correctly. Mr. [redacted] then brought the boat into our facility to see if we could fix it. Because of the...

age of the boat and motor, and the issues he was having, we suggested, as we always do in these cases, to Mr. [redacted] that, to start with, we needed to do an "Annual Service", which is a standard starting place on older engines, so that we can see, first, if the motor has good compression. If it has good compression, then we should be able to get it to run, but, with a motor this old, more work may need to be done on it to get it to where it can run good. An "Annual Service" should be done every year on every boat motor and this motor looked as if it hadn't seen a qualified technician for at least 10-15 years. By doing an Annual Service, we can also let the customer know if the motor is worth fixing or not. Mr. [redacted] agreed, and we completed the Compression Check and Annual Service. The motor did have good compression, and after the Annual Service was completed, it ran fine for us here, at our shop, and we told Mr. [redacted] to take it out for a lake test to see how it would run. At our shop, we cannot run any motor under load. We do not have a lake here, and have to run it hooked up to water or in a tank. Motors will run differently on the lake, under a load with people and coolers, etc. in the boat. Mr. [redacted] paid for the service and took the boat to the lake and noticed that under load there was a problem and brought the boat back. We looked  at it again and noticed the the "Needle & Seats" were installed wrong. These are parts that are not part of the "Annual Service". "Needles & Seats" are not included, nor are they looked at during an "Annual Service". Whoever put in the "Needle & Seats" previous to Mr. [redacted] bringing the boat to us, put them in wrong. We never touched or looked at the Needle & Seats during the Annual Service as it is not part of that service. When we found this problem, we did change them out for Mr. [redacted] and the new ones were installed correctly by us. As Mr. [redacted] was told by myself and our employees from the beginning, 75% Marina's do not even attempt to work on anything older than 10-15 years old. Mr. [redacted] was also told that the old Johnson motors can be a problem and have issues. Mr. [redacted] told us that he had a hard time finding someone to work on his motor the first time he came in to us. There are so many issues, and parts can be obsolete or hard to find. We told him that he cannot expect to take the boat out and for it to run perfectly the first time, the second time and possibly the third time. It's unfortunate, but, on these older motors, it's not over until we can get the motor to run good. When he paid for the "Needle & Seat" work, Mr. [redacted] was already extremely mad at us and didn't even want to talk to any of as he felt that the "Annual Service" should have made his boat run properly the first time around. He felt we should have found the "Needle & Seats" problem during the "Annual Service" also. He was told that an Annual Service is the compression check, changing out fluids, new impeller, and filters. If other problems occur, they will be charged separately, labor and parts. Again, we previously told him that he may not be out of the woods just yet. He would be extremely lucky if it did run right the first time! We were keeping our fingers crossed. It didn't happen. We tried talking again to Mr. [redacted] the second time when he picked up his boat because he was so upset. I told him that he paid for an "Annual Service" and that is what he got, and that was what we were to "start" with, "start" being the important word here. I told him, again that you cannot always fix all the issues from the start in such an old motor as his. I then offered to send our Lead Tech out to the lake with him on his boat so that he could try to diagnose what was going on with the motor on the lake, under load. I also told him that I would pay for all labor until we could get the motor running correctly and that he would only have to pay for parts, if any were needed. Mr. [redacted] refused our generous offer. We want to help Mr. [redacted] get his motor running. We want to make him happy. Mr. [redacted] is acting as if the "Annual Service" was to be some kind of insurance policy or service contract purchased from us on his boat. Bodnar Boat Works will not refund him one penny back because he was informed several times that there may be more issues on this motor to address. Also, he agreed to "start" with the Annual Service and that is what he paid for. But, as previously stated, we will work with him to get his boat running by sending our tech to the lake with him, and not charging him the normal $119.00 per hour labor (only charging for parts), if he changes his mind. We believe Mr. [redacted] is extremely mad because he made an uneducated decision to purchase an old beat up and run hard boat without taking it to the lake and test running it first. The Seller of this boat more than likely told him that it runs great and Mr. [redacted] took his word for it. Boats are like cars, you usually test drive a car before you purchase one. Same thing goes for a boat. Unfortunately, we see this all the time in our business. People get excited and purchase a boat without test running it on the lake. It's a hard lesson learned. We feel that Mr. [redacted] is taking out his anger on the business that is trying to help him get his motor running properly because he made a bad purchase and didn't know what he was in for with a used motor. We are not here to just take him for his money. We told him up front there may be more than likely more work as we have been down this road before with these older motors. Mr. [redacted] purchased this boat and motor, not us. We are just trying to help him, but Mr. [redacted] refuses our help. We are not rated an A+ company with the Revdex.com for not trying to work with our customers and make them happy. We value our customers. Thank your for you time with this matter

Before Mr. [redacted] came to us for service, Mr. [redacted] purchased a 35 year old boat with motor and trailer. Apparently, the first time he took it out on the lake, it did not start or run correctly. Mr. [redacted] then brought the boat into our facility to see if we could fix it. Because of the...

age of the boat and motor, and the issues he was having, we suggested, as we always do in these cases, to Mr. [redacted] that, to start with, we needed to do an "Annual Service", which is a standard starting place on older engines, so that we can see, first, if the motor has good compression. If it has good compression, then we should be able to get it to run, but, with a motor this old, more work may need to be done on it to get it to where it can run good. An "Annual Service" should be done every year on every boat motor and this motor looked as if it hadn't seen a qualified technician for at least 10-15 years. By doing an Annual Service, we can also let the customer know if the motor is worth fixing or not. Mr. [redacted] agreed, and we completed the Compression Check and Annual Service. The motor did have good compression, and after the Annual Service was completed, it ran fine for us here, at our shop, and we told Mr. [redacted] to take it out for a lake test to see how it would run. At our shop, we cannot run any motor under load. We do not have a lake here, and have to run it hooked up to water or in a tank. Motors will run differently on the lake, under a load with people and coolers, etc. in the boat. Mr. [redacted] paid for the service and took the boat to the lake and noticed that under load there was a problem and brought the boat back. We looked  at it again and noticed the the "Needle & Seats" were installed wrong. These are parts that are not part of the "Annual Service". "Needles & Seats" are not included, nor are they looked at during an "Annual Service". Whoever put in the "Needle & Seats" previous to Mr. [redacted] bringing the boat to us, put them in wrong. We never touched or looked at the Needle & Seats during the Annual Service as it is not part of that service. When we found this problem, we did change them out for Mr. [redacted] and the new ones were installed correctly by us. As Mr. [redacted] was told by myself and our employees from the beginning, 75% Marina's do not even attempt to work on anything older than 10-15 years old. Mr. [redacted] was also told that the old Johnson motors can be a problem and have issues. Mr. [redacted] told us that he had a hard time finding someone to work on his motor the first time he came in to us. There are so many issues, and parts can be obsolete or hard to find. We told him that he cannot expect to take the boat out and for it to run perfectly the first time, the second time and possibly the third time. It's unfortunate, but, on these older motors, it's not over until we can get the motor to run good. When he paid for the "Needle & Seat" work, Mr. [redacted] was already extremely mad at us and didn't even want to talk to any of as he felt that the "Annual Service" should have made his boat run properly the first time around. He felt we should have found the "Needle & Seats" problem during the "Annual Service" also. He was told that an Annual Service is the compression check, changing out fluids, new impeller, and filters. If other problems occur, they will be charged separately, labor and parts. Again, we previously told him that he may not be out of the woods just yet. He would be extremely lucky if it did run right the first time! We were keeping our fingers crossed. It didn't happen. We tried talking again to Mr. [redacted] the second time when he picked up his boat because he was so upset. I told him that he paid for an "Annual Service" and that is what he got, and that was what we were to "start" with, "start" being the important word here. I told him, again that you cannot always fix all the issues from the start in such an old motor as his. I then offered to send our Lead Tech out to the lake with him on his boat so that he could try to diagnose what was going on with the motor on the lake, under load. I also told him that I would pay for all labor until we could get the motor running correctly and that he would only have to pay for parts, if any were needed. Mr. [redacted] refused our generous offer. We want to help Mr. [redacted] get his motor running. We want to make him happy. Mr. [redacted] is acting as if the "Annual Service" was to be some kind of insurance policy or service contract purchased from us on his boat. Bodnar Boat Works will not refund him one penny back because he was informed several times that there may be more issues on this motor to address. Also, he agreed to "start" with the Annual Service and that is what he paid for. But, as previously stated, we will work with him to get his boat running by sending our tech to the lake with him, and not charging him the normal $119.00 per hour labor (only charging for parts), if he changes his mind. We believe Mr. [redacted] is extremely mad because he made an uneducated decision to purchase an old beat up and run hard boat without taking it to the lake and test running it first. The Seller of this boat more than likely told him that it runs great and Mr. [redacted] took his word for it. Boats are like cars, you usually test drive a car before you purchase one. Same thing goes for a boat. Unfortunately, we see this all the time in our business. People get excited and purchase a boat without test running it on the lake. It's a hard lesson learned. We feel that Mr. [redacted] is taking out his anger on the business that is trying to help him get his motor running properly because he made a bad purchase and didn't know what he was in for with a used motor. We are not here to just take him for his money. We told him up front there may be more than likely more work as we have been down this road before with these older motors. Mr. [redacted] purchased this boat and motor, not us. We are just trying to help him, but Mr. [redacted] refuses our help. We are not rated an A+ company with the Revdex.com for not trying to work with our customers and make them happy. We value our customers. Thank your for you time with this matter

Bodnar Boat Works did a complete overhaul on my 1994 Maxum with Mercruiser performance engine. I was amazed when they gave the boat back! They repaired the fiberglass and totally re-gel coated the body applied custom pin striping, installed a new top shade and tuned the motor. It looks and runs almost like new 18 years ago. Absolutely stunning work quality, highly recommended.

I took our [redacted] into [redacted] and he and his crew did an outstanding job taking the bottom paint off and resurfacing the gel coat. Our boat looked pretty good already but we weren't going to wet slip it any longer thus the bottom paint removal...now she looks like a brand new boat! [redacted] and his team are top notch, know what they are doing and care about their customers. Take your business here and you won't be sorry.

Review: I took my boat to Bodnar Boat works and was talked into having services performed that eventually cost me in access of $2300.00. On my first visit I was informed that even though it is an old boat it should run fine if the motor had good compression. I authorized them to check it out. I was later informed that the motor has good compression and that it can be made to perform on the lake. They told me what was needed and I utorized the work. I was told by Bodnar Boat Works that this work was needed to fix my boat and keep it running. I believe the work charged for was inferior as the original work order stated that the carburetor was checked. When I took it back because the boat failed to operate at the lake, they told me carburetor work was needed. Their representative also said the fuel pump was fine and yet I was charged to rebuild the fuel pump diaphragm, replace a fuel line and replace the primer bulb. Nothing was ever mention about needing a fuel line or primer bulb. When I contact Bobnar Boat works via email I expressed my dis-satisfaction in a civil manner and requested a refund for some of the labor. I explained that I was not seeking a refund for any parts and only part of the labor because I felt the work was inferior. I then received a very nasty and rude response from Bodnar Boat Works. After berating me in the email he then suggested I return the boat for him to look at and he would perform all needed repairs labor free if I paid for parts. I informed him that I have no confidence in him or his company. He ended the communication again with a nasty email.Desired Settlement: I am only asking for $1,066.50 for labor charged to repair my motor, nothing else.

Business

Response:

Before Mr. [redacted] came to us for service, Mr. [redacted] purchased a 35 year old boat with motor and trailer. Apparently, the first time he took it out on the lake, it did not start or run correctly. Mr. [redacted] then brought the boat into our facility to see if we could fix it. Because of the age of the boat and motor, and the issues he was having, we suggested, as we always do in these cases, to Mr. [redacted] that, to start with, we needed to do an "Annual Service", which is a standard starting place on older engines, so that we can see, first, if the motor has good compression. If it has good compression, then we should be able to get it to run, but, with a motor this old, more work may need to be done on it to get it to where it can run good. An "Annual Service" should be done every year on every boat motor and this motor looked as if it hadn't seen a qualified technician for at least 10-15 years. By doing an Annual Service, we can also let the customer know if the motor is worth fixing or not. Mr. [redacted] agreed, and we completed the Compression Check and Annual Service. The motor did have good compression, and after the Annual Service was completed, it ran fine for us here, at our shop, and we told Mr. [redacted] to take it out for a lake test to see how it would run. At our shop, we cannot run any motor under load. We do not have a lake here, and have to run it hooked up to water or in a tank. Motors will run differently on the lake, under a load with people and coolers, etc. in the boat. Mr. [redacted] paid for the service and took the boat to the lake and noticed that under load there was a problem and brought the boat back. We looked at it again and noticed the the "Needle & Seats" were installed wrong. These are parts that are not part of the "Annual Service". "Needles & Seats" are not included, nor are they looked at during an "Annual Service". Whoever put in the "Needle & Seats" previous to Mr. [redacted] bringing the boat to us, put them in wrong. We never touched or looked at the Needle & Seats during the Annual Service as it is not part of that service. When we found this problem, we did change them out for Mr. [redacted] and the new ones were installed correctly by us. As Mr. [redacted] was told by myself and our employees from the beginning, 75% Marina's do not even attempt to work on anything older than 10-15 years old. Mr. [redacted] was also told that the old Johnson motors can be a problem and have issues. Mr. [redacted] told us that he had a hard time finding someone to work on his motor the first time he came in to us. There are so many issues, and parts can be obsolete or hard to find. We told him that he cannot expect to take the boat out and for it to run perfectly the first time, the second time and possibly the third time. It's unfortunate, but, on these older motors, it's not over until we can get the motor to run good. When he paid for the "Needle & Seat" work, Mr. [redacted] was already extremely mad at us and didn't even want to talk to any of as he felt that the "Annual Service" should have made his boat run properly the first time around. He felt we should have found the "Needle & Seats" problem during the "Annual Service" also. He was told that an Annual Service is the compression check, changing out fluids, new impeller, and filters. If other problems occur, they will be charged separately, labor and parts. Again, we previously told him that he may not be out of the woods just yet. He would be extremely lucky if it did run right the first time! We were keeping our fingers crossed. It didn't happen. We tried talking again to Mr. [redacted] the second time when he picked up his boat because he was so upset. I told him that he paid for an "Annual Service" and that is what he got, and that was what we were to "start" with, "start" being the important word here. I told him, again that you cannot always fix all the issues from the start in such an old motor as his. I then offered to send our Lead Tech out to the lake with him on his boat so that he could try to diagnose what was going on with the motor on the lake, under load. I also told him that I would pay for all labor until we could get the motor running correctly and that he would only have to pay for parts, if any were needed. Mr. [redacted] refused our generous offer. We want to help Mr. [redacted] get his motor running. We want to make him happy. Mr. [redacted] is acting as if the "Annual Service" was to be some kind of insurance policy or service contract purchased from us on his boat. Bodnar Boat Works will not refund him one penny back because he was informed several times that there may be more issues on this motor to address. Also, he agreed to "start" with the Annual Service and that is what he paid for. But, as previously stated, we will work with him to get his boat running by sending our tech to the lake with him, and not charging him the normal $119.00 per hour labor (only charging for parts), if he changes his mind. We believe Mr. [redacted] is extremely mad because he made an uneducated decision to purchase an old beat up and run hard boat without taking it to the lake and test running it first. The Seller of this boat more than likely told him that it runs great and Mr. [redacted] took his word for it. Boats are like cars, you usually test drive a car before you purchase one. Same thing goes for a boat. Unfortunately, we see this all the time in our business. People get excited and purchase a boat without test running it on the lake. It's a hard lesson learned. We feel that Mr. [redacted] is taking out his anger on the business that is trying to help him get his motor running properly because he made a bad purchase and didn't know what he was in for with a used motor. We are not here to just take him for his money. We told him up front there may be more than likely more work as we have been down this road before with these older motors. Mr. [redacted] purchased this boat and motor, not us. We are just trying to help him, but Mr. [redacted] refuses our help. We are not rated an A+ company with the Revdex.com for not trying to work with our customers and make them happy. We value our customers. Thank your for you time with this matter