Irwin Marine

eye spy · 09-29-2008, 06:52 PM

Did any of you see this ad in the Sunday Union Leader.

Quote:

WHO'S IN YOUR BOAT

This year we saw too many boats brought to us after they had been worked on by untrained and uncertified marine repair outfits. From faileed winterizations with cracked engine blocks, faulty reassembly of outdrives and outboards with missing parts boat owners thought they saved a few dollars but ended up with equipment damage from $2,500 to $10,120. They turned to Irwin Marine to get their boats repaired correctly. There's a reason manufactures recommend service be done by Certified Technicians.

Our technicians won't use your boat as training homework. They've attended counyless hours of manufacturer's in-residence and on-line courses, passed end of course tests and are certified.

Please, trust your boat's care to our Factory Certified Techs. Our work is backed up by a family company entering its 90th year of service to boaters. Our objective is to protect you, your passengers and your investment.

Winterization start at: $86.95 O/B: $169.95 I/Os:
Storage $195 thru 5/31/09:

if you combine winterization and storage, pay in 5 installments

Would like to have your opinion about this ad.

All I can say is the guy who open up in Belmont this year re-sealed my Mercury outdrive for $560.00 more than 1/2 cost of Irwins quote of 1,200 and it is still running great.

Rinkerfam · 09-29-2008, 09:53 PM

Seems like pretty straight forward (if not old school) marketing to me. What they're trying to say is trust the big guy who's been around for a long time instead of taking your chances with the new kid on the block. Is this always true? Hardly. What's more telling here is that Irwin is willing to accept installment payments for service. I think that they, as well as others, have come to the realization that some cash flow is better than no cash flow.

robmac · 09-30-2008, 07:21 AM

I for one know how to and have winterized my own boat. However today there are two schools of thought, If I do it myself and something should happen how much did I save? When I have it done by Shep Browns for what I think is a very reasonable amount the I have recourse, like the pld saying "pay me now or pay me later". For my money I'd rather pay a little now rather than chance alot down the road. Just my opinion but I also don't like to lose any boating time because of a breakdown.

fatlazyless · 09-30-2008, 08:42 AM

Winter storage-shrinkwrap/motor winterization seems like it is a big percentage of a marina's income. Just wondering how much....20%,30%,40%,50%...?...anyone know? I have no idea?

jetskier · 09-30-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by robmac

I for one know how to and have winterized my own boat. However today there are two schools of thought, If I do it myself and something should happen how much did I save? When I have it done by Shep Browns for what I think is a very reasonable amount the I have recourse, like the pld saying "pay me now or pay me later". For my money I'd rather pay a little now rather than chance alot down the road. Just my opinion but I also don't like to lose any boating time because of a breakdown.

What I have found is that the cost of winterization is really only incremental to storage/wrapping. Thurstons charges a fixed fee for winterization/storage/spring setup. In addition, they do service work during the winter so your boat is ready to go when the season starts. In my book, that is advantageous relative to getting someone to do shrinkwrap and potentially losing some of the boating season. On the other hand, I do my own winterization/spring setup on the jetski as I store that myself. It is a bit of a pain to drag it to the dealer for stuff that I can do myself.

Jetskier

AC2717 · 09-30-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jetskier

What I have found is that the cost of winterization is really only incremental to storage/wrapping. Thurstons charges a fixed fee for winterization/storage/spring setup. In addition, they do service work during the winter so your boat is ready to go when the season starts. In my book, that is advantageous relative to getting someone to do shrinkwrap and potentially losing some of the boating season. On the other hand, I do my own winterization/spring setup on the jetski as I store that myself. It is a bit of a pain to drag it to the dealer for stuff that I can do myself.

I second Thurston's Mine goes there every year, but I also do not have a trailer for mine, but best bang for yoru buck, plus in my opinion the best service out there. They give a lot for their $37 a foot price

robmac · 09-30-2008, 03:03 PM

Iagree,the jet ski is done at home but the boat not that easy and doesn't fit in the garage

jeffk · 09-30-2008, 05:22 PM

I think the point is you want your boat service done by someone you can count on. I don't think that means that only Irwin's or a big shop can deliver that service but I've had enough bad service on snowmobiles, jet skis, home repairs, etc that I have become very selective about who I want to do work. That's why the forum is great for this. Recommendations from real experience. No service provider is perfect but you can get a pretty good feel for a place by the comments posted here.

I personally have had my boat at Irwin's for the last 14 years and have not had any significant mechanical problems during a boating season.

Dave R · 10-01-2008, 08:00 AM

Irwin is a Sea Ray "Master Dealer". That is not a trivial thing to earn. I would expect excellent service since they obviously have a reputation for it.

jrc · 10-01-2008, 04:32 PM

Like anyplace else, they have a lot of really good people and a few boneheads. If you get a good person, everytime you go there, ask for that person to work on your boat. You will be very happy. If you forget to ask, bozo the clown may work on your boat.

RLW · 10-01-2008, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eye spy

Did any of you see this ad in the Sunday Union Leader.
Would like to have your opinion about this ad.
All I can say is the guy who open up in Belmont this year re-sealed my Mercury outdrive for $560.00 more than 1/2 cost of Irwins quote of 1,200 and it is still running great.

Did I miss something?? I did not see if that pertained to one or all the Irwin shops. It sounds like the one in Alton as I haven't heard a SINGLE GOOD WORD FOR THEM. Our boat will never go back there even for just air in a trailer tire.

katiesmom · 10-01-2008, 05:19 PM

I would have to say they should have let somebody proof read that ad. The words are mis-spelled the sentences are awful. If that really is an ad that persons english teacher is rolling in his/her grave. I only used Miles Marine they are the best!!

dpg · 10-02-2008, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

Did I miss something?? I did not see if that pertained to one or all the Irwin shops. It sounds like the one in Alton as I haven't heard a SINGLE GOOD WORD FOR THEM. Our boat will never go back there even for just air in a tire.

Well now there's your problem. You have a boat with tires?

tis · 10-02-2008, 07:45 AM

Thanks, dpg, you made my day!!!! And just the way you said it! I think I will be laughing about that all day.

Mee-n-Mac · 10-02-2008, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpg

Well now there's your problem. You have a boat with tires?

Mebbe RLW got one of them new fangled car boat thingees ....

Dave R · 10-02-2008, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Mebbe RLW got one of them new fangled car boat thingees ....

I saw one of those on the Delaware River, by Philly, last year. Same color too. Pretty neat.

GWC... · 10-02-2008, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Mebbe RLW got one of them new fangled car boat thingees ....

Me thinks it looks good in red, too - a real dancer...

P.S.- Notice the pole? Talk about taking work to the Lake...

Phantom · 10-02-2008, 02:04 PM

See dpg -- try to put a comical response in and someone goes and "one-up's" ya ...........

Laughing my head off at the picture

RLW · 10-02-2008, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mee-n-Mac

Mebbe RLW got one of them new fangled car boat thingees ....

Don't laugh. I had a friend that sold the amphibian cars back in 1958. They were nothing like the one pictured and I believe if one stood up the darn thing would tip over. I used one for a whole week and was stopped many times showing off and putting it into the water where it wasn't suppose to go. (No tickets just a chewing out as it was a small town and everyone knew all the cops) I can't remember the name but I have seen them shown on some web sites. It was a blast going down the local river with the radio blasting and the crowds gathering around to watch us going in and out of the river. I do have some pictures somewhere, but the wife said it would take time to locate them after 50 years in storage.

RLW · 10-02-2008, 07:15 PM

This is a picture just like the one I was driving. I'm not sure it is the same make as if you view the attached site the driving wheel appears to be on the right side and the one I had was on the left.

http://www.amphicars.com/acpics.htm

Mee-n-Mac · 10-02-2008, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

This is a picture just like the one I was driving. I'm not sure it is the same make as if you view the attached site the driving wheel appears to be on the right side and the one I had was on the left.

Truth is funnier than fiction. Back in the 80's a co-worker and I thought about getting one of the Amphicars pictured above. We were (are) both car guys and he was a collector of old Ford pickup trucks (primary) and some vintage 40's and 50's cars as well. I almost talked him into going "import" (he had the storage barn in Brookline). Alas we both got sticker shock when we saw how much our little oddity went for. Still sometimes I wonder ....

The official website http://www.amphicar.com/

RLW · 10-03-2008, 07:18 AM

Man, how easy it is to get off the original topic of Irwin's marine (Sorry). It was just a simple air in tires comment and look where we have gone. I love it as it has brought back many memories and lot's of chuckles thinking about what we as teenagers would do for a laugh/attention.

Grady223 · 10-03-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eye spy

Did any of you see this ad in the Sunday Union Leader.

Would like to have your opinion about this ad.

All I can say is the guy who open up in Belmont this year re-sealed my Mercury outdrive for $560.00 more than 1/2 cost of Irwins quote of 1,200 and it is still running great.

My opinion is: there are an awful lot of spelling and grammatical errors that were missed before Irwin published this add. Who did their proof reading?

Gilligan · 10-03-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RLW

Did I miss something?? I did not see if that pertained to one or all the Irwin shops. It sounds like the one in Alton as I haven't heard a SINGLE GOOD WORD FOR THEM. Our boat will never go back there even for just air in a trailer tire.

Are the Irwin's other marine repair facilities isolated from the Lakeport Irwin's service?

Like Irwin's at Mountain View Yacht Club. Do they work in conjunction with the Lakeport service department on boat maintenance or do they operate mostly as a seperate entity? Would I get better service at Irwin's in Lakeport than I would at Irwin's at MVYC?

I don't have a SeaRay if that makes a difference.

RLW · 10-03-2008, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gilligan

Are the Irwin's other marine repair facilities isolated from the Lakeport Irwin's service?

Like Irwin's at Mountain View Yacht Club. Do they work in conjunction with the Lakeport service department on boat maintenance or do they operate mostly as a seperate entity? Would I get better service at Irwin's in Lakeport than I would at Irwin's at MVYC?
I don't have a SeaRay if that makes a difference.

To my knowledge each dealership is run by different managers, technicians and sales people but all come under the umbrella of the main Irwin's and the owners.

upthesaukee · 10-03-2008, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grady223

My opinion is: there are an awful lot of spelling and grammatical errors that were missed before Irwin published this add. Who did their proof reading?

I have not seen the ad, and do not know if it is the result of a camera ready ad, or something that was type set by the Union Leader.

I can tell you that when my wife and sister in law had their yarn shop, they gave a very well written ad to a local newspaper, but not camera ready, and it was butchered by the newspaper.

Don't put the publishing off on Irwin, until we know if it was camera-ready or not.

(BTW, I have dealt with Irwin Alton the last two years, and have nothing but praise for them. Almost sounding like a restaurant thread, huh?

)

fasttech · 10-04-2008, 06:11 PM

I wanted to get back to this Irwin bashing and voice my thoughts. I guess you just can not please every one all the time, I have been a long time customer of Irwin Marine in Alton and even when it was Hillcrest. I have been doing buisness in the summer with my Boats and Seadoo's and in the winter with my sleds and I have nothing to say but great thing's. Sales and Service have very good people that will do all they can for you but you always get those customers that think you owe them something or it is your falt they have a piece of crap that needs work because it is 30 years old and they are to cheap to spring for a piece of equipment that was built in this century.
Do your self a favor and check there prices in Alton for storage or winterizing you may be surprised.

09-29-2008, 09:53 PM	#2
Rinkerfam Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 268 Thanks: 0 Thanked 14 Times in 8 Posts	Seems like pretty straight forward (if not old school) marketing to me. What they're trying to say is trust the big guy who's been around for a long time instead of taking your chances with the new kid on the block. Is this always true? Hardly. What's more telling here is that Irwin is willing to accept installment payments for service. I think that they, as well as others, have come to the realization that some cash flow is better than no cash flow. __________________ Education is hanging around 'til you've caught on - Frost

09-30-2008, 08:42 AM	#4
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,734 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 300 Thanked 1,005 Times in 733 Posts	Winter storage-shrinkwrap/motor winterization seems like it is a big percentage of a marina's income. Just wondering how much....20%,30%,40%,50%...?...anyone know? I have no idea? __________________ ... down and out, liv'n that Walmart side of the lake!

09-30-2008, 05:22 PM	#8
jeffk Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Center Harbor Posts: 1,162 Thanks: 205 Thanked 431 Times in 248 Posts	Who do you trust? I think the point is you want your boat service done by someone you can count on. I don't think that means that only Irwin's or a big shop can deliver that service but I've had enough bad service on snowmobiles, jet skis, home repairs, etc that I have become very selective about who I want to do work. That's why the forum is great for this. Recommendations from real experience. No service provider is perfect but you can get a pretty good feel for a place by the comments posted here. I personally have had my boat at Irwin's for the last 14 years and have not had any significant mechanical problems during a boating season.

10-02-2008, 02:04 PM	#18
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	See dpg -- try to put a comical response in and someone goes and "one-up's" ya ........... Laughing my head off at the picture __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

10-02-2008, 07:15 PM	#20
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	This is a picture just like the one I was driving. I'm not sure it is the same make as if you view the attached site the driving wheel appears to be on the right side and the one I had was on the left. http://www.amphicars.com/acpics.htm __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits. Last edited by RLW; 12-25-2008 at 06:07 PM.

09-30-2008, 07:21 AM	#3
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	I for one know how to and have winterized my own boat. However today there are two schools of thought, If I do it myself and something should happen how much did I save? When I have it done by Shep Browns for what I think is a very reasonable amount the I have recourse, like the pld saying "pay me now or pay me later". For my money I'd rather pay a little now rather than chance alot down the road. Just my opinion but I also don't like to lose any boating time because of a breakdown.

09-30-2008, 03:03 PM	#7
robmac Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Nashua,Meredith Posts: 951 Thanks: 213 Thanked 106 Times in 81 Posts	Iagree,the jet ski is done at home but the boat not that easy and doesn't fit in the garage

10-01-2008, 08:00 AM	#9
Dave R Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 2,984 Thanks: 246 Thanked 743 Times in 443 Posts	Irwin is a Sea Ray "Master Dealer". That is not a trivial thing to earn. I would expect excellent service since they obviously have a reputation for it.

10-01-2008, 04:32 PM	#10
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Like anyplace else, they have a lot of really good people and a few boneheads. If you get a good person, everytime you go there, ask for that person to work on your boat. You will be very happy. If you forget to ask, bozo the clown may work on your boat.

10-01-2008, 05:19 PM	#12
katiesmom Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 24 Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 4 Posts	I would have to say they should have let somebody proof read that ad. The words are mis-spelled the sentences are awful. If that really is an ad that persons english teacher is rolling in his/her grave. I only used Miles Marine they are the best!!

10-02-2008, 07:45 AM	#14
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,697 Thanks: 751 Thanked 1,452 Times in 1,009 Posts	Thanks, dpg, you made my day!!!! And just the way you said it! I think I will be laughing about that all day.

10-03-2008, 07:18 AM	#22
RLW Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Alton Bay on the mountain by a lake Posts: 2,023 Thanks: 563 Thanked 444 Times in 311 Posts	Man, how easy it is to get off the original topic of Irwin's marine (Sorry). It was just a simple air in tires comment and look where we have gone. I love it as it has brought back many memories and lot's of chuckles thinking about what we as teenagers would do for a laugh/attention. __________________ There is nothing better than living on Alton Mountain & our grand kids visits.

10-04-2008, 06:11 PM	#27
fasttech Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 30 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Back to Irwin Marine I wanted to get back to this Irwin bashing and voice my thoughts. I guess you just can not please every one all the time, I have been a long time customer of Irwin Marine in Alton and even when it was Hillcrest. I have been doing buisness in the summer with my Boats and Seadoo's and in the winter with my sleds and I have nothing to say but great thing's. Sales and Service have very good people that will do all they can for you but you always get those customers that think you owe them something or it is your falt they have a piece of crap that needs work because it is 30 years old and they are to cheap to spring for a piece of equipment that was built in this century. Do your self a favor and check there prices in Alton for storage or winterizing you may be surprised.