Around approximately November my regular mechanic, Mr. William Boyance of Ocean Marine Mobile was on vacation and during that time, the weather had gotten colder. After having installed a new engine in my boat, I got nervous, didn't want anything to happen due to freezing, and had Trixie's Marina, 305 Brennan Concourse, Bayville, New Jersey, 732-269-5838 haul out my boat, powerwash the hull, remove the sterndrive, perform an oil change and winterize it.
When Trixie's pulled out the boat, I informed Mr. Bob Bergstedt (owner of Trixie's) that there was an additional seawater pickup for the new 5.0L MPI Mercruiser engine that was installed in the Spring of 2004. The original Alpha sterndrive cannot pickup enough water alone to supply engine cooling water, so the additional seawater pickup was installed at the time of engine installation (which was performed by Ocean Marine Mobile). He assured me that it would be no problem. He returned the boat which was powerwashed, oil changed and winterized. I paid the invoice immediately and he blocked the boat in my driveway at 100 Cedar Run Road, Bayville, New Jersey.
On or around May 10, I contacted Mr. William Boyance (my regular mechanic) of Ocean Marine Mobile to come pickup my boat, install the drive, bottom-paint, and prep the engine to launch the boat for the season. When I received a telephone call from Mr. Boyance that the boat was ready for launch, he picked me up and we proceeded to the launch ramp nearby. Enroute to the ramp, Mr. Boyance informed me that that while he was draining the engine to remove the anti-freeze, he observed none. At this point, he was worried that the boat was not taken care of properly last fall/winter. Upon arrival at the ramp, we backed the boat into the water (we only put the stern in to ensure there were no leaks and also to check the engine operation).
After starting the engine and letting it run at idle speed, we observed the temperature gauge continuing to climb past the normal operating range. Mr. Boyance then proceeded to feel the risers and they were extremely hot. He immediately shut off the engine and proceeded to pull the trailer (with boat still attached) back out of the water. He then got underneath the boat to check the seawater pickup screen to see if it was clogged which proved to be clear of any debris. At this time, he suggested that the boat return to his shop for further investigation, as it was clearly evident that something was wrong.
Upon arrival at the shop, he proceeded to remove the hose leading directly to the water pump and insert a water hose to directly feed the engine. After starting the engine, the water would not go into the engine, but backed up immediately in the hose. He shut the engine down again and informed me that something was definitely wrong with the engine. He informed me that he would remove the water pump to further investigate in the morning.
I received a telephone call from Mr. Boyance the next morning in which he asked me to immediately come to his shop. Upon arrival, he showed me the water pump and what was left of the impellers and impeller shaft. It was clear, even to me, that Trixie's did not attach a hose to the seawater pump and the engine was run without cooling water for an unknown period of time during the winterization process. I asked Mr. Boyance what I should do at this point and he suggested that I take the water pump and impeller pieces and go speak with Mr. Bergstedt at Trixie's, which I did. Mr. Bergstedt appeared to be very sympathetic to the situation and told me not to worry, everything will turn out alright, we'll do what's right. He also asked where the boat was and he informed me that he would go over to look at it.
I received a telephone call from Mr. Boyance that afternoon informing me that Mr. Bergstedt was enroute to his shop to look at the engine and water pump. I also went to the shop to be present. Mr. Bergstedt arrived with another gentleman named Mike and Mr. Boyance went over everything that had occurred so far. I informed Mr. Bergstedt at this time that I was still very upset as this was a new engine with less than 20 hours on it, that I had spent $ 8,000 on just the engine alone and my boat should be sitting in the water now, not on blocks with engine problems. He stated that he would contact his insurance company and inform them and also acknowledged that he (or his mechanic) was responsible for this situation.
After several days, I received a call from a Mr. Robert Gibble, a marine surveyor & appraiser (who was sent by Trixie's insurance company). We set a date and time to meet to investigate the boat. Upon arrival, Mr. Gibble looked at the water pump, impeller pieces and impeller shaft, observed that the engine was brand new and proceeded to take a sample of water from the engine block to test for anti-freeze, which upon conclusion of the test, showed none present. It was also observed that the engine oil was approximately 3 quarts overfilled and that the exhaust bellows felt melted/soft. Mr. Gibble also stated that Mr. Bergstedt has claimed that he put anti-freeze in through the hoses on top of the engine. It was very evident that the bolts and hoses on the engine had not been removed. He wanted the engine taken apart for further investigation, but I would not allow it until I contacted my insurance company.
At this time, I contacted my insurance company again (I had contacted them since this event started just to keep them informed of the situation). I now had to file a claim as it was evident that this situation was not going to be rectified by Mr. Bergstedt in a reputable, business-like manner.
This brings this situation to it's present time. As we spoke today, you were enroute to looking at the boat.
I would like to say a few things about this situation:
1. The engine has less than 20 hours on it and was installed in the spring of 2004.
2. It is evident that Trixie's did not follow the proper procedures in winterization as outlined by Mercury Marine. There was no anti-freeze in the engine, and the oil was overfilled by 3 quarts. This, in my opinion is improper maintenance and has voided my warranty with Mercury Marine.
3. Trixie's did not take proper steps to ensure adequate cooling water to the sterndrive and engine (even after I informed him of the new engine and the second seawater pickup). Any qualified marine mechanic can clearly see the second pickup in the engine compartment. This, in my opinion, is total negligence on Trixie's part.
4. I have further concerns that if all impeller pieces are not removed from the engine, there is no guarantee that I will not have problems in the future, and if I were to have problems, who is going to be responsible for payment for repairs? I do not feel it is fair for my insurance company to have to bear the burden now and years to come for someone else's negligence. There are so many pieces inside that engine at this time, there can be no guarantee of this type.in addition, what other unseen damage has been done to this engine from failure to have adequate cooling water during operation, no anti-freeze in the engine block, and overfilling of engine oil? And if this engine is taken apart, it cannot be put back together the same as a new one, which this engine is.
I enjoyed a problem free boating season last year (thanks to Mr. Boyance who did a great job), and all I expected was to get many years of problem free boating in the future, however, due to Trixie's inept actions, this is not going to be the case. My boat should be in the water at this time, not sitting up on blocks with engine problems. It is a BRAND NEW ENGINE! In addition, after contacting Mercruiser regarding my warranty, they informed me that due to the improper winterization and overheating, my warranty is VOID and the extended warranty that I was planning on purchasing is now not available.
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