Let me make my several thousand dollar problem clear: The boat was in excellent condition when I purchased it, the previous owner took good care of the equipment, furnished ample spares, and represented her exactly as she was as I learned the systems. After purchasing three previous boats - two new and two previously owned, this was my best purchase experience.
The problems began with a routine oil change - and a request to swap the two bilge pump auto-switches since water had accumulated in the bilge when I washed the cockpit -- still don't know why, but the pumps easily kept up until they both stopped coming on.
When the boat was returned, there was water in the transmission - another oil change took care of that, and no engine oil pressure. A mechanical gauge showed it was an instrument problem. Some research on this web resulted in finding there was a service advisory with the symptoms displayed, Advisory Number: YASA2012 ─ 006 ─ M; thanks to Ranger for posting this.
In the process of changing the wrong float switch, the first "mechanic" changed the shower switch (working) instead of the forward bilge switch (not working), the mechanic also cut a wire, still unknown, and broke the hot water supply hose to the shower. I repaired the shower, thanks again to this web, and hunted for what doesn't work on the cut wire. I now believe the wire must have powered a non-purchased factory option and this is not needed.
The I transported the boat to an authorized Yanmar dealer for the service advisory repair. The service writer (new) turned it over to a mechanic who spent several hundred $$$ of unauthorized diagnostic to determine he was stumped, and removed the Engine Control Unit to ship back to Yanmar for testing. At that point, the service advisor finally told the mechanic about the service advisory - so they responded with a $2,000+ alternator replacement (I authorized $600 since first mechanic 1 had "watered" the old alternator.
A second mechanic re-installed the new alternator and engine control unit after a $700 yard bill and was still not told about the service advisory, so he didn't replace the connector on the oil sender - the real problem.
I've now paid both yards a significant portion of their bills, paid the marina for storage, and freed the boat up for my use.
In the process, I found the replaced the working water pump on the generator was replaced with a new $475 pump that was shipped, as most pumps are, with the impeller cover loose so the impeller could be set for the correct rotation. Obviously, that pump failed after a few minutes of operation - just enough for my visual inspection to show water coming out when I first started the generator.
Thanks again to this web and the previous owner's spare parts bin, I put in another properly installed impeller, properly tightened the bolts and everything if fine.
So, I've "installed" a couple of "no step" signs to encourage further mechanics, if I ever use another one, not to step on the neutral switch, wastgate hose, wiring harnesses or any other place not clearly safe to step - and the boat is back running with only the oil advisory remaining to be installed. I'll do that next week.
Again, absolutely none of this pre-existed my purchase.
Now, why did I use a mechanic? I've always had boats, always done all my own work including total rebuilds of previous Yanmar engines that just wore out. I've turned 70 and decided to retire from repairs, stop waiting for draw bridges, and enjoy the water on the Ranger. Turns out, only the last part is true - I'm back to doing my own maintenance, enjoying both the maintenance challenge and the improved confidence that comes with really knowing the boat, and while I don't think doing my own work generally saves much money, it would have saved about $4,000 in this case.
