If there were six stars AAA Marine would certainly deserve it!!
I've been renting and operating vessels for for over 20+ years and I have NEVER had the supreme service from Erith of AAA marine. Many mechanics I've met are parts replacers or figure out problems by process of elimination, but not Erith. I've met his father Vaughn briefly and obviously his father taught him well.
Let me enumerate his 5+ star qualification:
1) Availability: My newish Cummins diesel broke down at sunset and I needed to be up and running for my Saturday charters. I had called several mechanics in a panic and was either getting v/m or told they could possibly see me Saturday afternoon or on Monday. When I got a hold of Erith of AAA Marine, he said he was having dinner with his gf but would come down and help me out. He was up in Santa Barbara, I'm in Marina del Rey! He stopped by his shop to get the parts he thought we needed (he was right) and promptly arrived in 2.5 hours. This scenario has now unfortunately played out three times since then with various break-downs. Each and every time Erith has accommodated me and got me up and running very quickly.
2) Expertise: I can only speak for my Cummins & ZF package but Erith quickly and efficiently has diagnosed problems over the phone and in-person with quick repairs. Besides his proficiency in the diagnosis and repair he is extremely thorough and detail oriented.
3) Value: Although not inexpensive, knowing that I'm getting it done the right way and quickly is the definition of value as far as I'm concerned. Down time whether for a commercial vessel or one's weekend play toy is expensive in lost revenue or valuable "play time".
4) Honesty/personality: Besides his good natured personality, I've never felt he's B.S.'d me or overcharged me for a service. Besides his get-it-done philosophy he's enjoyable to work around.
No wonder commercial guys from San Diego to Santa Cruz go to this shop for their diesel repairs--these guys at AAA Marine are first class all the way. read more