Never again will I bring my boat to Schmidt Boat Service in Brenham Texas. I dropped off my 2002 Alumaweld Express with 209 hours on the motor (June 25) and picked it up today (July 16) with 225 Hours! The manager laughed said it wasn't their fault, they didn't put it in the water, and a mechanic must have left the key on overnight. I only dropped it off to get the carburetors cleaned and the bilge pump repaired.
I dropped it off once before for the yearly maintenance with 160 hours and picked it up with just over 200! I'm pretty sure they don't take it joy riding, but the increased hours lowers the resale value of the motor. I did not record the hours the first time, but this time I took a photo with my cell phone in the parking lot as I unhooked the trailer. My suspicions were confirmed as I took the second picture with the 16 extra hours. That's more time than I have put on the boat in the two years I've owned it!
I was warned by a coworker about this company after I described my experience on social media. He was charged for parts that were never replaced. I retrieved my old receipts when I got home and noted that the upper fuel pump was replaced in February of that year, but I had just been charged again! I called the shop and asked for the faulty part that they took off since there must be a warranty, and the boat had only been on the water one time before it broke down. He stated that the mechanic thinks he replaced the upper fuel pump, but they did not have the old part anymore. I pointed out the part had just been replaced according to their February receipt. He stated that he was unaware that he had worked on the boat that recently and would refund the part. Both fuel pumps appear to have the same amount of dust covering them, but both are now signed, dated and photographed in case another mechanic tries to scam me.
The previous owner swore by this mechanic, and had all of his maintenance completed here. I cannot recommend this business to anyone that I care about and caution anyone from conducting business with them. read more