WaterFire KC 2017- US Boatworks Saves the Night

This past weekend was the annual WaterFire event on the Plaza in Kansas City.  WaterFire is a unique experience of sparkling bonfires on the water, live music from boats along Brush Creek, and performances from the shore & the boats.  The event employs three boats with 25 hp Mercury outboards to move performers up and down the creek.

The week of the show, organizers came to US Boatworks with two non-working Mercury outboards.  They arrived on Wednesday & our team immediately took to action to get the motors in working order.  On Thursday the first outboard was repaired and was quickly back on the water to practice for the upcoming show.  Then on Friday, the day before the show, we finished up the second repair.  Within just a couple of days, we had both boats back on the creek, the performances would go on!

I was lucky to be able to attend the 2017 WaterFire event on Saturday. It was a wonderful show with something for everyone. If you have a chance, be sure to check out. More exciting events are planned for next year.

Happy Labor Day!

Here’s to the many workers have contributed to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. While we recognize the history of this great nation, Labor Day also marks the last big celebration of the summer season.  So, all you hard workers, get out there and enjoy your weekend. Temperatures will change soon and we will be packing up the boats for the winter.  Have a blast out there while you can!!!

Time to get your boat ready for the season...

The calendar says it's almost spring even though all the clouds and rain make it feel like a distant dream.  As we are just entering the month of April, its time to get your boat out of storage and begin yourspring boat maintenance.  So the question is: where to start? First, ask yourself if you are you a do-it-yourselfer? Do you like to get your hands dirty and enjoy the challenge of understanding the ins & outs of boat maintenance? Or, do you prefer bringing your boat in for service and sitting back and letting the experts handle it?   The good news is that US Boatworks has you covered no matter which option you choose.

For the boat owner that would rather relax and let us do the work, bring your boat in for its spring checkup soon.  We will look over your boat motor and make sure your precious time out on the water is maximized with fun.  Plan on enjoying hours of worry free time on the lake by allowing the experts do the work.  Our mechanics attend several weeks of manufacturer training every winter so rest assured they are experts in their field and care about each and every boat they service.  Feel free to check our on-line reviews for further evidence that you will be in good hands by choosing US Boatworks for Kansas City boat repair and service.

For the do-it-yourselfer, we stock boat parts, oil, filters, lube – everything you need to get your boat in tip top shape.  We provide only Mercury, Evinrude or Volvo brand name oils that are recommended by your manufacturer.  Don’t be fooled by the cheaper auto oils and lubes.  Over time, you motor’s performance will suffer.

Should you need to order boat parts for your outboard or sterndrive, our on-line engine selector shows engine diagrams/microfische with the corresponding part names.  You can even add parts you need to a shopping cart if you desire.  If you are not certain of what you need, call or email parts department for friendly help with your purchase.

The team at US Boatworks is excited about the upcoming boating season and looks forward to helping keeping you out on the water this season.  We appreciate you supporting your KC area boat dealer.

Open Saturdays 9-Noon

Its going to be unseasonably warm this weekend. Spring is in the air as our phones are ringing off the hook and customers are lining up to get their boats ready for the season.  Since our customers need us, we will be open on Saturdays beginning March 4.  Every year beginning the 1st weekend in March, we open our doors on Saturdays to meet the needs of our customers.  So, please come down and see us tomorrow from 9am – Noon.

Bring your boat in for that repair you have been putting off.  Your turn around time in early March is much shorter than what it would be should you bring your boat down in May.  Eliminate the stress of having your boat at the shop when the warm temperatures hit.  It will be lake weather before you know it and you won’t have to disappoint your family by not having your boat ready this season.  Plus you’ll feel good knowing you had your repairs and maintenance done at Kansas City’s #1 boat repair shop.

While you are at the shop, ask about our Kansas City Mercury Outboards for sale.  New specials and rebates just started and they won’t be around long.  US Boatworks pricing on outboard motors usually beats the big guys plus we offer unsurpassed service and knowledge that you won’t find elsewhere.  Once you give us a try, you will understand why US Boatworks is a trusted place to buy Kansas City outboard motors.

What you need to Winterize your Outboard or Sterndrive

Winterizing tips for do it yourselfers:

This week temperatures took a dip and it definitely feels like fall outside.  Enjoying these cooler temperatures out on the water should be very tempting right now.  Traffic on the lake will be at a minimum so it might feel like you have the lake to yourself.  While it may be a little chilly for water skiing and tubing, it's a delightful time for a nice drive on the lake or even spending day fishing.

While you are enjoying the last few weeks on the lake, keep in mind that the task of winterizing your outboard or sterndrive is around the corner.  Winterization will need to be completed before the first hard freeze.  So, boaters have a choice of taking their boat in to have it winterized by certified mechanics or performing the task on their own.  Our blog next week will cover tips on having your boat repair shop complete your winterization. If you want to get ahead of the rush, bring your boat into our shop now while the wait is minimal.

For the diy boat mechanic, preparation is key in winterizing your boat.  Having the correct marine grade oil, lube and fuel stabilizer is important to prevent potential damage down the road.  Picking this up at the auto store or large discount chain is not the way to go.  If you are saving money by doing the task yourself, put a tiny bit of that savings towards genuine Mercury Marine, Evinrude, Johnson or Volvo-Penta oils and lubes.   Below is a list of  what you need before you begin winterization.

US Boatworks customers can enjoy 10% off  your winterization items below when mentioning this blog- carry out only.

Outboard - 2 Stroke
Gear Lube
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer

Outboard - 4 Stroke
Anti-freeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

Sterndrive:
Antifreeze
Fogging Oil
Fuel Stabilizer
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Gear Lube

OEM vs Generic Fuel Lines

We receive numerous phone calls each day about boat motors not running properly. Often times we try to help our customers trouble shoot the problem over the phone if possible.  No sense in bringing a boat in for service if the answer is a quick solution that the owner can handle.
So, when discussing the poor performance complaints, popular problematic symptoms usually include:

-Motor will not start
-The engine runs fine for a while, but then shuts down and will not restart
-Loosing power periodically and then when running on plane

If the customer is inclined, we will suggest checking for fuel leaks, reviewing all fittings and connectors for leaks and testing the fuel bulb.  We also ask if the fuel lines have been replaced and if so, what brand has been installed? When the answer is the fuel lines have been replaced by lines purchased at a large discount store, we suggest purchasing OEM fuel lines and installing them with new fittings.  The fuel lines from the discount stores last a fraction of that of an OEM line.  The quick deterioration of the generic lines often times cause boaters more problems than the money saved up front.  Frequent replacing of lines and time lost on the water is far more costly than simply purchasing the OEM lines to begin with.  If fuel lines have never been replaced, they still may need to be changed out with new OEM lines to insure fuel can reach the motor with ease.

If you are in need of new fuel lines or fuel related accessories, we can help.  Our online parts store allows you to select your motor and review the engine diagrams on the screen.  Simply place items from the microfiche drawings in your shopping cart & check out.  We usually ship orders the same day so you receive your order quickly.  Additionally, readers of our blog can enjoy $10 off orders of $50 or more by entering 10save10 coupon code at checkout.

Bottom line, fuel related problems can sometimes be self diagnosed and fixed at home.  We recommend using OEM parts especially with your fuel lines and connectors.  Should you want us to do the work for you, please call or bring your boat in for Kansas City boat repair or service.  There is nothing better than a fun day out on the water with friends and family.  We take pride in quality workmanship and will get your motor running in top shape.

1st Responders Rely on US Boatworks

Professionals continue to count on US Boatworks to service their outboard motors. Most recently, the Kansas City Fire Department had their rescue boat in for routine maintenance.  They even agreed to pose for a quick picture for us when they came in to pick up their boat. 

So what makes US Boatworks stand out as a preferred boat dealer for our local fire and rescue department? We have polled our customers and choose the top 5 factors that make US Boatworks a superior boat repair shop.

1. Our certified mechanics know your engine inside and out.  Each mechanic has attended many hours of instruction each year.  This education keeps them on top of new technology which rapidly changes each year.
2. Each of our mechanics has over 25 years experience repairing boats.  So, in addition to being educated with the new technology, our staff has experience working on the late model engines as well.
3. Our friendly team is always happy to help.  Step into our humble shop and you will find our experienced team ready to answer your questions and solve your problem.
4. Great pricing: Low overhead keeps our costs down and we pass that savings on to our customers.
5. Over 2 million boat parts in stock.  This means that we should have the parts you need on hand.  This saves a considerable amount of time while your boat is at our shop- no need to wait for parts to come in from the manufacturer. Your repair will be completed as quickly as possible to get you back out on the water.

We hope you choose US Boatworks for your Kansas City Area boat repair needs.  It's hard to put into words how much we truly care about our customers.  Come in and give us a try, let us earn your business as we have done with our local fire and rescue departments.

Outboard Motor Spring Maintenance

It's finally here.  Time to get your boat out of storage, dust off that cover and begin you spring maintenance.  So the question is, are you a do-it-yourselfer or do you bring your boat in for annual spring maintenance.  The good news is that US Boatworks supports you no matter which option you choose.

For the boat owner that would rather sit back and let us do the work, bring your boat on down for its spring checkup.  We will look over your boat motor and make sure your precious time out on the water is maximized with fun.  Plan on enjoying hours of worry free time on the lake by allowing the experts to review your motor.  Our mechanics attend several weeks of manufacturer training every winter so rest assured they are experts in their field and care about each and every boat they service.  Feel free to check our on-line reviews for further evidence that you will be in good hands by choosing Kansas City Area US Boatworks for boat repair and service.

For the do-it-yourselfer, we stock oil, filters, lube - everything you need to get out on the water.  We provide only the best brand name oils that are recommended by the manufacturer.  Don't be fooled by the cheaper auto oils and lubes.  Over time, you motor's performance will suffer.

 Should you need to order parts for your outboard or sterndrive, our on-line engine guide shows engine diagrams with the corresponding part names.  You can even add parts you need to a shopping cart if you desire.  If you are not certain of what you need, call or email parts department for friendly help with your purchase. The team at US Boatworks is excited about the upcoming boating season and looks forward to helping you no matter what you need.  We appreciate you supporting your KC area boat dealer.

Boat Winterization

Winterization under way

Our lot is full to the brim with

Kansas City area
boats to winterize.  Many boaters already decided to get their
boats in for winterization service this year due to the cold weather in Kansas and Missouri
this week.   
Our customers choose US Boatworks for our great rates and outstanding
reputation.   Each winterization is personally performed by one
mechanic from beginning to end.  Rest assured that your motor will be
properly winterized and safe from the upcoming freeze.

Another reason our
customers choose US Boatworks is because we offer

boat parts that are hard to
find.  Parts for older boats that are not longer made are stocked by the
thousands.  We get people from all over the United States looking for
marine parts.  Most of our

old boat parts are
NLA - No Longer Available
marine parts
from the manufacturer.  Once a manufacturer stops producing parts that fit
your boat, it can be very difficult or impossible to fix your motor. 

The major brand boat parts we carry are

Mercury Marine, Mercruiser, OMC Cobra,
Johnson, Evinrude and Mariner.  Our lower unit replacement
program offers you two choices.  Choose a new lower unit or a
remanufactured lower unit by visiting our site.

For more information on any of
these products or service send us an email at
parts@boatengine.com or call us M-F
9-5 CST at 913-342-0011.  TIm, Ron or Mike are happy to help you with your
boat repair or maintenance needs.  We are open 9-5 Monday through Friday
until spring hits. 

Happy boating.

It's a big deal, this boat

It's a big deal, this boat

I came across this boating
commercial yesterday.  I guess it has been around a while but with Tivo, I
don't see a lot of commercials.  This one sums it up for us boaters. 
The lady exclaims, 'Its a big deal, this boat".  She doesn't understand
what all the fuss is about.  WE understand what all the fuss is about.  
It's quality family fun, its your hobby, your passion. You want your boat
running the ENTIRE season so you can enjoy those warm days on the water.  
Trust your passion to a boat shop that has that same passion, for boating, US
Boatworks.  We work hard to get you back on the water as quickly as
possible.  We also keep over 1 million boat parts in stock so you don't
have to wait for us to order the part your boat needs.  If you have an
older boat, we have those hard to find,
obsolete, NLA boat parts
in stock. 
Call us at 913-342-0011 or send us an email and let us know how we can help you. 
We ship our parts all over the US.

Here is the commercial.

Gear up your boat before Memorial Day

Tips to gear up your boat engine for Memorial Day:

Getting your boat ready to take out for the Memorial Day weekend can be a
chore.  If you are a do-it-yourselfer, plan on spending some time getting
your boat and motor ready before you hit the lake.  A little time spent in
advance can make all the difference.  Preventative maintenance now could
keep you out on the water all summer long. 

In the early spring, I devoted several blogs to how to get your boat up and
running for the first time this season.  Since this is topic is so
important, it bears repeating.  If you are mechanically inclined, most of
these tasks should be no problem.  If you are not comfortable with tools
and getting your hands dirty, one of our trained mechanics would be happy to do
this for you.  Contact Tim or Ron at 913-342-0011 or just bring your
boat down for service in the Kansas City area. 
We are open from 9-5 M-F, CST and Saturdays 9-noon. 

US Boatworks stocks all mechanical parts for your boat motor and most
accessories you may need.  You will find that our prices are some of the
lowest in town, lower than the "big guys" in this area.   We recommend
that you only use original manufacturer oil and parts in your boat, not to get
more money out of you, but because the quality OEM parts will last.  They
won't leave you stranded on the lake.

If you have an older boat motor with hard to find boat parts, we also can
help.  US Boatworks stocks thousands of
hard to find, no longer available, obsolete
boat parts.  Email us your needs at
parts@boatengine.com or call
913-342-0011. 

Boat maintenance tips (link)