What a diagnostic visit includes
- Define the actual symptom before touching anything: what happens, when, and what doesn't
- Visual check of connections, grounds and obvious wear first, since that's where most faults live
- Systematic testing of the suspect system: engine, cooling, fuel, charging or drivetrain
- Photos of every finding, good and bad
- A written explanation of what's actually wrong, in plain language
- A separate, written price for any repair, before anything is fixed
The $150 visit fee is credited to the job. You get the price in writing before any work starts.
Why a written diagnosis matters
A boat problem is often not what it looks like at first. A "dead battery" can be a bad ground. A "bad alternator" can be a corroded connection. Brad works from symptom to cause using a consistent method rather than swapping parts and hoping, and every visit ends with a written record of what was actually found, not just what was fixed.
Text a photo of the problem before you book. It won't replace a hands-on diagnosis, but a photo of the engine, the panel, or whatever's acting up often gets the visit started faster.
Common reasons owners call for a diagnostic first
A boat that won't start and the owner doesn't know why. A battery bank that won't hold a charge across a season. An engine running warm without an obvious cause. A haul-out surprise like milky gear lube or a cracked bellows that needs a second look before deciding what to do. See boat won't start for the most common symptom, or haul-out inspection checklist for what to look at when the boat comes out of the water.
Where diagnostics lead
Once the cause is confirmed, the repair itself falls under one of the specific services: marine engine repair, marine electrical, sterndrive repair, outboard repair or marine generator repair.
Where Brad does diagnostic visits
Common questions
What does a diagnostic visit actually include?
A systematic check of the system in question, engine, electrical or drivetrain, working from the symptom to the likely cause, with photos and a written explanation of what Brad found.
Do I get something in writing?
Yes. You get a written explanation of what was found, with photos, and a separate price for any repair. Nothing gets fixed without your OK.
What if it turns out to need parts or a bigger repair?
Brad quotes the repair separately once the cause is confirmed. You decide whether to move forward, get a second opinion, or hold off.
Can I get a read before I book a visit?
Text a photo of the problem and a description of what it's doing. It won't replace a hands-on look, but it often narrows things down before Brad even shows up.
Something's wrong and you're not sure what
Text a photo and a description of what's happening, and Brad will tell you what he thinks it is.