Boat Problems We Fix
What usually causes the most common boat and outboard problems, based on years of real jobs across South Florida, and what to do about each one.
Ethan, the owner and mechanic, answers the phone · Open 7 days a week
- Same / next day availability
- On-site & marina service
Starting & Running
Boat Engine Running Rough
Misfires, shaking, or rough idle: spark plugs, injectors, ignition, or compression.
Learn moreBoat Engine Warning Alarm or Beeping
Horn or warning light: overheating, oil pressure, water in fuel, voltage, or sensors.
Learn moreBoat Sat Too Long and Won’t Run Right
Months or years of sitting: stale fuel, clogged injectors, dead batteries, and stuck parts.
Learn moreBoat Starts Then Dies
Runs a few seconds or minutes, then stalls: almost always fuel, vents, or idle control.
Learn moreBoat Won’t Start
Cranks but won’t fire, or won’t crank at all: batteries, switches, fuel, and ignition.
Learn moreOutboard Loses Power at High RPM
Fine at idle, bogs or shuts down at speed: VST filters, injectors, pumps, and pickups.
Learn moreOutboard Won’t Shift Into Gear
Hard shifting or won’t go into gear: cables, switches, actuators, or the lower unit.
Learn moreWater in Boat Fuel
How water gets in, how to spot it, and what it takes to clean the system out.
Learn moreOverheating & Cooling
Boat Engine Overheating
Alarm or rising temp: impellers, thermostats, intakes, heat exchangers, and manifolds.
Learn moreCorroded Exhaust Manifolds & Risers
Overheating, rust stains, or water in the cylinders: manifolds and risers wear out.
Learn moreOutboard Not Peeing
Weak or no tell-tale stream: a clogged hose, worn impeller, or blocked intake.
Learn moreBatteries, Electrical & Pumps
Bilge Pump Not Working
Won’t run, runs nonstop, or works only on manual: floats, wiring, fuses, and pumps.
Learn moreBoat Battery Keeps Dying
Dead every time you arrive: the battery, the charging system, or a drain.
Learn moreBoat Clicks But Won’t Crank
A click or nothing: weak batteries, cables, the solenoid, or a failed starter.
Learn moreBoat Gauges Not Working
Stuck fuel gauge, wrong temperature, or blank digital gauges: senders, sensors, and wiring.
Learn moreMarine Toilet Not Flushing
Won’t flush, won’t hold vacuum, or keeps cycling: pumps, valves, bellows, and seals.
Learn moreDrives, Trim & Steering
Boat Steering Hard to Turn
Stiff wheel or slow response: air, low fluid, leaking cylinders, or power steering faults.
Learn moreMilky Lower Unit Oil
Water in the gear oil: worn seals, a damaged shaft, or a missing drain screw gasket.
Learn moreOutboard Won’t Trim Up or Down
Trim does nothing, works one way, or drifts down: relays, motors, pumps, and seals.
Learn moreWater in Bilge from Sterndrive Bellows
Water in the bilge on a sterndrive boat: cracked bellows can sink it at the dock.
Learn moreSterndrive Grinding Noise (Gimbal Bearing)
Grinding from the transom at idle or when shifting: often a failed gimbal bearing.
Learn moreDon’t see your problem here? Call Ethan and describe what the boat is doing.
Call 786-351-5363Areas We Serve
Our mobile marine mechanics travel to marinas, private docks, and waterfront homes from Boca Raton to Islamorada. Nearby but not listed? Reach out to confirm availability in your area.
Not Sure What’s Wrong?
Call and describe what the boat is doing. Ethan answers the phone and can often narrow it down before he arrives.