Diesal mechanic in Tampa FL

Robinl · #1 (**permalink**) 11-02-2003

Can anyone recommend someone around the Tampa area who is reliable, knowledgeable, not a con man, etc. I am gonna have some minor work done prior to a big trip and want to know the work is done right.
Thanks,
Robin

ABullard · #2 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003

Fleetside Marine in Bahia Beach is a very reputable company. I have used them several times and they do excellent work.

Tony

mcain · #3 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003

Sorry. Beg to differ on Fleetside. Would not have made a comment, but for the previous praise. I would NEVER use Fleetside. They had a decent diesel mechanic until their good mechanic quit a few months ago. Even then, I would be very very careful. I''ve known and watched them for over a decade......

windancer1 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-03-2003

Robin, I know of two in the Saint Petersburg area that I have delt with in the past. Bluewater Marine in Gulfport(lots of experiance with Volvos, also the local volvo dealer) and Hawk Diesel in St. Pete.

There is also Mastry, but I have not heard good things about them.

If any of these ar close, I could provide you the phone #s.

Dave R.

WHOOSH · #5 (**permalink**) 11-06-2003

Robin, you need to make your query more geographically specific, as it doesn''t really work - for you or the vendor - to get a great rec on a vendor near Ruskin if you''re boat is in Clearwater (yet both are clearly part of the Tampa Bay area). You don''t want to be paying their labor rate to be driving long distances, nor do they want to be taken away from their primary service area.

If you are located in the St. Pete area, I can tell you that the best single mechanic I''ve ever experienced is Patrick Halbert with Accellerated Services. He''s also an exceptional carpenter and has lots of boat experience. You could do no better...but then, if outside the St. Pete area I don''t think his availability would work for you.

Good luck on both the work and the trip!

Jack

Robinl · #6 (**permalink**) 11-06-2003

Jack,
I am in St. Pete so maybe this guy would work out well. Do you have his number handy?
Thanks,
Robin

WHOOSH · #7 (**permalink**) 11-10-2003

Oooh, you caught me at a cyberhut without my card file. Suggestion: call the St. Pete Municipal Marina office (they have an 800#) and ask them for Patrick''s phone #. They know him well, he''s approved to work there and that should produce what you need. If no luck, try The Harborage (nearby; same circumstances). You could call directory assistance for St. Pete, too - I''ll bet you''ll find him by his business name. I think he sleeps with his cell; you won''t miss him for long if you connect!

Jack

Robinl · #8 (**permalink**) 11-24-2003

Jack,
I tried St Pete and Harborage marinas, St Pete doesnt have a number for him and neither does directory assistance. Harborage doesnt seem to know him. Is it possible he''s no longer in business? If you can dig up a number I''d appreciate it.
Thanks,
Robin

WHOOSH · #9 (**permalink**) 11-25-2003

Robin, please email me direct at n3fyp@winlink.org and your email with address will find me near my card file. I''m sure Patrick is still almost too busy and very much at work in St. Pete.

Jack

knothead · #10 (**permalink**) 11-25-2003

Patrick Halbert''s business is called Accelerated Services and his phone # is 727 656 0250