An analysis of the 2026 annual-service quote against the 2025 overhaul — comparing the two yards on labour rate and part pricing, separating work that was genuinely replaced / rebuilt from items now merely inspected, and assessing whether the quote represents fair value.
2025 spend (both invoices): $27,960.77 · 2026 annual quote: $6,995.46
The 2026 work is quoted by a different yard to the one that did the 2025 job. Here is how the two compare on labour rate, on the parts that appear in both, and on what you actually get for the money.
Unit prices ex GST. Green = Onboard cheaper; red = Onboard dearer.
| Part | Xtreme 2025 | Onboard 2026 | Difference | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP gear oil | $30.90 | $25.99 | −15.9% | Onboard is cheaper here — a genuine saving on a bulk consumable. |
| Oil filter | $23.10 | $26.78 | +15.9% | Modest mark-up, within normal supplier variation. |
| Impeller | $72.00 | $100.36 | +39.4% | Onboard prices it as a kit (incl. face-plate gaskets), so partly justified — but confirm. |
| Engine oil query | $11.80 | $35.18 | +198% | Biggest red flag. Nearly 3× the unit price. Likely a different product/measure (bulk litre vs premium bottle) — but if it’s the same oil, that’s ~$280 of overspend on this line alone. Ask Onboard to specify grade & quantity. |
| Fuel filtration | $34.00 1 generic filter |
$68–$84 disc + cartridge + primary |
n/a | Not like-for-like — Onboard fits three distinct filter types. More thorough, but a bigger fuel-filter spend ($446 vs $68). |
| Labour (per hour) | $150.00 | $163.64 | +9.1% | $13.64/hr more. Over the 25.5-hr service that’s +$347.73. |
The two jobs are fundamentally different in nature — and the split proves it.
In 2025 you were buying hardware — new manifolds, drives, pumps. In 2026 you are buying time — inspection of that near-new hardware plus routine consumables. That is exactly the right shape for an annual service the year after a major refit, and it’s why the 2026 bill is a quarter of the 2025 one.
Onboard’s sundry fees ($286.36) are roughly double Xtreme’s ($145.00 on the main job), driven mostly by one line:
The 9% premium isn’t purely markup — Onboard’s quote spells out work Xtreme’s terser labour lines didn’t itemise:
Verdict: the Onboard quote is fair, with ~$800 of questions worth raising.
The labour hours match Xtreme’s own annual-service scope, the rate premium is small and buys a more thorough, better-documented service, and gear oil is actually cheaper. It is a sound quote — not padded. Before approving, put these specific line items to Onboard; together they are the only soft spots in the price:
| Engine oil unit price | Confirm grade & quantity — $35.18/unit vs Xtreme’s $11.80. | ~$280 |
| Diagnostic plug-in fee | Already covered by labour description — is it additional? | $145 |
| Labour rate premium | +$13.64/hr over 25.5 hrs — ask if negotiable/price-matchable. | $348 |
| Impeller “kit” | Confirm the kit includes gaskets that justify +39%. | ~$57 |
| Potential to clarify / save | ~$830 |
Optionally, since Xtreme already knows the boat and is 9% cheaper on labour, you could invite them to quote the same annual service for a direct comparison — unless there’s a reason you’re moving yards.
| System / component | Done in 2025 overhaul | 2026 quote action | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust manifolds, risers & spacers | Replaced 4 manifolds, 4 risers, 2 spacer kits, 4 shutters, T-fittings & gaskets | Not in quote cooling hoses/housings checked | New in 2025 — no action needed. |
| Sterndrive bellows (universal / shift) | Replaced 2 uni + 2 shift bellows & clamps (a failed clamp caused the damage) | Inspect condition only | ~6 months old — inspect only is correct. |
| Sterndrive internals (gimble bearing, input shaft, pivot pins) | Rebuilt stbd gimble bearing, input shaft assembly, seal & o-ring, front/rear pivot pins, bushes, washers, caps | Grease & check bearings, input shafts, tensions | Rebuilt 2025 — service/grease only. |
| Gear cases & gear oil | Serviced annual service, new gear oil | Replace oil split cases, clean galleries, new HP gear oil | Annual consumable — appropriate. |
| Anodes | — not separately itemised | Replace 2 anode kits + drain plug seals | Routine annual replacement. |
| Engine oil & filters | Replaced engine oil + 2 oil filters | Replace engine oil + 2 oil filters | Routine consumable. |
| Fuel filters | Replaced fuel filters | Replace disc + cartridge + primary filters | Routine consumable. |
| Raw-water pump impellers | Replaced 2 impellers | Replace 2 impellers (pumps checked) | Routine annual. |
| Thermostats | — not itemised in 2025 | Replace 2 thermostat kits | Sensible preventive replacement. |
| Spark plugs | Replaced 16 new plugs | Inspect & reuse remove, compression-test, grease & refit | New in 2025 — reused, not replaced. Good. |
| Distributor caps & rotors | Replaced 2 caps + 2 rotors | Inspect cap & rotor | New in 2025 — check only. |
| Circulation pumps | Replaced 2 circulation pumps | Check cooling system for leaks | New in 2025 — check only. |
| Timing cover & harmonic balancer | Replaced port timing cover + harmonic balancer | Check belts & pulleys | New in 2025 — check only. |
| Sump gasket | Repaired engine removed, leaking gasket replaced (INV-0313) | Check for leaks | Fixed Dec 2025 — monitor. |
| Bilge pump & float switch | Replaced pump + float switch (batteries were draining from a leak) | Not in quote | New Dec 2025. |
| Transducer housing & drain bungs | Replaced/resealed leaking transducer housing + drain bungs (INV-0313) | Not in quote | Fixed Dec 2025. |
| Batteries | Charged/checked after leak repaired | Load test start + house batteries | Test only. |
| Trim system & senders | Replaced trim sender kit, reservoir cap | Check operation & leaks | New in 2025 — check only. |
| Hot-water service | Bypassed not done — corroded fitting at the unit | Not in quote | Outstanding — still needs attention. |
| Diagnostics & sea trial | Done as part of service | Included computer scan, clear fault codes, sea trial | Standard verification. |
Breaking the $6,995 annual-service quote into what’s genuinely replaced vs. what’s just being looked at:
Proceed with the Onboard Marine annual service (QU-0361) — the scope is appropriate. Because the heavy work was done in late 2025, this service is correctly a light-touch annual: it renews the consumables that should be renewed every year, and inspects rather than replaces the recently-fitted parts. You are not paying twice for the 2025 work.
Every line from each document, split into labour and parts. All amounts are AUD and exclude GST (GST is shown in each total). Labour is charged per hour.
| Description | Hrs | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterndrive annual service — 2× Bravo 3 Slip vessel; remove & inspect props; drain/refill gear oils; remove drives; inspect bellows; grease gimble/universal bearings; split, clean & reassemble gear cases; back-flush transom housings; replace anodes; refit drives & props; run up & test. | 8.50 | 163.64 | 1,390.91 |
| Engine annual service — 2× Mercruiser 4.3L V6 Lay matting & access engine room; compression test; inspect plugs, caps & rotor; change oils, oil & fuel filters; fuel treatment; raw-water pumps & new impellers; new thermostats; clean flame arrestors/throttle bodies; check belts, hoses, mounts & clamps; load-test batteries; diagnostic scan & clear codes; engine-room detail; corrosion inhibitor; sea trial & return vessel. | 17.00 | 163.64 | 2,781.82 |
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| HP gear oil | 8.00 | 25.99 | 207.93 |
| Anode kits | 2.00 | 136.55 | 273.09 |
| Drain plug seals | 4.00 | 7.09 | 28.36 |
| Install kits | 2.00 | 24.54 | 49.07 |
| Engine oil | 12.00 | 35.18 | 422.18 |
| Oil filter | 2.00 | 26.78 | 53.56 |
| Fuel filter disc | 2.00 | 71.02 | 142.04 |
| Filter cartridge | 2.00 | 83.73 | 167.45 |
| Impeller kits | 2.00 | 100.36 | 200.73 |
| Primary fuel filters | 2.00 | 68.27 | 136.55 |
| Thermostat kits | 2.00 | 84.27 | 168.55 |
| Fuel treatment (bottles) | 2.00 | 25.45 | 50.91 |
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freight | 1.00 | 40.91 | 40.91 |
| Sundries | 1.00 | 45.45 | 45.45 |
| Environmental fees | 1.00 | 54.55 | 54.55 |
| Diagnostic plug-in fee | 1.00 | 145.45 | 145.45 |
| Labour | $4,172.73 |
| Parts & consumables | $1,900.42 |
| Sundries & fees | $286.36 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $6,359.51 |
| GST 10% | $635.95 |
| Total | $6,995.46 |
| Description | Hrs | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sterndrive annual service & rebuild R&R universal & shift bellows + clamps; R&R trim senders (port/stbd); R&R front & rear pivot pins, bushes, washers & caps; R&R stbd gimble bearing, input-shaft assembly, seal & o-ring; set drive timing & re-install. Caused by a broken uni-bellow hose clamp. | 17.75 | 150.00 | 2,662.50 |
| Engine annual service — port & starboard Oils, filters, spark plugs & compression test; R&R impellers, distributor caps & rotors. | 7.75 | 150.00 | 1,162.50 |
| Circulation pumps, timing cover & sump R&R port/stbd circulation pumps; remove belts & pulleys; R&R port timing cover & harmonic balancer; lower sump, clean surfaces & replace gasket (kept engine in place to save labour). | 9.00 | 150.00 | 1,350.00 |
| Exhaust manifolds, risers & shutters R&R port/stbd exhaust manifolds, risers & spacer kits; prep new parts; R&R weeping transom-shield plugs; R&R exhaust shutters. Hot-water service bypassed — corroded fitting at unit. | 12.00 | 150.00 | 1,800.00 |
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exhaust manifold | 4.00 | 640.95 | 2,563.80 |
| Riser | 4.00 | 666.16 | 2,664.64 |
| 4.7 spacer kit (exhaust) | 2.00 | 1,051.02 | 2,102.04 |
| Exhaust shutter | 4.00 | 106.45 | 425.80 |
| T fitting | 4.00 | 68.55 | 274.20 |
| Gasket | 2.00 | 12.10 | 24.20 |
| Input shaft assembly | 1.00 | 1,412.61 | 1,412.61 |
| Input shaft seal | 1.00 | 47.43 | 47.43 |
| O-ring, input shaft | 1.00 | 2.49 | 2.49 |
| Gimble bearing | 1.00 | 220.08 | 220.08 |
| Pivot pin, rear | 2.00 | 166.26 | 332.52 |
| Pivot pin, front | 2.00 | 136.10 | 272.20 |
| Bushing | 8.00 | 23.10 | 184.80 |
| Washer | 8.00 | 14.66 | 117.28 |
| Nut | 14.00 | 5.30 | 74.20 |
| Cap | 8.00 | 5.15 | 41.20 |
| Nyloc nut | 1.00 | 14.17 | 14.17 |
| Retaining nut | 1.00 | 82.91 | 82.91 |
| Universal bellow | 2.00 | 274.30 | 548.60 |
| Shift bellow | 2.00 | 47.00 | 94.00 |
| Shift bellows clamp | 1.00 | 32.45 | 32.45 |
| Circulation pump | 2.00 | 346.25 | 692.50 |
| Timing cover | 1.00 | 417.60 | 417.60 |
| Harmonic balancer | 1.00 | 709.14 | 709.14 |
| Gasket | 1.00 | 12.45 | 12.45 |
| Distributor cap | 2.00 | 159.49 | 318.98 |
| Rotor | 2.00 | 16.05 | 32.10 |
| IAC filter | 2.00 | 5.91 | 11.82 |
| Spark plug | 16.00 | 8.20 | 131.20 |
| Impeller | 2.00 | 72.00 | 144.00 |
| Phantom black (sealant) | 2.00 | 36.00 | 72.00 |
| Trim sender kit | 1.00 | 276.05 | 276.05 |
| Trim reservoir cap | 1.00 | 14.91 | 14.91 |
| Drain fitting | 2.00 | 143.90 | 287.80 |
| Plug-pipe | 2.00 | 8.99 | 17.98 |
| HP gear oil | 6.00 | 30.90 | 185.40 |
| Engine oil | 10.00 | 11.80 | 118.00 |
| Oil filter | 2.00 | 23.10 | 46.20 |
| Fuel filter | 2.00 | 34.00 | 68.00 |
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freight | 1.00 | 25.00 | 25.00 |
| Environment levy | 1.00 | 40.00 | 40.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 1.00 | 80.00 | 80.00 |
| Labour (46.5 hrs) | $6,975.00 |
| Parts | $15,087.75 |
| Sundries & fees | $145.00 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $22,207.75 |
| GST 10% | $2,220.78 |
| Invoice total | $24,428.53 |
| Less amount paid | −$16,756.03 |
| Amount due | $7,672.50 |
| Description | Hrs | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra works R&R bilge pump & float-switch assembly; charge & check batteries (draining from a water leak); disconnect & remove engine to R&R leaking sump gasket, re-install, re-connect & check alignment; clean bilge, reseal drain bungs; found leaking transducer; manifolds removed & replaced for access. | 16.00 | 150.00 | 2,400.00 |
| Description | Qty | Unit | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bilge pump | 1.00 | 319.07 | 319.07 |
| Float switch | 1.00 | 92.70 | 92.70 |
| Sump gasket | 1.00 | 88.02 | 88.02 |
| Bushes | 8.00 | 23.10 | 184.80 |
| Transducer housing (Airmar P17L) | 1.00 | 41.11 | 41.11 |
| Seal | 1.00 | 15.49 | 15.49 |
| O-ring | 2.00 | 6.91 | 13.82 |
| Snap ring | 1.00 | 6.12 | 6.12 |
| Freight | 2.00 | 25.00 | 50.00 |
| Labour (16 of 22.75 hrs) | $2,400.00 |
| Parts & freight | $811.13 |
| Subtotal (ex GST) | $3,211.13 |
| GST 10% | $321.11 |
| Total | $3,532.24 |