Boaters. Beware of Repair Bills: Learn How to Maintain Your Own Boat and Save Thousands o

You&rsquo,re probably familiar with the difficulty of dealing with service departments when getting a vehicle repaired&mdash,but what happens when that vehicle is a boat?Those encounters are harrowing&mdash,and even if you&rsquo,re only boating on a seasonal basis, they occur frequently. From general boat repairs, annual winterizing service, dry docking, and springtime tune-ups, it may seem  like the bills never end.Michael Bivona, a certified public accountant, helps you navigate being a boat owner in this guide to saving money. He&rsquo,s saved more than $150,000 in repairs and maintenance over his forty-plus years of boating and has avoided many unhappy breakdowns.Whether you do maintenance and repairs yourself or go to a professional, he shares money-saving tips, including:&bull, Unless there is extensive damage to your boat, always insist on a written estimate. &bull, Never tell a service department to do whatever is necessary to fix your boat. &bull, Always carefully inspect your boat if someone else has made repairs.áWith a bit of training and hands-on experience, you can also enjoy boating without draining your life savings.