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Random Quote: If you tell me it's gonna rain every day, one day you'll be right. Until then, you're a jackass in a rain coat on a sunny day.
Well it’s been 3 weeks now since I haven’t used my boat and it looks like it’s going to be another 3 weeks until I get to use it -- and all this time I am still paying for the boat payment. Three weeks ago I took my brand new 196 Key West Bay Reef to my dealer to get the 20 hour Yamaha Service done on it and before I took it in I wrote up a couple of other things for the dealer to look at and correct on the boat. The things I wanted them to correct were the Yamaha Digital Gauge was acting up, the trolling motor plug on the bow of the boat was crooked, ‘stainless steel’ fittings were rusting(?), and there seemed to be some small spider/stress cracks (?) developing on the bottom of the console by the bolts that hold the console to the floor. When I dropped off the boat the dealer said no problem, we will complete the 20 hr motor service, we will replace the gauge, replace the trolling motor plug, and have our fiberglass guy take a look at the cracks and you will have your boat back in a couple of days. WRONG!!!
Seems that the fiberglass guy found a defect in the gel coat on the console. So now I have to get Key West Inc. involved. After talking with a general manager at Key West, he said that the console had to be re-gel coated. I said why not just replace the entire console, or preferably, give me a new boat. Since the boat is only a couple of months old, I didn’t think that was too much to ask for (a new boat), because of a “manufacturing defect.” I didn’t spend $20K (plus) on a brand new boat to be re-gel coated, or to put a new console in it, or to lose the boats use for a month-and-a-half. The Key West rep also advised, after I asked, that the console ‘was not’ covered under the 7 year hull warranty. However, after asking and his seeking approval, Key West has agreed to warrant the console in writing. I still prefer a new boat!
Key West does not want anybody local to do the repair, they are going to pick up the boat and take it to their factory in SC – which is okay, but here goes another 3 weeks. It’s prime fishing time down here right now and I am with out the boat. I also had plans of taking the boat over to the West Coast for the 4th of July weekend, so I had to cancel my hotel arrangements and tell my buddies that the plans were off due to the problems with the boat.
As of right now Key West or the Dealer hasn’t stepped up to the plate to do a little something for all this trouble I have to put up with. I probably won’t see the boat till close to August. I took a lot of time and research in comparing other boats to the Bay Reef and thought I made the right decision in my purchase. We will see how all this stuff gets handled and I will keep everybody informed. I think this site is great for posting stuff like this because it gives boaters/consumers the ability to obtain information and share experiences about products, boat manufacturers and stuff that inform people how consumers get treated and how boat company’s handle it.
Bummer! See if you can get the boat back and take it in for service toward the end of the season if they will allow it.
I too need to look into a spider crack on the non skid deck near the back of the boat. I hear they are a common thing but it seems like a 3 month old boat should not have developed a spider crack already. And since it's the deck, not sure if it's covered under the hull warranty???
Other than the spider crack and one of the small plastic hatches coming off (screws will not set in the plastic so a bit of contact cement worked wonders on it) I'mm happy with the boat and the Yamaha motor.
I agree with Firefly. Why not wait and get the repair done later in the year, or at least after you get back from the 4th of July. There going to be fixing it anyways, who cares if the cracks get a little bigger. Explain to them that you don't want to be without your boat for the holiday and will bring it back after that so they can fix everything.
I have had almost the same experience with my Scout 162. From day one there were problems with air voids, etc in the gelcoat. Each time a new one cracked out it was to the dealer, dealer takes pictures to get work approved, scout approve after about a week, another week or two til I get the boat back. After having this happen several times I said the heck with it and started doing the repairs on the new boat myself. Finally got sick of that so now I just leave them. I have had over 25 spots so far defective on a 1999 boat, and now it has started developing "stress cracks." And no, Scout has never offered a new boat and I really don't expect them to, but by the same accord they shouldn't ever expect me to buy another or to recommend them.
Anyway, I have found the best thing to do is leave the cracks and stuff alone for fishing season. Sure the manufacturer will want it to the factory right now, but do it when it is convienient for YOU. Worst case scenario is it is a structural problem, the boat falls apart and it is still under the structural warranty...then you may get a new one.
Tell Key West you will bring it in this winter when you are not using it.
I for one appreciate people like you who post the truth about their boats and the experience with the company. Maybe most Scouts and Key West's are great boats, but one bad apple can spoil the bunch, especially when the problems are posted on forums like this...with enough people listening the manufacturers will have to change their ways.
Keep us posted on what happens. I am currently in the market for a 20-22ft center console and Key West was up near the top of the list until I read this. Still may consider them but only if you have a good report on how they handle the situation.
I have not seen the boat yet since the Dealer's Fiberglass guy took a look at it. I don't know if that guy tried to fix it and made it worse or not. I am going to the dealer Friday to take a look. If it's not bad I will probably see about rescheduling the pickup, but the Key West guy told me that their trucks run on a schedule and their next truck coming down this way is set for within the week and the faster I get it picked up the faster I get it back.
I think expecting a new boat to correct the problems you have seen is a bit too much, and may not even be in your best interests. Consider:
You have a motor that apprently works fine, is correctly rigged, and has proven itself for at least a few hours. From the stories I've heard, new engine failure with very low hours isn't that uncommon. So you probably have a good motor. Replace the hull and they have to re-rig it, which has the potential to create all new problems. If they replace the motor with the hull (unlikely at best) you may have teething problems with the new motor.
Sounds like the guage problem is going to be resolved expeditiously with a replacement guage. Can't complain about that much.
The trolling motor plug sounds like a very minor issue which the dealer is willing to correct.
Stainless steel fittings can rust. It usually means the steel is sub-standard grade, but can occur on good steel under some circumstances. How was the dealer going to handle that?
The stress cracking in the console deserves proper repair, and replacing the console may be a reasonable option. but remember, when they replace the console they have to rerig it. Everything on it is working now, right? If they replace it you have the potential for new problems. A good gel coat repair may be the best answer for you and the dealer.
As for the delays, that is a shame. But in my opinion it is reasonable to expect some problems with a new boat. If the dealer and manufacturer are working with you I really can't fault them too badly. It is peak season now and everyone is hammering on them for repairs.
If it were my boat I'd see if the dealer wouldn't let me have it back until they had some slack time. My guess is that he will be happy to get your boat out of his shop for a few weeks.
Anyway, sorry to hear about your problems and hope they finally find a happy resolution.
You are complaining? You brought it in at the time of year when you wanted to use it, Key West has agreed to repair it themselves and not chance someone else to do it, they have the option to repair or replace defects, as is standard with all manufacturers, and the defects are minor and not structural. You want a new hull? Give me a break. No one has ever made a perfect hull void of any defects. You buy a fiberglas product, and you correct defects if minor. A replacement hull is reserved for major defects and structural problems. Some manufacturers would fight you on something this small. Key West is stepping up to the plate and looking out for you. Scheduling the repair for a time when you don't intend to use it is sound advice, but other than that, you could just be looking for special treatment. I bet the 20 hour service was done in a timely manner.
This is not uncommon on a new boat. I had similar problems with my Twin Vee and it took about 3 months to get all the people involved to agree on how it should be fixed, who should fix it, etc. It sounds like your dealer and Key West have addressed the issue and come up with a working solution. It does happen to be bad timing. It seems that very few brand new things are made perfectly these days. Manufacturers of boats (and cars) will only give you a brand new one in the most extreme cases. Fiberglass is easily repaired and that's what they'll want to do
OK, a replacement hull maybe out of the question, since there is not any major structural damage, but all I would like is a loaner boat maybe. I am not looking for special treatment. I did not spend $20k(plus) to have my boat being worked on for 1-2 months. I use my boat year round so any amount of time that I am with out my boat is a waist of money.
I almost bought a 196 from a dealer in Winter Haven (it was nice - T-top, leaning post, etc.) but opted to buy a Scout from him instead. Should be getting it around July 24.
My dealer is Aloha Marine in Holly Hill, Florida. The dealer as treated me great so far. The whole buying experience was great. I had to take my boat back once before to get the trailer adjusted and when I picked it back up they had detailed it and stuff. There mechanics seemed nice and knowledgeable also. We will see how the dealer handles the rest of this situation now.
one problem with boats & motors ...does not matter whose it is...they are made by imperfectpeople & imperfect materials....so how can they be perfect.if the dealer or boat manufacturer stand behind their product that is all u can ask for.just to get your motor in for minor repairs during the summer here u r looking at 4 weeks down time..if it is major it will be longer. good luck on getting your key west fixed
Man O' Man, When I see post like these I don't feel so bad about running my ole 84' rig! I even can stand the comments like..."Sylvan??, they made deep V hulls, I thought they only made pontoon boats"? LOL! anyhow, I hope you get the problem resolved.
Searunner,
I feel your pain brother!! I just had my Seapro SV2100 cc in for it's 20 hour check. I asked the dealer to take a look at a "spot" on the deck by the console. Turns out to be a spot bigger than your hand that has become delaminated. He doesn't think it can be repaired, his recommendation is to send it back to the factory to get a new cap put on.( major job!!) While I'm not too happy about it, whadda ya gonna do? I'm keeping/using my boat for the summer and early fall. I'll send it back to the factory come deer season.Dealer has been nothing but pleasant. Wadda ya gonna do?
