CAROLINA SKIF DLV 2006

[Captain Art]

Should have made this a new thread instead of a reply to start with. SORRY

I have got to tell you about my2006 21 FT Carolina Skiff DLV. Here is the letter I wrote to Carolina Skiff .

July 05, 2006

Carolina Skiff,
I don’t under stand. Why do you have an 800 number and no one will return calls? I have called on 3 different occasions and left messages with the engineering department in reference to questions I had about my new 21 Ft Carolina Skiff DLV. I wanted to know if it is abnormal for this boat to be bow heavy. When I am on the water and it rains or I get water on the boat for any reason it goes to the front of the boat. I have never had a boat do this. This boat also leans to the right. I have a trolling motor on the bow mounted on the right side. I also have 2 deep cycle batteries mounted under the front deck. I can’t imagine this small amount of weight causing this type of problem. It just doesn’t seem to be the kind of boat I would have expected Carolina Skiff to build.

Then I was sent a survry. I sent the survey back and received a letter telling me they would be in contact with me.
10-19-2006
The above letter was written on July of 2006. Since then I have developed a crack in the transom, where the transom meets the floor on the left side of the boat about 8” long from the corner of the bilge area. No one ever answered this letter or cared to return any of my phone calls. The dealer put the wrong prop on the motor and cost me an additional $500.00 to get it taken care of. I can’t begin to tell you how dissatisfied I am with this boat. I have owned many boats in the past. This is the only one that I would not buy again. What happened? Did the old owner sell the company and some greedy jerk buy it. Unbelievable, Now I have been sent a survey.

I still have not heard from them so I sent another letter.

12-12-2006

It is always good to know, that when you buy a product you know that your money has been spent wisely. I have not heard from any one on these subjects. I would like to thank you for once again ignoring my complaints about the Carolina Skiff. It seems to me if you would put a little more thought in how to build a boat correctly, you would not have to advertise so much. I can’t imagine why a large company like Carolina Skiff would continue to ignore these problems on this.
You can buy what ever you like but I would not buy a Carolina Skiff. Just my opinion.

[C-Hawk18]

Just wondering - What did your selling dealer say when you took it to him to look at?

[Captain Art]

I live in Arkansas and bought the boat off a dealer in North Carolina. Won't do that again either.

[Afishinado]

Maybe you find help with their user group website:
http://groups.msn.com/CarolinaSkiffO...on=get_threads

[My Gal]

Captain Art - 12/28/2006 6:06 PM

I live in Arkansas and bought the boat off a dealer in North Carolina. Won't do that again either.

What is the dealers response? Why would you not buy from the NC dealer again? Because of the boat or support.

Thanks for informing us of your problem.

[Mr. Jimmy]

If you'll drive from Arkansas to NC to pick up the boat, why not drive to Ga and deliver it to them and see what they have to say? I have owned 3 Carolina's, 2 skiff's and 1 sea chaser. I have called on each one and always had my phone calls returned within 3 days. I know it would be a PIA to drive to Ga but I bet that would get there attention!
My 1965 semivee CS would also stand in water in front of boat when in rain. I don't think the bow is heavy, I think it is more of an issue with the floor being angled toward the front for some reason. I can honestly say that I have been very pleased with all of the CS boats that I've owned in the past. Hope it works out for you.

[chumhead]

Capt Art, I contacted J.R. Miles via email for technical info on how to properly lift my 24DLX in a hoist, and received a reply within an hour. Also had good luck reaching him on the phone and getting prompt return calls. I believe he is the go-to man at CS for any technical service info....here is his email address jrmiles@carolinaskiff.com , and I believe his extension number is 113 at the CS 1-800 number (but it has been 10 months since I called him, so don't hold me to that extension number).

Keep in mind they might be closed for the Holidays (?). Best of luck and I hope this info helps.....I am also a member of the forum listed above and don't recall hearing any complaints like the one you mentioned. A trolling motor and 2 batteries mounted up front IS a pretty good bit of weight, and might be enough to upset the self bailing attitude of the boat while at rest (all self bailing boats will have a disclaimer about 'proper weight distribution').

Keep us posted.....

chumhead

[Captain Art]

I sent an E-mail to jrmiles on 12/30/2006 and have yet to receive an answer. The E-mail did not come back to me so I can only assume he got it. Any body else have any suggestions??????? I always thought Carolina Skiff made a pretty good product.

[ScottK]

Was this Chatlee?

[Captain Art]

Here I am again. I heard from J.R. Miles today. He called and I explained my problem. He said he would check it out and get back with me. I will keep this board up to date as he called less than an hour ago.

[Jettywolf]

I think it's your floor!!!!!!

I had a lil 17 footer and water sat up near the bow deck, when on perfectly flat'ish land.

AND still does because I sold it to a buddy and he hates all that water standing on the deck in front of the console too.....But I told him, thats the way it is.

That floor isn't perfect, because of how it's made.

Its the nature of the beast, man. That floor isn't like other floors. Have ya seen how it's made?

Struts as I call 'em going from port to starboard (and could be un-ven on the top, so each one could be a lil taller than some others) then foam blocks and then a layer of glass and chopped over the top of it.

Pretty damn strong, though. But """MANY""" times uneven and a lil bumpy.

Damn near ever single C.S. flat bottom (not Seachaser) I've ever been in was about the same.

Tuff-A$$ boats though. And made to be ECONOMICAL not exactly "Yacht Finish" inside or out.

I always think of them as the 'North American' version of the Panga Boat.

I think millions had to have been sold by now. They are an everybody boat. Salt, Fresh, river , lake.

Around here...all the "back-water" guides who want to get into the biz and don't have no $$, buy the big ones, and say it's because they can float on a wet sponge.
But we know.....its because they don't have any original thoughts, and just imitate eachother.

I loved my lil 17 it was my play boat.

[Captain Art]

Well it has been almost a month since I heard from J.R. at Carolina Skiff.