 Outstanding Service from Chambliss Marine in N.J.
I just wanted to take this opportunity to inform other Cape Horn and Evinrude owners of oustanding service that I received from Joe Chambliss at Chambliss Marine in Lanoka Harbor, NJ. Joe is a Cape Horn and Evinrude dealer who was able to quickly and efficiently diagnose and resolve a major engine mounting problem on my Canpeh Horn 24 Offshore.
I must first state that Chambliss Marine (Joe), was not the dealership from which I originally purchase my CH (I now wish that I had), however he is the closest dealership to Maryland and in my opinion is one of the most "Stand-up" dealers in the boating industry, who possesses a pleathora of engine and boating knowledge. He will tell you like it is and hide nothing, insuring that you have a properly rigged and ready to run boat!
After buying my boat from a Florida dealer (dealer name to be withheld at this time, due to onging negotiations), I began to notice that my brand spanking new (2003) Cape Horn 24 Offshore with twin 200HP Enivrude engines was not performing to its potential. The RPM's were very low (5,100) at WOT. I consulted with Tyler at Cape Horn, who recommended that I take the boat to Chambliss Marine in N.J. to have Joe Chambliss take a look at it.
When I arrived at Chambilss Marine, Joe greeted me and took one look at the boat and said "who mounted your engines?". I replied and said this is how the boat came rigged from the Florida Dealer. Joe then proceeded to take out a tape measure and began to measure the distance the engines were apart, their height, position off center, toe-in and toe-out, etc. It turns out that the dealership from which I bought the boat had improperly mounted the engines, placing them off center to port by over an 1 1/2" and mounting them too close together. A major F-up!!!
Joe then recommended that I call the dealer in FL and request that they authorize the repair and remounting of the engines at their expense. After a few days of negoitation with FL, they agreed to cover the cost of remounting the engines.
Chambliss Marine completed the repair and during his sea trial determined that one tachometer was faulty and both were manufactured in 1997! Does that seem funny, since the boat was purchased new in 2003? Anyone??? Shouldn't the majority of gauges and parts be new? Joe also determiend that one engine computer was faulty, which was covered under warranty by Bombardier.
To sum it up, Chambliss Marine took control of the my problem and made it a priority to ensure that my boat was repaired and all issues resolved, before it was returned to me. How many other dealers, who did not sell you the boat, would do this? Obviously, Chambliss Marine has great integrity and is proud to stand behind both Cape Horn and Bombardier.
What's the moral of the story: If it costs you a bit more to buy from a local dealer do so, provided they are reputable and have a history of satisfying their customers.
My hat goes off to Chambliss Marine of Lanoka Harbor, NJ for their hard work and dedication to the boating industry. If you are in need of an "ACE" marine mechanic and stand-up boat dealer, Joe Chambliss is your man.
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