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I have read many wonderful postings regarding Yellowfin and Suzuki. I am writing about my experience with them which, for the most part, is not favorable. I have had one problem after another and they are not being addressed the way I expected, but maybe my expectations were too high. My frustration and lack of response from Yellowfin,and suggestions from my fishing buddies at lunch yesterday motivated me to bring my issues to this public forum. If Yellowfin (Wylie) took as much time addressing my issues as he does “Harry” on this form, then I probably would not feel that this is my only option to get his attention and my issues addressed.
I first learned of Yellowfin from this form. I then contacted Wylie at Yellowfin and he promptly responded. He answered all my questions and arranged for a demo ride, so I booked a flight from Houston, and in a couple of weeks I sent him a purchase contract on 8 February 2004 for a 36’ Yellowfin with (3) 250 Suzuki Motors. I was told I could take delivery in about 2½ to 3 months. The boat was ready appx 5 months later, which was not a big deal, as I expected delays.
Up to this point, I would rate the customer service very good. Unfortunately, the problems began even before I took possession of the boat. On my second trip to Sarasota, FL to demo my new boat, Wylie noticed a loose (fuel?) connection while we were putting gas in the boat. Wylie fixed the problem on the spot in about 10 minutes. No big deal, but a harbinger of things to come. In a few days, after taking possession of the boat, I was dealing with a growing list of problems which are listed below in the appx. order which they were noticed:
1. I specifically ordered separate switches be installed for the aft and port/ starboard spreader lights. Yellowfin did not install as requested and I had to take the boat to a local dealer to be done.
2. I specifically ordered, by diagram, rod holders to be placed in specific locations and angles. Yellowfin did not install them as requested, and totally missed 4 alltogether. After arguing with me, I sent Yellowfin a diagram of how they should have been installed, and picture of my boat. Wylie sent me the rod holders and I had a local guy install them. I should have noticed this on the demo.
3. Upon delivery one of the stereo speaker grills was missing. The first time I took the boat out, another one fell off after only one hour of use. I had to apply 5200 to all the remaining speakers grill so they wouldn’t fall off as well. It took Yellowfin 6 weeks to send replacements.
4. No horn--Yellowfin should add that as an option, it is not standard equipment.
5. Specifically ordered 2 wash down pumps, they only installed one. Yellowfin sent me a refund.
6. Port engine would not start on #2 battery position.(After re-wiring as discussed later herein, problem resolved)
7. Anchor light does not work at the same time as running lights.(Local dealer fixed)
8. Rear drains do not drain properly. Wylie told me they would be tight at first, but they still stick and not operating properly. I was told to sand them down which I have not done yet, so I do not know if that will fix the problem.
9. Dry box latch pops open. (I had to bend latch to make it stick.)
10. Electronics box pops open. (I had to bend latch to make it stick.)
11. Steering linkage broke on two separate occasions, while we were more than 90 miles offshore. Yellowfin sent me the parts twice to fix the problem. Eventually, he sent me a new steering kit to fix the problem which a local dealer installed.
12. Electronics box and wiring on T-Top not sealed--Everything got soaked inside box. ( I applied silicon sealer to fix the problem.)
13. Suzuki fuel gauges fogged up and not working properly.
14. Steering wheel was loose, which was discovered 50 miles offshore in 3’seas. (I was able to tighten the large nut several rounds with my hand.)
15. Large bait well glass slides open. ( Yellowfin sent me a solution.)
16. Engine decal started pealing off.
17. Port engine difficult to shift.
18. Two of the plastic covers for the lower engine units broke and had to be replaced. Suzuki dealer replaced the covers.
19. Severe Electrolysis Problem
I pulled the lower units to disentangle some fishing line and discovered I had a BIG PROBLEM. I took pictures and immediately notified Yellowfin. The boat was again taken to Finish Line, an authorized Suzuki dealer to the fix problem. The voltage readings were 9+ volts. Finish Line tells me that Yellowfin did not wire it correctly. They used a Yamaha configuration—I have Suzuki motors. After rewiring, I still get 1.5+ volts on my port engine. Suzuki will not warrant it and Yellowfin wants me to ship the boat back to them from Houston, TX to Sarasota, FL so they can get their local Suzuki reps to look at it. Suzuki suggested adding a “ground strap” to the power head and run it to the lower unit.
This issue really concerns me. Even though all three engines were cleaned and repainted and the volts are now down to satisfactory levels, except for the port engine,what will the impact of this damage be in a few years? I really tried to get Yellowfin and Suzuki together on this and determine who was at fault and discuss an extended warranty, but Yellowfin has tried hard to avoid this.
20. The bonding came loose on both sides under the gunnels. These are the tabs that tie upright to the bottom of the deck. Yellowfin wants me to take the boat to a glass man and he will reimburse me. Will have to wait for warmer weather to have this fixed.
21. Starboard K plane reservoir tank rubbed against the door and nipple broke. Local dealer fixed the line only. Wylie claims all doors and reservoirs are built the same. Well maybe there are, but all I know is K-planes quit working due to the line having rubbed up against the door.
In addition to the above, I am finding a discrepancy in Yellowfin’s performance claims.
Yellowfin claimed WOT was 61 to 63 mph full of fuel
fuel burn @ 45 mph = 26 gph., and @40mph=24gph(Full of fuel)
My WOT is 55 to 56 loaded and 59 to 60 light load.
Yellowfin claims the boat will plane when only two of the three engines are operational. I am not convinced the boat will plane on two engines when loaded even in the best of conditions without extreme pressure on engine. For some reason, it is more difficult to plane on two engines if the center engine is out.
In Summary, Wylie told me up front that he was the person responsible for Yellowfin warranty, complaints, etc, but now he wants Richard to handle it. I really don’t care who handles it, I just want someone to get involved and take action in addressing all these issues in an assertive, hands on manner. I have send him many emails asking for his cooperation, but his usual response is “we rig all our boats the same way, or ship it back to me”. Of course, my last reqest of 2/26,has been unanswered. I really don’t think it is necessary for me to ship this boat back, when I simply suggested that he contact his local Suzuki rep and have them contact the Houston rep OR have someone he knows look at this and come to a solution. This problem should not be debated, and Yellowfin should take the “lead” and be pro-active in fixing this problem. I would not have written this if the electrolysis was handled.
Most of these items are minor, but together they really add up to one big problem for me. It takes about a half a day every time I have to pull this big boat in and out of the water to have one thing or another fixed—it really $ucks! Yellowfin represents their boats to be near perfect and claim to offer great customer service—that has not been my experience.
Quit yer bitchin...YF makes the finest boat ever csold by Yellowfin. At least your tanks haven't started to fall apart requiring the decks to be cut open
BTW, I've known about this boat and the issues for a while, but have kept quiet at the request of a friend of yours...I did not want to jeopardize potential warranty care for you. I guess you decided not to worry about possible repurcussions if you went public with your problems. Shame on YF for not fixing these issues immediately.
WOW ... and to think Last year when I would say the TRUTH about this Hull every body simply said I was jealous claiming I could not afford the Boat ....
Honstly I could not afford a boat that requires that much damn MAINTIANCE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Harry Trust me I know them man he has the patience of jobe !!!!!!!!
I can vouch (not that that means anything) that this boat is not abused either. BPFishin drives this boat at cruising speeds, not WOT bashing everything it sight. The electrical issue is pure BS. That is yellowfin's responsibility, I can't figure any other way. All boat have small issues, I work on mine constantly as well but I believe all these issues developed in season #1. Gunnels seperating from strut supports and your lower units coroding because the rigger screwed up would tend to piss most of us off I think. Not to mention the boat is not self bailing at any stretch of the imagination, this is a little unnerving at sea. With the price they charge for a top of the line custom boat like that they need to fix this boat. It ain't a frickin mid-tier boat Wylie.
so now we know the rest of the story behind the "did your boat come with a horn?" thread...
bp as visible as yellowfin is here, i just cant believe that it's come to this with you and your boat. you must be beside yourself with frustration. i know that when i bought a "factory direct" boat i did wonder what would happen if i needed them...well it turned out that i did need them, and they came thru for me like you wouldn't believe.
good luck to you
i'd like to offer advice to you not to engage the inevitable responses you are going to get that it's somehow your fault, or that you should have to ship the boat back to sarasota. sh*t you know as well as anyone that when you buy a boat that expensive locally, the damn dealer/techs make house calls!!!!
I thought you were joking with this thread. You emailed me and we talked performance #'s on my 34 SeaVee/ Suzuki's when I got it last Sept. I had reservations about buying factory direct and have had nothing but a positive experience. I hope that your issues get resolved!! I need to check the voltage on my Zukes Hope to hear back from you with good news.
Let the thread run for a few pages...make a copy and send it to YellowFin.* They should send a trailer over to pick up the boat and take it back to the factory, period.* Rent you a good boat in the meantime. It'll cost them a few thousand; they'll loose more doing nothing.* You have greater patience than I.* Sorry to hear of you frustrations.* They have to get it right.* Sounds like the're more concerned with getting more boats out the door Vs quality workmanship.* The two month delay was the tip off.* For the most part (so far) these are little thing that added up.* Stay with it.*
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Boston Whaler, "MUMBLER", 24 Outrage, twin 175 HP Evinrude Ocean Pros
well then i guess the yellowfin just isnt the mac daddy like everyone worships it to be.price has nothing to do with it. it's about standing behind your product....it must suck to know that after a 160k+ investment in a dammn boat,atleast you got the balls to admit your investment's quality flaws,i salute you , this is what makes THT great,otherwise you would never know.......
I am selling my 31 Seavee soon, and WAS considering a 34 Yellowfin. Looks like a 34 Seavee is a slam dunk now. Wylie, in all honesty, I too have neglected or "delegated" customer service issues in my business. Unfortunately, it cost me a lot of money and stained my reputation to some degree. Step up and take action, it's costing you already.
hope you get your problems straightend out and thanks for informing us in a legible, rational post and not some mystinkinyellowfin.com approach.
No hats being sold here folks...go on home...nothin to see....
everyone can build a bad boat now and then... but the lack of one entire massive service action to take this boat back to sarasota and make it priority one is what's missing....
Just the #'s 1, 2 & 5 would be enough to really PI$$ me off - were these things IN WRITING????? If they WERE, what the he$$ is the PROBLEM with them not being able to READ your specific instructions??? ABSOLUTELY NO EXCUSE FOR THAT - NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So much of the rest of this is nothing but POOR WORKMANSHIP - or LACK thereof!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As I understand it, YF's are NOT cheap - and what are you getting in return??? A "runaround" from the factory???
The ONLY thing I see as a "could happen" on a BRAND NEW, HIGH-DOLLAR boat is the "Engine decal started pealing off"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
EVERYTHING else is UNacceptable - just a BIG lack of QC!!!!! !
Sounds like the "warranty" should read "by OWNER"!!!!!
If the boat HAS to go back to FL, I'd make YF send me a FIRST-CLASS round-trip plane ticket AND prepaid food and lodging to come down and INSPECT it beFORE it leaves to come back to TX!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Bruce W brings up a good point. 1,2, and 5 though minor were in the contract for purchase.
I would contact Perry Pro Bono on this site and see if you can give the boat back to Yellowfin on breach of contract issues. You've been a nice guy long enough, it just may be time to take off the gloves.
LooneyTunes
Dave
PS. Sorry to hear about your misfortune. 160K is a lot of cash to part with. For that kind of money I expect immediate remediation of any issue. Even though It is to be expected that every manufacturer produces a defective boat here and there it really comes down to how they deal with their short comings. I think Yellow Fin could have done better
I am glad the truth is out about Yellowfin's QC and this boat. I know BPfishing and how he runs his boat, if it is over 3ft seas it stays on the lift. I have helped work on this boat many times and everything he is saying is the truth. All the man wants is his boat fixed by Yellowfin, I don't think that is to much to ask for. Let's see if Wylie is all BS or will back his product like he should ...Bob
Some of his issues are Suzuki issues although most appear to be Yellowfing related. Very few of us can afford a boat in that price range and I certainly cannot. But, if I spent that kind of money I would expect customer service to be at a premium. Look at this way. For less than $500-$1000 Wylie could have flown to Houston, arranged to go over the boat with a local dealer telling them exactly how to fix each issue or watching them being fixed. It might even take two days. The cost would be minimal compared to what this thread and the loss of only one boat sale will cost. As a point of reference, my Contender which, up to know was in my opinion not as high a quality "fit and finish" boat as the Yellowfin has never been back to the dealer in 3 years for one single repair! If you are going to charge Cadillac prices you best be building Cadillacs Wylie........
Bp fishing- I am very sorry to here of your problems. I am confident Wylie will make it right. Granted you should not have had to wait this long. It does sound like he has made some efforts at least to get some problems repaired. Has he paid for the repairs done locally? If no; was he asked? I am not trying to change blame here just trying to understand. As you know there are many happy customers. The performance claims: My old Yellowfin 36 with three225 opti’s ran 63 light and 60 with 300-400gal gear 3-4 guys. The boat planed of and ran 49.5mph on two motors propped for three. Any boat trying to plane on fewer motors than they were rigged with will work the motors. The props are sized for the three. Drop the pitch enough and I bet the boat will plane on one. I have not run the Suzuki boats but Gozspeed says He is getting 63.5. I know that Suzuki factory props are little issue. Gozspeed can help you with his prop improvement numbers fuel burn etc. Question, is your bottom painted? What boat did you have before this boat? Do you like your Yellowfin and want better customer service or dislike the boat and customer service? I would like to help. Rob
Harry, endoman, jtburf- The Hull Truth is that there are many, many repeat buyers and mostly very happy customers. If you guy’s don’t like Yellowfin’s that’s fine. If you think all the Yellowfin owners are ignorant and full of sh!t than we are going to have an un constructive problem. There is nothing to celebrate here bp fishings boat has some problems and I’m sure Wyllie will do his best to fix it. He’s just a man. Every one has some things they need improve on. If they are willing to admit there mistakes and make efforts to improve what else can we ask for?
Bp fishing- Sorry again, if I can help Rob Carmichael 978-808-0347
YELLOWFIN/Suzuki--The Other Side of the Story 
Hope to hear back from you with good news. 
, this is what makes THT great,otherwise you would never know....... 
If they WERE, what the he$$ is the PROBLEM with them not being able to READ your specific instructions??? 
