This is wiggity wack! Today I took a few friends with me to launch my brand new boat for the first time. I loaded it, rigged everything, put it in the water, it was flawless. I cranked the motor, ran great. Backed out of the ramp, and idled out towards the bay. It is a new motor so I took it easy to comply with the break in procedure. I get about 500 yards and put put put po chooo. The motor killed. So I did everything normal, primed the fuel bulb, trimmed down a little more, turned the key off, waited, checked the oil, read the manual. Turned the key again and nothing. The motor would not stay running. It seems like a fuel flow issue...kinked line. clogged filter...I don't know but I digress. So, it's pretty chilly. 25 MPH SW wind, serious drifting. I set the anchor quick like, to keep us from drifting into an even shallower shoal. So I call the dealership and no help. They call Suzuki and no help. I finally break down and call Tow Boat Us. After coming to terms they head out to pick us up. Keep in mind that the conditions are deterioriting quickly. Small craft advisories and everything. SO we sat in the middle of the Back River channel for ever. Once they show up and pull us back to the dock, then I go ahead and pay the guy the $600 dollars for the tow. After that we have to use nothing but ropes to pull the boat onto the trailer on the ramp. Usually easy, minus the 25+ MPH winds. Finally after almost busting my ass and falling into 42 degree water, I get it trailered and towed only to find out that my Marina had no water for me to wash the boat. And for the fishing report today, I didn't catch anything except a jellyfish in a net, just to feel like i caught something.

Man, I feel for you! I'd try to get some satisfaction from the dealer or Suzuki - $600 is a big ouchie!

Tough Break man. It can only get better from there. Didn't your dealer take you for a test drive on the boat?

Sorry to hear you had such bad luck your first time out. If you have insurance you should be able to get refunded some amount if not all of it for the towing service. I made the mistake of not having SeaTow or US Boat policies my 1st year with the boat and learned the hard way. Give the dealer heck and dont take no for an answer.
Mike

Man, that sucks. Not to rub salt in the wounds, but I learned the hard way that Sea Tow or Boat US is essential even for a brand new boat. You never know what may happen out there... Hope you get some relief from your dealer. I have heard the suzuki's have a great rep, so they'll prob. want to help you out.

hard lessons learned are always the best lessons learned. Sea Tow or some other type of tow insurance is mandatory....
sorry to hear about your bad experience. I would hope that your dealer would stand behind their product and take care of you.

Don't let this first experience set the stage for the rest of your trips...get it fixed and get right back out there....if even just for a boat ride. And welcome to the board....Bob

Sorry to hear about ur fisrt almost trip!!!!!!!!, but like Bob said, get it fixed and get back out asap!!!!!!!!!!!! The longer u wait the more dis-trust will build up in u
against ur new ride...Don`t let the towing bill slide, if it was a dealer fault or Z`s
go get your cash back. make sure u take the tow reciet..Like may dad used to say
" The loudest squeaky wheel, gets the oil!!!!!!!!!!

Good Luck.
Capt.Skid

p.s.- U might have to hire "Capt.Fatbeard"

Did the Same Thing when the SeaCraft was new but I had a better ending because we realized the Fuel was shut off at the Dealer while it was in the show Room.

JBone, I think I can make you feel a little better. I have a 42' custom carolina express boat and have been running big boats forever because my father always had big boats. Hang with me on the start of this story. Well, I had my mechanic install, what I thought would be an easy assignment, block heaters in both engines a few weeks ago. I have cummins diesel engines, and the way it works is you are suppose to take a metal plug out of the block and install an element where that plug came out. My mechanic screwed up that plug and didn't want to install the element, so added and external tank type block heater and tried to replace the plug with a new one. two weeks ago, that plug came out just sitting at the dock, so he went back down there, replaced it again and did compression tests on the engine, called me said I'm straight.
So, yesterday, beautiful day, figured I would take my boat for a run. Left by myself, which I always do out of rudee inlet, and cruised up to cape henry to see what boats were catching, slowed down and checked my engine room. Guess what, coolant all in my bilge and the plug is laying outside of the starboard engine. I immediately shut down the engine. After a few curse words, call my mechanic, of course didn't answer, left message. So I start the long trip back to rudee against the wind you were talking about with one engine. The fun was just about to start.
My boat is too tall to get under the bridge, so I always have to lower the antennas and outriggers, so as I was approaching back to the inlet, got up on the tower, lowered everything, get back down and get through the bridge. I have to stop for a second on the other side to get my outriggers up. But, because of the wind catching that big caronia bow and only having the port engine, can't go straight. So after a 20-30 minute ballet of manuevering (can only imagine what people were thinking), I am going straight, trying to make it to a t-dock at fisherman's wharf marina. But there is a boat at the end of the dock who is about to leave, so I try to time it to get along the dock and have the wind help me drift in. I time it just a tad short, and am going to miss the tdock. I am able to rest the stern along a piling short of the tdock, but the bow misses and hits just over the top of a 60' Ocean rub rail. No damage to the Ocean yacht, but takes a little bit of paint off my bow. I run up to the bow, luckily there was enough rope off his side cleat that I Could tie it to my bow to keep me from drifting back. Of course fisherman's whart doesn't answer the VHF, so as I am on the bow holding my boat off of the Ocean, I call the manager of the marina, to get the dock boys to help me. I will finish in the next reply

So about 10 minutes later, they the dock boys finally come to help. I get them to keep me off of the ocean yacht, and quickly get some ropes together to get another boat to pull my bow out against the wind so I can get over to the tdock. I flagged down a 35' predator "fin addict", and he agrees to help. The plan works thanks to him and I was able to get over to the tdock, where the boat sits now. It was way to windy to try and get into my slip.
So Jbone, I am sorry to here the problems you had as well, but unfortunatley, it is a part of boating, and I figure each episode, like the ones we have had, is a learning experience. I learned to take somebody with me whenever testing a boat after work has been done on it. Although that wouldn't have changed much, it would have been some help. I also learned never to use this mechanic again. He has worked for me for a few years and had always been happy with his work. I did have a few words for him when he finally called me back, and he agreed to come down first thing monday morning, but I am not sure whether I am going to have him fix it, or have somebody else do it and send him the bill, for the engine work and the slight damage on the bow.

Bummer Guys

I agree, sea tow a must, new boat, old boat.

Let us know what the problem is with the motor or fuel.

Wirebender, who's is your mechanic? I would cut ties with him.

Eric

Hey guys, sorry to hear about your 'tough luck' days yesterday. Hang in there and good luck getting things fixed.

Guys,
Sorry about your tough episodes.

I have had numerous 'learning experiences' in the two years I've had my boat.

JBone, I too am curious about what happened with the new boat and hope you can get your money refunded on the tow. Did the $600 include a membership?

I joined SeaTow after spending the night on a sand bar at Oregon Inlet in sight of the Coast Guard station. The guy with me said "just call the Coast Guard. They are right over there". I said "Yeah, they are right over there laughing their butts off"

Wirebender, Sounds like you did a valiant job averting potential tradegy.

Dam neal....that sucks.....I wondered why wired up was sitting at the T-dock on Fisherman's wharf....now I know....bob

Dont feel bad ,I limped back on one motor also yesterday I blew a hose clamp off my port turbo on my port Motor.lost power and the motor spewed out black soot all over the engine Room that I had detailed.I thought something major had gone wrong but Jason found the Broken Clamp under the Turbo Jaclet.This Clamp I need is an cheep easy fix.

I had one of my engines quit on me a month or so ago. Seems like you buy a boat, and then put money into it for the rest of your life.

A brand new boat, though - that will break your heart. Not exactly what you have in mind in the excitement of putting it in the water for the first time.

Neal's experience doesn't leave a good taste in your mouth either.

Sorry guys.

Guys, I'm so sorry to hear those tales. March is my lay up month, so I have only one 500 yard run to have her hauled out. I felt bad enough coming back in a couple weeks ago with the strong Westernly, got pushed around backing into the slip and caught an outrigger spreader. George caught it and it wasn't too bad (or expensive) a fix. Lessons always cost something to learn, whether it's money, fear, embarassment, or pride. That's why you should always get your money out of a hard earned lesson. To improving our luck!
Tight lines.
Dave

With a brand new boat, the dealer should pick up your towing costs.

Thanks for all the support. I ended up forking out another $134 for a Tow Boat US membership. Insurance should cover about half of the $600. I am taking it to the dealership on Wednesday with a laundry list of demands. I definately will not lessen my resolve to get out on the water and get some good fishing in this spring/summer. If anyone wants to see the pics of the craziness from yesterday, follow this link to my myspace page and watch the slideshow. (It is the 3rd slideshow down.) My regards to those of you with boat problems also yesterday. It was a nasty day to have anything go wrong. Best of luck to everyone this week. Here is the Myspace link. -JBone

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea...iendID=49651064

Im not really sure how to navigate half of what is going on that myspace site, but nice looking Dog. I have 2 hotdogs, one red, one pie.

Remember they say the happiest days of a boat owner are the day you bought it and the day you sell it.
Sorry to here about your luck. Sea Tow is differently worth the $ 140 its cost a year for the piece of mine. The dealer should cover all you expenses if they wroth a #@#. If not stick to your guns they will cave in. Let us know what the problem was. How much running out of the water did the dealer do to prep it.

Hope you have happier launches in the future.
Salt Shaker

I thought that saying was the two happiest days are the day you bought a boat and the day you bought a bigger boat.

Sorry to hear about your luck...

Some days you're the pidgeon, and others you're the statue.

Dolph

Neal...WOW!! That sucks!! Hope you get that plug filled right.

Neal,
Definately watch how the plug is repaired. They may try JB Weld on the stripped threads, may put in a Helicoil insert, or redrill and tap. Sounds like he may even try Duct Tape. Good luck!
Hope he was just having a bad day with good intentions, but it comes at your expense in down time.
Tight lines
Dave

Yeah Neal, Don't let him or anyone that fixes it half-step it...Hatteras is too close!!

Here's the latest. The same mechanic did fix it again, but used a different plug that will expand with the block as it heats up. He has kept continuous pressure on it for 24 hours and we are going to run it friday. I am making him design a warranty for that part so if it happens again and/or damages anyother part of the engine, it's his dime. He threw in a comlete next engine service at no charge and swears he will stand behind it. He is a licensed cummins mechanic and had gotten in touch with atlantic cummins on this plug, so that's about all I can do and it's in god's hands now.

Glad to hear you got in safely Bone and I feel your pain. same type thing happened to me a couple months ago. I got off a half-day the Friday before Christmas, launched at Ptown City Park by myself and headed for the CBBT.

I was just off LC when I spotted a flock of birds and decided to stop. went to the back of the boat to put lines in and saw oil around the stern and running down the motor.

Further inspection revealed that my oil filter had a small hole in it and was leaking. I called Sea Tow and they towed me all the way back to the ramp.

If I had not been a member the tow would have cost $565.00

By the way, the motor is a 2004 Yammie F150 and it had only been 60 hours since the last oil change.

Don't you love owning a Boat?? Last summer we came home three times on one engine -once during a tournament we had about 5 grand invested in. We were cursing Caterpillar to high heaven. So I feel your pain Neal. I would do some good tough test runs on it. Bumping around the Rudee docks is one thing -- trying to get back through Hatteras Inlet on a stiff breeze with one engine will be quite another--now that will seperate the men from the boys.

Thanks gradyman, I definetely don't want to find out at hatteras inlet! I am going to run it pretty hard before then though. You never know though, right? I tell you what thought, it is a strong case for twin engines. One engine that can still run is better than no engine

I own a marina , Have two tow boats and know sea tow and boat us owners and I still get unlimited towing every year! If you go to sea always have a plan B and Plan C. It happens to everyone if you leave the dock enough times. PlayHard

Sound good Neal! Sounds like none of your engine alarms went off. Lucky you decided to go below when you did. Heat is the big killer of diesels, followed by running slow all the time. We're putting a video camera in the engine room this season even though my access hatch is very easy to get to from the helm. Do you have an oil sampling program? If so, he should throw in sample now to determine if you heated up that engine. It should show up in the Cu level.
Good luck!
Tight lines.
Dave

jbone,

nice slide show. I couldn't tell from the pics what brand boat you have. Sure is pretty though. I really like the dark hull colors. Anyway, let us know where you bought the boat and updates on getting reimbursed.

funny story on the same subject...when I got my first boat me and my son hit the lake and ran miles from the ramp and stopped to fish a while, he was 4-1/2 at the time. Fished till almost dark and everybody else was gone and decided to head out. The motor would turn over but not fire. I pumped the bulb, checked wires, fuses and everything else I could think of. Took the cover off and looked around, everything seemed fine. Pulled spark plugs out, made some frantic phone calls, made sure I was in nuetral, whole nine yards. After I'd all but overhauled the new engine and decided I'd have to limp home on the trolling motor, my son hands me the kill switch cord he'd been playing with for the past couple of hours. Sorry you had a bad day, hope it gets better. I have Liberty Mutual for boat, home, and auto insurance. Sea Tow is built into the boat policy and roadside service/ towing is built into the auto policy. Have not had to use either, yet, but you never know. Ray

thanks Dave for your reply,
The mechanic did say he was going to chk the oil, I agree that having a camera put down there would be nice, I want to come check out how you do yours

[quote=Mega Bite,Mar 4 2007, 01:30 PM][quote=bobdu11,Mar 4 2007, 11:13 AM]Dam neal....that sucks.....I wondered why wired up was sitting  at the T-dock on Fisherman's wharf....now I know....bob
[/quote]
Dont feel bad ,I limped back on one motor also yesterday I blew a hose clamp off my port turbo on my port Motor.lost power and the motor spewed out black soot all over the engine Room that I had detailed.I thought something major had gone wrong but Jason found the Broken Clamp under the Turbo Jaclet.This Clamp I need is an cheep easy fix.

[/quote]


Port motor is back together. I went everywhere I could think of this morning. I knew lynnhaven marine wasn't gonna have anything for a detroit but I tried anyway since its right near work. On to napa, gregory's fleet suply, western branch diesel, truck center of tidewater, and finally tidewater fleet supply had one. Its a little bit heavier duty, but I would rather have heavy duty than light duty.

I about died laughing at that one!

[quote=BillyBoy,Mar 6 2007, 04:03 PM][quote=ncfishfinder,Mar 6 2007, 12:42 PM]...my son hands me the kill switch cord he'd been playing with for the past couple of hours. .[/quote]
I about died laughing at that one!

[/quote]

Ok, I'll admit it.....

At least you didn't reload your boat after an hour of cranking it over at the ramp..... make an appointment with the dealer........ trailer the boat all the way up to the dealer only to find out that your wife pushed the button down so that the batteries wouldn't go dead.

Talk about embarrasssssed

[quote=Marrdro,Mar 6 2007, 03:15 PM][quote=BillyBoy,Mar 6 2007, 04:03 PM][quote=ncfishfinder,Mar 6 2007, 12:42 PM]...my son hands me the kill switch cord he'd been playing with for the past couple of hours. .[/quote]
I about died laughing at that one!

[/quote]

Ok, I'll admit it.....

At least you didn't reload your boat after an hour of cranking it over at the ramp..... make an appointment with the dealer........ trailer the boat all the way up to the dealer only to find out that your wife pushed the button down so that the batteries wouldn't go dead.

Talk about embarrasssssed

[/quote]Oh its happened to all of us--I sat in the middle of the bay two hours trying to start, without success, my grady on its maiden trip. After cursing the boat and its previous owner while trying to get help I discovered that upon shutdown, I left the engines in gear. After sheepishly shifting into neutral , it started just fine. Thankfully, I was unable to obtain any assistance and I was alone, so that saved some embarassment.

[quote=gradyman,Mar 6 2007, 06:38 PM][quote=Marrdro,Mar 6 2007, 03:15 PM][quote=BillyBoy,Mar 6 2007, 04:03 PM][quote=ncfishfinder,Mar 6 2007, 12:42 PM]...my son hands me the kill switch cord he'd been playing with for the past couple of hours. .[/quote]
I about died laughing at that one!

[/quote]

Ok, I'll admit it.....

At least you didn't reload your boat after an hour of cranking it over at the ramp..... make an appointment with the dealer........ trailer the boat all the way up to the dealer only to find out that your wife pushed the button down so that the batteries wouldn't go dead.

Talk about embarrasssssed

[/quote]Oh its happened to all of us--I sat in the middle of the bay two hours trying to start, without success, my grady on its maiden trip. After cursing the boat and its previous owner while trying to get help I discovered that upon shutdown, I left the engines in gear. After sheepishly shifting into neutral , it started just fine. Thankfully, I was unable to obtain any assistance and I was alone, so that saved some embarassment.

[/quote]

I made a Checklist of everything the previous owner told me about starting, checking, running the boat. I wanted a quick reference in-case my wife or someone else on board needed to restart or run the boat back if something happened to me. Guess what, I look over the book now and then to identify a potential problem before I need to go outside for help. It paid off after an engine service when I couldn't get the Port engine to crank...yard had not turned all three battery cutout switches back to "on". That was number 2 on my checklist.
Dave

[quote=Billable,Mar 6 2007, 06:01 AM][quote=Wirebender,Mar 5 2007, 01:55 PM]Here's the latest.  The same mechanic did fix it again, but used a different plug that will expand with the block as it heats up.  He has kept continuous pressure on it for 24 hours and we are going to run it friday.   I am making him design a warranty for that part so if it happens again and/or damages anyother part of the engine, it's his dime.  He threw in a comlete next engine service at no charge and swears he will stand behind it.  He is a licensed cummins mechanic and had gotten in touch with atlantic cummins on this plug, so that's about all I can do and it's in god's hands now.
[/quote]

Sound good Neal! Sounds like none of your engine alarms went off. Lucky you decided to go below when you did. Heat is the big killer of diesels, followed by running slow all the time. We're putting a video camera in the engine room this season even though my access hatch is very easy to get to from the helm. Do you have an oil sampling program? If so, he should throw in sample now to determine if you heated up that engine. It should show up in the Cu level.
Good luck!
Tight lines.
Dave

[/quote]


On oil sampling - I work for Castrol (BP) in the commercial lubricants division and have been looking at used oil analysis reports for over 15 years. If anyone needs an unbiased opinion reading / understanding a used oil sample report, I'd be more than happy to do so.

Update for eveyone...I dropped the boat off at the dealer this morning. They just called me and said it is done. they fixed the Fuel gauge and said they found a pinched fuel line in the hull. To ease my suffering they are throwing in a spare trailer rim/tire and mount bracket including inst. Probably about a $400 value-ish. Andmy insurance is already reimbursing me for the tow. It looks like things are starting to look up. I appreciate the support from everyone, and the sotries made me feel a little better. To answer your question NJ1, my boat is a NauticStar 2200 Offshore with a suzuki 225. Great boat, if it would ever work. I am looking forward to dropping it in the water this weekend, weather permitting. I will let you all know what happens, cross your fingers that I don't get stuck.

[quote=carolinasman,Mar 7 2007, 09:56 AM][quote=Billable,Mar 6 2007, 06:01 AM][quote=Wirebender,Mar 5 2007, 01:55 PM]Here's the latest.  The same mechanic did fix it again, but used a different plug that will expand with the block as it heats up.  He has kept continuous pressure on it for 24 hours and we are going to run it friday.  I am making him design a warranty for that part so if it happens again and/or damages anyother part of the engine, it's his dime.  He threw in a comlete next engine service at no charge and swears he will stand behind it.  He is a licensed cummins mechanic and had gotten in touch with atlantic cummins on this plug, so that's about all I can do and it's in god's hands now.
[/quote]

Sound good Neal! Sounds like none of your engine alarms went off. Lucky you decided to go below when you did. Heat is the big killer of diesels, followed by running slow all the time. We're putting a video camera in the engine room this season even though my access hatch is very easy to get to from the helm. Do you have an oil sampling program? If so, he should throw in sample now to determine if you heated up that engine. It should show up in the Cu level.
Good luck!
Tight lines.
Dave

[/quote]


On oil sampling - I work for Castrol (BP) in the commercial lubricants division and have been looking at used oil analysis reports for over 15 years. If anyone needs an unbiased opinion reading / understanding a used oil sample report, I'd be more than happy to do so.

[/quote]

I appreciate that, and I may take you up on that offer

Good deal Jbone! Better luck next time...I love my Suzuki 225(so far, knock on wood)...got any idea when ur going out again? Let the guys on the board know and see who might be in the area...do u have a marine radio? most of us are on 68...think i'll be fishing in the sounds and rivers of NC for the migratory fish until May for the most part. I'm guessing you're probably a member of Sea Tow now, I had to learn the hard way.
Good luck,
Bryan

Depending on my work I will try to fish the southern chessapeake bay and inlet areas over the next few months. I do have a marine radio. I'll switch to 68. Thanks for the tip. Ya, I am a member of Tow Boat US now. If you ever hit the lower bay area let me know. Are you fishing the Pirates cove tourney in May?
-JBone

[quote=JBone,Mar 7 2007, 09:01 PM][quote=whatuprock?,Mar 7 2007, 09:37 PM]Good deal Jbone! Better luck next time...I love my Suzuki 225(so far, knock on wood)...got any idea when ur going out again? Let the guys on the board know and see who might be in the area...do u have a marine radio? most of us are on 68...think i'll be fishing in the sounds and rivers of NC for the migratory fish until May for the most part. I'm guessing you're probably a member of Sea Tow now, I had to learn the hard way.
Good luck,
Bryan
[/quote]


Depending on my work I will try to fish the southern chessapeake bay and inlet areas over the next few months. I do have a marine radio. I'll switch to 68. Thanks for the tip. Ya, I am a member of Tow Boat US now. If you ever hit the lower bay area let me know. Are you fishing the Pirates cove tourney in May?
-JBone


not sure yet. I'll let u know when Im back up that way. good luck this weekend.
[/quote]

[quote=JBone,Mar 7 2007, 04:25 PM][quote=NJ1,Mar 6 2007, 10:54 AM]jbone,

nice slide show.  I couldn't tell from the pics what brand boat you have.  Sure is pretty though.  I really like the dark hull colors.  Anyway, let us know where you bought the boat and updates on getting reimbursed.
[/quote]


Update for eveyone...I dropped the boat off at the dealer this morning. They just called me and said it is done. they fixed the Fuel gauge and said they found a pinched fuel line in the hull. To ease my suffering they are throwing in a spare trailer rim/tire and mount bracket including inst. Probably about a $400 value-ish. Andmy insurance is already reimbursing me for the tow. It looks like things are starting to look up. I appreciate the support from everyone, and the sotries made me feel a little better. To answer your question NJ1, my boat is a NauticStar 2200 Offshore with a suzuki 225. Great boat, if it would ever work. I am looking forward to dropping it in the water this weekend, weather permitting. I will let you all know what happens, cross your fingers that I don't get stuck.

[/quote]

Glad to hear they're doing right by you. I'm not familiar with the brand, but has nice lines and looks pretty. Bet it looks even better on the water . Good luck.

[quote=BillyBoy,Mar 6 2007, 04:03 PM][quote=ncfishfinder,Mar 6 2007, 12:42 PM]...my son hands me the kill switch cord he'd been playing with for the past couple of hours. .[/quote]
I about died laughing at that one!

[/quote]

Me too! My fishing partner/1st Mate is my 8 yr old son and I can feel your pain. He does some crazy stuff if the fish aren't biting (all the more reason for me to find fish in a hurry). But, I wouldn't change it for the world. Hopefully he will return the favor to an old man someday.

--Brett

Amen...

Sorry to hear about your trouble. I had a new Suzuki 225 in 1999 and it blew a piston the first trip after break in. But it still kept running. Once they fixed it 6 months later it was just wonderful.


The conditions in the photo are not even close to small craft advisory.