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Broken equipment - 2009 in review
With all the recent warranty posts lately, along with the box of broken parts on my desk, I started thinking about product quality and durability in our sport. I fish quite a bit, but nothing extraordinary (qualify for both boat tournaments and a few opens here and there.) This year it seems that everything I own, from every possible manufacturer, I've broke at some point or another. I have dealt with every warranty department under the sun, some good and some bad. I know there are guys that are generally tougher on their equipment than the general population, but I usually don’t get that label. That’s why this year left me scratching my head, thinking “do they not make stuff like they used to?” So I’ll post what I broke this year, and maybe you guys can one-up me. This isn’t a complaint-fest, but more for the humor of 2009’s season.
Broken stuff – in order of occurrence.
1.) 250 HPDI Yamaha – first 5 minutes of ownership, fried hole number 6. New powerhead from Yamaha, new lower unit and new prop. (best company to work with ever.) Didn’t test drive cause I paid a dealership 2 hours to tell me the outboard was in tip-top shape. (new series 2 powerhead runs like an monkey on crack)
2.) G Loomis 853 GLX – guide foot unwrapped and front cork detached from blank (actually made it easier to screw reel into seat)
3.) 3 - G Loomis 844 IMX – the tip inserts fall out – I don’t send these back anymore. Instead I bought a glue stick, 10 lighters and ton of replacement tip tops from mudhole.com. If you ever lose a tip on a Loomis (in the middle of a tournament is usually when mine pop out) find me, and I’ll fix it on the water. Practice makes perfect.
4.) Anything from Fenwick – if I touch a Fenwick product it becomes an instant pile of junk – crankshaft rod, the reel seat spun on the blank – Those elite tech drop shot rods just hate me (awesome rod but I’m afraid to touch it’s replacement – still in the shipping container in the basement.)
5.) Aquaview Camera – wrapped cord in prop – told my partner “Whoa whoa!!!” when I felt the line rolling up, and he took that to mean… throw boat in reverse and rev it. Haven’t called customer service at Aquaview cause I don’t want the lady to laugh at me (nobodies fault but mine)
6.) Skeeter Digital dash panel – this lovely item controls the basic things like live-wells, bilge pumps, console power and my sanity. This unit went out during prefish for the NWBass Championship. It might have something to do with every other wave coming over the console on the ride back to the launch, but shouldn’t boat parts be waterproof?
7.) Lowrance LMS-332C – my second one that just doesn’t work, 2 hours into prefish Friday at Banks - no screen blinky. The customer service at Lowrance has given me all the motivation necessary to buy Humminbird for 2010.
8.) Shimano Curados and Symetre – I love shimano, but even I can break them, or lose drag caps, or somehow flip the back reel switch in 4 footers causing all the line to spool off in the rod locker…. Have 3 on my desk to get fixed – all feel like the rear-end in my Dodge… which leads me to…
9.) 2007 Dodge Cummins tow vehicle – new water pump at 34k (after Boardman practice – makes sense), new rear-end after Tri-Cities boat tournament 36k. That SOB was grinding on the way to a CDA tournament and I thought about leaving it in reverse on the ramp… Love the truck but… made in Mexico
So how's that for a challenge? Can anybody one-up that season.
Broken stuff – in order of occurrence.
1.) 250 HPDI Yamaha – first 5 minutes of ownership, fried hole number 6. New powerhead from Yamaha, new lower unit and new prop. (best company to work with ever.) Didn’t test drive cause I paid a dealership 2 hours to tell me the outboard was in tip-top shape. (new series 2 powerhead runs like an monkey on crack)
2.) G Loomis 853 GLX – guide foot unwrapped and front cork detached from blank (actually made it easier to screw reel into seat)
3.) 3 - G Loomis 844 IMX – the tip inserts fall out – I don’t send these back anymore. Instead I bought a glue stick, 10 lighters and ton of replacement tip tops from mudhole.com. If you ever lose a tip on a Loomis (in the middle of a tournament is usually when mine pop out) find me, and I’ll fix it on the water. Practice makes perfect.
4.) Anything from Fenwick – if I touch a Fenwick product it becomes an instant pile of junk – crankshaft rod, the reel seat spun on the blank – Those elite tech drop shot rods just hate me (awesome rod but I’m afraid to touch it’s replacement – still in the shipping container in the basement.)
5.) Aquaview Camera – wrapped cord in prop – told my partner “Whoa whoa!!!” when I felt the line rolling up, and he took that to mean… throw boat in reverse and rev it. Haven’t called customer service at Aquaview cause I don’t want the lady to laugh at me (nobodies fault but mine)
6.) Skeeter Digital dash panel – this lovely item controls the basic things like live-wells, bilge pumps, console power and my sanity. This unit went out during prefish for the NWBass Championship. It might have something to do with every other wave coming over the console on the ride back to the launch, but shouldn’t boat parts be waterproof?
7.) Lowrance LMS-332C – my second one that just doesn’t work, 2 hours into prefish Friday at Banks - no screen blinky. The customer service at Lowrance has given me all the motivation necessary to buy Humminbird for 2010.
8.) Shimano Curados and Symetre – I love shimano, but even I can break them, or lose drag caps, or somehow flip the back reel switch in 4 footers causing all the line to spool off in the rod locker…. Have 3 on my desk to get fixed – all feel like the rear-end in my Dodge… which leads me to…
9.) 2007 Dodge Cummins tow vehicle – new water pump at 34k (after Boardman practice – makes sense), new rear-end after Tri-Cities boat tournament 36k. That SOB was grinding on the way to a CDA tournament and I thought about leaving it in reverse on the ramp… Love the truck but… made in Mexico
So how's that for a challenge? Can anybody one-up that season.
Views: 252
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Mark Maderos on
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Can't one up this one, remind me to stay "Way clear of you" for fear of a lightning bolt to strike you next!
Blew the ECU to my Merc 225 opti. Merc was a little slow with working with the mechanic fixing it. Left me without a boat for a month
MinnKota is falling apart at just about every critical point. Mostly because I run the boat hard and the trolling motor real takes a beating up front.
Broke a Rogue Rod this spring and was left scratching my head about there lifetime warranty policy and how they honored it. Needless to say I left Rogue as a pro staff and now represent Powell rods who have been wonderful to deal with.
Much of my Nitro's nuts, bolts, screws have been coming lose, broken, or otherwise worthless for holding the damn thing together. I love the boats layout and storage but hate how poorly they finish a boat. I have seen other boat manufactures do the same cheap ass techniques. REALLY you boat manufactures, that the best you can do to hold the boat together.
Mark -
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Permalink Reply by Jake Boomer on
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I agree completely. I don't believe there is $50K worth of technology and innovation in any bass boat. When compared to new trucks and cars, bought for thousands less, bass boats fall way behind in quality and durability. A friend of mine owns a boat dealership (non-bass), and he agrees with me. Most of the components and build quality in today's boats are sub-par, and maybe that way by design.
Skeeter made some huge steps by engineering new features that would "push the envelope." Their DMS system is awesome, it locks all the doors and arms an alarm when you enter the code. They removed it as an option this year since they couldn't work the bugs out. Maybe they should have talked to the guys in the auto industry on how to make electronic locks more durable. Wonder if the price of the I-Class dropped this year?
Mark Maderos said:Can't one up this one, remind me to stay "Way clear of you" for fear of a lightning bolt to strike you next!
Blew the ECU to my Merc 225 opti. Merc was a little slow with working with the mechanic fixing it. Left me without a boat for a month
MinnKota is falling apart at just about every critical point. Mostly because I run the boat hard and the trolling motor real takes a beating up front.
Broke a Rogue Rod this spring and was left scratching my head about there lifetime warranty policy and how they honored it. Needless to say I left Rogue as a pro staff and now represent Powell rods who have been wonderful to deal with.
Much of my Nitro's nuts, bolts, screws have been coming lose, broken, or otherwise worthless for holding the damn thing together. I love the boats layout and storage but hate how poorly they finish a boat. I have seen other boat manufactures do the same cheap ass techniques. REALLY you boat manufactures, that the best you can do to hold the boat together.
Mark -
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Permalink Reply by Mike Bess on
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The only thing that broke this year were the livewells on my I-Class and I only fish 3-4 tourneys a year. Both pumps went out on the starboard and the pump out and recirc on the port. Still haven't had them fixed and I'm not looking forward to driving my boat to WW in the winter....
Phil Mehrtens said:Jake if you didnt have bad luck you wouldnt have any it looks like!Stay positive!
Phil Mehrtens said:You both have out done me but I did manage to dump money into my vmax.I spent about 600 dollar replacing my entire fuel lines and system thanks to the wonderful e 10 gas . it rotted the gas lines from the inside out,fuel tank pump out and replaced the vst filter and water seperater after only 5 hrs of operation and a set of plugs. Also replaced the tranducer for my trollin motor and cracked the housing on the head unit .Never wanna do that again,you have to take the entire trollin motor apart to relpace one piece of motor cover "minnkota"if you ever have to repair one take a pic before you take apart it will save hours of time.As for stuff coming loose I am with ya Mark.I would figure if ya spend upwards to 50 grand for a boat it should at least hold together.I spent a day tightening everything on my skeeter. Locktight works well.I guess it comes down to if ya wanna play your gonna pay.
Mark Maderos said:Can't one up this one, remind me to stay "Way clear of you" for fear of a lightning bolt to strike you next!
Blew the ECU to my Merc 225 opti. Merc was a little slow with working with the mechanic fixing it. Left me without a boat for a month
MinnKota is falling apart at just about every critical point. Mostly because I run the boat hard and the trolling motor real takes a beating up front.
Broke a Rogue Rod this spring and was left scratching my head about there lifetime warranty policy and how they honored it. Needless to say I left Rogue as a pro staff and now represent Powell rods who have been wonderful to deal with.
Much of my Nitro's nuts, bolts, screws have been coming lose, broken, or otherwise worthless for holding the damn thing together. I love the boats layout and storage but hate how poorly they finish a boat. I have seen other boat manufactures do the same cheap ass techniques. REALLY you boat manufactures, that the best you can do to hold the boat together.
Mark -
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It's the 5.9. Been a good truck, and the only vehicle my partner and I take to tournaments due to fuel economy.
No pain with the broken equipment either. Stuff breaks. I am more surprised at high dollar equipment that doesn't last very long. When my graph failed the practice day before the Banks Championship, I called Rori and Nixons Marine from the water. He helped me troubleshoot the problem over the phone (Rori is the man,) and one of the first questions was the age of the unit. I told him 3 years, and he said "Well, that's about as long as they last." Glad lowrance doesn't make stuff for NASA!!! -
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Permalink Reply by Jake Anderson on
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I had an urge to hunt ducks last January.....this resulted in a broken Carb, broken trailer lights, and a cracked trailer frame. Expensive trip!
I broke a cheap Sportsmans wherehouse spinning rod tip.
On the brightside I also broke my PB smallmouth....lol. -
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Sparky,
I also have an 06 Dodge cummins and love it. The 5.9L is the real deal when it comes to the right combination of power and fuel economy. Look around and you should be able to find an 06 or 07 with the 5.9. Stay clear of the new motor. I have had two people I know that had to lemon law their new dodge's because of the new motor didn't have all the bugs worked out yet. I hear the the late 08 and 09's are better, but I wouldn't count on it until another year or so goes by.
Mark
BTW, here is some more stuff that has broke on me doing the year.
Lowrance LMS 522c will not power off with on/off button and the on-board memory is full and I can't put anymore waypoints on the thing
2 transducers on my front graph have been busted, totally my fault.
Trailor axle on the boat blew apart. Took the tow truck company 3 hrs to find a flat bed tow truck big enough to get the boat and trailor on. At least it was a simple fix. Took it to American Frame and Trailor in Kent, they do an awesome job.
SPARKY said:Thanks for the reply and sounds like the fuel mileage is good..Thats a big plus,exactly why im looking the dodge diesel way,cause if you got spark plugs it aint a truck haha
Jake Boomer said:It's the 5.9. Been a good truck, and the only vehicle my partner and I take to tournaments due to fuel economy.
No pain with the broken equipment either. Stuff breaks. I am more surprised at high dollar equipment that doesn't last very long. When my graph failed the practice day before the Banks Championship, I called Rori and Nixons Marine from the water. He helped me troubleshoot the problem over the phone (Rori is the man,) and one of the first questions was the age of the unit. I told him 3 years, and he said "Well, that's about as long as they last." Glad lowrance doesn't make stuff for NASA!!! -
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Permalink Reply by Mike Stahlman on
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Jake I also had the dash in my Skeeter go out as well this year. I do not like the replacement part Skeeter used to fix it either. But I guess it works.
I also got the Aquaview camera cord stuck in the big motor. Not my brightest moment.
My Motorguide went out this year. I guess there is like a computer chip in the motor. It went bad.
Oh yeah and my heart is broken everytime I don't cash a check in a tourney:)
On my way to Banks for the NW Bass I got in a wreck going over the pass with my new truck. Only broke the side mirror. Only cost 812.00 to fix it. It's still broke:)
Broke a rod Tuna fishing. Probably not the correct rod for those fish but fun anyway. -
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For all you Skeeter owners with the digital dash on a ZX boat. If the dash goes out, this is what they replace it with. I know the whole story too.... Darby at Skeeter (remember that name if you own a Skeeter) told me the whole thing. They were getting batches of these boards from their supplier. One batch would be 100% waterproof, and the next would fail - like mine. Since they were loosing their shirt trying to replace all these boards, they eventually threw in the towel and went back to toggles. My opinion, the toggles are great. They never wear out, and you can replace one at a time. Instead of loosing control of everything in your boat, you may only loose a bilge pump etc...
I've got another funny broken story to add to this season. You'll love this one. I put a Minn-Kota Fortrex on my boat this year, since my Maxxum had too short of a shaft. If you've seen a new Fortex, they have a different deck support than the Maxxum. If you look, the older maxxum has a 1" diameter post that sticks strait down onto the gunnel of you boat when the motor is in the stowed position. The new fortrex has a 1/2" post (read - more pressure per square inch) located on the inside of the motor. So when you stow your trolling motor, this foot comes down with the force of a hammer and crushes your split grip rod like a plastic straw. Forgot about that one. I was all smiles on that day. - Attachments:
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If I remember right it was about 500.00 to fix. I had some other work done at the same time so I am not real sure of the correct price.
That is what I had done to my ZX Jake. -
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Phil if you are still under warranty they should fix it for nothing. Had I known this was an ongoing problem I would have had it fixed while it was still under warranty.
My warranty ended March 09. I had it fixed Oct 09. The problem, if you have this one, is the power will shut off in your boat. It's real intermittent. You will just be fishing or running and your dash shuts off. No problem you can turn it back on but the last time it happened the power would not turn on. It's happened to me for the last couple of years. It happened so little I didn't think or even remember to tell the boat dealer to look at it when I took it in every year. I think they should have let me know before my warranty ended. -
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Permalink Reply by Tom Edwards on
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Might be a 'hidden' warrenty like there is on most cars. The dealer WON'T tell you about them. Won't hurt to COMPLAIN A LOT and see what they'll do for you, maybe even a partial payment rebait for the panel replacement that you've already paid for. Even complain to the company itself., not just the dealer.
Mike Stahlman said:Phil if you are still under warranty they should fix it for nothing. Had I known this was an ongoing problem I would have had it fixed while it was still under warranty.
My warranty ended March 09. I had it fixed Oct 09. The problem, if you have this one, is the power will shut off in your boat. It's real intermittent. You will just be fishing or running and your dash shuts off. No problem you can turn it back on but the last time it happened the power would not turn on. It's happened to me for the last couple of years. It happened so little I didn't think or even remember to tell the boat dealer to look at it when I took it in every year. I think they should have let me know before my warranty ended. -
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Good idea Tom. I may try that.
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