Tacklebuster GROUNDED

Tacklebuster · 07-20-2002, 06:14 AM

On my last couple of trips to the estuary I noticed more water in my bilge than usual. I took her out last week and found 8 gallons plus in my bilge for a 4 hour trip in calm water. When I took her to Clemons they told me I had a bad seal in my pump and it needed to be replaced. Three hundred bucks and a couple of days later she was "water tested, and ready to go." Yea right

I picked her up yesterday and did a test run to make sure things were good to go before my jaunt to Astoria for my last shot at keeper sturgeon and a couple of CR runs. Three miles up the river I checked my bilge to find about 4 gallons water. After I returned to the ramp and crawled under my boat, I noticed a couple of cracks in the hull about 4 inches long and about as wide as a a horse hair. I also noticed the start of another one.

I have a lifetime on the hull but after eating up some cell time, I found out about all the hoops you have to jump through to get it fixed. I have to drop my boat off at Clemon's and have her wait for a delivery truck to make a stop at the marina to pick her up. After the 6 hour tow job to the other end of Washington, they have to rip out the floor and fix the problem. I then have to wait for another truck to make a delivery to a dealer in the Portland area to bring her back. This whole circus can take a month or better

To make things worse, they even gave me the third degree about hitting stuff in the river. I have had my sled for a year and a half and have never hit anything. The only reason I went with a brand new boat with all the bells and whistles is to avoid junk like this. What a pissser.... I have never been without a boat for more than a week. I will miss out on the Ocean Salmon and the bouy 10 thing is a long shot at best now. This will take many years of river therapy to overcome this loss.

If anyone has an open seat they would like to donate sometime I will galdly supply the gas, bait, munchies, beverage of choice, and a little bit of Tacklebuster fishin magic. Tacklebuster out..... :depressed:

[ 07-20-2002, 07:19 AM: Message edited by: Tacklebuster ]

crabbait · 07-20-2002, 07:33 AM

Sorry to hear it, Tacklebuster. I had a problem with a 23' sled a few years ago. The weld cracked where the intake plate attaches. Magnum Marine ended up pulling the engine three times to get it fixed and it took a couple of weeks and an interesting trip when they were sure they had it fixed but didn't (water over the floorboards, steam coming off the engine, pax donning PFDs).

It was not cheap to have repaired but they got it done about this time of year before the big show at Astoria and I only paid one price even though they had to go back in several times to fix it. The boat is bone dry now several years and many water miles later.

The boat is a Fishrite (that Kampy is abusing on the big blue with good results). The problem was caused when, instead of grinding a grove in the Hamilton pump intake plates to accomodate the center weld, they ground down the weld to make a flush seal for the plate. This weakened the weld and eventually caused the crack. This may have been a one-time occurence but it was an original install.

I cannot give you an exact price because I had the top replaced and the trailer brakes redone at the same time. It was worth the money to me to get the boat back on line in time for August fishing.

I am curious, are your cracks associated with a weld? Do they run along or across the bottom? What is the bottom thickness? Any idea what caused the cracks?

And the question everyone is holding there breath waiting for an answer to: What make, year, and model is your boat? This could happen to any boat and I am not indicting any manufacturer, just curious.

Good luck.

SureSet · 07-20-2002, 12:36 PM

Bummer TB. Was that you at ST. Johns Friday afternoon? I thought it looked like you and your boat, but I couldn't believe that you'd be in Portland on a Friday when Astoria is happening. Looked like you were on the phone (probably doing some chewing). Sorry to hear about the BS. When you buy something new like that, the last thing you want is a bunch of backtalk when you need service. Keep us posted on the service you get. You never know how word gets around on the internet....... :shocked:

I'm not a Astoria guy, but if your still out come URB season, I'll have a spot from time to time.

SureSet

Tacklebuster · 07-20-2002, 06:18 PM

Crabbait,
The cracks run along the bottom. It looks as if it is with the weld but without ripping the floor out I can't be for sure. I have a 2001 Weldcraft Renegade and the "expert" on the phone said it has never happened before. Thats why he thinks I must have hit something. I hope to get her back before the big show but it looks grim. The only bright part is it "should" cost me nothing but the time apart from my pal.....

SureSet,
That was me bro. I saw you but was in the middle of some serious chewing. I hope your day ended better than mine. Did you do any good? If the offer still stands when the URB's show, I will be there with bells on. I am going to give these customer service guys a chance to make it right but if not, it's on. I'm glad I decided to dump her at Cathedral Park before I made the haul to the estuary. That could have ended bad....

cannonball · 07-20-2002, 09:07 PM

You Might try calling the factory a couple of times a day to get a progress report on your boat. It might make it come back sooner. Remind them that all of us are watching to see how things go :grin:

07-20-2002, 09:36 PM

I agree. I hope they handle it right and quick. Bummer. Hang in there. We all could certainly give them some good or bad press, dependent upon how they treat you.

Rick

Joe Schwab · 07-21-2002, 07:54 AM

Tacklebuster, I hope your warranty works out. I had the same problem develop on the bottom of my boat. A hairline crack. Called the factory and they advised bringing the boat up, leaving it for who knows how long and hoping they solve the problem. My immediate solution- took it to Bay City Welding on Miami River Rd. He fixed it in 1 hour with a nifty double ended patch that is invisible to the naked eye. It cost $50 and has never leaked since. This guy builds aluminum commercial boats and said short of replacing the bottom, trying to reweld cracks is futile. I've talked to several professional welders since and they all agree. Something to think about...... [img]graemlins/idea.gif[/img]

Tacklebuster · 07-21-2002, 08:25 AM

Capt. Hook,
Did you get that hairline by hitting something or did it develope because of a weak weld? I really like the idea of by passing the whole hoop thing with the patch. I just wonder since I have three hairline cracks that run along the bottom of the boat if maybe they forgot to put in a brace or if the weld was a bad one. Man this is a ******

I hope these boys treat me right. I just have a bad taste in my mouth dealing with boat problems and marinas in general. I really love my boat but if I had to do it again, I would have done something completely different. I knew it was a bad sign when about a week or so after the delivery of my boat the dealer closed down. All the promises and "worry free" stuff they promised, right down the drink

If they screw me on this, I will gladly take part in "operation run their name in the ground." I just hope for the both parties involved it turns out OK.

Chris

Joe Schwab · 07-21-2002, 09:11 AM

Tacklebuster, Sounds familiar. The factory was real accomodating to me. But they were realistic about length of time. Mine was a stitch weld crack in the forward section just under the helm seat. I have air rides so it couldn't have been the Captain's weight, (or could it)? Anyway I have two years with no leaks and I do run it, if you know what I mean. I would at least talk to the shop and see what he thinks.

[ 07-21-2002, 10:14 AM: Message edited by: Capt. Hook ]

Tacklebuster · 07-21-2002, 05:48 PM

Capt. Hook,
You wouldn't by chance have the number to that shop would ya? The more I think about it the better it sounds.

King Fisher · 07-21-2002, 06:16 PM

Tacklebuster,

I know a local guide friend told me the same thing about a welder by the miami river, I am sure it's the same guy. He's never had problems since he did work for him.

John · 07-21-2002, 09:01 PM

Tacklebuster where did you buy your boat from, was it by chance South River Marine? Be sure to stomp your feet when you go to the factory. I would not even deal with Clemens. Call Weldcraft the maker of the boat. Deal with them direct this seams to help sometimes. I know my dad bought a sled with a King trailer what a piece of sh!!. Had to deal with the factory direct, and they did n't even help. With my boat I had a problem took it too another dealer and got jerked around. Had to end up taking it to the place I bought it. If you have the time deal direct with Weldcraft and their management.

Joe Schwab · 07-21-2002, 09:01 PM

Bay Welding and Fabrication 503-322-0014

Hope it works out for you.

Tacklebuster · 07-22-2002, 02:11 AM

John,
It was indeed South River Marine. Every time I hear those three words it makes me sick

I'll make those phone calls to Weldcraft on Monday. I'll let you know how it goes.

Chris

dampainter · 07-22-2002, 04:44 AM

are you going to get your $$ back from a "bad" seal ??

CATCH AND EAT · 07-22-2002, 06:46 AM

Sorry to hear about the problems. I just had to weld up cracks in my 18' alumiweld. Cracked for 16inches along a weld on the side. Total bummer.

AngleThis · 07-22-2002, 09:30 AM

Bummer dude!!! I guess there are some advantages to fiberglass....If I get a little hull breach, its a two hour fix in warm weather. I'm going to head out on Wed, if not Tues and Wed. No seats filled yet so if you can do the mid week thing, email me toot sweet and I'll hold a spot for ya.

Tacklebuster · 07-22-2002, 05:02 PM

Dampainter,
Looks as if my wasted money on a seal that didn't really need replacing is a done deal [img]graemlins/icon_argue.gif[/img]

Catch and Eat,
If you don't mind my asking, how much did the repair cost you or did your warrenty cover it?

I just spoke with the people at the factory and they are still caught up on the whole "you must have hit something" song and dance. I had the guy at Clemen's call them up and vouch for me so I hope it helps. I just can not believe that no "authorized" shop is around the local area to do the repair. I am no accident investigator but I do know for a fact that if I did indeed hit something, there would be some substancial scratches or marks in the general area. Oh well, I guess we will se how it goes......

John · 07-22-2002, 08:50 PM

Tacklebuster, I hope South River did n't give you the same junk King trailer they put under pops boat. If so change the copler before towing, his developed a hair line crack under the lip. Last season on his way to Nehalem the crack opened up just enough to let the trailer jump off the ball. Almost wrecked the sled and the RV. By this time South River was out of business. King rep. said only the trailer is covered under warranty but not the tires, crank, berrings, copler, and so on. King would not take any of the costs of repair.

skeezer · 07-22-2002, 09:58 PM

sounds like you need to read the fine print very well , they make it sound so good like its true......

crabbait · 07-22-2002, 11:12 PM

Angle - No offense dude, but if you took your boat where we routinely take aluminum or gave it the kind of "oops, I hit another log" abuse that we do, your glass boat would be a permanent fixture wherever it broke.

Nothing wrong with fiberglass, I am looking for an ocean boat right now and it sure looks to me like I would have less cash out of pocket with a good LARGE used glass boat.

Tight lines, bud.

CATCH AND EAT · 07-23-2002, 07:12 AM

Steve Hackle, you did not leave your e-mail address. My boat cracked under the storage box on the right side. Right where they roll the seam and weld it. Hairline crack that leaked like crazy.

Tacklebuster · 07-23-2002, 08:13 AM

John,
I insisted on a Tricker so I didn't get the King. I just wish the sales rep. would have thrown in the fact that the company was going out of business and a week after delivery of your boat you would be on your own. Man the truth would be nice sometimes. Oh well, sorry to hear of your pop's ordeal.

John · 07-23-2002, 04:22 PM

Tacklebuster, a friend of mine that was a sales rep did n't even know they were going down in flames. He got a call from his wife telling him to come home from work, and that his paycheck had just bounced. I think the owner of the dealership burned alot of people, including his employees. Good luck with the boat, and keep us posted. If Weldcraft won't help it says a ton about the company, and maybe buying one of their boats is not a good idea. That is if they won't stand behind their product.