I have a little problem?!?

[Captn C]

Yes I have had one piece get in it once, but it didn't lock up the pump it was only hitting the impellar. Made plenty of noise though.

Not sure what to do about a possible new hull, what ever they are building now would have to be better than what I got now?!?

[Scott]

Any of that "stuff" jamming or fouling the impeller on the bilge pumps yet ?? That would be a big concern .... A similar situation happened to a friend last winter .... had work done in the bilge ... tag end of "tie wraps " were clipped off and left .... ended up jamming a pump...He let the marina "know" about it !!!!

I doesn't sound like a hull integrity issue, but I would agree that the dealer should be alerted.

SeaCraft/Mako moved to Forest City, North Carolina (50 miles west of Charlotte) earlier this year into a renovated former textile plant. I have heard that the move was difficult and the first boats coming off the line there had some quality control issues.

That being said ....I think I would hesitate purchasing a new hull from them for awhile... Think about it ....new factory .... new unfamiliar equipment .... new employees....got to be a big learning curve

[Captn C]

I sent Tracker and SeaCraft registered mail this morning. In it I sent a summary of what I feel is wrong and a detailed time line of events leading up to taking it to BPS on 1-17-04. After I got back I received a call from Bass Pro Shop, they said Tracker was waiting on a estimate from a company in Arkansas to re-do the transom. I ask him about the other issues and he said they were going to take them into consideration on the estimate as well. I hope the registered mail gets there before they make their call.

I'm not too big on it being repaired because I alomst would bet money there are other problems other than just the loose transom.

Any one know of a fiberglass company in Arkansas

[Captn C]

I went to BPS in Katy TX and talked to them about being concerned that someone was "patching up my boat" in Arkansas. I ask them what they (Tracker) had to say about all the issues that I am concerned about too.

I was un-offically told to call Tracker and tell them what I had expressed to them (BPS Katy). So I did....I also found out that the only thing in my file was about the cracked transom. There was no mention of the cracked T-Top, cracked drain under console or the cracked bulk head. I also e-mailed them my pictures of the cracked bulk head.

My file now shows everything and it's been forwarded to the proper people with Tracker.

I also got the phone number for the shop in Arkansas that the boat will be shipped to. I plan to call them too while the boat is in route.

I also found out that my boat was one of the last boats built before Tracker bought SeaCraft. What luck My Robalo was one of the first ones built when the new company took over.

If I ever buy a boat again....the first thing I'm going to ask is; Who built it and when did the company change hands!

[ScottM]

I also found out that my boat was one of the last boats built before Tracker bought SeaCraft.

Captn C - did a Tracker/BPS employee tell you this? Tracker has owned SeaCraft since 1987 [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img].

[Captn C]

Humm, she must have said when Bass Pro Shop took over.

I was busy thinking "OH crap not again!"

I sure thought that was what she said though, thanks for getting me straight on that.

[Captn C]

I called the fiberglass shop in Arkansas yesterday to see what his estimate was what repairs they covered. His estimate was for the transom only. They never told him about the cracked drain, the cracked bulk head, the cracked T-Top or that I felt the hull flexed more than I feel it should. He was very surprised!

His enthusiasm was passionate to try to repair the hull when I first started talking to him on the phone. I felt he was ready to repair the Titanic if they dropped it by. After several minutes though I think he began to realize it would be a risky/expensive task to attempt. He said it could cost $30,000 dollars to repair depending on what all is wrong.

I e-mailed the same letter and my photos to him also. So now everyone has a copy.

[Captn C]

[quote
Captn C - did a Tracker/BPS employee tell you this? Tracker has owned SeaCraft since 1987 [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img].

[/QUOTE]

Looks like we both were right?!?!? Well your right and I was kinda right.

I've learned; The guy who originally started Tracker bought SeaCraft in 1987, but didn't roll them into one copmpany until 1999.

[Captn C]

I went by Bass Pro Shop...again...this time I pumped all the fuel out of the tank (100+ gallons), pulled the props and the batteries. While I was in the console I noticed another small crack about 2" long, then one about 1". The more I looked the more I found. The forward starboard corner has a large crack that is completely broken into and now the edges over lap.

I was out in there boat "pen" so I jumped on the phone and called their shop and ask the shop foreman to bring the camera out. He came out with asst. manager and the asst. manager took a the pictures. As we went over them...I noticed a photo of a crack I didn't recognize and ask about where it was. Below the smalest crack was another nasty crack.

After the photos were taken the asst. manager started talking about how soft the deck was behind the console. I was standing there listening to him when he started jumping up and down. I noticed the floor flexed some, but he pointed put how much movement there was in the leaning post. OH YES that thing was flopping all over the place..T-Top too....He then stepped over the aft bulk head and jumped there too. The leaning post again swayed forward and backward. He was a good 6 to 8 feet behind the leaning post.

I hope to have the photo's today and I'll try to post them. I am also going to talk to Tracker again, I think it's time to start talking about a new hull. I was going to wait till they had "their" people look at it, but I feel now may be the time.

[Scott]

Wow .... Time for the new hull and an Attorney to shake em up a bit ......... Who knows what else is going on under that deck !!!! Sounds like it could be a source for your original complaint "shards of plastic in the bilge area" who knows what’s busted up under there.....

Removing the fuel and other items ….they getting ready to ship her away ??

Capt C ...you are a patient man .....I don’t think I could be in this case…. [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]