Carolina Skiff poor warranty backup

Post by **illinoisfisherman** » March 18th, 2007, 8:00 pm

In January of 2006 we bought a new 24" Sea Chaser from a marina in East Point Fl. The first time we put the boat in the water we noticed a bad list to the port side when under way. We brought it back to the marina and they made a decent effort to solve the problem, without any luck. We brought it to Illinois and had several people look at it up here. They all said it was a hull problem. This was the opinion of several other marina persons in Fl. We brought it back to the marina for them to have another look. Still no fixing the problem.

We drove 200 miles out of our way and brought the boat to Carolina Skiff in Way Cross Georgia in September. They supposedly ran the boat and told us it was a motor problem. THEY SUPPLIED THE MOTOR! They said they have had other problems with the Suzuki 250 four strokes. In October they told us Suzuki was on the way to fix the problem with another prop. We checked in November, December and January still no progress. In February they said that Suzuki couldn't fix the problem and they were going to have another company make a "special" prop that would take care of it.

I called them 2 days ago and then the fat hit the fire. When we dropped it off I told them to fix it but under no circumstance was I going to accept a doctored hull. (Like 500# of fiberglass dumped in one side to make it run plumb.) I was talking to the "warranty man" and he tried to end the conversation with "Well if the prop don't fix it we can make the lip on the transom bigger on one side and it SHOULD run straight." I told him right then if that was the way they want to fix it it was time to give me another boat. He hemmed and hawwed but I was firm. I told him I did not pay 40K for a boat to have a defective hull gerry rigged.

We have been more than patient. 15 months and we do not have a 100 hours on the boat! Two messed up vacations and a long trip to Way Cross and they want to patch up the hull.

Now to get it to run level we had to run the one trim tab all the way down. We were coming in between Dog Island and St. Georges with that tab down at about half throttle and a combination of the changing tide, current and wind in the cut drove the boat into almost diving under the waves. I had my family with me. I do not ever want to take them out on a boat that has a hull defect that could produce the same result.

Is there a Lemon Law for boats in Florida? I am at my wits end and have finally lost my temper. I am thinking that since they are in Georgia, I bought the boat in Fl, paid for it from my account in Illinois and live in Illinois could there be a possibility of filing a suit in Federal court up here if we get no satisfaction?

Any ideas or input will be appreciated. Thank you, Ken

Post by **RodBow** » March 18th, 2007, 8:27 pm

illinois, it's hard to believe CS is going to scum out and take heat on this bad publicity. Get a friend lawyer to write a letter to them demanding a resolution to your satisfaction.

Post by **GIT-R-WET** » March 19th, 2007, 1:33 am

RodBow wrote:illinois, it's hard to believe CS is going to scum out and take heat on this bad publicity. Get a friend lawyer to write a letter to them demanding a resolution to your satisfaction.

What RB said

I hate to hear something like that about a company trying to chit somebody.

Post by **seatrout99** » March 20th, 2007, 4:14 pm

FYI.........................
I have talked to the PR/MKT Director at Carolina Skiff and forwarded her this and several other threads pertaining to this situation in hopes that they will realize the long-term damage this type of publicity can cause them. She and I discussed the need for this situation to be remedied. She was not aware of the situation. She said she would be working on it on her end to get it resolved as quickly as possible. Carolina Skiff does not want or need the reputation as a company that will not stand behind its product.

ST99

Post by **wevans** » March 20th, 2007, 4:25 pm

My Man

Post by **mjsigns** » March 20th, 2007, 4:32 pm

Sorry to hear about your experience with your CS. I would definitely seek "third party" resolution or a settlement with Carolina Skiff. that is the first I've ever heard of such a problem.

Good Luck!

fishful_thinkin · Post by **fishful_thinkin** » March 20th, 2007, 4:33 pm

Atta Boy ST99

Way to help a forum brother out!

Post by **illinoisfisherman** » March 21st, 2007, 12:42 am

Chris, (seatrout99) We are very grateful for your help. All my family wants is a boat that is seaworthy and they are not afraid to go offshore on. We hope we can someday repay your kindness. - Ken

ak man · Post by **ak man** » March 21st, 2007, 2:39 pm

ST99 you're the man, way to help out a brother up the creek.

Post by **Barhopr** » March 21st, 2007, 2:48 pm

One of the many good reason for forums. This and contacts who can unlock your car when you leave the keys in it.
Way to go Chris