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Have outboard repaired or have money returned?


Kylersk

Question

As some of you know, I bought my first boat this season, a 2000 crestliner 1750 sport fish with 115 Evinrude Ficht. I bought it from Cabelas and they have been great.

Well, this past week, I finally got it on the water and ran it for a little bit. After running the engine at 5500 rpms for a few minutes, and then returning to idle, the motor died. It took forever to start. After restarting, I landed my boat and called the service department. They recommended adding fresh gas and stabilizer. So, I added 10 gallons of gas and stabilizer for that amount and tried it again. The boat did the same thing, died once I got back down to idle. But this time, after I finally got it started again, the motor sounded louder and then Pop! Smoke came pouring out and I killed it as quick as I could. Well, it looks like something blew a hole right throught the front of the motor. There was an aluminum clamp and shaving laying in front of it, unde the hood. I think the clamp was the rod clamp?? I dont know.. but it's not good.

Anyways, cabelas has not totally assesed the situation yet, but the manager mentioned he'd take care of me and either give me my money back or repair the motor. I really have to wait to hear what their final answer is, but I dont know.. ..

Should I have the motor repaired? Or should I just run from this deal? I really like the boat and the price, but this motor has me worried (evinrude ficht).

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It's a tough call, but I might opt for complete refund.

It's extremely rare a motor blows like that, but have it rebuilt will always make you worry. I would suspect whoever traded boat in knew about this, and took advantage of Cabelas (and of course you).

Anyway I would try my luck with another boat, used or new.

What did you do with the windshield ?

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Yea, do whatever you feel most comfortable doing.

I personally like Cabelas a lot. Three weeks ago a friend of mine bought a Crestliner from them. They were very fair in dealing price. When we called to pick up the boat on the delivery day, the service people told us that during the preparation they found the lower unit seal was broken and we could either get out of deal or they would do the repair. We chose the repair (cost $450 as they claimed) and in the end, they also throw us a new boat travel cover ($250).

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Well there you go Kylersk, more than enough opinions, all anyone can say at this point is go with your gut, Buddy. Do what feels COMFORTABLE FOR YOU. Be sure to let us know how it turns out. Sounds like they are handling this quite professionally. Good luck!

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So, I priced out a new boat from cabelas as well. After discussing that with my wife, I got the absolute NO on that deal.

So, I'm leaning towards getting the optimax installed on this boat. It's already has a few brand new items on it: 70# trolling motor, 2 deepcycle batteries, 2 bank 8 amp charger and a cabelas cover. So, add that all up, with new 115 optimax, I think it's still a decent package for under 15k with a 5 year motor warranty.

I'm really leary now on buying any used motor......

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I'll go another way on this.

- If you like the boat and think you'll want to keep it for a long time

- If the boat's in really good shape

- If the trailer is good

- And if you can afford the extra $4,000

Then going with the new Opti and controls is a pretty enticing option in my opinion.

I assume you like the boat since you just picked it out. Motors are by far the most expensive part of any package, and are the part that's going to cost you the most money to maintain. What's ever going to happen to an older trailer - new tires, new bearings, new brakes, new lights --- pennies compared to the cost of a good motor and motor maintenance. What's ever going to happen to an older boat - pumps might fail, rivets might leak --- pennies compared to the cost of a good motor and motor maintenance. By going with a new motor you get warranty coverage and should have minimal repair and maintence costs on it for many years.

Going the route of a full refund and starting over isn't a bad choice, but upgrading to a new Opti seems pretty enticing to me if you like the boat and can afford the upgrade.

Good luck.

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As Perchjerker stated above.The motor is the most expensive and critical component in the package.Pumps,batteries,trollingmotors,and such are just regular maintenance items that you will deal with as you go.Id pull the trigger with a new motor put on that,good luck with your decision.

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Tough call for you here. A opti is a great motor and will give you years of great service plus you will have a warranty with a new motor that is nice. Of course the other thing is if you look for another used boat you will have to worry about any issues you might have with it. But for a new motor you will have yourself into it for $18000 correct? Tough call last year I found a new non current prov similar size to what you got with a 140 hp for $19,000. Truly a hard decision to be made by you. Personally I won't go for a rebuild so that would leave me with either putting another 4k into it for a new motor and having it be a 18K rig. Or else look for another rig. Good luck with that decision it is tough for sure.

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I think IFF he actually mentioned that he would have a total of $14K into it (which includes the new motor).

I guess that's why if it were me, I'd probably keep the boat and put the new motor on there if getting a new or slightly used one was out of my finance range. I did a brief search on various boats and $14K for a 2000 boat with a brand spankin' new motor is pretty much better than any other rig I saw out there.

Perchjerker put it well. Having that new motor with 5 years of warranty for only $4K is well worth the money and, perhaps more importantly, peace of mind.

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Yes, I'll have 14K into the boat If i put the new motor on. Currently I have 10k into it.

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Oh I am sorry. I mis read that. Well that is big difference then. I would probably put the opti on and enjoy the rig. 10K for that boat I know why you got it too bad about the motor.

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If the rest of the boat, and the trailer are in good shape I think I'd go for the new Opti. Sounds like Cabelas is really trying to make you a happy customer!

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If you put the new motor on - would the boat be worth what you have into it, even with a good deal on a new motor?

I'd start over, chances of this happening to you again are small.

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Well, here's my take on it.

First, if you can afford the 4k for the optimax done deal.. that's what I'd do.

If you can't, and you really like the boat, and the motor was going to be a powerhead swap (the dealer orders a rebuilt powerhead from a place that does this all the time) and not a parts replacement (the dealer orders a block and puts the old parts in the new block) I'd probably stick with the FICHT. Even though it's a FICHT, the 4 cylinders weren't all that bad and if you've got the equivalent of a brand new motor you're not that bad off.

Just my opinion...

marine_man

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Kylersk, first of all I am sorry to hear about your bad experience. What a bummer! As you know, my Dad has the same motor that has had issues, I hope not this one as well. crazy.gif

I saw your pics of the rig, that is a really nice boat. With a brand new motor I think that you would be hard pressed to find a better deal for $14K.

My opinion would be to get the Merc.

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I'll agree with the others that are saying get the Opti and keep your boat. I don't think that $14K into a boat outfitted like you say and w/ a brand new motor w/ 5 year warranty is too bad of a deal. Last year about this time I picked up a 17.5 alumacraft w/ a 100HP Yamaha 4 stroke for a little over 10K, but I don't think it was set-up quite as nice as yours and definitely didn't have a brand new motor, so I think 14 is pretty fair.

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Well, I made the call and told them to order the merc optimax. Should be here in the next week or two. I also splurged and asked them to install an LMS-334c. A few hours later, the boat manager called me and said that there were alot of problems with the LMS-334's and he didnt want me having any more problems. So, he upgraded me to an LMS-522c for the same price. Now that's sweet!

I cant wait to get my boat back!!

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Sounds like they are treating you right. That is great. Your are going to love that locator too. I have a 332 and the displace on it is awesome.

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Quote:

Well, I made the call and told them to order the merc optimax. Should be here in the next week or two. I also splurged and asked them to install an LMS-334c. A few hours later, the boat manager called me and said that there were alot of problems with the LMS-334's and he didnt want me having any more problems. So, he upgraded me to an LMS-522c for the same price. Now that's sweet!

I cant wait to get my boat back!!


It's nice to read how a potential disaster turned into a pretty good deal for yourself. I'm sure you'll love the new motor.

Kudos to Cabelas

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Yeah, I know I've said it a couple times already, but when both parties can work out a win-win, everyone's happy. Good for you and it sounds like Cabelas went the extra mile to try and make you as happy as possible. Sounds like they were shooting straight with you, which is good.

I'm sure you'll enjoy your rig for years to come.

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I've heard the saying before that "a boat is a hole in the water into which you pour money".

I ran across a new saying this morning. BOAT = Break Out Another Thousand grin.gifgrin.gifgrin.gif

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Sounds like a decent deal and I would have gone for the Opti upgrade at that price. Piece if mind with an engine is huge in my book....can't go fishing if it's not running....at least in summer!!!

Not to highjack the thread....but

Bass catcher....I remember reading some posts of yours about you looking to buy a FS boat soon....or did you do that already? Just curious if you did what you ended up with?

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Yep, we got a boat alright. But, after months upon months of researching and comparing fish/ski boats, we ended up getting a slightly used Alumacraft Tournament Sport 175 last fall. blush.gifcrazy.gifgrin.gif Basically it came down to a few things: 1) How often would the jump seats and bow cushions get used? 2) How often would we use a bimini top? 3) Layout and size of livewells. and 4) Price. Our answers to the first two were....not very often. For No. 3, the Alumacraft has large livewells both front and back which was a plus in my book. And for No. 4, major household repairs used up most of our money set aside for a new boat, so we found a good price on this slightly used boat.

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Cool.....thanks for the update. And nice rig.

1 & 2 are what I am struggling with right now (and then 4!!). For 1) My parents live on a lake and I could see me bringing it up there quite a bit for play since their ski boat is well....not always running!! mad.gif

For 2), it always seems that the bimini top would be nice if it started raining.....or to keep sun off on those hot days.

Heck....I have a 4x4 truck and would not have anything else, but I only use it a hand full of times each year. It's those few times that make it worthwhile....good thing I have a while to think about it!!

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Quote:

Yep, we got a boat alright. But, after months upon months of researching and comparing fish/ski boats, we ended up getting a slightly used Alumacraft Tournament Sport 175 last fall.
blush.gifcrazy.gifgrin.gif
Basically it came down to a few things: 1) How often would the jump seats and bow cushions get used? 2) How often would we use a bimini top? 3) Layout and size of livewells. and 4) Price. Our answers to the first two were....not very often. For No. 3, the Alumacraft has large livewells both front and back which was a plus in my book. And for No. 4, major household repairs used up most of our money set aside for a new boat, so we found a good price on this slightly used boat.


I'm with you BassCatcher.... 1 and 2 not really, #3, wanted a bow AND aft livewell, and #4, went with new, non-current that we found late last fall, a 2005 that was still on the showroom floor, for $17k. Yes, it's a Tracker, but it's EXACTLY what I wanted, an 18' Targa, 115 hp Optimax, wide, deep boat that I, my wife, my 2 boys and my dad can all fish out of and not be bumping elbows.

The electronics I already had on a previous boat, so I swapped them between the boats, and now I just need to quit working 90 hours / week in the summer..... grin.gif

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