Author Topic: Shakedown- boating trip ends bad (Read 10160 times)

OSCAR1987 · « **on:** May 01, 2011, 07:39:03 PM »

Beware...RANT to follow!

Took the boat out at Blaine harbor today for a shakedown cruise with the family before the big halibut trip Thursday. The motor locked up 3 miles from the dock. It sounded like when my kids put a butter knife in the garbage disposal.

So here I am stranded 3 miles from shore with my wife, son and my 5 yr old twin girls and I can't get the kicker to start either. Thank goodness I installed a VHF radio. I called the Coast Guard for assistance and a vessel overheard and came to the rescue. They towed us back to the dock- Thank You To the owners of the WATERFALL!

We put the boat on the trailer and drove all the way back to Master Marine in Mt. Vernon. I just bought the boat from them last summer and the first time out the motor quit on me. When I took it back to them they said the oiling system had plugged and then supposedly fixed it. That time I had the whole family- wife, son, and 3 daughters on board. I limped in 15 miles on the kicker. I took a couple trips after that last year and it never seemed to run quite right so I took it in for service before going out this year. They just did a tune up and carburetor rebuilds 2 weeks ago and said it was running good so I wasn't expecting any trouble today.
I just hope they do the right thing by me.

PolarBear · « **Reply #1 on:** May 01, 2011, 07:46:20 PM »

Just a little tip. ALWAYS run all motors (main and kicker) at home a few days, the night before and (if possible without waking the neighbors) the morning of your trip. I have towed a ton of guys back to the beach who said that their boat had either been running good last season, last month or last week.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 01, 2011, 07:50:08 PM »

PB
That's exactly what I did...Took it to the shop 2 weeks ago, ran it last night for about 45 minutes in the driveway, and warmed up at the dock. I did what I figured was the right thing. I am just glad it wasn't at Washington Park at 5AM Thursday morning!

PolarBear · « **Reply #3 on:** May 01, 2011, 07:59:06 PM »

What wound up being the problem?

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:02:35 PM »

I just got home from dropping it off at the shop. This all went down today- beautiful Sunday on the water if the motor would run! The initial indication is piston, but the service guys will check it out tomorrow.

nw_huntress · « **Reply #5 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:07:35 PM »

As much as I love being out on the water, I'm about to give up on being a boat owner. I love ya babe but not that Suzuki.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:09:37 PM »

Great
Now Mrs. Oscar ( NW_Huntress) won't go boating with me anymore.

BOWHUNTER45 · « **Reply #7 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:26:38 PM »

WOW THAT SUCKS.....Hope they fix it for you ..... know a couple people who work there !

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:34:07 PM »

So far I have put about 50 run hours on it- Stranded twice and had to be rescued today. Not bad for $12,000 investment. I don't blame the Mrs- she was there for both.

PolarBear · « **Reply #9 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:35:48 PM »

Suzuki?

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:55:33 PM »

Used Suzuki 140 bought with boat at their shop last year. They said it had 250 hours on it and many years left on it. I have had nothing but problems and I wish I never bought it. I could have had many fun charters for what I have spent without the drama. My frustration is past all reason and I am done. If they won't make it right I don't know what I will do.

lokidog · « **Reply #11 on:** May 01, 2011, 09:06:34 PM »

As much as I bag on my cold starting Honda, I have put 7,600+ miles on the boat in the last two years and eight months and... let's not jynx it and leave it at that.

It's all about the experience and the fun of doing it yourself.

Hopefully they will make it right, sounds like you did what you could on your end.

carpsniperg2 · « **Reply #12 on:** May 01, 2011, 09:13:45 PM »

Glad to hear you got back safe.

PolarBear · « **Reply #13 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:10:48 PM »

Quote from: carpsniperg2 on May 01, 2011, 09:13:45 PM

Glad to hear you got back safe.

Fish4Fun · « **Reply #14 on:** May 02, 2011, 06:53:22 AM »

This is the main reason why I sold my 1993 Duckworth that had a 140 Suzuki. That was the most undependable motor I have ever seen. Leave the dock and more than once limp home because the big motor went south. I think it was in the shop at least 2 or 3 times a year.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #15 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:08:30 PM »

I have had nothing but trouble from mine, too. I was way too busy at work today and had to work late to boot. I will check in with the shop in the morning to see what they found. I will post tomorrow night. We will see if Master Marine stands behind their word or not.

BY THE WAY, GUYS>>>>
Thanks for the good thoughts and advice.

h2ofowlr · « **Reply #16 on:** May 02, 2011, 08:31:41 PM »

That doesn't sound like fun. I always run my motor the night before I use it. I probably don't have to, but that's what I have always done, so I still continue the tradition.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:19:08 PM »

More Bad News

The guy at Master Marine said I had water in my gas and it made my engine blow up. Unrepairable block damage from a rod letting go.

He said he has a great deal on a used 4stroke...just $6,000.00!!

there goes my season. I can't even afford the gas to drive down to the shop and pick up my hull. Ever seen a grown man cry?

BallisticsNut · « **Reply #18 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:44:59 PM »

Quote from: OSCAR1987 on May 03, 2011, 06:19:08 PM

More Bad News

The guy at Master Marine said I had water in my gas and it made my engine blow up. Unrepairable block damage from a rod letting go.

He said he has a great deal on a used 4stroke...just $6,000.00!!

there goes my season. I can't even afford the gas to drive down to the shop and pick up my hull. Ever seen a grown man cry?

I beleive you said they just did the tune up, that means the gas was there when they did the tune up unless of course you left this thing out in the rain with teh tank open. If they winterized the boat as well as dewinterized the boat, I think they are responsible.

$6k, I would be crying too.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #19 on:** May 03, 2011, 06:51:21 PM »

Quote from: BallisticsNut on May 03, 2011, 06:44:59 PM

Quote from: OSCAR1987 on May 03, 2011, 06:19:08 PM
More Bad News

The guy at Master Marine said I had water in my gas and it made my engine blow up. Unrepairable block damage from a rod letting go.

He said he has a great deal on a used 4stroke...just $6,000.00!!

there goes my season. I can't even afford the gas to drive down to the shop and pick up my hull. Ever seen a grown man cry?

I beleive you said they just did the tune up, that means the gas was there when they did the tune up unless of course you left this thing out in the rain with teh tank open. If they winterized the boat as well as dewinterized the boat, I think they are responsible.

$6k, I would be crying too.

I got to agree if you have all the paperwork for the maintenance on it I would be bringing it to a different shop having that work inspected and see if they were just giving you a bill and performing no work on that motor. Water in the gas does not even sound right if they just performed an inspection on it

sakoshooter · « **Reply #20 on:** May 03, 2011, 07:11:21 PM »

Quote from: PolarBear on May 01, 2011, 07:46:20 PM

Just a little tip. ALWAYS run all motors (main and kicker) at home a few days, the night before and (if possible without waking the neighbors) the morning of your trip. I have towed a ton of guys back to the beach who said that their boat had either been running good last season, last month or last week.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #21 on:** May 03, 2011, 07:16:04 PM »

Ok not going to disagree with people on here, but there are a lot of times even though you run the motor the night prior or the day of, and you get out on the water under power a lot of things can still happen, starting the motor and putting it in gear in the driveway is a good way to make sure the motor starts. But I have seen most of the problems occur once boat is under power. Or better yet when you are in the waves a bouncing.....

Yes I start my motor every morning 0400 right before I head out for the day of fishing. And yes my neighbors love me lots.... They bring me bagels....

Joe

huntergreg · « **Reply #22 on:** May 03, 2011, 08:22:38 PM »

Quote from: BLKBEARKLR on May 03, 2011, 07:16:04 PM

Yes I start my motor every morning 0400 right before I head out for the day of fishing. And yes my neighbors love me lots.... They bring me bagels....

Joe

lokidog · « **Reply #23 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:22:15 PM »

I have had water in my gas and have never heard of it blowing an engine/breaking a rod. I am not a small engine mechanic but cannot for the life of me figure out how gas could do that, unless there was something already wrong with it.

Sounds to me like they are trying to pull one over on you.

I would take it to another mechanic to have it looked at and see if it was something that Master Marine should have known about. Gives you more leverage if you want to kick some arse and maybe get that new motor for $2000.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #24 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:38:17 PM »

My take exactly...water might stop combustion, not create explosive catastrophic engine failure unless something was already wrong!

winshooter88 · « **Reply #25 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:14:27 PM »

Just for information, Water will not compress, if you got enough in the cylinder to lock up the motor while it was running you could blow a rod out because the crank is trying to turn when the piston won't move. I have trouble believing that you could get enough water through the fuel system to cause this problem. On a car engine this usually only happens if the head gasket leaks or the Head or block is cracked into the water jacket. Just my

lokidog · « **Reply #26 on:** May 03, 2011, 10:27:54 PM »

Quote from: winshooter88 on May 03, 2011, 10:14:27 PM

Just for information, Water will not compress, if you got enough in the cylinder to lock up the motor while it was running you could blow a rod out because the crank is trying to turn when the piston won't move. I have trouble believing that you could get enough water through the fuel system to cause this problem. On a car engine this usually only happens if the head gasket leaks or the Head or block is cracked into the water jacket. Just my

I have a 15 horse that spent two months on the bottom of the Newaukum River, went under while running after ripping loos from the gas line. Water level finally went down enough for me to see it in a hole. I managed to grapple it and pull it out. Got it to start that same day. I still use that engine now, 14 years later. If an engine was going to have water in the cylinder, that would have been the one. I am not buying the dealer's statement that water in the gas caused this problem. I would think there would have to be so much water that the carbeurator would not vaporize the fuel or it would not ignite either.

Drew, take a breath, and don't let this guy walk over you saying it was your fault.

BallisticsNut · « **Reply #27 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:18:55 AM »

Going somewhere for a second opinion is a great idea. I had a similiar issue last year when I took my boat in for winterization. (not the same place as it the previous year) To make a long story short, it took the mechanic 4 hours to get the boat started, I never had this issue personally. It turns out that the "tune up" that was required by the Manufacturer and had to be done, was done incorrectly. Wrong plugs where used, they installed HP plugs which burn hotter, which burned up the coil and back fed into the dist. So, the whole ignition system ended up being replaced before it would run. I had them write it up and called the Co. that did the "Manufacturer required tuneup" earlier that year. They reimbursed me all my costs and apologized for the mistake. Also told me that, that mechanic was let go earlier in the year.

Let us know how it goes.

Woodchuck · « **Reply #28 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:28:14 AM »

Quote from: winshooter88 on May 03, 2011, 10:14:27 PM

Just for information, Water will not compress, if you got enough in the cylinder to lock up the motor while it was running you could blow a rod out because the crank is trying to turn when the piston won't move. I have trouble believing that you could get enough water through the fuel system to cause this problem. On a car engine this usually only happens if the head gasket leaks or the Head or block is cracked into the water jacket. Just my

especially on a 4 stroke because the valves would open and push the water out. the engine would run bad yes but I can see no way that the engine could get enough water in it to hydro lock through the fuel system.

pjb3 · « **Reply #29 on:** May 04, 2011, 07:37:31 AM »

Sorry for your issues
Anyway, I would get another opinion, I had mine "winterized" a few years back on another boat and they said it would not crank over and said the block is "frozen up". I sold the boat with a blown motor and the guy that bought it called me and asked if I want to buy it back for an extra $1000. It was just the power steering pump that froze up

I won't mention the place that did the work but they suck. PERFORMANCE MARINE in Everett SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PolarBear · « **Reply #30 on:** May 04, 2011, 08:31:43 AM »

If you do not have one yet, install an in line fuel filter/water separator an from now on do your own winterizing! It only takes a few minutes and is super simple. I have a 1978 Johnson 70 hp on my work boat that has been upside down in the salt 3 times, thousands of hard hours on it and it still runs like a champ because I keep up on the maintenance.

BLKBEARKLR · « **Reply #31 on:** May 04, 2011, 09:24:16 AM »

I hydrolocked one motor on a toyota, blew both pistons out the side of the block. That was from being hood deep and plowing water for long ways, it sucked it in through the air intake. I have to agree I doubt that motor could get enough water through the fuel line to make it hydro lock on you.

Try limit out marine, ask specifically for Daniel and tell him what is going on. He has been my boat mechanic since 1999. Great guy and knows what he is talking about.........

Joe

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 04, 2011, 05:47:12 PM »

I have been getting the same story from a friend about the water issue being BS
I plan to take the motor to a certified mechanic for a written failure analysis. Then I will take that back to Master Marine. They will give me a new motor or I will take them to court. I have a separator and they charged me to replace it last week.

jackmaster · « **Reply #33 on:** May 05, 2011, 12:30:19 PM »

well i hope they hook you up with a new motor, tell them its gotta be a yami or honda or a good ole court date, hopefully they are an honorable place and stand behind ya, good luck

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2011, 09:22:50 PM »

Ok
Today I went to pick up my busted boat. The owner of Master Marine- Larry and I had a long talk and we came to an agreement. We made a deal where he cut me a break on a 2007 140 Suzuki with Fuel injection, new controls, instruments installed and new steering. He will winterize this fall and give a warranty for the summer. Charging about half price for the motor, no labor and parts. That all adds up to about $4,000 to the good for me. I might have been able to sue him and get $5,000 only if I win and take months. Then I would still need a motor. Not to mention no boat all summer- I guess this is as good as I could hope for. We will see how it all shakes out next week when I go pick it up. At least I have a chance of getting back in the water this season!

DeerHarvester · « **Reply #35 on:** May 07, 2011, 06:50:34 AM »

I'm glad it all worked out for you. 4k is hard to beat for a 2007. Surprised to see you went back to a Suzuki outboard. If it's not too late I would make him find you a yamaha or E-tech.

either way it sounds like the owner is making things right.

PolarBear · « **Reply #36 on:** May 07, 2011, 09:39:52 AM »

Quote from: DeerHarvester on May 07, 2011, 06:50:34 AM

I'm glad it all worked out for you. 4k is hard to beat for a 2007. Surprised to see you went back to a Suzuki outboard. If it's not too late I would make him find you a yamaha or E-tech. either way it sounds like the owner is making things right.

400out · « **Reply #37 on:** May 07, 2011, 10:37:24 AM »

Not to go backwards but You would have to put the motor under water and run it to get a hydro lock! Glad it worked out for you!!!!!!!! Now go fishing

kbyers · « **Reply #38 on:** May 07, 2011, 10:49:53 AM »

Quote from: DeerHarvester on May 07, 2011, 06:50:34 AM

I'm glad it all worked out for you. 4k is hard to beat for a 2007. Surprised to see you went back to a Suzuki outboard. If it's not too late I would make him find you a yamaha or E-tech. either way it sounds like the owner is making things right.

I was thinking the same thing.

jeepster · « **Reply #39 on:** May 07, 2011, 10:59:23 AM »

Quote from: OSCAR1987 on May 03, 2011, 06:19:08 PM

More Bad News

The guy at Master Marine said I had water in my gas and it made my engine blow up. Unrepairable block damage from a rod letting go.

He said he has a great deal on a used 4stroke...just $6,000.00!!

there goes my season. I can't even afford the gas to drive down to the shop and pick up my hull. Ever seen a grown man cry?

B.O.A.T= Bitch On A Trailer.

thats harsh man... sorry to hear... get a honda, yamaha, or etec next time. i wouldnt own a zuki if you paid me

i got a 19' glasply for $6000 with 220 hours on it

400out · « **Reply #40 on:** May 07, 2011, 11:23:24 AM »

NO NO NO
B.O.A.T Break Out Another Thousand.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 11, 2011, 09:12:39 PM »

Called the shop today...Should be ready next week. I guess I will be halibut fishing memorial weekend! WOO HOO!!!

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #42 on:** May 20, 2011, 09:02:31 PM »

****UPDATE*****

Boat shop comes through!!

Larry at Master Marine in Mt Vernon gave me a good deal on a used motor (about $3000 off) and installed it for free labor, parts at cost. Had to have new controls, instrumentation. He threw in a 90 day warranty and free winterization this fall as well. That is as good as I could hope for because I bought the boat used a year ago. I took it out today and drove from Blaine to Alden bank and back past Cherry Point. Stopped and started numerous times without a hitch. I plan to drive down to Cattle Point in the morning and then out to the Halibut Hole... Wish me luck!

lokidog · « **Reply #43 on:** May 20, 2011, 10:23:38 PM »

Good luck, supposed to be a little breezy.... You have a place on Decatur to stay if you want. Are you ferrying out to San Juan? Sounds a little spendy with a trailer.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #44 on:** May 21, 2011, 10:02:31 PM »

LokiDog...
I want to stop by next week and meet you, maybe pick up some tips if you are game..Today I was all about field trials for the new motor...if it wants to have trouble I want it to happen under warranty!

What a day!

I left Blaine Harbor this morning with my 10 yr old son under cover of darkness...I always wanted to use those running lights..

We got the snot beat out of us in the Straight of Georgia.
Hugged the west side of Patos and shot thru Presidents channel which was smooth as glass and got to make speed-close to 40mph!

We got past San Juan Channel by 7:30 AM and went through some 12' rollers by Cattle Point -I got too close to the shelf by that green bouy- lesson learned!
We left about 2PM when the tides were ripping sideways. My son was exhausted after rain soaked rounds of drifting, running back and drifting about 20 times with 14 or 15 other boats. Saw a pod of Pilot whales feeding on Hein in 60' water...pretty cool

BUT ..No Buts

Blasted back to the inside between Lopez and San Juan only to have to stop for the Killer Whale FIASCO!! Bunch of Canadian tourists in speed tourist party boats were cornering those whales and jamming traffic. NOAA and Fisheries squad had us going 7 knots for about 1/2 hour. Still I made it back to Alden bank in less than 2 hours including delays...Fished a few hours there BUT NO BUTS! GRRR

Next weekend BUTS MUST DIE!

Motor runs like a champ, but I need to get the idle bumped up a bit. When I throttle back quickly it will die as I shift into neutral, but if I ease it down slow it will stay running. Overall a great day for the new motor.

lokidog · « **Reply #45 on:** May 21, 2011, 10:17:47 PM »

Sounds like you had an adventurous day on the water. I'll be out Wed. shrimping but might be on a 40 foot boat (yeah, it's a rough life) owned by a guy that I just did some work for, unless someone wants to come out and join me for shrimping and fishing. Weather permitting, of course.

I'll also be out Saturday, in my boat for the last day of the spot shrimp season. Will be off the south end of Lopez.

OSCAR1987 · « **Reply #46 on:** May 22, 2011, 07:00:23 AM »

I'll be there

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