horrible experience with mercury outboard - advice needed!

One of my coworkers just purchased a new boat setup from some dealer in Shawano WI and they've had nothing but heartache and misery with the thing. I don't know all of the horrible details but, in short, the first time they went to pickup (a 4 hour drive from their residence near Madison WI) the boat the dealer indicated that it had been "lost" (they couldn't find it in their inventory). By the next weekend the boat had been "found" and they brought it back to their residence (another 4 hour drive approx.). They took it out that Wednesday night to test everything out and break in the outboard per the manufacturer's (Mercury) specifications/instructions and by the time they got out on the lake the Mercury motor quit. All of the alarms started sounding; they were basically stranded. They were able to get the motor started at short intervals and after some time made it back to shore. My coworkers husband argued with the dealer in Shawano in an attempt to get a brand new outboard but failed. All they were willing to do was replace the power head which was finally agreed upon by both parties. Forward to last weekend when they took the boat out again for the 2nd trial run. Unfortunately the outboard did nearly the same thing as the first time. Started making horrible noises, stopped running/would 't start, alarms going crazy, etc. Well, they're not quite sure where to turn. All told, it's been about a 2 month fiasco and they're ready to give up.

Sorry for the lack of details, bet I figured you guys might have some advice for someone in their situation and wondered if you might post your ideas so that I can relay the information to them.

Thanks.

J.P.

Fishong Fishhard Harold Range 911 Bass Anglers Delaware Valley Outdoors

On the flip side, a friend of mine mentioned he went through three power heads on his Mercury while it was under warranty. He has had the motor for about seven years now.

Hearing these kind of tales makes a person think huh? Who is the dealer?

Hi JP,

Sounds to me like your friend went to American Marine to buy his boat. That was his biggest mistake! American advertises that they have the lowest prices and there's a reason for those low prices, service SUCKS!!!

Virtually everyone that I've known to purchase a boat from American has had nothing but trouble when it comes to service, support and boat setup. There've been a whole laundry list of problems, from things miswired, trailers improperly setup, oil lines pinched, etc.

One guy I know had his motor mounted off center by 5 1/2 inches! This wasn't a clamp on motor either, the transom was drilled to do this!

It'll be difficult, but if I was your friend, I'd try to get my money back under the Lemon Law and go elsewhere for a boat.

Sometimes, lowest price isn't the best deal,

I feel horribly bad about what they (and, apparently, others) have had to go through, especially when you consider the amount of time, effort, calculation and worry that goes along with significant purchases such as a complete boating setup.

Well, thanks for the comments everyone. I've supplied the URL of this discussion to my coworker and I'm sure they will find the information invaluable.

Once again, many thanks for the comments and information.

Take Care n' Tight Lines,

J.P.