Towed by a Nautique

[bacdoc]

Major problem this week on our local lake.

We had just taken our 24V off the trailer and motored for about 5 minutes across the lake, throttled down and heard a funny clank sound. We just kind of thought it was ambient engine noise and went ahead and threw our first rider in the water. When we powered up again pushed the throttle down another clank sound and the boat just sat there like it was in neutral. We had no power to the prop but the engine ran normally.
We called the dealer as we floated helplessly and they kind of thought we might have lost the prop. After a quick dive under the boat we determined that the prop was still there.
We were towed back into the dock shamefully by a Nautique that rescued us.
After getting it to our dealer they told us today that a bolt had broken at the V drive connection. Is this kind of thing rare? The boat has 40 hours on it and is only 5 months old. Another thing, the dealer was not sure if it was warrrantied, they took pictures to send to somebody.
Has anybody else had this happen?

[raythompson]

Stuff happens.

I would say that your failure is not normal. As for warranty there should be no issue, it very well had better be under warranty. The bolt broke because it was defective or there is an alignment problem. Regardless, it should be a warranty repair.

As for being pulled by a Natique, be happy. They were nice enough to help you. Maybe someday you can return the favor.

In my 30+ years of boating I have pulled a half dozen boats, from small runabouts to a Mastercraft. I even pulled a boat with my waverunner. Pulling with the waverunner was actually easier than with a boat as the waverunner is more maneuverable.

There is also a rule in TN that you must provide assistance to a boat in distress. You don't have to tow them 20 miles, you just have to got them to the nearest safe location. Being without power is considered distress. It is more important on the rivers here as a stalled boat is usually in a navigation channel and is considered a hazard to navigation.

It is also customary to offer to fill the towing boat fuel tank in exchange for the towing assistance. It is also customary to refuse acceptance of the offer by the towing boat.

[zeda]

I guess you could have been towed by a boat that doesn't measure up to a Tige or Nautique. I always give people help whether it's jumping a dead battery at the boat ramp, towing, etc. You never know when you will need the favor returned. So far, I'm ahead at least 5 to 1. Just hope I don't have to use my 1.

[Matt Garcia]

Are they towing your boat from their tower?

[Tige M.D.]

i have seen a few boats do this. the 4 bolts that hold the propshaft coupler to the v-drive coupler probably came loose and fell out. either the bolts were too short, not allowing the nyloc nut to do its job, or they were not tightened correctly. if you had a 20hr service done this should have been checked and should be covered under warranty either by the dealer or tige. if you have not had the break-in service done yet then your way overdue and shame on you. this is why we urge people to get their back in for the 20hr. during that service we check the boats from bow to stern, tighten and test everything we can reach.

[bacdoc]

I wasnt really "shamed" by getting towed, I was actually happy to get the assistance. The funny thing is our wives were on that Nautique taking a wakeboard clinic at the time of our breakdown. We called them on the cell phone and the instructor came and got us.

Matt- they towed us from their ski pylon.

Tige MD- Our 20hr service was actually scheduled for the next morning. Our dealership was so far out on scheduling that we were not able to get in that close to our actual 20hr mark. Probably should have planned ahead and scheduled it when we were at about 10 hours.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by Matt Garcia
Are they towing your boat from their tower?

Pulling a boat at a low speed is probably less stress than pulling a hard working wakeboarder in a sharp cut. Boats move easily through the water at low speed. When you start adding speed then you start adding load, and it is not linear.

[Tip]

If it will make you feel better I had the pleasure of towing a broken Nautique two weekends ago...it all works out in the end.

[Tequilasun]

I have a buddy, yeah a buddy , who was pulled in by a canoe!! He started his runabout on the trailer, pulled off, then it died, and floated out into the lake about 50 yards. I am pretty sure he though he had enough gas to get to the gas dock....guess he was wrong, honest mistake really

[Original Wing Nut]

Hope the dealer helps you more than they did me

I bought my boat from the same dealer. It seems they will try to not cover anything under warranty. I am now on my fourth fuel sender or gauge and it still didn't work at all last week at Powell. It reads full all the time. I put as much as 38 gallons in and it still reads full. The guys at Taylors say there is nothing wrong.

[bacdoc]

Wing Nut-

I saw your boat at the dealer when I picked ours up. Your boat was totally taken apart, I guess they were working on your fuel sender. They said that the problem with our boat was loose bolts, probably from the factory. We lost 3 of 4 and the fourth finally sheared. I guess really important to have that stuff checked at the 20 hour service.

[xpjim1]

I had the same thing happen last Thursday. Had 3 windless days on lake havasu. Thursday morning went to pick up a downed boarder and have throttle and no gear. I called my dealer while floating on the lake. Said it sounded like the v-drive flange bolts. (dont know if this is exact terminlogy). Called vessel assist got towed to the dock. Friday morning drove to vegas to the dealer. They repaired my boat and did the 25 hour service. I dropped off the boat at noon, went to a movie and picked up my boat at three. Back in lake havasu at 6 to meet everyone for dinner. Had the boat for Saturday and Sunday. While it was an inconvenience Boats of Nevada did everything to get me back on the water.

Overall a excellent week on the Water. Get to do it again starting Thursday

[delongheavyhaul]

even though it was a bummer to be broke down, matt & tommy over at boats of nevada are the best and will take care of you. that is awesome service!!!

[Andrew]

Matt and the guys at Tige Nevada are great and will always go the extra mile to keep the customers on the water. Hats off to them.

Great Job Matt

Andrew