Think my new boat (2017 RZX2) is a lemon....

[utahsurfer]

So quick follow up....

The boat was at the dealer Tues - Thurs. and back in my possession this morning so we could make sure everything was working. I think elevated can do a better job of explaining what they found but basically all my issues can be attributed to a hose clamp being loose in the engine bay. From how it was explained to me by the mechanic at Germaine, as the boat would pump in water to keep the engine cool it was leaking and taking on a lot of water. This explains the lack of power after two days on the lake, the water in the boat, etc, etc, etc.

Long story short, we spent the morning on the lake and the boat performed beautifully. Germaine did a great job of fine tuning the timers on the ballasts (which are almost perfectly dialed in now) and getting issues fixed. There are still a few small things we need to tighten up that they didn't have time to do before getting it to me this morning but they're working on those today and tomorrow morning and I'll pick the boat back up tomorrow for the rest of the weekend.

Overall, I'm really happy with how the boat performed today - it was what I hoped for when I bought the boat originally. The issues have been annoying, there's no denying that. But Germaine and Elevated seriously stepped up and have been super helpful, responsive and invested in making it right. I'll try to post some pictures/videos later when I can showing the wave today.

[Germaine Marine]

[ddutcher]

Shouldn't accept anything. Your dealer should be fixing any and all issues with a warranty covered boat.

Elevated - my dealer went above and beyond to resolve my issues. They even fixed some issues after Tige told them no so the dealer was not the problem. Who else with a Z3 has a soft floor that bows every time you walk around the divers seat? Gel cracks in all four corners of the floor, gel coat colors that don't line up when you look at the boat from the rear at the top cap. These are things that should be caught by quality control prior to being sent out. I was cleaning the boat yesterday and noticed on the side of the hull an imperfection that was in the mold that I can now see because I removed the decals from the side. All of these things add up to an unsatisfied buyer but Tige (Charlie) doesn't care because he already got my money. It is great that you were able to help out with the OP but let's be honest it shouldn't take someone coming onto a forum and complaining to get things done. Now we are going to see posts praising this dealer, why? they weren't stepping up until you stepped in.

I guess when it comes time for me to sell my boat I will just tell perspective buyers what Harvey told me and what others say on this forum. Gel coat cracks, it's not a big deal. These boats are hand built so drink the kool aid and be happy you can afford this luxury item! My best friend had a nautique that he sold 6 years later with zero gel cracks. He bought a 2016 Supreme 226 last year and has zero gel cracks and paid much less than I did 4 years ago.

I am off to Lake Shasta to enjoy family friends and boating for the week.

[Dandy]

One thing on gel coat issues/cracks. I had read before (think Ewok posted it) that due to conforming to EPA regulations that the new gel formula used in 2013 and 2014 caused thing to set to fast and be more brittle (or something like that). We had a 2013 Tige Z1 and had quite a few gel issues, mainly on the engine cover/storage compartments (where the radius were). We then purchased a 2014 Nautique and had to have several gel cracks fixed, most of which were on the deck cap, again where on the radius. I am not sure if there was a reformulation, but I do believe the industry (entire marine) saw more issues in at least '13 and '14 production boats than prior. In this case, again a 3rd party supplier issue, it would be difficult to say it is Tiges fault.

Sent from my VS995 using Tapatalk

[ddutcher]

I purchased the boat from Tige, the title reads Tige which tells me Tige is responsible to fix the issue. I guess if what you are stating is fact then I should have to track down the gel coat supplier and go after them? I could buy into you argument if the supplier sprayed the boat but I believe that is done in house. If it truly was an industry issue then why isn't Tige fighting for their customers? Oh that's right they already got my money and it will be the last dollar they get from me. I am not a buyer that buys new every year as I have been on a 8 year ownership cycle but come on Tige take care of the ones that have helped to try to fix your bad reputation in California.

[talltigeguy]

Utah, I guess your bilge pump wouldn't pump the water out?
It would seem that you should never have enough water stay in the bilge to slow the boat down, at least not for long.

[chpthril]

^^^^ careful now with your opinion, tall, you dont own a tige anymore

[Germaine Marine]

I purchased the boat from Tige, the title reads Tige which tells me Tige is responsible to fix the issue. I guess if what you are stating is fact then I should have to track down the gel coat supplier and go after them? I could buy into you argument if the supplier sprayed the boat but I believe that is done in house. If it truly was an industry issue then why isn't Tige fighting for their customers? Oh that's right they already got my money and it will be the last dollar they get from me. I am not a buyer that buys new every year as I have been on a 8 year ownership cycle but come on Tige take care of the ones that have helped to try to fix your bad reputation in California.

Sounds like you have had a bad experience at your local level, super unfortunate and while I wish I could help I can tell by your post that its probably not possible.

Your title reads TIGE because you purchased that MFG through a dealer network. Identical to a vehicle purchase. Tige has territories and since they do not sell boats out of the factory that is how it is operated. Again, identical to motor vehicles. Im sure you know this but after reading your post I wanted to double check.

A dealer who sells in the specific territory is also responsible to help Tige with repairs and warranty work... again like a motor vehicle. The dealer is a representation of TIGE and understands its position very very clearly.

Your issues (If warranty items) should all be taken care of locally without hassle, as thats the entire point of the network and operation.

If my gm has a warranty issues, paint cracking and or a failure in which its in need of repair.. Its handled at the local dealer... despite my title reading General Motors the dealer is handling the issue.

Same principal same concept...

If you have had problems I have no idea why you arent being taken care of. Its inexcusable. Your boat should be fixed per warranty details and guidelines. Tige supports that and your local dealer should be ready with open arms to repair any and all warranty issues.

[Germaine Marine]

Elevated - my dealer went above and beyond to resolve my issues. They even fixed some issues after Tige told them no so the dealer was not the problem. Who else with a Z3 has a soft floor that bows every time you walk around the divers seat? Gel cracks in all four corners of the floor, gel coat colors that don't line up when you look at the boat from the rear at the top cap. These are things that should be caught by quality control prior to being sent out. I was cleaning the boat yesterday and noticed on the side of the hull an imperfection that was in the mold that I can now see because I removed the decals from the side. All of these things add up to an unsatisfied buyer but Tige (Charlie) doesn't care because he already got my money. It is great that you were able to help out with the OP but let's be honest it shouldn't take someone coming onto a forum and complaining to get things done. Now we are going to see posts praising this dealer, why? they weren't stepping up until you stepped in.

I guess when it comes time for me to sell my boat I will just tell perspective buyers what Harvey told me and what others say on this forum. Gel coat cracks, it's not a big deal. These boats are hand built so drink the kool aid and be happy you can afford this luxury item! My best friend had a nautique that he sold 6 years later with zero gel cracks. He bought a 2016 Supreme 226 last year and has zero gel cracks and paid much less than I did 4 years ago.

I am off to Lake Shasta to enjoy family friends and boating for the week.

The dealer was doing the right thing here from the start. Given a myriad of things, the problem was a pain to track down and it was something that came up in service.

Wasnt ballast related like the OP thought.

The boat went in for service was fixed tested and tested again with the OP now happy.

Not much else can be done here....

[ragboy]

So quick follow up....

The boat was at the dealer Tues - Thurs. and back in my possession this morning so we could make sure everything was working. I think elevated can do a better job of explaining what they found but basically all my issues can be attributed to a hose clamp being loose in the engine bay. From how it was explained to me by the mechanic at Germaine, as the boat would pump in water to keep the engine cool it was leaking and taking on a lot of water. This explains the lack of power after two days on the lake, the water in the boat, etc, etc, etc.

Long story short, we spent the morning on the lake and the boat performed beautifully. Germaine did a great job of fine tuning the timers on the ballasts (which are almost perfectly dialed in now) and getting issues fixed. There are still a few small things we need to tighten up that they didn't have time to do before getting it to me this morning but they're working on those today and tomorrow morning and I'll pick the boat back up tomorrow for the rest of the weekend.

Overall, I'm really happy with how the boat performed today - it was what I hoped for when I bought the boat originally. The issues have been annoying, there's no denying that. But Germaine and Elevated seriously stepped up and have been super helpful, responsive and invested in making it right. I'll try to post some pictures/videos later when I can showing the wave today.

It def sounded like, from your original post, you were taking in water. I have seen that, and have had it happen to me a few times. Boat just slowly starts lagging. It is common enough, especially with those of us that play with our ballast systems a lot, change pumps, put in fatter lines, etc. The best way to detect and avoid that in the future is to pay attention to the RPMs when you surf at a certain speed. For instance, I do this on every boat, and I have caught problems before the get bad. So when my son surfs at 11.6 or so, I know that my boat fully weighted should turn right about 3500 rpm. If its less, something isn't full, if its more, and I don't have extra people on board, something may be wrong. If you have extra people, it will be more, but if its now 3800 it should be that ALL DAY. Like I said, this also helps you know if your ballast system is TRULY full if you didn't do a visual check or if you have something like an RZX, where you CAN'T do a visual check. Also if your bags are passively leaking, this will help you figure that out.

Lastly, if you do take on water like that, it is good to make sure your dealer inspects just how deep the water got. If the water got up to the pulleys, and if it got up to the starter motor, which is pretty low on many boats, you may not have a problem right away, but you very likely will sooner than normal. The water gets up to the starter and can cause corrosion, and next thing you know a couple weeks later, its seized. So give that stuff a good check before it leaves you getting your new baby towed.

Have fun this weekend!

[Bakes5]

FWIW....a dry bilge goes a long way towards making a reliable boat. I hunt down leaks until they are run to ground. I even run a fan into my bilge for 1-2 days after a trip and then 30 minutes twice a day.

Now...if I could just get the kids to stop dumping a liter or 2 of water into the boat from their clothes, wetsuits, etc. every time they climb in

[jrj701]

Just curious what the final outcome was. Are all your issues cleared up?

[UNSTUCK]

This isn't the blue 2017 that is at Germaine right now for sale for next to nothing, is it? I want it BAD!

[bsreid]

Unstuck, maybe you should go for the one in Seattle

[talltigeguy]

This isn't the blue 2017 that is at Germaine right now for sale for next to nothing, is it? I want it BAD!

Is 100K next to nothing?

This one? https://www.ksl.com/classifieds/listing/45267369