BITCH SLAP !!!
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| Excel 1854 F4 problems?? http://www.mudmotortalk.com/mmt_v2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18150 |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I know this is long, but please read. I live near Reelfoot Lake and I purchased an Excel Boat back in september of 2010. Nothing went right from the day I ordered it, had many problems. I ordered it several months before. I got the 1854 F4 Loaded out with pretty much everything, and a 35hp CDI MudBuddy Hyperdrive (stock). I am a firm believer in getting what you pay for, and I was in need of a good boat to hunt out of. At the time that I ordered it, I was told I would it take about 6 weeks. Well 6 weeks came and went, I called the dealer at least 3 times a weeks. Everytime I called he would tell me it would be a few more weeks. I believe it was approaching the 3 month mark when they finally got it. It was the day before Early Wooduck/Teal season to be exact, I made It clear that I needed it by that day, and That day was the day I got it. That season only last 5 days. At first, I loved it, very comfortable, Handled pretty good in deep water, not so well in shallow, Loved all my little gadgets I had added on. I thought it was a start to a good relationship, but I was soon rather disturbed by what I noticed under the boat. The few days I spent on the lake had left its mark on my hull, major denting, and one crack about 3in long. Anybody that knows anything about Reelfoot, knows that it has its share of stumps. After you learn the lake, you have a good Idea where they are. I personally know a good bit, but still manage to find a few more every now and then. Having said that, the bottom of my boat looked pretty much ruined. I instantly took pictures and contacted the dealer. He made some calls and sent the pictures to the company. A day or so later I was contacted, and the company said that the damage was from abuse. I was in disbelief to say the least. I stayed calm about it, tried to explain that in no way did I abuse the boat. That still got me nothing. I pretty much give up after hearing that. I did not turn it in on insurance cause I do not think that they should have to pay for a defect of a boat like that. I futher pursued it a little more, still came up with nothing, and eventually gave up hope. I have had other boat dealers look at it, and they all agree that the boat should not have done that. One of them owns a GatorTrax, he said he is hell on his and had it for 2yrs and he has not had anything near that major. My dad also owns a War Eagle, It has been on that lake hundreds of times, no damage at all. I am one of the Very Few in this area that has an Excel, so I had nobodys' opinion to go by when I bought it. I sure regret the day I ordered it. IF ANYBODY KNOWS ANYTHING THAT COULD HELP ME WITH THIS SITUATION, I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW ABOUT IT ????? I would post the lovely pictures if I could figure out how? I have also had a few problems over time with the Motor. Trim unit seems to be very weak. Cant trim up to the right spot while running full throttle with no load at all. You forget it working with 3 or more people in the boat, It will trim up a little, still the entire prop will be under the water. I have talked to Mud Buddy about this, and they sent me a shim/spacer that goes between the motor and transom. I have not put it on because it has NOTHING to do with the trim being Weak. If you are wondering if anything has not give me trouble, There is one thing. The trolling motor. I got one of the fancy Minn Kotta I-Pilot Terrova to put on my fancy boat. Love the trolling motor, You can push a button and stay withing 4ft of your location no matter the wind or current, all by GPS. Now thats what every mud boat needs. Thanks, Hope You found this Informative, I sure wish I couldve seen this before I bought it. I wouldve made my decision much easier... |
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| Author: | TXSHOCKWAVE [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 9:37 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Damm that sucks. The reason the bottom dented like it did is b/c excel uses 5052 alum where GT, PG , GD use 5086. The 5086 material is alot stronger than the 5052. |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:14 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Since the company will do nothing, I have considered trying to fix it myself. I am a welder, so I know I can get the TIG at work and fix the crack, but I am worried about the foam inside below the floor catching on fire. I just turn on the bildge pump ever so often and pump out the water that it takes on, but that is hard to do in the winter during duck season when it wants to freeze. Cant do much with the dents cause the floor and everything is welded in. Our dent puller at work will not do much good cause the metal has already stretched so much, and first thing that hit it would put it back where it was. So I have found it best to do nothing at all. Also insurance will not cover it since I did not file it when it happened. Even though I was tied up with the company about it for weeks. Cant catch a break with this thing. |
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| Author: | SCmudder7071 [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
You just got me worried with this post! I just ordered my F4 and I was told 5 weeks to get it. The dealer I went to is a very respected fellar around my parts so I hope all works out but my luck sounds like yours. Did u order the .125 hull or just stick with the .100 hull. Besides the dented bottom and crack is the boat wat u expected for the money involved? I'm sorry for ur misfortune |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:58 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
The boat is great just fragile, just do like the owners manual tells you, "Avoid underwater obstacles" and you should be ok. That may seem hard to do since they are under the water, I aint mastered the art yet. I can tell you, be carefull in shallow water, if the boat cant lean, the boat wont turn. gotta back way off the gas. Thats why all the turning pictures you see is in deep water, and turning towards the only person in the boat, the driver. More wieght on that side, so it turns better. I dont know what to tell you about when to expect it, lets just hope for the best. Mine is the .100g. Wanted to save weight and our War Eagle is the same and it has held up just fine. My last boat was almost as thin as a coke can, the bottom held up just fine, the front took a good hit from a tree, so that was noticble. I sure hope the best for you, I also hope you aint planning on running it in rough terrain. |
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| Author: | SCmudder7071 [ Fri Apr 29, 2011 11:18 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I hope it works out 2 I hardly run in rough areas. Mainly boggy mud, inlet riding here and there. Only spot I run that is rough is the river and when we go to santee cooper lakes |
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| Author: | TXSHOCKWAVE [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:46 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Seems to me they advertise like you cant tear one up. The vid plainly shows them running over exposed logs. I'd look into a lawyer. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wi8mWvOWlrE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQMa1XM-ajI&NR=1 |
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| Author: | Gigafowl [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
False advertising ??? I'd get the abuse thing in writing from them - with an explanation of what the owner was supposed to have done to cause damage like this.... What the heck is a sharp cornered object doing down there in direct contact with the hull bottom anyway ??? |
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| Author: | WestEndAngler [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:41 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Time to lawyer up, collect from dealer/excel & insurance company |
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| Author: | POKER1 [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:12 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Except the fuge where it will be deleted and you banned................. |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 10:47 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I figure they would, but at least maybe someone could see it before it got deleted. |
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| Author: | OwenDickeson [ Sat Apr 30, 2011 12:43 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
See my post in your other thread. |
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| Author: | muddoctor [ Mon May 02, 2011 8:15 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
The reality is that a .100 or a .125 hull made of 5052 will dent and crack running in shallow water, you are going to hit stuff. .100 5052 is less expensive, weights less and is easier to work with, thus they make more $ selling boats made that way, they are not meant to run shallow and take direct hits. We had on in here last year, six months old, guy wanted Hydro Turf installed, the bottom looked like London after the blitz already, he was also very unhappy with the durablity of his "new mud hull". I would hope they would stand behind their product and repair or replace the hull for you, if they represented the hull as a shallow water hull. From what you described you did not abuse the hull. Keep making a big stir out of the situation in the net, seems sometimes it is the squeaky wheel that will get the grease. The comment about that hull being "fragile" seems off the board to me personally, if it is know that this is the case then that hull should not be promoted at a good match for a surface drive motor IMHO, if you run a surface drive you are going to hit stuff, that is the point of having it, the ablity to run where an OB cannot go safetly. PW |
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| Author: | earl33 [ Mon May 02, 2011 10:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
That sucks man.. Where did you buy it? I went to Newburn and looked at them back last year.. Glad now I didnt put the purchase on one of um.. |
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| Author: | Barroll [ Mon May 02, 2011 11:07 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Have you posted this on the mudbuddy forum. Im interested to see how long it takes before they delete it. I have never owned an excel but it seems to me like all they care about is how "cool" their boat looks rather than the actual structural design of it. I dont know that much about engineering mud boats, but it seems crazy that they would have a weld at the bottom of the boat running the length of the boat. I do not know how they advertise and expect a .100 gauge boat to hold up in stumps. Hell a lot of .125 boats wont hold up well if you are running bad stumps. Thats why i got 3/16 bottom |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Mon May 02, 2011 11:37 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | earl33 [ Mon May 02, 2011 11:44 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Tim is who I talked with... I was looking hard at um.. Man really sorry bout your luck but again Im glad I didnt get one.. You live in Lake Co? |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Mon May 02, 2011 11:53 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Obion Co. Not far from Lake. Be glad to show it if anyone wanted to see in person, damage has since got worse from further use through duck season. Pictures don't do it justice. |
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| Author: | duckhunter3635 [ Tue May 03, 2011 7:58 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Just curious, are you the preacher I met at walnut log last season. Im with duckjunkies pro staff. |
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| Author: | Machine [ Tue May 03, 2011 11:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
viewtopic.php?f=4&t=18218&p=202773#p202773 |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Tue May 03, 2011 1:45 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | duckhunter3635 [ Tue May 03, 2011 2:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I know of your boat. Good looking boat. But, I have seen many different boats on the lake and the best to hold up have been polar kraft all welded and Phowler boats. We have 2 blinds on the upper end of blue basin. Im looking at getting a Phowler now myself. I want a 72in bottom. Havent decided length yet. I hunt arkansas rivers a lot so im thinking 1872 or maybe a 1860. Im sorry you had these problems with your boat. Yours is not the first one i have seen that has been damaged on reelfoot. |
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| Author: | okduckslayer [ Tue May 10, 2011 2:05 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I am an Excel dealer so reading this post really had me concerned about the quality of their boats. I have never had a single complaint or issue like this so I called the plant manager to get some answers. Like you said, they refused your warranty claim because of ABUSE! I guess you forgot to mention the part that you were out jumping stumps sticking out of the water with your boat. At least that is what witnesses told your dealer. I think you are just pissed because you couldn't go out and do stupid stuff in your boat and then get it warrantied after you tore it up. The results of your hull damage are reflected solely on your ignorance of the proper way to handle your boat. Fact: If you go out and jump stumps sticking out of the water, your boat will look like this too. P.S. This is the only boat Excel has ever refused warranty. |
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| Author: | BROOKS [ Tue May 10, 2011 2:34 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | Woodiebuster [ Tue May 10, 2011 2:50 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
How is what he did any different than what is on the excel website? False advertising is what it is. |
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| Author: | okduckslayer [ Tue May 10, 2011 3:03 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
Excel has never refused any hull warranty except this one. If you get a dent in your hull from jumping stumps, especially ones that are above the surface, that is abuse pure and simple. No company warranties neglect. I understand most of you only care to hear one side of the story, but there is always another side. |
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| Author: | Woodiebuster [ Tue May 10, 2011 3:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
http://excelboats.net/ scroll through this home page, watch the video, read the quote, and see the pictures. All the jumping they did on there is not ONE bit different than what he did, if that was abuse then why are they marketing it like that and not honoring his hull? |
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| Author: | caddobrook [ Tue May 10, 2011 3:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | Salty Dawg [ Tue May 10, 2011 7:40 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | craig [ Tue May 10, 2011 7:46 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | Old School [ Tue May 10, 2011 8:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
BITCH SLAP !!!
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| Author: | craig [ Tue May 10, 2011 9:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
| Author: | duckhunter3635 [ Wed May 11, 2011 7:16 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I hunt arkansas a lot. I have seen so many excel boats hooked its unreal. I hunt reelfoot lake also. Stumpfield. My polar kraft rivited 14 with a longtail had jumped on purpose hundreds of stumps. I was having fun. My boat has a few hooks. Its a 1985 model boat. I have also had a 1860 welded .125 on the lake and done the same. 1 hook. Many of the guides on reelfoot quit running excel boats for this reason. Im going to get either a gator tail boat or a Phowler. I know of a phowler that runs over stumps on a daily basis for 60 days a year and it has only slight hooking. I would say that excel is going to loose a lot of business due to this one boat. Reguardless of use or abuse. I know i wouldnt have ever considered one of them. |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Wed May 11, 2011 10:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
OK. To clear up any misunderstanding, I have only hit 1 stump that was out of the water, only by about an inch, it was mixed in some Lilly Pads and I did not see it, the only thing I have done intentionally to my rig is try to see what kind of mud it will go through, it did well. Back to the stump. That 1 stump left a huge dent right under the bow. I all the stumps I hit were out of the water, I would expect the entire front of my boat to look as bad as the bottom. The majority of the big dents and the crack are all in the rear of the hull where it sets the deepest in the water. I am surprised to hear that there were "witnesses" of me doing something so irresponsible. First I have heard of it. I would be interested to know who told him that. That must've been my twin brother out playing in my boat on a day I had to work. I bought this boat to hunt in, not play. That's all I have done. Sounds to me like they are just trying to cover up the situation. I would stick up for a product too, if I were the one selling it. I can assure everyone, I got people that were with me also that will agree, I did not and have not abused this boat, unless you wanna classify abuse by putting it in Reelfoot lake, which is no worse than some other lakes of there. |
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| Author: | Speedaddict [ Wed May 11, 2011 9:11 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
[album][/album] Denting is a little worse, appears that the metal has stretched about all it can. The crack is something of important concern. I didnt realize it has gotten as bad as it is. It is pretty much a hole now. |
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| Author: | redleg3316 [ Wed May 11, 2011 9:26 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Excel 1854 F4 problems?? |
I posted this link on Mudbuddys forum and it was locked in 2 days. I will never own and excel boat and niether will the other 4 members in our club that are looking for 5 new rigs. We have to have mud rigs now since we purchased new property. wont be a mud buddy or an excel. Im a gatortail man myself. 3 of the members backed out on buying excel rigs this week because of the additude toward you and your boat issue. They stated that they dont want a boat that will fold like a beer can. Neither do I. |
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