you need to post this on Duckjunkies.com. Im a KY prostaff. This is bullshit. Sorry ass companies trying to put the screws too the consumers just to make a buck.

I've read this entire thread and feel very fortunate. I feel bad for those that have had problems with Mudbuddy and Excel for sure. These rigs are expensive and definitely put a load on the budget. If I'd had the problems you guys are having I'd have gone to Utah and had a close and personal talk with Mr. Foreman.
I have a 2010 Excel Shallow Water V (not an F4) with a 2011 Black Death 5500. 92 hrs. on both with not one problem. Just went out to check my transom real close and check the bracing. Two vertical braces welded to a horizontal brace that runs full width and looks very strong to me. The weak area would be where the transom is welded to the hull.
I'm sorry you've had such problems and hope all get resolved. It does sound like the custom builders may be a better way to go, if you have the time to wait for your boat. As for the motors, they are mass produced lawn mower engines doing things the original design wasn't engineered to do.

Good luck.

whats the status on the boat. did they give you a new one or still trying to fix it???

I am so sorry for both of you guys and probably a lot more out there that have had these kind of issues. To us, a manufactuer ourselves this kind of service is just unacceptable. We are not perfect, we have had to warranty some welds and hulls and a few of the modded motors we do, but we have never had to put a warranty issue off that long. We make those issues a priorty and normally drop what we are doing to take care of an issues that come up post sale. As I said before, keep pushing the issue and hold them accountable to make it right, 100% right. As I said before, we are not without issues, no manufacturer is, but taking care of your customers after the sale, regardless of cost or time is part of doing business the right way.

Paul Willging

Well said Paul.

finally had my boat returned on tuesday excel repaired and repainted my entire boat replaced all brand new trim.Sent my motor back to utah and replaced my crankcase gasket.and changed my oil but used my old oil filter, i would have to say it looked nice .But there service and crap,***** is a talker .excel wanted to act like it was my fault it took so long.i would not buy anything from them again excel ,mudbuddy or gatortrax they own them all.

I got a little drunk last night and happened to see my buddy "liked" their page on facebook. So I decided to cruise on over there and posted on their wall talking shit about their service. Totally forgot about it until they replied today lol

Lol you talking about mud buddies page?

I think I will now go out and purchase myself one of these hulls after reading all this...

Who owns Excel now? Didn't their facility in Arkansas get totaled from a tornado?

Pretty sure mud buddy owns them now. I could be wrong.

I am going to be completely honest here. I own a MB 45MAG and I am enjoying it (I sold a GD so this is an upgrade I promise...start the jokes now). I Have 18 hours on it. Bought it through Kent. I Saved my pennies for one whole year to walk in and pay cash for this motor. After everything I have seen centered around the release of this new motor and absent customer service stories from MB I am glad to have Gator Trax ten minutes from the house. When my boat or motor needs work I am genuinely happy to have guys like the Gator Trax crew stand behind me. If it was not for them I would be nervous as hell! Great guys to work with and you can also sit down and BS with them and know you're BS-ing with a friend who has your back.


Good luck to the guys not so fortunate to be close to a dealer....I really feel for you.

I bought my boat used about a month ago and I talked to the mb dealer that is bout 40 mins away. Those guys are great to deal with and ill have no troubles workin with them.

Gatortrax or gatortail or a phowler or custom is the only way to go. I drive a gatortrax and aprove this message.