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BOB KEMMLER JR posted 04-03-2002 10:34 AM ET (US)
Well it seems that new powerhead in my recntly purchased rage lasted 15 minutes on the first trip,before the #4 piston disintergrated.Boat was sold "as is" so im not sure if dealer will help out on this one.Im contemplating converting it to a outboard.I need some info on a good place to take it to have the glass and gelcoat work done.The boat is located in the salisbury md area,so the closer the better.Also curious if o/b powerhead is the same?(115hp omc)suggestions for steering,o/b brackets,jackplates,and any suggestions.Its a 15 ft model.Im thinking 60-115hp o/b.
tlynch posted 04-03-2002 01:40 PM ET (US)
My understanding is that if the dealer had knowledge of a problem and he misslead you intentionnaly in any way - such as saying - "great engine, runs well" - then what he did was illegal (and wrong) - even if the boat was sold "as is". If he had no knowledge of anything then am sorry that it happened.
It never hurts going back to the dealer - he wants to maintain his reputation - thats why you buy from a dealer!
Todd
Kingsteven18 posted 04-03-2002 02:42 PM ET (US)
Amongst my many Whalers, I have a Rage as well. It really is a rather enjoyable craft. It's unfortunate that you got 'burned', but my advice is to have it rebuilt properly and enjoy it. Steve
BOB KEMMLER JR posted 04-03-2002 03:33 PM ET (US)
I havent ruled out replacing the powerhead,although im not sure my problems stop there.On the test ride it had a low growling noise,when i asked the salesman about it he said"they all sound like that its normal"this being the only jetboat i was ever in or looked at,i took him at his word.This was a very large reputable whaler dealer in NC, not a shady fly by night place.So im thinking there might be gearbox issues as well.Ive been talking to thier service manager and it looks like they arent going to cover anything.He said they might be able to get me a powerhead at cost.The place i took it to in DE,basically told me that it was not worth fixing,but they knew someone that would take it off my hands for next too nothing.I just cant believe in this day and age there are shady characters like that.Im going to drain the lube out of the gearbox this weekend and check for any kind of debris.Im hoping to have it on the water this summer,but its not looking good.
B Bear posted 04-03-2002 08:38 PM ET (US)
Bob,
I have the number to a really good fiberglass/gel-coat man that is reasonable on Kent Island.
Let me know if you want it.
Bear
clanton posted 04-07-2002 12:25 PM ET (US)
If you replace the jet drive with an outboard, I might be interested in the engine/jetdrive package. Some of the growling
noise comes from the prop, which is a loose fit on the shaft.
PMUCCIOLO posted 04-08-2002 04:47 AM ET (US)
Bob,
Reading things like this disturb me. Your situation is an unfortunate one. However, I am of the mindset that something is more valuable and will perform properly (to its design specifications) if it remains as "original" as possible. In light of that, I'd suggest rebuilding the powerhead or replacing it.
I recommend reviewing the ads in TraderOnline, as bargains are to be had there.
Paul
mbking1 posted 04-08-2002 06:28 PM ET (US)
I agree with Paul. There really is not a polite word to describe your current situation. I had a rage way back and it sucked. My honest advise to you is get rid of it as is. It will be even harder if you do a conversion. Move on. There is a very real reason the rages are priced so low. Good luck. Mark
David Ratusnik posted 04-08-2002 06:48 PM ET (US)
Bob- This reads like a bad situation. The one good feature to the entire situation is you bought the boat be/c you liked it for some reason. This is good. Now, the mechanical side is a sorry situation. I recommend you take the boat to 3 highly recommended mechanics. Don't be in a hurry. Talk to people familiar with boats- maybe even the PWC/jet ski crowd. I own a Seadoo and the outboard-jet crowd (mechanics) march to a different drummer. Rec. Rebuild the engine plus fix the other items when you find someone reliable. You may find someone who does the work in a garage and will cut you major slack for long dollars (cash). Just my thoughts. David
videofxr posted 04-12-2002 05:37 AM ET (US)
Its an outboard powerhead, and they made tons of them, may find one somewhere that
has a crashed lower unit. Good luck.
PMUCCIOLO posted 04-12-2002 06:16 AM ET (US)
Bob,
Prior to scrapping your current powertrain, perhaps you should consider replacing the powerhead. Clean the boat up a bit, break in the powerhead, and then sell it if you're not satisfied.
The modifications you are considering may be deleterious to the boat in a number of ways: its performance, its appearance, its safety, and, above all, its resale.
There are a number of websites on the internet that specialize in replacement motor parts. Perhaps you should scan them to give yourself an idea of what the replacement powerhead would cost.
Paul
BOB KEMMLER JR posted 04-12-2002 11:32 AM ET (US)
Resale on these boats suck anyway,i think if anything it would help resale.Look at this site,everybody seems to like to bash these boats and often tell of horror stories.I bought this boat with the intention of converting it at a later date,unfortunately i have to do it sooner.I was going to live with some of the shortcomings,due to the low price i paid.They are still a whaler,even though they have out of the ordinary propulsion.They are a perfect sized boat to trailer,they have a semi-vee hull for a smoother ride,nice high freebord,plenty of storage,built in 23 gallon gas tank,sun deck,etc.Believe me,i have looked into replacing the powerhead $2000.00(dealers cost)and i cant find ANYBODY that wants to work on it.The place that diagnosed the problem,wanted to buy for next to nothing,after they found out i wouldnt sell it,they said they wouldnt work on it.Nice guys huh.I cant figure out what i will call it "RAGELESS" or "DAUNTAGE"?
mjd65 posted 04-12-2002 08:54 PM ET (US)
My 95 went during the third season(bought new) extended warranty wouldnt wouldnt cover it so I dug deep but have not had a problem since with over 250hr. other than coils so I always Keep a spare.
To ease in engine changing you could remove the back enclosure dosnt look to hard to do.
Have considered bracketing outboard on myself, may do that one day would love to have that extra speed (115 hanging on the back) and mpg.
Good Luck
Lake Breeze Rage
Tsuriki BW posted 04-12-2002 11:02 PM ET (US)
Bob,
For what it's worth, I had a 17' Jetcraft boat with the same OMC 115hp engine (boosted to 130hp via pistons and heads) and the Turbo Jet drive. I used it for 2 years with absolutely no problems, shipped it to Japan and used it for another 2 years with no problems. (junk getting sucked into the drive unit once in a while aside, which was easy to pull out.)
The engine was strong, pushed the boat very well. I would consider a rebuild if you like the boat.
People who have never really had a jet boat can be quick to critize them. But once you have had one, and understand their pluses and minuses, jet boats can be a lot of fun.
Tsuriki

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Author	Topic: RAGE WOES
BOB KEMMLER JR	posted 04-03-2002 10:34 AM ET (US) Well it seems that new powerhead in my recntly purchased rage lasted 15 minutes on the first trip,before the #4 piston disintergrated.Boat was sold "as is" so im not sure if dealer will help out on this one.Im contemplating converting it to a outboard.I need some info on a good place to take it to have the glass and gelcoat work done.The boat is located in the salisbury md area,so the closer the better.Also curious if o/b powerhead is the same?(115hp omc)suggestions for steering,o/b brackets,jackplates,and any suggestions.Its a 15 ft model.Im thinking 60-115hp o/b.
tlynch	posted 04-03-2002 01:40 PM ET (US) My understanding is that if the dealer had knowledge of a problem and he misslead you intentionnaly in any way - such as saying - "great engine, runs well" - then what he did was illegal (and wrong) - even if the boat was sold "as is". If he had no knowledge of anything then am sorry that it happened. It never hurts going back to the dealer - he wants to maintain his reputation - thats why you buy from a dealer! Todd
Kingsteven18	posted 04-03-2002 02:42 PM ET (US) Amongst my many Whalers, I have a Rage as well. It really is a rather enjoyable craft. It's unfortunate that you got 'burned', but my advice is to have it rebuilt properly and enjoy it. Steve
BOB KEMMLER JR	posted 04-03-2002 03:33 PM ET (US) I havent ruled out replacing the powerhead,although im not sure my problems stop there.On the test ride it had a low growling noise,when i asked the salesman about it he said"they all sound like that its normal"this being the only jetboat i was ever in or looked at,i took him at his word.This was a very large reputable whaler dealer in NC, not a shady fly by night place.So im thinking there might be gearbox issues as well.Ive been talking to thier service manager and it looks like they arent going to cover anything.He said they might be able to get me a powerhead at cost.The place i took it to in DE,basically told me that it was not worth fixing,but they knew someone that would take it off my hands for next too nothing.I just cant believe in this day and age there are shady characters like that.Im going to drain the lube out of the gearbox this weekend and check for any kind of debris.Im hoping to have it on the water this summer,but its not looking good.
B Bear	posted 04-03-2002 08:38 PM ET (US) Bob, I have the number to a really good fiberglass/gel-coat man that is reasonable on Kent Island. Let me know if you want it. Bear
clanton	posted 04-07-2002 12:25 PM ET (US) If you replace the jet drive with an outboard, I might be interested in the engine/jetdrive package. Some of the growling noise comes from the prop, which is a loose fit on the shaft.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 04-08-2002 04:47 AM ET (US) Bob, Reading things like this disturb me. Your situation is an unfortunate one. However, I am of the mindset that something is more valuable and will perform properly (to its design specifications) if it remains as "original" as possible. In light of that, I'd suggest rebuilding the powerhead or replacing it. I recommend reviewing the ads in TraderOnline, as bargains are to be had there. Paul
mbking1	posted 04-08-2002 06:28 PM ET (US) I agree with Paul. There really is not a polite word to describe your current situation. I had a rage way back and it sucked. My honest advise to you is get rid of it as is. It will be even harder if you do a conversion. Move on. There is a very real reason the rages are priced so low. Good luck. Mark
David Ratusnik	posted 04-08-2002 06:48 PM ET (US) Bob- This reads like a bad situation. The one good feature to the entire situation is you bought the boat be/c you liked it for some reason. This is good. Now, the mechanical side is a sorry situation. I recommend you take the boat to 3 highly recommended mechanics. Don't be in a hurry. Talk to people familiar with boats- maybe even the PWC/jet ski crowd. I own a Seadoo and the outboard-jet crowd (mechanics) march to a different drummer. Rec. Rebuild the engine plus fix the other items when you find someone reliable. You may find someone who does the work in a garage and will cut you major slack for long dollars (cash). Just my thoughts. David
videofxr	posted 04-12-2002 05:37 AM ET (US) Its an outboard powerhead, and they made tons of them, may find one somewhere that has a crashed lower unit. Good luck.
PMUCCIOLO	posted 04-12-2002 06:16 AM ET (US) Bob, Prior to scrapping your current powertrain, perhaps you should consider replacing the powerhead. Clean the boat up a bit, break in the powerhead, and then sell it if you're not satisfied. The modifications you are considering may be deleterious to the boat in a number of ways: its performance, its appearance, its safety, and, above all, its resale. There are a number of websites on the internet that specialize in replacement motor parts. Perhaps you should scan them to give yourself an idea of what the replacement powerhead would cost. Paul
BOB KEMMLER JR	posted 04-12-2002 11:32 AM ET (US) Resale on these boats suck anyway,i think if anything it would help resale.Look at this site,everybody seems to like to bash these boats and often tell of horror stories.I bought this boat with the intention of converting it at a later date,unfortunately i have to do it sooner.I was going to live with some of the shortcomings,due to the low price i paid.They are still a whaler,even though they have out of the ordinary propulsion.They are a perfect sized boat to trailer,they have a semi-vee hull for a smoother ride,nice high freebord,plenty of storage,built in 23 gallon gas tank,sun deck,etc.Believe me,i have looked into replacing the powerhead $2000.00(dealers cost)and i cant find ANYBODY that wants to work on it.The place that diagnosed the problem,wanted to buy for next to nothing,after they found out i wouldnt sell it,they said they wouldnt work on it.Nice guys huh.I cant figure out what i will call it "RAGELESS" or "DAUNTAGE"?
mjd65	posted 04-12-2002 08:54 PM ET (US) My 95 went during the third season(bought new) extended warranty wouldnt wouldnt cover it so I dug deep but have not had a problem since with over 250hr. other than coils so I always Keep a spare. To ease in engine changing you could remove the back enclosure dosnt look to hard to do. Have considered bracketing outboard on myself, may do that one day would love to have that extra speed (115 hanging on the back) and mpg. Good Luck Lake Breeze Rage
Tsuriki BW	posted 04-12-2002 11:02 PM ET (US) Bob, For what it's worth, I had a 17' Jetcraft boat with the same OMC 115hp engine (boosted to 130hp via pistons and heads) and the Turbo Jet drive. I used it for 2 years with absolutely no problems, shipped it to Japan and used it for another 2 years with no problems. (junk getting sucked into the drive unit once in a while aside, which was easy to pull out.) The engine was strong, pushed the boat very well. I would consider a rebuild if you like the boat. People who have never really had a jet boat can be quick to critize them. But once you have had one, and understand their pluses and minuses, jet boats can be a lot of fun. Tsuriki