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Author Topic:   Dealer Questions

Beaner posted 07-23-2003 01:59 PM ET (US)

Brought 170 Montauk in for its first service. This being my first boat, I am new to dealing with a Marina's service department. Just have some questions on what my expectations should be. When I brought the boat home, I noticed yellowish stains from the waterline down to the entire bottom of the boat. They were really bad in certain spots. I can only guess the boat sat in the water for the week it was at dealer. My bottom is not painted since I trailer the boat. Spent all day Sunday cleaning the hull. Used Starbrite Hull cleaner with minimal sucess. Went and got On & Off, but didn't want to have to cover the trailer and wear a gas mask! Ended up using 3M Cleaner and Wax which took the stuff off with a little elbow grease. Also noticed that carpet on one of the bunks was ripped off on one end. Still waiting (since Monday) for dealer to call me on above issues - especially replacing the bunk. My questions are as follows:
1. Will the stained areas under the bunks (that I can't get at to clean) cause any harm to the hull?
2. Should I be pissed about the stains on the hull or should this be expected when service is performed?
3. Is it unreasonable to expect a call back from dealer during the "busy season"?
4. Should I just replace the bunk myself and not deal with these people again?
Any advice is appreciated.

jim_usa posted 07-23-2003 02:14 PM ET (US)
I'd say you should not expect any of that.
I haven't dealt with Whaler dealers for service. But I can tell you some of them are ticking time bombs when it comes to even sales.
I'd look for a new dealer/service center. Get the guy who ripped your bunk carpet to supply you with a new carpeted bunk and stop associating with them.
And you might be able to jack up one side of the boat at a time to get the stains off the area above the bunk.
diveorfish posted 07-23-2003 02:34 PM ET (US)
You shouldn’t expect any of it. Usually when my dealer services my boat, they clean it as well-free of charge. Once I tore my bunk and my dealer fixed it for me without charge. They should return your boat the way you gave it to them. I would raise hell with them. We pay a lot to purchase and service our new boats and the dealer should treat you much better than you received. With that said though, the busy season is terrible for them. My dealer just relocated to a new location and increased their business as well. Currently, they are buried and the level of service I get now has degraded quite a bit. They have been extremely good to me in the past so I will give them a pass until they get their facilities and processes sorted out.
bsmotril posted 07-23-2003 04:58 PM ET (US)
My dealer will clean the boat inside to like new conditions with every service unless I'm in a big rush to pick it up. They use a test tank in back to dunk the boat and trailer for motor work. When the tank water is dirty, it will stain the hull and they don't usually clean off staining. But, the waters where I boat stain my hull too.
I quit worrying about it at a micro level and instead just perform a twice yearly full waxing and hull de-stain using the FRS gel. I take that same opportunity to give the trailer and bunks a once over also.
Hull stains are a way of life. But, there are some good products out there to take care of them. That is why I'll just wait until my next "detailing" session to deal with em. If your dealer is leaving the inside of the boat a mess, that's a different story and you should get on his case to at least return the boat in the same condition it was given to him for service.
BillS
BWdaunt18 posted 07-23-2003 05:35 PM ET (US)
you shuold not tolerate this!
They should fix the trialer and clean the hull. Why did they put it in the water? Did you deiver it for service on the trailer?
There is an acid based product, I think it is called Zing. My dealer uses it to clean hulls. You spray it on, wait, and spray it off. Works great.
I would call the dealer and ask to speak to the general manager, not just the service manager. If he is at all interested in customer satisaction, he will take action to remedy your concerns. If you get no results, file a complaint with your state office of consumer protection.

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Author	Topic: Dealer Questions
Beaner	posted 07-23-2003 01:59 PM ET (US) Brought 170 Montauk in for its first service. This being my first boat, I am new to dealing with a Marina's service department. Just have some questions on what my expectations should be. When I brought the boat home, I noticed yellowish stains from the waterline down to the entire bottom of the boat. They were really bad in certain spots. I can only guess the boat sat in the water for the week it was at dealer. My bottom is not painted since I trailer the boat. Spent all day Sunday cleaning the hull. Used Starbrite Hull cleaner with minimal sucess. Went and got On & Off, but didn't want to have to cover the trailer and wear a gas mask! Ended up using 3M Cleaner and Wax which took the stuff off with a little elbow grease. Also noticed that carpet on one of the bunks was ripped off on one end. Still waiting (since Monday) for dealer to call me on above issues - especially replacing the bunk. My questions are as follows: 1. Will the stained areas under the bunks (that I can't get at to clean) cause any harm to the hull? 2. Should I be pissed about the stains on the hull or should this be expected when service is performed? 3. Is it unreasonable to expect a call back from dealer during the "busy season"? 4. Should I just replace the bunk myself and not deal with these people again? Any advice is appreciated.
jim_usa	posted 07-23-2003 02:14 PM ET (US) I'd say you should not expect any of that. I haven't dealt with Whaler dealers for service. But I can tell you some of them are ticking time bombs when it comes to even sales. I'd look for a new dealer/service center. Get the guy who ripped your bunk carpet to supply you with a new carpeted bunk and stop associating with them. And you might be able to jack up one side of the boat at a time to get the stains off the area above the bunk.
diveorfish	posted 07-23-2003 02:34 PM ET (US) You shouldn’t expect any of it. Usually when my dealer services my boat, they clean it as well-free of charge. Once I tore my bunk and my dealer fixed it for me without charge. They should return your boat the way you gave it to them. I would raise hell with them. We pay a lot to purchase and service our new boats and the dealer should treat you much better than you received. With that said though, the busy season is terrible for them. My dealer just relocated to a new location and increased their business as well. Currently, they are buried and the level of service I get now has degraded quite a bit. They have been extremely good to me in the past so I will give them a pass until they get their facilities and processes sorted out.
bsmotril	posted 07-23-2003 04:58 PM ET (US) My dealer will clean the boat inside to like new conditions with every service unless I'm in a big rush to pick it up. They use a test tank in back to dunk the boat and trailer for motor work. When the tank water is dirty, it will stain the hull and they don't usually clean off staining. But, the waters where I boat stain my hull too. I quit worrying about it at a micro level and instead just perform a twice yearly full waxing and hull de-stain using the FRS gel. I take that same opportunity to give the trailer and bunks a once over also. Hull stains are a way of life. But, there are some good products out there to take care of them. That is why I'll just wait until my next "detailing" session to deal with em. If your dealer is leaving the inside of the boat a mess, that's a different story and you should get on his case to at least return the boat in the same condition it was given to him for service. BillS
BWdaunt18	posted 07-23-2003 05:35 PM ET (US) you shuold not tolerate this! They should fix the trialer and clean the hull. Why did they put it in the water? Did you deiver it for service on the trailer? There is an acid based product, I think it is called Zing. My dealer uses it to clean hulls. You spray it on, wait, and spray it off. Works great. I would call the dealer and ask to speak to the general manager, not just the service manager. If he is at all interested in customer satisaction, he will take action to remedy your concerns. If you get no results, file a complaint with your state office of consumer protection.