Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I would not be satisfied with another "pontoon" boat by Carolina Skiff based upon this experience but at least another proven model within their product line would provide something that my family could use.....although the best outcome for me is $$$$$$$$$$$$ back...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I'd stick with CS for another hull. They make great stuff; everyone makes mistakes, an dit gives them the chance to salvage their reputation. The worst thing for you is to get in a legal battle--a wise lawyer I know advises his clients that it's better to avoid a fight than to win one.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I'd stick with CS for another hull. They make great stuff; everyone makes mistakes, an dit gives them the chance to salvage their reputation. The worst thing for you is to get in a legal battle--a wise lawyer I know advises his clients that it's better to avoid a fight than to win one.

I agree on the lawyer fight comment. The sad part is OP wanted a deck boat and about the only thing CS builds with a proven reputation is a skiff. With so many skiff builders now he could have found one just as good or better at a lower cost.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Totally agree in regard to legal action. I am very optimistic that Carolina Skiff will eventually address my (our) issue.....They have a great reputation and I would hope that they want to maintain it!!!

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Totally agree in regard to legal action. I am very optimistic that Carolina Skiff will eventually address my (our) issue.....They have a great reputation and I would hope that they want to maintain it!!!

The deckboat/pontoon gives serious question to their engineering with the exception of skiffs and hard to mess up something so simple. CS should make you happy be weeks end or they are not too concerned about their CS or reputation. Nice to know there are a lot of other skiff builders out there. Savannah Skiff made in Bladenboro NC would top my list now.

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I hope things work out for the OP. I thinkC. Skiff will make it right for him, but not in the form of a refund.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I am hoping that we will hear something from Carolina Skiff soon. This thread and the thread on thehulltruth.com has generated a lot of views and comments......Carolina Skiff must be monitoring....................

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Thank you for the private messages but in regard to the last 2 I cannot open them up for some reason. Please send your private messages to (edit: removed email address). All the best and thank you for your interest, comments and support!!!

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Spoke with Carolina Skiff today. They are addressing a number of issues on my boat and I believe other Funchasers as well. Carolina Skiff is making an effort but once we get the boat in the water for a seatrail the results will be known. In addressing the water intrusion they shared they have built up one (or both) of the pontoons to address the flow of water near the engine......

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I can imagine that they added some wings/strakes to the inside face of the pontoons to keep the water from shooting up. Makes sense. Hope it works.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

So,, they are going to jury rig a bad design? I'd tell them to keep it and give me something I can sell without thinking I'm taking someone.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Unfortunately it will not happen with Carolina Skiff. I have looped in BoatUS on this issue.....You are right I will never be able to sell this boat because of the poor design......

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

not if they correct it--give them a chance. it's a fairly isolated and singular problem not affecting the rest of the boat or its performance.

 

[RotaryRacer]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

I agree, give them a chance. They are a mature company with a reputation at stake. They have admitted an issue and are at least trying to correct it. If you are not satisfied with the corrective action they take, make an issue then, not before. If the fix they implement doesn't solve the problem then they will hopefully continue to stand behind it.

If you regret buying the boat simply b/c it isn't the style you now realize you should have bought, that is not their issue. You bought the product they offered fully aware it was a pontoon, more suited to lakes/calm water. It has a "design" issue they are addressing that will not and cannot improve its capability. If it is fixed to a reasonable standard and they continue to stand behind the product/warranty what have you lost?

If you want a different kind/style of boat, negotiate a trade-in with CS and your dealer for a model better suited to your needs. There will be a depreciation hit on your current boat, but I would guess they will treat you favorably if you are willing to buy another, different CS boat.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

RotaryRace: Thank you for your comments:
(1) I am giving them a chance and do hope that what they do will correct the issue. Unfortunately I am not the only customer unhappy with this boat;
(2) I do not regret buying this boat. We were looking for a pontoon boat for our family to use when in Chincoteague which has a lot of pontoon boats using its bay and channel
(3) I would like a different model boat based upon the issues associated with this model but let Carolina Skiff do it on their end, at their factory........
Copy of email sent to President/CEO of Carolina Skiff:

To: Joe Kirkland, President/CEO of Carolina Skiff

Unfortunately you have an unhappy customer because of the Carolina Skiff
Funchaser I purchased last year at the AC Boat Show. This boat has been
back to dealer and other shops more then in the water and it is now at your
facility. I would really like to have Carolina Skiff swap out this boat for
another boat of equal value that you manufacture. Not only is my boat under
powered based upon recommendation from your authorized dealer but the
pontoon design is flawed and a host of other issues recently shared by one
of your employees Brent. In my opinion this line extension is a "lemon."

I can be reached at ***/***/****

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

No word yet............

 

[Slip Away]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

They are probably waiting to hear from their corporate lawyer before they respond......

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Probably as I would do the same.....awaiting some indication before I pursue legal action....

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Your suggestion would be the best for you~~ well the best CS could easily do. This year and last year models have a bad rep that will stay with them forever. Future year production may fair somewhat better no matter the changes made. A 25' DLX with a bimini and other options would be your best bet~~ and sell it asap to get what you want. IF CS wanted to protect it's rep it would offer the same to every owner and use the hulls returned on an artificial reef.

 

[gmarktho]

Re: Carolina Skiff - 2013 Funchaser - Dissatisfied Buyer/Owner

Crabby Captain John....I totally agree with you and would welcome the exchange. I am going to AC Boat Show today in hopes of seeing Carolina Skiff folks (if in attendance.) You can be certain I will not be buying another boat.......