My Island Hopper Experience

[houston jeff]

My Island Hopper Experience.
I am a beginner kayaker. Bought my first kayak last summer. I got tired of paddling, so I decided to buy a motor for my kayak.
I purchased a mount and motor from Island Hopper. First I purchased what I thought was fresh/salt water motor for $250.00, I was informed that infact the salt water was an additional $100.00 -. I wanted to have a reliable product that would last a while, so I upgraded
First I found that the mount was missbored after struggling with the (2) minute assembly and laid everything out.
No big deal, I will modify the mount and make it work, I was anxious to try out my new ?motorized kayak?
I read all of the instructions took all of the precautions ? 1amp inline fuse, rinse off after salt after use. It turns out that on my 5th outing that the motor barely turned and then didn?t turn at all. I mailed the motor back and they wanted another $200.00 to fix it saying that they did test on it, it was rusted on the inside, and that the motor must of gotten wet.
The motor was in my opinion well taken care of. Is it true that a trolling motor should not get wet.?
I asked them, thinking that they were going to have under some kind of warranty, if it just wasn?t sealed properly , the lady. . . , Marylyn or something told me not to go there.
I owned the motor for approx 2 months and I found myself out the $500.00, the shipping fee ($75.00 because I went to a mailing store that put it in an oversize box)
I give Island Hopper 2 thumbs down, does this sound like consumer negligence ?
I try to take care of everything that I own, Infact I have tools that I use every day that I have owned 15-20 years.

 

[Samthe tech]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Mr.Jeff.

Thanks for buying our product, and we'd be happy to work with you.

However, we must respond to your e.mail, and present our side, since you decided to use this forum to air your story.

Upon receiving your motor, we removed the controller head and noticed the water still inside the cover, next we screwed on a specialized coupling with an air hose adapter to the top end of the shaft, then inserted the motor in a 50 gallon drum.

We pressurized the shaft with 80psi and saw no air leaking from the motor base, indicating that the water seal was not compromised and no water could enter from the motor housing. Therefore, it could only have entered from the top of the motor by the steering handle.

Pictures don't lie, we sent you pictures of the water inside the controller module, and finding 1/2 a cup of water inside the base of the trolling motor is not something any manufacturer can warrantee.

Another exaggeration (You said that you were buying a fresh/saltwater motor for $250), where in fact, when you placed your order your purchased a fresh water model for $175 and then changed your mind and bought the saltwater model for $275.00. You did not buy a saltwater trolling motor for $350.00, as someone would be lead to believe reading your e.mail. What you bought is a saltwater trolling motor, that is salt water resistant due to its outer components which are stainless and aluminum, plus the added protection of a zinc anode. To to confirm the prices are accurate please visit our site www.islandhopperoutboards.com

You failed to mention that we offered to replace your burn motor with a " brand new saltwater model" and charging $200 instead of $275.00 and not repairing it for $200.00 as you stated.

The Pelican kayak motor mount we sent you, was not miss bored, because, we use a C&C machine which is programmed to drill correctly, and we've never had anyone else complain.

Your characterization of us is unfair and less than truthful. We believe we did right by you from day one. Especially, when you called our service department 13 times, wanting to go over every installation step over the phone, down to how to turn on the motor, and each time, we were more than happy to help you.

You might want to retrace some of your actions on the water, since you said you are a new beginner and do not have a grasp on the proper way of entering and exiting a kayak, as any of these issues could have occurred to you, such as: The motor might have slipped under water when entering or exiting the kayak or slipped your hand and went under for a brief moment, any one of these incidents could explain 1/2 a cup of water inside the Lower unit.

Your experience with us or any other outfit would have been the same, given the facts stated above, You burn the motor by accident, thought you can get it fix under warrantee, you overpaid to ship it back by $50.00, you exaggerated your prices, you did not want to face the facts and here you are, bad mouthing us.

Island Hopper
Customer service.

 

[Sinistre1]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Ouchiee!!!

 

[Knightrider2]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Wow! I am betting Houston Jeff will not be back under his current name.

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Plainly in agreement, speak with the thruth and say what really happened, there's always something that can be worked out with dealer, definitely you have received a public on line ears pull.

Bottomline : Dealer always knows more than buyer...

Not Happy Boating

 

[lncoop]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Oh snap. Jeffe didn't read the forum rules.

 

[CapeAnn]

Re: My Island Hopper Experience

Wow! I am betting Houston Jeff will not be back under his current name.

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