New Coast Guard small boats

[Capn Mike]

The Coast Guard has purchased 100 "Defenders," a 25' "solid" RIB, made with aluminum hulls. See<br /> http://www.msnbc.com/news/848548.asp <br />and Safe Boat's site: http://www.safeboats.com/view.php?section=main&page=full_cabins <br />I thought it was interesting that they were going with dual 225 hp Hondas. Might make a good fishing, boat, minus, I suppose, the machine guns

 

[snapperbait]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

What the #%*@ is wrong with the U.S. government???... Can't they provide the Coast Guard good AMERICAN OUTBOARDS to power these fine new vessels.... "HONDAS" I hope that's a typo error in that article???... <br /><br />If I happen to see one of these U.S.C.G. "Defenders" powered by a Honda with my own two eyes, my congressman's gonna get an ear full!!!!<br /><br />Think I'm gonna be sick!!!...

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

And that US manufactured 225 four-stroke would be?....<br />Mercury says they're coming out with one, but haven't yet. Yamaha? (Japan, Korea) Suzuki? (same) Evinrude? (no 4-stroke, but 2-strokes made by a company Canadian-owned).<br />Maybe they could use paddles from trees grown in Florida swamps. <br />I suspect the Coast Guard is more interested in reliable engines than standing around waiting for a US manufacturer to come up with something.<br />And I can tell you the Port of Seattle provides a lot of jobs for US workers in the meantime.....

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Here's Honda's take on why their motors were chosen: http://www.honda-marine.com/15019.htm

 

[mellowyellow]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

minus the power debate... SWEET hull <br />anyone know who's got the gov't contract? might be a "surplus" of them...<br />cabin fever,<br />M.Y.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

The vessel is a really nice one for the USCG, and I'm glad they have them... <br /><br />Now to the other topic of powering these fine new vessels... The U.S. manufactures plenty of four stroke engines, just no outboards...<br /><br />GM, Ford, Crysler all still make gas engines suitable for Inboard, I/O, and jet pump applications...<br /><br />Better yet Cat, Cummins, GM, and other U.S. companies make Diesel four stroke engines that are also suitable for the previously mentioned applications and will provide reliability and fuel economy beyond that of the four stroke outboards...<br /><br />Guess "the powers that be" can't find any other power options Huh????.... <br /><br />Remember Pearl Harbor

<br /><br />Ya, I know... "Get Over It" Right?...

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

see the sites above and: http://www.safeboats.com/ <br />I have a feeling that since they're building 100+ of them, there may not be any overruns....

 

[jamiewashere]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Honda makes THE Best engines on the planet. That is why they were chosen.

 

[puddle pirate]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

who cares what engine they use, as long as it is reliable!! durable and cost effective. when i was in the guard in 89 stationed in galveston we got a new hurricane (rhib) and it had a volvo diesel i/o the boat was 25' and only did about 30 knots. as far as maintainance the thing sux, after 6 or 8 months there was more down time than ready time, salt water was eating it up. remember these boats are used harder than most any boat, under the harshest conditions. now i'm not a fan of foreign products but what u.s. company makes a 225 4 stroke?? merc is made by yamaha! congradulations C.G. you got a winner<br /><br />motto(you have to go out but you don't have to come back)

 

[RICKRICK1]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Can I keep the machine guns I mean there are PWC out there.

 

[crab bait]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

yeah,, SAFE boat international port orchard washington

 

[DJ]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

After my experience with Honda, (2000 model 8 hp.) I certainly hope they do not need any parts for them.<br /><br />Honda customer service was:<br /><br />Arrogant.<br /><br />Rude.<br /><br />Couldn't care less.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Let's see, djohns: (a) 1, 8-hp kicker, sold to an old guy with 8 fishing poles and a rusty 12-gauge; or (b) 200+, 225-hp sold to guys with machine guns and fast reflexes. Who gets the best service, ya' think? I don't care if U.S. Honda Marine is headquartered in Georgia, they ain't that dumb.....

 

[DJ]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Capn Mike,<br /><br />Yes, the engine was sold to my father-an old guy. Also, someone who served his country through several years of combat. Ten .50's on the craft he flew.<br /><br />The comment about 8 poles and a rusty 12 guage was uncalled for. You do not know him.<br /><br />Right again, the headquarters is in Georgia, Atlanta metro area, to be exact.<br /><br />That still doesn't change their attitude toward him or me. When I say "their", I mean more than one person. A customer is a customer, whether they buy one or a million. The comapny that forgets that is doomed.<br /><br />I'm in the customer service business. My job is to solve problems, not blow off customers. I know how to approach someone when asking for help. If I treated someone that way I would have been fired.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Awww, jeez. Sorry if I offended you with my brand of humor.<br />And I guessed about the 12 gauge.....<br />I, too, am in the customer service business. And I'm get tired of being asked to suck golf balls through 100' garden hoses because of someone's real or imagined problems. So I don't think I'll stop trying to inject a little humor into my posts.....

 

[DJ]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Capn Mike,<br /><br />No problem. Gee, you only have to suck golf balls through a 100' garden hose? I was thinking more like basketballs (inflated-no less). <br /><br />The problem was very definetely REAL. I was completely stimied by the attitude of the entire organization. The answers ranged from: "so what" to "tough, that's the way it is". We ended up having to wait it out. Six months, for the part needed, on a one month old engine.

 

[dansoph]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

if the best we can do is with an engine MADE in the USA but owned by a canadian, so what! whats wrong with supporting and keeping AMERICAN working!!!!!

 

[BassMan283]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

Capn Mike: I'm a quality engineer with an OEM automotive supplier. When you have customer who is willing and able to debit you $1200 a minute for every minute they're dissatisfied, customer service takes on a whole new meaning. I'd happily suck a golf ball through a 100' hose if it was an option.

 

[Capn Mike]

Re: New Coast Guard small boats

OK, Bassman. You got me beat! I'll quit complaining.<br />Dansoph, my point is to look beyond Wisconsin or where ever Evinrude/Johnsons (many of which are Suzuki) are made. On all three coasts, plus the Great Lakes, there are literally millions of people working at or because of ports. Because we're truly a global economy...and there's lots of problems because of that... there is no such thing as a truly "American" product, be it motors, cars, trucks or toys. You're either in Maine or Mass (can't make out your location), but if you're in Mass, I'll bet there's a lot more Americans working because of the ports than in manufacturing. It's certainly true on the west coast. And those who are manufacturing, are busy shipping out to the rest of the world.<br />Waving the flag might make you feel good (it does me), but it's a futile excercise when buying almost anything. Heck, we even ate some langastino from Chili last night....