Tons of problems with my 195

[Karl Clements]

So I just hit 8hrs on my 195 HO.
1. Horn is broken internally
2. Cover material is bleeding and leaving black mark's all over my paint and seats.
3. Rear ski deck matting is coming up
4.cover is torn in 5 places
5. 2 front seats clips are broken
6. Engine cover seats shocks are bad
7. Trailer breaking system is messed up
8. After less than min of driving, exhaust temp alert and goes into limp mode.
9. Exhaust hose was never completely attached from the dealer, exhaust in engine bay stalled boat.
10. Exhaust box (not sure what it's called) strap was snapped off
11. Air intake mounting bracket was never mounted. Air intake just flopped around

There's more but I'll leave it there.

Since day one I've had issues with this boat.

It honestly feels like a cheap POS.

It's in the dealership and it looks it's going to be about 3 weeks to fix everything. What a terrible investment.


Anybody have this many issues?

 

[ScarabMike]

@Karl Clements seems like your boat is getting its hands full. But, Ill ask you the same thing I ask everyone else. Did you sea trial the boat? How many hours?

Also, if the boat on your picture is yours, whats the model, length? In your avatar it shows a white hull, but your description says otherwise. That's why I ask.

Seems like you either:
1. need another boat
2. need a floating tank
3. need to quit boating all together
4. all the above

Maybe you'll do better with a Bayliner, or even a nice sailboat.

 

[ToddW850]

WHOA! That sure is a ton of issues for 8 hours. I agree with @ScarabMike

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Sorry to hear that you have so many issues. Keep in mind that these issues are from the manufacturer and not because of your dealer. Hopefully your dealer will work quickly and get things done properly. Personally, I would get a hold of the manufacturer and get them onboard and expedite these repairs.

To those of you reading this who don't own a boat yet ...... Test drive before you buy! Just like a car, boats can have issues out of the box. Some brands have less issues than others but all need to be checked over.

 

[Karl Clements]

Yes we test drove it. Some of these few hours were also very good hours. No problems at all. Great days out. I've had boat my whole life. Jet skis, wave runners. Four winns, bayliners, chaparrals. My family is full of avid water,snow,dirt sports people.

It is partially to do with the dealer. They received the boat and obviously didn't inspect it well enough.

Yes our first ride was great so it sold us easily.


I have the 195 HO. Not the impulse. I didn't have just an HO option to pick. We have the supercharged Rotax.

 

[ScarabMike]

Karl maybe if you give us some more info, or pictures of your issues. I just find all those issues hard to believe on an 8 hour boat that ran well and gave you some "good hours".

 

[Slugger55]

Ouch! Did some take your boat and trash it???? @ScarabMike I looked at the avatar and I think the white on the boat is a reflection off his truck.

 

[ScarabMike]

@Slugger55 I printed his issues, and walked over to my boat to see if I could help. Let me just say, Im waiting on his response.


3. Rear ski deck matting is coming up

I have the 195 HO. Not the impulse. I didn't have just an HO option to pick. We have the supercharged Rotax.

The HO isn't equipped with the hydro mat.

5. 2 front seats clips are broken - There are no clips on the front seats.
8. After less than min of driving, exhaust temp alert and goes into limp mode. Impossible. The thermostat doesn't even open until the engine temp is over 160-165 degrees. Remember, this is closed loop. I even tried to trigger it by not flowing water into the boat for 3 minutes.
9. Exhaust hose was never completely attached from the dealer, exhaust in engine bay stalled boat. You would have sunk the boat. This "hose: comes out of the muffler, and out the side of the outer jet housing just under the water line. If the hose want there or open, there would be water gushing into the stern. Its a 3" hole.
10. Exhaust box (not sure what it's called) strap was snapped off - There are no straps, its held onto the hull of the boat with a mount. Only the Jet ski with the Rotax has straps holding it because of space constraints.
11. Air intake mounting bracket was never mounted. Air intake just flopped around - There is no bracket. If any of the mounting bolts were loose, you wouldn't have been able to fire the boat up as the MAF is attached to the intake, and less than 1" from the filter..

Then he says this....
Since day one I've had issues with this boat.
It honestly feels like a cheap POS.

Then after Murf posts, he says this...
Yes we test drove it. Some of these few hours were also very good hours. No problems at all. Great days out.

 

[ToddW850]

Good job @ScarabMike . I think we can see what's going on here.

 

[Slugger55]

HHhhmmm!? I agree! Sounds like an entirely different boat.

 

[Karl Clements]

You kidding right. It's a 2014 scarab 195 HO. It has a hydro truf style matting on the the rear platform.

I have a whole kicker sound system, Sony CD. Player

It's black and white

 

[Karl Clements]

Better to state. We had 2 good outings on the boat. I put a few hrs on it each time to get it to the break in period. I'll definitely take plenty more pics for you once we have it back lol. I can't believe you think I'm lying. There was a step holding that box to the hull. I had the tech hand it to me saying oh looks like we're warranting this out. He grabbed the exhaust hose and popped it right off.

And yes after only a min or two of driving just YESTERDAY the exhaust temperature warning came on and threw it into limp mode. It would cool back down and once you tried to give it full throttle again, the warning would come on again and go back into limp mode.


There's the picture for the work order from yesterday.

 

[Karl Clements]

That better lol

 

[ScarabMike]

@Karl Clements most people come on here to get help with their issues. But you didn't. It was hey my name is Karl, and I hate this POS.

Now looking at your work order, i see some wear items that can fail on any boat.

The snaps on the cover will tear if the cover is used while trailering, and flaps in the wind due to speed, or introduced to stress. These don't tear by themselves.

The plastic posts on the bow cushions will break if forced into position. I had one break, and replaced it. The cushions need to be aligned before they are seated.

The windshield walk through window doesn't fit? Also, looks like the dealer optioned the back mat, tower , engine, and speakers. The boat is basically a HOI but without the graphics.

Not sure how your engine issues came about, but the only thing I can guess is you are very rough on the boat. With all those things coming loose, and the windshield coming off of alignment, thats a telling sign. These boats are powered by jet ski engines, but you cant drive them like a jet ski. They are versatile, but in the end, its a 3k lbs vessel with equipment not meant to take a beating. Im surprised the tower base isnt cracked.

I would also recommend installing a 5 pin connector to your truck. Its simple, and you just feed the blue wire off of your reverse light. Your trailer brakes will work correctly after that.

 

[Slugger55]

@Karl Clements Our intent is to help you out with your boat. @ScarabMike is extremely savvy with the 195 and from my perspective with his interactions on this forum he is passionate with helping folks out with their issues. It would help to take pictures of the issues and post them so that we can help you overcome your hurdles. Sharing information is Power!

 

[Karl Clements]

I don't drive it hard at all. I don't know enough about it to do so. I'm very easy on all my power sport machines. Sleds, at whatever it may be.

The dealer told us both the strap and exhaust hose was more than. Likely there fault for not inspecting it full enough. I have the proper trailer hook up for the brake system. It doesn't only do it with my F150 but also my fathers 2013 F150. The windshield came off alignment due to the weatherstripping not being put on right. These are not thing I just randomly noticed I spent 2hrs with the service writer looking over the boat. He pointed out numerous things that were manufacturer and marina issues. I can say the front pinstripe chips definitely me. But I never touched the exhaust, intake or peeled up the corner of the rear deck matting. I've washed it after every trip. Did the manufacturer recommend flush, because the lake I frequent is dirty. I take care of my equipment. I have just never had something out of the box with these kinds of problems.

 

[Karl Clements]

I will definitely take pictures of everything I mentioned. It will all be fixed but it will show you all what I'm speaking of.

 

[Slugger55]

@Karl Clements The weather stripping for the center windshield is a warranty issue, I just had mine done last week. Also, if you have having an issue with water standing in your center locker, it is a design flaw with the 2014 195....

 

[Slugger55]

@Karl Clements Also, @ScarabMike built a repository site with Tips and how to do's. Here is the link. https://jetboaters.net/threads/scarab-jet-boat-information-repository.4802/ , like I said this guy is very passionate to help people. I have learned a lot since I became a member, I wished I had this forum when I was going through an engine replacement last fall.. My locking nut on the impeller came loose at 4 hours which caused my main bearing to fail at 14 hours. Hang in there!

 

[ScarabMike]

@Karl Clements The weather stripping for the center windshield is a warranty issue, I just had mine done last week. Also, if you have having an issue with water standing in your center locker, it is a design flaw with the 2014 195....

@Karl Clements I think you should take some time to read the repository, and some of the threads here. Some of these issues have been discussed in detail. But I wouldn't call your boat a POS, or bad investment because of these small issues (except for the engine). Im still going through my boat's engine to try and find a hose that could have come off the exhaust without water intrusion. I need pics. Your issue might not be the exhaust at all. As far as intake, the filter might have fallen off. But that happens some time. Its a simple turn of a flat head on the base to fix. No biggie.

The water in the locker as Slugger says is a known issue. I have it as well. Im thinking of drilling another hole in the rear bottom, and placing a grommet, and screen to fix it. I dont want dirt from my ski's or fenders being sucked up by the bilge pump. That is a mod for the fall or winter.

When starting the boat, let the computer cycle, and reset. The gauges will sweep. When they are done, then start the boat. This will ensure you don't start in limp mode, or throw a code.

Weather stripping is an issue with any boat. They all come off, they all tear. Just take advantage of your warranty, and get it replaced. But its not hard to do it yourself.

Take time to know your boat. The Scarab isnt perfect by any means. There are people that have had boats replaced because of issues. Yours aren't that bad. Hang in there.

I apologize for being aggressive towards you in the beginning, but this community prides itself in helping each other. Most people come here for help, or info. But when someone joins, and their first post is as your was, it sends out some red flags.

Welcome to the community.