Possible lawsuit against Scarab/Glastron/RBH (discussion thread)

[ScarabMike]

On this thread we can discuss logistics, and information. We can help get the word out about the possible suit, and get more people included. Please use this thread for discussions.

Link to information thread. One post block per person!!!!:
https://jetboaters.net/threads/possible-lawsuit-against-scarab-glastron-rbh.14255/

 

[ScarabMike]

We need as many people on that thread as possible to have a chance at getting the company to accept responsibility for their boat's issues. Let's get this done folks.

@PapaBear @wango tango I know you guys have had issues recently. Please get your info on there.

 

[PapaBear]

I'm on it

 

[ScarabMike]

Guys, if we dont get feedback on the other thread, we are just treading water on this issue. We need to take this to them before someone gets killed.

 

[Howard Z]

Is there a thread with all of the issues? I am planning on purchasing a 255 Platinum. I figured all the bugs had probably been worked out by the 2018 models. Is Scarab not honoring the warranty or is it a Rotax issue?

 

[PapaBear]

When I get home on Tuesday it will be the first thing I do.

 

[Robert Sands]

One thing that's come up in my discussions with my shop is that my beef would essentially be with BRP. Who exactly are we saying is being held responsible for these issues, BRP, the Beneteau Group, Scarab, etc? I feel like the mold is made by one group, the engine from a different group, and some intermediary puts it all together?

 

[ScarabMike]

Just because its a BRP engine doesnt mean Scarab is not liable. The Toyota 86 has a Subaru engine, but you dont go to Subaru to service the vehicle, or handle warranties or recalls. Scarab can blame BRP all they want, but the issue isnt the Rotax, its the lack of quality control before fitting the engine in the hull.

One thing that's come up in my discussions with my shop is that my beef would essentially be with BRP. Who exactly are we saying is being held responsible for these issues, BRP, the Beneteau Group, Scarab, etc? I feel like the mold is made by one group, the engine from a different group, and some intermediary puts it all together?

 

[Howard Z]

I called Scarab in Cadillac, Michigan. The tech told me he hasn't heard of any issues with the carbon seal. He said it was not really possible for a boat to sink because the seal went bad. He did say that if the seal was starting to go it was probably lack of proper maintenance and the owner should have noticed a vibrational issue when the seal was starting to go. I really don't know very much about these boats but hasn't sea-doo been using this system for years? I told him I wasn't going to put my family in a boat that wasn't going to be reliable. He said it was perfectly safe!

 

[ScarabMike]

He is full of it. You dont feel any vibration. He thinks you are talking about the wear ring on the impeller. Jesus, if this is the knowledge we are getting from Scarab themselves, we are all screwed. And yes it will sink. If the seal fails, its like drilling a 3" hole on your boat's hull while in the water. What an idiot.

I called Scarab in Cadillac, Michigan. The tech told me he hasn't heard of any issues with the carbon seal. He said it was not really possible for a boat to sink because the seal went bad. He did say that if the seal was starting to go it was probably lack of proper maintenance and the owner should have noticed a vibrational issue when the seal was starting to go. I really don't know very much about these boats but hasn't sea-doo been using this system for years? I told him I wasn't going to put my family in a boat that wasn't going to be reliable. He said it was perfectly safe!

 

[ScarabMike]

Seadoo has been using the carbon seal for years. But they know how to repair it, and they definitely know how to how to align the engines. You dont see any Chaparrals having these issues at all. That says something about their lack of quality control.

 

[Briwhy]

I haven't had any issues with my glastron gts 207 but this makes me worried for sure. I don't even know what the hell to look for if something is bad or going bad. I only have almost 50 hrs

 

[veedubtek]

Yeah, this is definitely a Scarab issue, not BRP. The design hasn't changed in how many years? Haven't heard of a single Glastron or Chap problem related to this (yet). AFAIK - Scarab buys the powerplants from BRP and do all the installing themselves, which is wear this issue stems (provided everything I've been reading is true - and it's on the internet, so it has to be?). BRP makes a great product, I hope Scarab doesn't tarnish their brand too bad

 

[Robert Sands]

He is full of it. You dont feel any vibration. He thinks you are talking about the wear ring on the impeller. Jesus, if this is the knowledge we are getting from Scarab themselves, we are all screwed. And yes it will sink. If the seal fails, its like drilling a 3" hole on your boat's hull while in the water. What an idiot.

I can attest to this, the amount of water generated from a failed seal becomes overwhelming very quickly.

I would also like to add...I feel like I'm going to be in for a battle on this one. I'll keep you all informed on my progress. If Scarab's not admitting this, then court might be the only recourse.

 

[Elio195HOI]

I'll need to look thru all the work orders and organize as much as i can as my boat lived at MarineMax for 2/3 of my ownership due to issues.

 

[ScarabMike]

Well I hate to inform everyone, but now these boats have been blackballed by the dealers, and they wont even take them in on trade. If you have one, you are stuck unless you can sell it yourself. The list keeps adding up. @Slugger55 just had to deal with this.

 

[S.peay]

Is it marine max that has black balled @Slugger55 I guess from what ive heard about them i could see them doing that. I still see alot of new Scarab owners coming to FB groups alot asking questions and ECT.... seems to me alot of the upset people have been in the southeast area and been dealing with marine max.

 

[ScarabMike]

No it was a Yamaha Dealer. They made a phone call, and came back and said no one will touch them.

 

[Briwhy]

I had my Glastron out all weekend with not a drop of water coming out after pulling the plugs. Is this problem mostly with boats in saltwater and twin engine models? It seems to be only scarab boats so far which I don't understand cause they are made in the same plant. Only difference is the hull of the boat I guess.

 

[biglar155]

Well I hate to inform everyone, but now these boats have been blackballed by the dealers, and they wont even take them in on trade. If you have one, you are stuck unless you can sell it yourself. The list keeps adding up. @Slugger55 just had to deal with this.

That's been the Elephant in the Room all along.

I've been watching this thread with interest - and concern for my fellow boat owners.

Can you - in good conscience - sell this thing to some poor unsuspecting shmuck? Clearly there's a moral/ethical obligation here but is there a legal one as well? If it sinks can the new owner sue you on the grounds that you knew this might occur?

At the end of the day though, selling one of these to someone else out of fear for your own safety is just the wrong thing to do.

I think this is part of the case you have against them.