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

[Slugger55]

@Robert Sands Good Question!

 

[Slugger55]

Update... Went back to the boat with the intentions of finding out what I needed to fix the exhaust line that fell off. What I found was the double clamps that they put on the hoses were loose... I could turn them with my fingers.. I pulled all of the hoses off to make sure that the plastic fittings weren't broke or cracked and then re-installed the hoses and the muffler.. Muffler strap was intact, so the reason the hose came off was someone didn't check to make sure the clamps were tightened. Awesome Tech who worked on this boat... The JERK was to lazy to get into the engine compartment to tighten the clamps which were very tough to get to... Also, my arm has finally healed..

 

[Slugger55]

Update 20171101. SunRise Marine, a Chaparral dealer, called me today to tell me that the boat repairs were completed. He told me that they: 1) replaced the Catalyst; 2)replaced a broken gas shock for the engine hatch (I will pay for), 3)checked the exhaust hose and found that a dealer (I'm thinking MarineMax) already claimed the recall who was probably responsible for the hose falling off almost sinking my boat and the 2nd degree burns on my arm, 4) checked the wear ring which was within specs (I think he told me I had to pay for that, 5) Checked the Bellows and said that it was nice and tight. So, all said and done, he went on to tell me that it was going to cost $170ish to take my boat home. Now, we all know that there are know problems that BRP was suppose to address. I still haven't seen a list of those issues, nor have I been contacted by BRP Evinrude about what the older boats are supposed to be check for. I do have my boat at a Chaparral dealer working on the Rotax, which is a good sign, but I have yet to get an official notification from the manufacturer about any of these decisions. If the Catalyst is a recall shouldn't we get an official notification to have this issue resolved? If the clamp issue with the exhaust tube was a recall, shouldn't we have been given an official notification to get the issue resolved? The only notification we get is from @ScarabMike who is our forum Lead. I am pretty dam sure that it isn't @ScarabMike who is responsible for telling the consumer where you can take your boat for repairs and what they are going to repair. I have been in contact with a BRP Master Tech who know most, if not all, of the players when it comes to Rotax and I am going to ask him for his assistance. I also have an old friend who is a Senior Vice President in the Bombardier Corp. I am not sure if he is still there, but I am certainly going to make that phone call to see if he is. This is a propulsion issue and I am pretty dam disappointed with the lack of effort from the manufacturer to get these issues resolved. If I can't get resolution with this then maybe they will listen when it hits them hard in the pocket book...

 

[Abner]

I have a 2018 Scarab 165 ID and i'm now really concern if I should take delivery on the boat. Seems like Scarab owners are having problems the Scarab is ignoring them!!

 

[Beachbummer]

This is a risk for all purchases. Some folks feel abandoned by other manufacturers as well. Post sale service quality depends greatly on the dealer.

Feel free to hang out in their service Bay for a day or two to see how folks are being treated.

There are some members here that are happy and have had minimal issues with their boats, but they don't normally complain about that, so the messages from those with issues are very visible compared.

Boats depreciate super quickly. If you are handy and willing to learn I would steer you to a used boat that was much cheaper so you would not depend on dealer for warranty service.

Good luck on your decision. For the high cost and low return of buying new, I have avoided buying new and in my house all boats were used. Others like new, and the new boat smell it brings.

 

[ApelilaRains]

I have a 2018 Scarab 165 ID and i'm now really concern if I should take delivery on the boat. Seems like Scarab owners are having problems the Scarab is ignoring them!!

Hi Abner, this was our concern as well, but when we were still indecisive on which boat to purchase (Chaparral, yamaha or scarab), they all had their own issues. But that's all that we've ever heard, were issues because in most forums, they are normally used to share/help with "how to fixes". I can't say it's a hit and miss either, but your dealer (if they are helpful and knowledgeable) should be there for support. Before handing the boat over to you, they should do a complete walk-through and testing of your boat on water and the standard check list of items a really good marine dealer would do to ensure the product of of quality before handing you the keys. I have a 2018 255 that we purchased late sept and our dealer tested out boat for a few hours before handing us the keys. So far we've put over 12 hours on the boat and (knock on wood) only experience were USER ERROR.

 

[Abner]

This is a risk for all purchases. Some folks feel abandoned by other manufacturers as well. Post sale service quality depends greatly on the dealer.

Feel free to hang out in their service Bay for a day or two to see how folks are being treated.

There are some members here that are happy and have had minimal issues with their boats, but they don't normally complain about that, so the messages from those with issues are very visible compared.

Boats depreciate super quickly. If you are handy and willing to learn I would steer you to a used boat that was much cheaper so you would not depend on dealer for warranty service.

Good luck on your decision. For the high cost and low return of buying new, I have avoided it always ior boats. Others like it and the new boat smell it brings.

I know what you mean about only people with problems posting!! And in the mean time there are thousands of happy customers and as you say, there will always be issues with boats, cars and whatever other thing that need to be fixed.

I'm one of those guys that always buys new. I like to maintain my stuff in like new condition and make sure that all maintenance is done at the proper service interval. I plan to keep this boat for a while so over a long period the depreciation isn't that bad.

I looked at a 2016 that was like brand new with only 8 hours, but the price really wasn't that much lower and it didn't have the Wake Tower or a lot of other options. Plus on the 2016 and prior engines there some part that needs to be changed about every 100 hours. In the middle of the 2016 line they switched to the maintenance free part but the one I was looking at definitely didn't have the fix. Sorry can't remember what pat it is, but I sure many here will know.

Plus it was one of the very first 2016s delivered so it only had one year of warranty left.

So for a little, well some more money, I get the exact color I want and it's fully loaded, which the 2016 wasn't, plus I'm getting a 2018.

The dealer seems good and they have good ratings on the internet, so I will hope for the best!!

 

[Slugger55]

I know what you mean about only people with problems posting!! And in the mean time there are thousands of happy customers and as you say, there will always be issues with boats, cars and whatever other thing that need to be fixed.

I'm one of those guys that always buys new. I like to maintain my stuff in like new condition and make sure that all maintenance is done at the proper service interval. I plan to keep this boat for a while so over a long period the depreciation isn't that bad.

I looked at a 2016 that was like brand new with only 8 hours, but the price really wasn't that much lower and it didn't have the Wake Tower or a lot of other options. Plus on the 2016 and prior engines there some part that needs to be changed about every 100 hours. In the middle of the 2016 line they switched to the maintenance free part but the one I was looking at definitely didn't have the fix. Sorry can't remember what pat it is, but I sure many here will know.

Plus it was one of the very first 2016s delivered so it only had one year of warranty left.

So for a little, well some more money, I get the exact color I want and it's fully loaded, which the 2016 wasn't, plus I'm getting a 2018.

The dealer seems good and they have good ratings on the internet, so I will hope for the best!!

@Abner Our intent here isn't to just complain about our particular problems, it is to keep other owners or prospective owners informed with trending issues and "how to's" with the watercraft. All of the problems that I have had aren't about the quality of the boat (I love my boat) it is with the manufacturer who took over the SeaDoo boat line without thinking about the support and service for the consumer...

I will tell you that Scarab makes a good watercraft, but unless you find a service center with savvy techs to care for your boat you might have issues like some of are. I "assumed" that the support network was there, but found that all of the issues that I am having are directly related to a dealership that took on this boat line and they did not have a qualified tech to care for the boat. The problems that we have described in this thread are not just Scarab issues, Chaparral is having the same issues... So, the intent was to put this thread together to get the manufacturer (Rec Boat Holdings and BRP) to step up to the plate and make things right.

The other thing to beware of, people on this site who never owned this particular boat or it is the first boat they have owned (with Rotax power) giving advice.

It is an awesome boat, just make sure you local Tech/Service Dept is savvy with Rotax... @ScarabMike is one of a few folks on this site that knows the line. He is a good resource if you decide to make the purchase..

 

[Sean Scarab 195]

I've had the carbon seal break twice on my boat. The first time, I was 30 miles off shore by Catalina. The 2nd time, I was 100 yds from the launch ramp. Both times from a rope, and a lot of water in the boat. first time, $13k in repairs, 2nd time $4k. My dealer, Bert's Mega Mall in Covina, CA said they will no longer touch the boats. I purchased an extended warranty from them. Can someone fill me in on what's going on?

 

[swatski]

I've had the carbon seal break twice on my boat. The first time, I was 30 miles off shore by Catalina. The 2nd time, I was 100 yds from the launch ramp. Both times from a rope, and a lot of water in the boat. first time, $13k in repairs, 2nd time $4k. My dealer, Bert's Mega Mall in Covina, CA said they will no longer touch the boats. I purchased an extended warranty from them. Can someone fill me in on what's going on?

Is sucking a rope - related damage - honored as a warranty claim by Scarab?
If it is - I want a Scarab!

I think their (Rotax boat mfr) claims of the sleeve protecting the shaft from rope ingestion are basically FALSE. BUT - if you suck a rope, you suck a rope, and there is going to be damage. In Yams - it can quickly expand into a "cocoon" and crash the pump tunnel fiberglass.

Just seems strange that they would cover rope ingestion damage on warranty!

--

 

[Sean Scarab 195]

Is sucking a rope - related damage - honored as a warranty claim by Scarab?
If it is - I want a Scarab!

I think their (Rotax boat mfr) claims of the sleeve protecting the shaft from rope ingestion are basically FALSE. BUT - if you suck a rope, you suck a rope, and there is going to be damage. In Yams - it can quickly expand into a "cocoon" and crash the pump tunnel fiberglass.

Just seems strange that they would cover rope ingestion damage on warranty!

--

No, rope damage has not been covered under warranty from my experience.

 

[Cheappc-ari]

Wow i am saddened and shocked over every information you guys have posted, i’m also shocked MarineMax drop the Scarab brand, you guys have placed the last nail on this coffin. I was considering a Scarab because they look so nice, but i don’t have time for to be out of the water, or stuck, or getting towed back.

I have had my 2011 Seadoo Speedster 150 for 6 years never have i had an issue it’s been awesome i think i only got 60 hours on it. But i’m here to tell you my next boat is a Yamaha SX190, you guys have made my decision.

Thank you

 

[Janguh Lang]

Sorry I'm late to this thread. Are Scarabs sinking?

 

[James R Whitten]

I have a 2017 with about 46 hours on it with no problems so far. I' confident 8n it enough that I'm planning on the bimini trip in july

 

[Beachbummer]

All seadoo jetskis with rotax engines use the carbon ring set up since 1996 or so. As long as the parts in the system are good and aligned, this system should be reliable and work fine. It's pretty straight forward but relies on a few expected "truths" in order to work.

1) Never use without water in the driveline for over a few seconds.
2)Engine is correctly aligned
3)There is plenty of spring pressure on the boot to keep the floating stainless ring well taught against the carbon ring, even after the carbon ring wears down from use. If everything is aligned correctly, and the pressure is right, the ring should last hundreds of hours.

I used to have a boat with twin 717 engines that shared this carbon ring design. Because Air could get through it when accelerating, I switched to the then older available bearing carrier set up, that was known for sinking boats that did not grease the carriers properly, or enough, but was pretty solid otherwise. (Like this one http://osdparts.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=595_602_2&products_id=1&zenid=elfb7bkq0dqaqbva0st6ml5h50 )

The newer engines must have less issues, as I have not seen an aftermarket attempt to replicate this device, which was a quite popular mod for the 2 cycle boats.

 

[ApelilaRains]

I have the 2018 255 Scarab purchased in late September 2017. We've used it every weekend for the remainder of last yearsvseasonw without issues and believe Scarab corrected most the main issues with the newer models (2017/2018). Also knowing our local freedom sports dealer are trained and taking on scarab maintenance is a relief.

 

[PapaBear]

I have the 2018 255 Scarab purchased in late September 2017. We've used it every weekend for the remainder of last yearsvseasonw without issues and believe Scarab corrected most the main issues with the newer models (2017/2018). Also knowing our local freedom sports dealer are trained and taking on scarab maintenance is a relief.

Keep checking those cleat bolts...and oil filters. Good luck.

 

[ApelilaRains]

We will definitely do all that! Thank you @PapaBear

 

[Derenzy]

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.

@ScarabMike - what boats, is there a list?

i'm close to buying a 2014 scarab 195 HO, 85 hours, from a large dealer
this worries me. should I stay clear?

 

[Slugger55]

@ScarabMike - what boats, is there a list?

i'm close to buying a 2014 scarab 195 HO, 85 hours, from a large dealer
this worries me. should I stay clear?

Who's the dealer?