First outting...

[BeepBeep]

I posted this on Facebook but wanted to share here as well...

I was in the market for a 2025 252SE. There are only 2 Yamaha dealers within an hour. However, they were both very large dealers and I like supporting smaller businesses.

I made a 2 hour trek to M20 Marine in La Mesa, CA and bought one. Trevor was very knowledgeable and not pushy at all. Just a very nice guy.

During the delivery walk through, I noticed a lot of minor fit and finish issues like the head compartment door not closing correctly, marine mat snaps broken, Yamaha emblem falling off the transom, chipped anchor locker door, nicks in the filler cushion, windshield has play when closed and locked into place, wind deflector not engaging the channel correctly, unplugged wires behind the helm, a crack in the storage compartment in front of the passenger seat, vinyl in head compartment not glued down, misaligned mat, and a few more. No big deal, all can be addressed under warranty.

However, something I noticed after I took delivery, and immediately after pulling out of the dealership, was a large indentation/divot in the hull. I sent pictures to the dealer's service manager. He forwarded them to Yamaha to get direction. They told him to sand it down, apply filler, and new gelcoat.

He called me back and told me what they said. I told him no way, it'll never look right. He agreed and was brutally honest with me saying there's no way even the best tech would be able to match the factory gelcoat. I told him I'd call Yamaha.

I called Yamaha and told them my concern. A week later, they called back and said it's not a structural issue and they've authorize the dealer to make the repairs. He insisted its a gelcoat issue. No, it's not a gelcoat issue, it's a deformed fiberglass hull issue. I explained that I didn't buy a $100,000 boat only to have a dealer sand the factory finish and apply a new one, let alone all the other fit and finish issues. I told him when it starts peeling/flaking/fading in 2 years, they'll tell me sorry, it's out of warranty. He "assured" me if it flakes or fades, they'd repair it again, even if the warranty expires. I asked if he'dput l put that in writing... nope... He said "the defect is a common issue with our manufacturing process." Really, the factory is aware of a defect that is common with their manufacturing process and they haven't fixed it? I hope that phone call was recorded.

I spoke with the owner of the dealership. Great guy, very understanding. He assured me his job was to fight for the customer to make sure they are satisfied. A week later, he called to let me know he convinced Yamaha execurives to buy the boat back and get me a new one. In my opinion, that's unheard of.

Since the season was coming to an end and inventory was low, he offered me a 2026 model at no additional cost. Although it was a generous offer, I told him I very much liked the Yacht Blue and didn't want the hassle of maintaining a black hull. He found a blue one at a dealer in Fresno and sent his guys on an 11-hour round-trip drive to pick it up. He didn't have to do any of this, he could've simply told me, "sorry, my hands are tied, all I can do is follow Yamaha's instructions and repair it.

Yamaha, I purchased your boat because of their great reputation. Many people online complain about the quality, some used to say it's because of Covid. Yet here we are, 5 years later and your quality it still poor. And for your rep to say it's a known common issue is unfathomable.

This was my first boat after working hard for many years to treat myself and my kids. The issues and hassle took all the joy out of me.

HUGE props to M2O Marine for making it right. This resolution would've never happened from a large dealership. THANK YOU, you're all stand up guys and I very much appreciate your hard work on making this right. Anyone in So Cal looking for a Yamaha, Nautique, Malibu, or Axis, I highly recommend you give M20 a visit.

They also have "Wake Wednesdays" where they rent out the San Vicente Reservoir and hold an annual overnight regatta to Catalina for all their customers which I think is awesome. I'm very much looking forward to joining them next year.

With that... I took it out this weekend. Flawless...

 

[ikonic252s]

I bought my 252S from them in June and the guys over there are great. I contacted Brett today about my transom straps and trailer jack for warranty and he got right on it, no hassle or excuses. I’m always looking for a boat buddy. What area are you in?

 

[BeepBeep]

I bought my 252S from them in June and the guys over there are great. I contacted Brett today about my transom straps and trailer jack for warranty and he got right on it, no hassle or excuses. I’m always looking for a boat buddy. What area are you in?

Yes, Brett is a stand up guy. I emailed him this morning about the steering cable boot that's letting water into the cable, he'll have a replacement ready.

I'm in Riverside.

 

[ikonic252s]

Nice, I’m in Moreno Valley. Have you thought of taking a run out to Catalina? M2O’s regatta is not until next July.

 

[BeepBeep]

Absolutely but it's my first boat so I want to get the hang of handling it first. I love Catalina and getting there on my own boat will make it that much better

I went to Perris last Saturday and Sunday to test out the boat. The boat was GREAT, other people, not so much . Jet Skiers were running amuck. But, it's only 30 minutes away so it's ok...

 

[ikonic252s]

We’re heading to Havasu this month 26th-28th. Let me know when you plan on heading out next.

 

[BeepBeep]

We’re heading to Havasu this month 26th-28th. Let me know when you plan on heading out nExt

Definitely will

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

I posted this on Facebook but wanted to share here as well...

I was in the market for a 2025 252SE. There are only 2 Yamaha dealers within an hour. However, they were both very large dealers and I like supporting smaller businesses.

I made a 2 hour trek to M20 Marine in La Mesa, CA and bought one. Trevor was very knowledgeable and not pushy at all. Just a very nice guy.

During the delivery walk through, I noticed a lot of minor fit and finish issues like the head compartment door not closing correctly, marine mat snaps broken, Yamaha emblem falling off the transom, chipped anchor locker door, nicks in the filler cushion, windshield has play when closed and locked into place, wind deflector not engaging the channel correctly, unplugged wires behind the helm, a crack in the storage compartment in front of the passenger seat, vinyl in head compartment not glued down, misaligned mat, and a few more. No big deal, all can be addressed under warranty.

However, something I noticed after I took delivery, and immediately after pulling out of the dealership, was a large indentation/divot in the hull. I sent pictures to the dealer's service manager. He forwarded them to Yamaha to get direction. They told him to sand it down, apply filler, and new gelcoat.

He called me back and told me what they said. I told him no way, it'll never look right. He agreed and was brutally honest with me saying there's no way even the best tech would be able to match the factory gelcoat. I told him I'd call Yamaha.

I called Yamaha and told them my concern. A week later, they called back and said it's not a structural issue and they've authorize the dealer to make the repairs. He insisted its a gelcoat issue. No, it's not a gelcoat issue, it's a deformed fiberglass hull issue. I explained that I didn't buy a $100,000 boat only to have a dealer sand the factory finish and apply a new one, let alone all the other fit and finish issues. I told him when it starts peeling/flaking/fading in 2 years, they'll tell me sorry, it's out of warranty. He "assured" me if it flakes or fades, they'd repair it again, even if the warranty expires. I asked if he'dput l put that in writing... nope... He said "the defect is a common issue with our manufacturing process." Really, the factory is aware of a defect that is common with their manufacturing process and they haven't fixed it? I hope that phone call was recorded.

I spoke with the owner of the dealership. Great guy, very understanding. He assured me his job was to fight for the customer to make sure they are satisfied. A week later, he called to let me know he convinced Yamaha execurives to buy the boat back and get me a new one. In my opinion, that's unheard of.

Since the season was coming to an end and inventory was low, he offered me a 2026 model at no additional cost. Although it was a generous offer, I told him I very much liked the Yacht Blue and didn't want the hassle of maintaining a black hull. He found a blue one at a dealer in Fresno and sent his guys on an 11-hour round-trip drive to pick it up. He didn't have to do any of this, he could've simply told me, "sorry, my hands are tied, all I can do is follow Yamaha's instructions and repair it.

Yamaha, I purchased your boat because of their great reputation. Many people online complain about the quality, some used to say it's because of Covid. Yet here we are, 5 years later and your quality it still poor. And for your rep to say it's a known common issue is unfathomable.

This was my first boat after working hard for many years to treat myself and my kids. The issues and hassle took all the joy out of me.

HUGE props to M2O Marine for making it right. This resolution would've never happened from a large dealership. THANK YOU, you're all stand up guys and I very much appreciate your hard work on making this right. Anyone in So Cal looking for a Yamaha, Nautique, Malibu, or Axis, I highly recommend you give M20 a visit.

They also have "Wake Wednesdays" where they rent out the San Vicente Reservoir and hold an annual overnight regatta to Catalina for all their customers which I think is awesome. I'm very much looking forward to joining them next year.

With that... I took it out this weekend. Flawless...

So, you did a walk through on a boat and found 12 things wrong plus “a few more”, so 15 things, on the inside of the boat and you were leaving the dealership with all these issues, wherein you’d have to make the four hour round trip back to M20 marine to get them fixed under warranty? Then you noticed a problem with the hull as you were leaving the dealership on your two hour trip home and still took the boat home? I’m trying to understand why you’d leave the dealership with a boat with so many flaws.

If the dealership is so great why would they even be selling you a boat that had so many unfixed flaws in the first place that would require you to make another four hour round trip to get them fixed while you waited possibly weeks for the repairs to get completed ?

Your rights under CA lemon laws got the boat returned and exchanged for a new one.

How about sharing those pictures you took of the bad spot in the hull with us here.

As far as fiberglass and gel coat repairs go, spectrum makes perfectly color matched gel coat for Yamaha boats, you can either get it in bulk or in small patch kits to fix the inevitable dings and scratches you’re going to get, and these repairs will be as good as the factory gel coat and will be indescribable once the repair is completed, proper gel coat repairs don’t flake off. Once you learn how to make these repairs you’ll find they are easy and quick to do yourself, lots of great YouTube videos out there. Fiberglass repairs are be done on boats with new gel coat are done all the time and there would be no way for you to tell there was a repair done there, and the area would look as good as new.

I agree that Yamaha shouldn’t be delivering a product with flaws such as the ones you described, but the dealer should have found and fixed these things before you took delivery of the boat during PDI.

It’s good that at the end of the day you now have a boat you’re happy with, hopefully you get a lot of hours on it before years end, there’s a lot of good boating weather left in your area.

 

[BeepBeep]

So, you did a walk through on a boat and found 12 things wrong plus “a few more”, so 15 things, on the inside of the boat and you were leaving the dealership with all these issues, wherein you’d have to make the four hour round trip back to M20 marine to get them fixed under warranty? Then you noticed a problem with the hull as you were leaving the dealership on your two hour trip home and still took the boat home? I’m trying to understand why you’d leave the dealership with a boat with so many flaws.

If the dealership is so great why would they even be selling you a boat that had so many unfixed flaws in the first place that would require you to make another four hour round trip to get them fixed while you waited possibly weeks for the repairs to get completed ?

Your rights under CA lemon laws got the boat returned and exchanged for a new one.

How about sharing those pictures you took of the bad spot in the hull with us here.

As far as fiberglass and gel coat repairs go, spectrum makes perfectly color matched gel coat for Yamaha boats, you can either get it in bulk or in small patch kits to fix the inevitable dings and scratches you’re going to get, and these repairs will be as good as the factory gel coat and will be indescribable once the repair is completed, proper gel coat repairs don’t flake off. Once you learn how to make these repairs you’ll find they are easy and quick to do yourself, lots of great YouTube videos out there. Fiberglass repairs are be done on boats with new gel coat are done all the time and there would be no way for you to tell there was a repair done there, and the area would look as good as new.

I agree that Yamaha shouldn’t be delivering a product with flaws such as the ones you described, but the dealer should have found and fixed these things before you took delivery of the boat during PDI.

It’s good that at the end of the day you now have a boat you’re happy with, hopefully you get a lot of hours on it before years end, there’s a lot of good boating weather left in your area.

You're right, it was my fault. I was rushing out of excitement to get my shiny first boat home. Live and learn...

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

You're right, it was my fault. I was rushing out of excitement to get my shiny first boat home. Live and learn...

Right on… hard lesson, sorry you had to go through that, I think we’ve all done something similar at one point in our lives. As my friend likes to say, experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

Now go out and get that boat broken in and burn a lot of fuel and make a lot of great memories!

If you’re going to head out to the river you might try going up to Lake Mohave, not as many people and you can take a nice long cruise up to Willow Beach and back, not many jet skis up there. I chronicled my trip there in this thread. Lake Mohave 03-2025

 

[BeepBeep]

So, you did a walk through on a boat and found 12 things wrong plus “a few more”, so 15 things, on the inside of the boat and you were leaving the dealership with all these issues, wherein you’d have to make the four hour round trip back to M20 marine to get them fixed under warranty? Then you noticed a problem with the hull as you were leaving the dealership on your two hour trip home and still took the boat home? I’m trying to understand why you’d leave the dealership with a boat with so many flaws.

If the dealership is so great why would they even be selling you a boat that had so many unfixed flaws in the first place that would require you to make another four hour round trip to get them fixed while you waited possibly weeks for the repairs to get completed ?

Your rights under CA lemon laws got the boat returned and exchanged for a new one.

How about sharing those pictures you took of the bad spot in the hull with us here.

As far as fiberglass and gel coat repairs go, spectrum makes perfectly color matched gel coat for Yamaha boats, you can either get it in bulk or in small patch kits to fix the inevitable dings and scratches you’re going to get, and these repairs will be as good as the factory gel coat and will be indescribable once the repair is completed, proper gel coat repairs don’t flake off. Once you learn how to make these repairs you’ll find they are easy and quick to do yourself, lots of great YouTube videos out there. Fiberglass repairs are be done on boats with new gel coat are done all the time and there would be no way for you to tell there was a repair done there, and the area would look as good as new.

I agree that Yamaha shouldn’t be delivering a product with flaws such as the ones you described, but the dealer should have found and fixed these things before you took delivery of the boat during PDI.

It’s good that at the end of the day you now have a boat you’re happy with, hopefully you get a lot of hours on it before years end, there’s a lot of good boating weather left in your ,

FYI, lemon law doesn't apply in this situation.

 

[BeepBeep]

Right on… hard lesson, sorry you had to go through that, I think we’ve all done something similar at one point in our lives. As my friend likes to say, experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want.

Now go out and get that boat broken in and burn a lot of fuel and make a lot of great memories!

If you’re going to head out to the river you might try going up to Lake Mohave, not as many people and you can take a nice long cruise up to Willow Beach and back, not many jet skis up there. I chronicled my trip there in this thread. Lake Mohave 03-2025

Will definitely be visiting Mojave, its beautiful there. In-N-Out ALL THE WAY....

 

[BeepBeep]

Why are there so many videos on how to dock a jet boat but not much on how to gracefully leave a dock? I watched many docking videos before I went out, proud to say I did great, slow and easy approach, worked the throttles, looked like a pro. Leaving the dock was a different story, bump here, bump there, kids laughing, people watching thinking "what an idiot."

If you know of any good videos or have tips, please share.

Keeping it straight at slow speed is something else I need to practice on.

Thank you...

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

If you are docked on the starboard side, turn wheel full left and then slip into idle reverse for a moment, once the rear pulls away you can straighten the wheel and go reverse on port engine and forward on starboard engine and that will walk it away from the dock.

Doesn’t your boat have lateral movement on the steering wheel using the buttons?

 

[BeepBeep]

Makes sense.

For the first step (wheel full left, idle reverse), are both engines in reverse?

I don't have the Drive system so no lateral movement.

 

[FSH 210 Sport]

Makes sense.

For the first step (wheel full left, idle reverse), are both engines in reverse?

I don't have the Drive system so no lateral movement.

Yes both engines in reverse and full left on the wheel, this will pull the stern away from the dock and the bow will move towards the dock, then pivot the boat away from the dock with differential thrust. You can push the boat away from the dock to help with that matter.

 

[drewkaree]

bump here, bump there, kids laughing, people watching thinking "what an idiot."

Anyone that knows, knows.

Anyone that doesn't, either has envy issues, or is a colossal dick - neither of which are worth your time or concern. Get out of your own head, and enjoy learning how to handle your boat... Unless you know they're right?

As for your kids, you sound like they needed some direction to assist the captain. A boat is a dictatorship, tell your subjects what is needed and expected of them, lest they be forced to walk the plank!