***WARNING*** 2015-18 YAMAHA “AR” BOAT OWNERS WITH FORWARD SWEPT WAKEBOARD TOWERS

***WARNING***

2015-17 YAMAHA “AR” BOAT OWNERS WITH FORWARD SWEPT WAKEBOARD TOWERS


Be advised Yamaha swept forward towers (including recent AR240 models) can unexpectedly collapse in rough waters resulting in serious injury.

A catastrophic failure of a wakeboard tower occurred in my 2016 AR240 boat on July 10th, 2017. While crossing in rough seas (during the Bimini Fling 2017) the tower in my boat suddenly collapsed with little warning. Standing at the helm, I was hit in the head and shoulders by the collapsing structure and suffered back injury. Two other occupants of my boat (my daughters, ages 16 and 13) were not injured; they were frightened and emotionally traumatized.

Yamaha denies any responsibility for the accident and denies the faulty design and/or manufacturing of the AR tower internal locking mechanism contributed to failure. Yamaha claims that a “partial cross threading” of the lock knob bolt led to the accident and that I, the owner/operator, am solely responsible for this. Yamaha refuses to provide any written report and/or statement concerning the matter.

Given several recent owner reports of AR towers’ mechanism malfunction, Yamaha denial of responsibility appears negligent. Yamaha blames operator error for the catastrophic tower collapse, but the tower locking mechanism design issue is at fault, at least in part.

Buyer beware.

--

EDIT (8/5/2017):
For those who just read this now, scroll to Page 8 (Post #151 and on) for corrected information on the lock bolt design. The aluminum mounts have internal steel thread inserts (those are NOT aluminum internal threads); the risk of cross thread is high but it may be difficult to identify.


EDIT (8/6/2017):
(from Page 9, Post #176)
Important:
If according to the Yamaha analysis cross threading is an "operator error", then the operator needs to know of this critical error and Yamaha needs to provide a way for the operator to identify the cross threading (know when it occurs) and how to correct it (how to diagnose and correct).

Keep in mind, the "operator" is not necessarily the owner. The "operator" is whoever tightens the knob, whether this is done at the factory or when the salesperson is demonstrating the wonderful features of the tower, or when its at the shop for repair, or when the sound system, wakeboard racks etc. are upgraded by a licensed dealer or after market contractor.

EDIT (8/14/2017)
This post just about says it all.

While I appreciate your opinion @Williamsone46, I disagree

My current boat is a 2017 AR240.

To store my boat I have to lower the tower. I raise the tower after it's stored to prevent theft. So I've raised and lowered my tower 60+ times. Surely I can tell if the knob cross threads....

I check the knobs frequently just because that's what I do. I. Checked these knobs when I fueled along the way to Hourbor Town. I checked them when I fueled at Bahia Mar. And I checked them when we left the marina the morning of the 10th. It's just pease of mind I guess.

Are these boats not built to go in the ocean? On July 10th there was no small craft advisory. No coast guard telling folks not to go out that day.

During our crossing my port side knob backed out. As the knob got to the last few threads it started to pull at the remainding threads causing the threads to be compromised and wouldn't thread in more than 2 turns. It didn't take an entire season to back out, just a couple hours. I thank the Lord that my starboard side didn't decide to back out or I'd be in the same predicament @swatski or even worse someone could have died.

The seas weren't ideal but weren't extreme either. Nothing these boats shouldn't be able to handle. Yet without any way to lock these towers upright it's an accident waiting to happen.

I haven't spoken to my dealer since their failed attempt to ship me new knobs. Honestly I'd rather not deal with Yamaha unless I absolutely have to.

I don't give damn if you think my incident was user error. I know for a fact it wasn't.

How "periodically" should these knobs be checked? 15 minutes? 30 minutes? 3 hours?

Click to expand...

Also check out posts #288 and #289.

EDIT (8/28/2017)
We have come up with a possible temporary solution/mod that should VASTLY increase safety - post #319 and also check another thread (https://jetboaters.net/threads/15-ar240-tower-fix.15124/#post-261787)

--

@swatski Thank you for the heads up. I have been contemplating upgrading from my current AR230 to an AR240. Given your experience and how Yamaha is denying any responsibility I believe that I will look elsewhere for my next boat. It seems that Yamaha's poor quality control and repeated denials regarding safety issues really is casting them in a poor light. Sorry to hear about your poor response from Yamaha, but frankly I'm not really surprised.

Just so I understand this correctly they are saying due to your super human strength you cross threaded the bolt when installing it and that was the problem? smh

That sure isn't how I imagined Yamaha would react to your situation.

They claim no responsibility but I guarantee you the new boats coming out will have a different design....just because of course, since there is nothing wrong with the other style:-/

swatski said:

***WARNING***

2015-17 YAMAHA “AR” BOAT OWNERS WITH FORWARD SWEPT WAKEBOARD TOWERS


Be advised Yamaha swept forward towers (including recent AR240 models) can unexpectedly collapse in rough waters resulting in serious injury.

A catastrophic failure of a wakeboard tower occurred in my 2016 AR240 boat on July 10th, 2017. While crossing in rough seas (during the Bimini Fling 2017) the tower in my boat suddenly collapsed with little warning. Standing at the helm, I was hit in the head and shoulders by the collapsing structure and suffered back injury. Two other occupants of my boat (my daughters, ages 16 and 13) were not injured; they were frightened and emotionally traumatized.

Yamaha denies any responsibility for the accident and denies the faulty design and/or manufacturing of the AR tower internal locking mechanism contributed to failure. Yamaha claims that a “partial cross threading” of the lock knob bolt led to the accident and that I, the owner/operator, am solely responsible for this. Yamaha refuses to provide any written report and/or statement concerning the matter.

Given several recent owner reports of AR towers’ mechanism malfunction, Yamaha denial of responsibility appears negligent. Yamaha blames operator error for the catastrophic tower collapse, but the tower locking mechanism design issue is at fault, at least in part.

Buyer beware.

--

Click to expand...

I just took delivery of a '17 AR two weeks ago. Did they tell you how you could have avoided this? I don't recall seeing it in the manual.

Most of the time my 7-year old son will be in the boat. How often has this been an issue? I'm still within the 30-day return period offered by my dealer - should I be seriously considering taking it back?

swatski said:

***WARNING***

2015-17 YAMAHA “AR” BOAT OWNERS WITH FORWARD SWEPT WAKEBOARD TOWERS


Be advised Yamaha swept forward towers (including recent AR240 models) can unexpectedly collapse in rough waters resulting in serious injury.

A catastrophic failure of a wakeboard tower occurred in my 2016 AR240 boat on July 10th, 2017. While crossing in rough seas (during the Bimini Fling 2017) the tower in my boat suddenly collapsed with little warning. Standing at the helm, I was hit in the head and shoulders by the collapsing structure and suffered back injury. Two other occupants of my boat (my daughters, ages 16 and 13) were not injured; they were frightened and emotionally traumatized.

Yamaha denies any responsibility for the accident and denies the faulty design and/or manufacturing of the AR tower internal locking mechanism contributed to failure. Yamaha claims that a “partial cross threading” of the lock knob bolt led to the accident and that I, the owner/operator, am solely responsible for this. Yamaha refuses to provide any written report and/or statement concerning the matter.

Given several recent owner reports of AR towers’ mechanism malfunction, Yamaha denial of responsibility appears negligent. Yamaha blames operator error for the catastrophic tower collapse, but the tower locking mechanism design issue is at fault, at least in part.

Buyer beware.

--

Click to expand...

Well crap. Sorry to hear this for you. I was about to upgrade to a ar240. Second thoughts now.

Wow, that is unexpected and terrible. I expected #yamaha to, at minimum, take care of this under warranty.

Have you considered making an insurance claim and letting your insurance company sue Yamaha? Alternately you might be able to return the boat under a state lemon or defective product law.

I'm not a law suit kind of guy but I would understand in this situation as the trama is real even for me and I wasn't there I now find myself checking screws all the time and worried the tower will fall on me in rough conditions you def have a case I really am disappointed to hear it has turned out this way

jsimanskey said:

I just took delivery of a '17 AR two weeks ago. Did they tell you how you could have avoided this? I don't recall seeing it in the manual.

Most of the time my 7-year old son will be in the boat. How often has this been an issue? I'm still within the 30-day return period offered by my dealer - should I be seriously considering taking it back?

Click to expand...

@swatski can probably explain elaborate on this, but these were really rough conditions. On the other hand, I saw with my own eyes how the metallic strip was torn through. There is one thing reading about it and another thing looking at it. I for myself, I will be very hesitant to get an newer AR at this point. It would not be relaxing for me to be out in the water fearing the tower might land on my head.

do you get all you money back if you return it ? Look at the bright side, free boat for 29 days.

@swatski, I cannot possibly be more upset that you are right now, but one thing that pisses me off the most, is the trouble you were willing to go through to make sure that Yamaha has chance to examine their tower.
Very very disappointing

I assume your daughter was to fat for the chair, and the anchor hatch was your fault for not nailing it down.

I am so sorry to read this. Just unreal.

Betik said:

I assume your daughter was to fat for the chair...

Click to expand...

Yeah, LOL. She's a cheerleader.

--

swatski said:

Yeah, LOL. She's a cheerleader.

--

Click to expand...

She must have been moving while seating on the chair. That is an owner/passenger error. Next ?

Glad you are trying to maintain your cool.
In your shoes, I would be looking for my Ak-47. Not the Chinese POS, you know the Polish ones with the cold hammer forged barrels that don't melt before you put 80,000 rounds on them.

jsimanskey said:

I just took delivery of a '17 AR two weeks ago. Did they tell you how you could have avoided this? I don't recall seeing it in the manual.

Most of the time my 7-year old son will be in the boat. How often has this been an issue? I'm still within the 30-day return period offered by my dealer - should I be seriously considering taking it back?

Click to expand...

I really don't know what to tell you...
To say I feel they let me down would be an understatement - they made me feel stupid.

And I do not appreciate that.

The problem is, my wife will not come near this tower now as she refuses to have to feel consumed with anxiety should waters get rough, or we hit a wake, god forbid. I can't blame her. Part of our agreement for letting me get a brand new boat this time was - that I get it with a factory tower! She felt it would be safer than an aftermarket (like in some of our other boats). How ironic.

Well, I'd be upgrading soon and, better believe, it won't be another Yamaha. If I were you I would definitely look at some enforcement/safety pin at the minimum. Or wait and see what they come up with, this is not going to go away, not an isolated problem.

--

robert843 said:

Just so I understand this correctly they are saying due to your super human strength you cross threaded the bolt when installing it and that was the problem? smh

Click to expand...

yes right, @swatski has to stop eating spinach.

Incredible..... Hope this gets resolved soon. Ive been looking at a 210 Limited S here in Jax.

This is a concern to me. I was planning to upgrade within the next year or so and I would be adding at least 4 REV10'S to the tower....possibly 8. That's a lot of additional weight. I'm on the coast and boat in choppy water all the time. Not what I saw you guys in on the way to Bimini, but still choppy.

There are a lot of engineering company's that do failure analysis . What ever the failure mode might have been Yamaha owes it to the consumers to inform them even if it's a statement to check your bolts but hey I'm still waiting to be told about my fenders on my trailer ! Was the denial from the dealer or Yamaha? Make sure you get all your parts back.