Check your tower bolts!

[d_coyne1984]

I noticed that there seemed to be a decent amount of wobble in my tower. I've got a full season of use out of it now so I went to check the bolt tightness against the hull and sure enough, they were all a little loose. What I didnt expect to find was a cross threaded bolt on the rear port side with an inch of thread between the mounting plate and the nut.

Moral of the story: Check your nuts.

 

[SCSTWG]

Check your nuts......always a good idea.

 

[Speedling]

I do love Yamaha and love that they make a heck of a boat for the price, but I really wish some of these little things were slightly better addressed. I mean, cmon, we're gonna use and abuse the heck out of these things!
I hated going in and tightening down my cleat nuts. HUGE PITA.

 

[Noko]

Lost one of my tower bolts. Didn't tighten it enough.

 

[rkgdmd]

I do love Yamaha and love that they make a heck of a boat for the price, but I really wish some of these little things were slightly better addressed. I mean, cmon, we're gonna use and abuse the heck out of these things!
I hated going in and tightening down my cleat nuts. HUGE PITA.

Amen to that @Speedling . I had my head compartment door fall completely off while under way. Had about 5 hours on the boat at the time. Really Yamaha? My boat was delivered with all the soundproofing on the engine compartment hatch torn and hanging down. A testament to my most excellent dealer and Yamaha quality control. Some of the things you ignore when you're in love with your boat!

 

[Glassman]

@Bruce , @Julian Maybe we should add that to the new boat owner's list if it isn't already? (I'm assuming there's a list - I can never find stuff when I need it)

One of the things I tell new boat owners is to go through the entire boat with the tools you'll need to check EVERY fastener on the boat that you can reach:

Cleats, grab rails, tower, hatches, hinges, snaps, etc. Blue or red Loctite as needed. Also, check ALL the wiring, especially under the helm.

DON'T WAIT UNTIL THE 10 HOUR SERVICE!

I had one of the first AR 230's on the block waaaay back when and I found that the wires under the helm were exposed and bare in places - a disaster waiting to happen.

Don't just "Look" at the wiring, make sure it's connected and tight. I had wires dangling inside the aft starboard compartment. All it needed was for one of the kids to throw something in or yank something out and POOF the wires would have been snagged.

Basically, touch, feel, tug anything that could possibly come apart or loose. These boats are like a box of cereal...contents may settle during shipping

Then, wash your new boat - by hand. That way you will familiarize your self with the condition of the hull - finding any defects BEFORE they can point the finger at you or before it gets worse for any reason.