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

[swatski]

If the bolt on the hand wheel had a long enough dog point with a proper diameter there's almost no way that it could be cross threaded.

I like that idea! Could a hand wheel w/a "dog point" like that be custom ordered? (I would like 2, please, lol)

I can't touch the damn thing right now (as it is about to be surveyed) but any fix would need to comprise at least two key features:

1. a foolproof bolt/insert - I think @McMark is onto something good
   
2. a secondary lock mechanism, such as a cross-pin w/enforced base

I agree with @Wayloncle - there is no way one could cross thread these bolts/inserts by hand. If nothing else, those rubber wheels would give-in?
Those bolts screwed in more than 2.5 turns initially to travel 3/8" (to hit the leg) albeit I don't know exactly how many turns.

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[J-RAD]

My new boat currently sits in my driveway and I am pretty clueless as to the best way to proceed (fix my tower?) - find myself at the mercy of this forum!


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I hope you find a solution soon. All of us AR owners do... I think a side by side comparison with another AR might be telling of the issue. I suspect that despite Yamaha's own assessment, there's some underlying defect... I'm anxious to see what may come of the situation.

We've seen the video of you threading your knob into the base without the tower mounted. Do you recall if you had been able to thread it further prior to failure? If not, with the 2.5 turns, if the tower felt secure at that point... a defect is certainly the cause... the bolts were either to short out the threaded insert is installed to deep... I think only a side by side with a properly functioning tower will tell... giving those results to Yamaha may bring you a resolution in which they can be persuaded to take responsibility for the issue. All that said... it should not be the consumers responsibility to resort to such lengths.

In the meantime I'm not rushing out to sell my boat or necessarily persuading others not to purchase them (so long as they are informed). It is something new to consider when making a purchasing decision.

I have 50+ hours use on my AR and the tower has been raised and lowered after each outing. I feel confident that my bolts are fully engaged with the proper threading and that in this condition it is safe and secure.

That's not to say I'm so naive to think a problem could never develop or that it's not possible under the right conditions they may find themselves working loose. I will be extra vigilant to ensure it continues to work as it has. I would venture to say that as for myself and large majority of other owners, I have not seen such a circumstance.

As for you... I think you have every right to feel a bit betrayed. We can tell you have a fond relationship with your boat and it turned around an bit you for it. I hope for everyone else's sake, you were the unfortunate exception, and that you find a satisfying resolution.

The numerous people who have said it already are right. We should have to worry about our boats potentially harming us. I do agree a warning should be a minimal requirement... but I'd prefer to see a fail-proof secondary lock mechanism and will be considering an option to install one myself.

 

[swatski]

We've seen the video of you threading your knob into the base without the tower mounted. Do you recall if you had been able to thread it further prior to failure? If not, with the 2.5 turns, if the tower felt secure at that point... a defect is certainly the cause... the bolts were either to short out the threaded insert is installed to deep... I think only a side by side with a properly functioning tower will tell... giving those results to Yamaha may bring you a resolution in which they can be persuaded to take responsibility for the issue. All that said... it should not be the consumers responsibility to resort to such lengths.

Yes, I was able to thread the knobs into the base all the way before the accident - a lot more than 2.5 turns, albeit I can not tell exactly how many more turns as I never counted, don't think anyone has.

Here are some quick and random samplings of pictures - I have many, many more, just don't really have the time right now to pick the best - but you get the idea - the knob tightens right into the leg, there is NO GAP between the rubber gasket/wheel handle/stump and the tower leg, on either side.








I have dozens and dozens of time-stamped pics and videos showing the knobs tightly (properly?) set into the tower base.
Up to few hours before Bimini departure from Ft. Lauderdale, actually, like this one in front of the Publix store, Ft.L., FL - with the boat all rigged up, packed up, and ready to go:


And a close up on the knobs (from the above picture):



Now - if that does not look tight (and it is immediately before departure), I don't know what does?

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[J-RAD]

@swatski , no worries. Your pictures are more than adequate. I'd be hard pressed to point out anything wrong... I'm sure you were feeling confident about it too... right before it fell on your head.

Well, it's a shame... I never would have suspected something like that to happen.

 

[SCP1]

Yamaha better step up their game, I have a long list of issues with my 17! My 2012 had no issues, and by the way I paid a lot more for my 17! The tower issue is alarming and now I will add that to my list of issues. Swatski I'm glad you and your family are ok.

 

[Jadams0527]

@swatski, @McMark, looking closely at these side by side I'm pretty sure that we can see the manufacturing defect. I believe that it is simply overspray of the powder coat process with out the holes sufficiently plugged cleared post powder coat. I'd bet if you were to pull the base you could see clearly from the backside powder coating in the threaded hole, and @McMark base looks like they are landing the insert after the powder coat process.

 

[spatty99]

FWIW, I'm a mechanical engineer, and from everything I have seen, I think you have an extremely solid case against Yamaha if you were to pursue it.

 

[djetok]

 

[Murf'n'surf]

This just in ...... All 2018 tower equipped boats will come standard with football helmets and shoulder pads for the front seat passengers...... and another annoying white and orange warning sticker.

 

[Betik]

This just in ...... All 2018 tower equipped boats will come standard with football helmets and shoulder pads for the front seat passengers...... and another annoying white and orange warning sticker.

nothing to protect against a decapitating anchor hatch?

 

[haknslash]

Went by the local Yamaha dealer and they had a 2018 "offshore bundle" option on the brochure. When I asked the salesman about it he said they actually have a display booth setup showing what all comes with the optional bundle package. It even comes with crash test dummy lawyer warning stickers so you know this is Yamaha legit!!

Seems they are listening to us! Looks like it protects your head from the tower and your neck from the anchor locker hatch.

 

[Bill D]

This just in ...... All 2018 tower equipped boats will come standard with football helmets and shoulder pads for the front seat passengers...... and another annoying white and orange warning sticker.

And a tether for the passenger.

 

[swatski]

I was reading @Andy S post about his "Cobalt experience". And, it just dawned on me.
What a (embarrassingly big) cultural divide between Cobalt and Yamaha!
Cobalt clearly caters to a mature audience; basically, dealing with grownups. Yamaha... not so much?

Well, my experience, so far (w/Yamaha warranty coverage - boat <1 year comprehensive 1-year factory coverage, NOT the extended "YES"; my claims list w/dealer work order):

1. When warranty is denied, no reason is given and there is no documentation.
   
2. They refuse to put anything in writing or provide names/emails.
   
3. Further, there is no recourse for the consumer when warranty is denied.
   
4. You are at the mercy of a twenty something year old (...who is the head of their customer service) - exercising his narcissistic power over you.
   
5. The consumer is left with no options other than legal, which in most cases will cost more than the warranty claim.

Anyone can draw their own conclusions.


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[McMark]

@swatski

I had a couple spider cracks on the port side of my boat. Yamaha denied the claim. My dealer called the glass guy to tell him that it was denied. The glass guy said give me their number because the block off board in the port underseat storage is what caused the spider cracking. It was so tight that the hull couldn't flex naturally in that area. The glass guy called them out on the issue and they fessed up that they have heard of the spider cracking and covered the warranty. Can you get a professional boat survey report from a third party highly reputable individual? Someone that won't take no as an answer from yamaha or your dealer.

 

[Tonkatoy]

I was reading @Andy S post about his "Cobalt experience". And, it just dawned on me.
What a (embarrassingly big) cultural divide between Cobalt and Yamaha!
Cobalt clearly caters to a mature audience; basically, dealing with grownups. Yamaha... not so much?

Well, my experience, so far (w/Yamaha warranty coverage - boat <1 year comprehensive 1-year factory coverage, NOT the extended "YES"; my claims list w/dealer work order):

1. When warranty is denied, no reason is given and there is no documentation.
   
2. They refuse to put anything in writing or provide names/emails.
   
3. Further, there is no recourse for the consumer when warranty is denied.
   
4. You are at the mercy of a twenty something year old (...who is the head of their customer service) - exercising his narcissistic power over you.
   
5. The consumer is left with no options other than legal, which in most cases will cost more than the warranty claim.

Anyone can draw their own conclusions.


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Wow, I couldn't agree more. I felt the same way when it was dealing with my "overspray & quality control" issues w my 190 FSH. Couldn't believe how they were talking to me...

I felt like they were treating me like a 17 year old kid at a used car lot.

Reading about the Cobalt customer service experience made me so jealous.

 

[swatski]

I am not a litigious person and hate entitlement mentality. Shit happens, and things break. But if not meeting warranty obligations is the company’s strategy - that is troubling.

Of course I will now be working with attorneys, and it appears that there may be more at play legally with my problems, but who wants to deal with that?



“How to Lose a Guy (with a 100k toy budget) in 10 Days”, Yamaha?


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[Neutron]

Where is XTP Towers view on your tower issues?
Seems they should deffinitly be involved as well

 

[Murf'n'surf]

Where is XTP Towers view on your tower issues?
Seems they should deffinitly be involved as well

I'm sure XTP would be listed on a lawsuit along with Yamaha. Unfortunately that's what you need to do when a giant corporation gives a loyal consumer the double tall man.

 

[swatski]

Where is XTP Towers view on your tower issues?
Seems they should deffinitly be involved as well

XTP makes OEM parts and does not handle individual customer business or complains. Or so they say. Individual customers are re-directed to their sister company, Monster Towers.
XTP OEM site has been conspicuously down.

That said, locker lid, nav light, horn, chair base, wet locker latch, windshield panel etc. - those are all Yamaha parts.

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[Neutron]

I agree all of those should be Yamaha warranty.
But they are not the cause if a possible cracked scull..death
I am baffled buy the lack of caring by Yamaha. What could have been the outcome if you were in fact knocked out, jammed against the helm, slumped over the wheel, pinned throttle, while the wheel turned. The boat could have flipped, or thrown someone out.
Man WTF Yamaha step the "F" up