Incidence of warranty issues higher with Skeeter (2190) than with other brands?

I have done quite a bit of research on Skeeter 2190 and 621 FS Ranger. I’ve ridden in both within the last month. I’ve read some posts on this forum that have me somewhat concerned, as the dealer I’m likely going with is about a 15 hour drive from here. Boats are more complex than ever, and I’m willing to accept the occasion glitch. I just don’t want to spend very hard earned money on what I’m hoping will be a source of recreation and fun on a boat with a higher than normal warranty history. If someone can shed some light on this I will be grateful.

Is there something specific your refering to? All boats will have some minor issues to start and a lot of things will depend on the dealer you are going through to make sure everything is right before you get it.

Since you are 15 hours away budget a extra day when you go to pick the boat up. Take the boat out for a extensive ” shakedown” ride. Check and dbl. check everything prior to leaving for home. It’s easier for the techs to repair any little things at their shop plus you have the piece of mind that everything was right when you leave for home.

Hi Hugh

Skeeter builds a very good boat. From their website at http://www.skeeterboats.com/about/2010s/

“…we’re both excited and grateful that, for the twelfth consecutive year, Skeeter was recognized for “Excellence in Customer Satisfaction for Fiberglass Outdoor Boats.” We were the only CSI recipient in the “Fiberglass Bass Boat” category as part of the 2013 Marine Industry CSI awards. It’s a BIG DEAL! The Marine Industry CSI Program honors companies that maintain a customer satisfaction rating of 90 percent or higher. Proof that our focus stays on you. “

Of course this doesn’t mean Skeeter puts out boats that will never have an issue. That’s why the dealer you choose to buy the boat from is so very critical to the boat buying process. I’ve been told by Dean Marshall, manager at Skeeter Boat Center – Ramsey, that his techs put in 36 – 40 hours of prep and rigging work into every new boat that goes out the door. The quality control at the dealership level is every bit as important as what happens at the factory.

Where does all that rigging time go? Think about how a boat arrives at the dealership from the factory. Motors may or may not be installed, the boat isn’t likely to be on a trailer, there’s no electronics, no windscreens, the motors need to be prepped and any custom work requested by the owners needs to be done. That’s a lot of hands on time that can directly impact your satisfaction.

If the dealership you’re buying the boat from is experienced with the 2190, all will be well. Buying from a low-volume dealer wouldn’t be a deal breaker for me necessarily but I would definitely approach the transaction with wide eyes, particularly when you show up to take possession. I would make a point to be extra cautious when picking up the boat by going through it with a fine-toothed comb going through every last system. If you’re 15 hours away returning for a livewell pump or some other simple fix is out of the question.

I would recommend you be very up front with the dealership and tell them that when you arrive to pick up the boat you plan to go through the boat bow to stern with a fine toothed comb. Do this once with the boat on the trailer and again with the boat on the water. The on the water test drive is mandatory as you can’t properly test pumps or look for leaks with the boat on the trailer. Tell them because of the distance you’re driving you expect a tech available to fix any small item that might be uncovered “same day” while you wait. Don’t take possession of the boat until everything is as expected.

I wouldn’t expect any major issues to pop up once everything is properly installed, rigged and set-up for you. Enjoy the new ride. When it comes to big water capabilties… the WX 2190 has no equal in my opinion.

Hello Eric

Thanks for your response. First, I would like to say that of the Warrior, Ranger, and Skeeter that I was most impressed with the Skeeter and I’m planning to buy one. I also know that in a public forum there is going to be good news and bad news. I just don’t want to buy problems that could have been avoided. Some of the posts that triggered my concern were on this forum as follows:

MX 1825 Gel Coat Fix 1/23/14
Hull Showing Cracks 729/13
Leaking Front Live Well 10/3/13
Cracking on New Skeeter 2000T 7/2/13

Hello Brian

Thanks for the quick and thoughtful responce. I plan to be there the days most of the rigging takes place, so I have a better idea about what’s ” under the deck”, and go for a ride as well.

Hugh

Hello James

Thank you for the detailed responce. I have a dealer closer, but am most likely to go with one that I have identified as higher volume for the reasons you mentioned. Switches, pumps, fittings, etc don’t worry me as much as hull issues and perhaps that is part of glass boats. I’ve ran motly metal boats, but after watching closely this past year on Ft Peck, the glass boats ride better and I think fish better re tracking and fishability in the wind.

Hugh

I just purchased a brand new Skeeter WX2190 and although my dealer is only ~3hrs away I still didn’t want to hassle with the little issues. I’m sure others have their versions, but I created the attached checklist. You can adapt to any boat you buy. I provided it to the dealer in advance, but unfortunately I think he ignored it as there were several items that weren’t correct/done when I arrived. As others have said, dont skimp on the time you allow for this. I made the mistake and rushed a bit because I was going on a fishing trip and found items after I left the dealer. Absolutely love the boat now that I have it and it is all setup to my liking!!!

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Looks like the checklist didnt attach. Here it is…

Skeeter WX2190 Checklist Check
Verify Boat Serial Number Matches Paper Work
Verify Trailer Serial Number Matches Paper Work
Verify Yamaha 300 Serial Number Matches Paper Work
Verify all manuals are in glovebox
Verify paint color is as ordered
“Deck – White/Deck Pins – Sterling/Deck Stripe – Black Wheat/Deck Bow Stripe – Diamond Dust/Deck Console – White/Deck Floor – White/Hull – White/Hull Pins – Sterling/Hull Stripe – Black Wheat/Hull Double S – Diamond Dust/Hull Run Surface – White/Interior Primary Upholstery – Pewter/Interior Accent 1 – Ebony/Interior Accent 2 & 3 – Silver Spur/Interior Snap In carpet – Light Grey Mist/Trailer – Black/Trailer Carpet – Gun metal/Pins – White”
Verify boat exterior is free from defects
Verify all rope cleats work
Verify bow and stern rails are installed
Verify bow eye and transom eyes are installed
Verify fuel tank cap screws on properly and fuel vent is installed
Verify Hamby Keel Protector is installed properly
Verify boat interior is free from defects (paint, carpet, seats, etc)
Verfiy seats work properly (up/down, sliders)
Verify 3rd and 4th pedestal seats are installed
Verfiy Bike seat/pedestal is installed
Verify cockpit snap-in carpet and snaps are free from defects
Verify boat windshield is free from defects (cracks, chips, rubber seal, etc)
Verify windshield door opens freely, latch works
Verify all doors open/close/latch/lock properly an keys are provided
Verify Tackle Management System (Front and Rear) are included
Verify drain plugs provided for livewells/coolers/baitwells
Verify hydraulic steering works smoothly and steering wheel is properly aligned
Verify tilt steering works properly
Verify multifunction tachometer works properly (speed, rpm, trim accurate)
Verify cockpit switches/gauges work properly
Verify stereo/speakers/bluetooth works properly
Verify interior lighting works
Verify power point works properly
Verify horn works properly
Verify navigation/anchor lights work properly
Verify livewell and baitwells work properly (oxygenator)
Verify wash down pump works properly
Verify 4-Group 31 AGM batteries are installed (DEKA)
Verify battery switch is installed and works properly
Verify 4-bank onboard charger is installed and works properly
Verify 2 bilge pumps are installed and work properly
Verify fuel water separator/filter is installed
Verify no fuel or water leaks in bilge
Verify all hose connections are tight and no leaks
Verify outboard is free from defects
Verify stainless prop is installed and is properly sized
Verify outboard trims properly
Verify outboard ladder works properly
Verify controls/gauges for outboard are installed and work properly (shifts properly, keys, command link)
Verify Atlas jack plate/gauge installed and works properly
Verify trailer welds are free of defects
Verify trailer winch works properly
Verify trailer jack works properly
Verify trailer lights work properly
Verify trailer reverse lockout solenoid works properly
Verify trailer dual axle disc brakes are installed and work properly
Verify trailer winch post ladder is installed
Verify tuff coat fenders are installed
Verify retractable tie down straps are installed
Verify boat sits on trailer properly
Verify boat tires and wheels are free from defects, tires properly inflated, lugs tight
Verify spare tire and mount is provided
Verify bow trolling motor is installed and works properly (Terrova 112, iPilot, US2, 6-gauge wiring, remote, foot control)
Verify bow trolling motor panel is installed and works properly
Verify rear trolling motor panel is installed and works properly
Verify HDS12 works properly (to be mounted using Cisco mounts that I provide)
Verfify Structure Scan and Sonar Transducers are installed and work properly
Verfify wiring (power/ethernet) are installed to bow (I will bring the HDS9)
Verfy NEMA network is installed to HDS12
Verify GPS PinPoint is installed and works properly
Verify water speed sensor installed and works properly
Cable to connect trolling motor sonar to bow HDS
Verfy custom cover is included and free from defects
Get info on engine break in period
Get T-top/canvas information (gunnel strength, supplier)

Rafter 8 wrote:

Hello Eric

Thanks for your response. First, I would like to say that of the Warrior, Ranger, and Skeeter that I was most impressed with the Skeeter and I’m planning to buy one. I also know that in a public forum there is going to be good news and bad news. I just don’t want to buy problems that could have been avoided. Some of the posts that triggered my concern were on this forum as follows:

MX 1825 Gel Coat Fix 1/23/14
Hull Showing Cracks 729/13
Leaking Front Live Well 10/3/13
Cracking on New Skeeter 2000T 7/2/13

After reading this post I felt that I should do a follow up on my warranty repairs that took place on my boat over last winter. I was the responsible for the gel coat fix post back in early January. When I posted this, I was a little skeptical myself on how these repairs will turn out. With this being my first big boat purchase I was worried about what the future was going to bring with my boat. I want to let everyone know that my experience with both SBC and Skeeter was great! They sent my boat in to get repaired and while it was there they even fixed a couple other minor things that I didn’t even know about. Everything was handled without one question asked. I’m a true believer on working with a dealership that is on your side, and I know after dealing with SBC, these guys are the ones you want to go to. They went above and beyond to make sure that my boat was back on the water before opener without anymore problems. After I have ran my boat now for a full season after the repairs took place I haven’t had a single thing wrong with my boat. No matter what boat you buy, there is a possibility that there will be some struggles at first. The main thing that matters the most is that if the people you made this purchase from are going to stand behind what they say and make those repairs for you without any hassle. After two years of owning my boat, I’m proud to say that I own a sheeter boat and I possibly couldn’t be any happier with the purchase that I made.

Hello Zack and “Hookinupwalleye”

Thanks for the feed back. I’ve got a 2190 ordered and I’m anxious to get started. You all have been quite helpful, and your input is much appreciated.

Hugh