Re: 250 Ficht CORROSION
Yes I have, they basically blew me off and suggested that it can not be the cowling and that I need to work with my local dealer.<br /><br />I met with "Jay Trotter" The District Sales Manager and my local dealer here at my shop to discuss the problem and physically see the motors and have not gotten a response in 3 weeks. The sales rep will not call me back and the local deal says he is waiting on answers from the sales rep. I also e-mailed and sent a letter and pictures to Roch Lambert the VP of BRP last week and have gotten no respose. Below is the letter.<br /><br /> Roch Lambert BRP / Evinrude<br />10101 Science Drive<br />Sturtevant Wisconsin<br /> <br />Hello Mr. Lambert,<br />My name is Kevin Poole and I am writing you to discuss a problem I have encountered with my outboard motors. I purchased (2) new 250 Hp Evinrude outboard motors for my boat 2.5 years ago; they have a 3-year full warranty, which is up in October. The motors are leaking saltwater in the cowling (the top of the motor or motor cover) and it is dripping on the inside directly over the electronics of the motor. It also drips on the flywheel causing the salt spay to go everywhere. This is causing self destruction of all of the electronics, the exterior components of the motor and it is allowing salt water in the breather of the motor which allows salt and water to enter the combustion chamber. Because of the corrosion that exists the electronics are omitting electric that is creating electrolysis throughout which intensifies corrosion inside and out including the exterior engine and lower unit housing and is also killing the batteries.<br />Last August I kept the boat at VA. Beach for a month, I fished 2 times and the boat sat for 2 weeks, when I came to drive the boat home all 4 batteries were dead. I replaced them, as they were getting old, I charged them and still one of the motors would not start. I called my local dealer late Saturday afternoon and we walked through some simple tests but could not figure it out. While working on the motors I noticed a lot of corrosion, something I had not seen before. We were running out of time that Saturday so we decided to limp home 90 miles back on the Potomac River "not any fun". <br />My local dealer stopped by the house to find it was a simple fuse that had corroded on the interior of the fuse (It had a wicked effect) The dealer noticed the corrosion problem and he called someone from BRP, they told him that on some heavy boats the cowling design does not work correctly and will allow salt water to enter the housing. He also stated the only thing that could be done is for me to remove the engine covers, spray down the motors while running with fresh water and then dry them and then spay with silicone daily. It would take about and hour to do so after each trip. I dont know about you but I just can not see myself doing all this work after a 10-12 hour fishing day, especially while lined up next to a bunch of outboard boats with Yamahas on them that do not have to do any more than wash the exterior.<br /><br />I took the boat to Florida in December and left it there for several months, while in Florida we fished 4 days and then brought the boat home in March. When I got it home I removed the cowling to discover a tremendous amount of corrosion and I immediately called my dealer. I wanted him to set up a meeting with our sales rep so I could show him the problem, I figured after he saw it and met me that they might take an interest and fix or replace the engines. We met 4-15-05 and he agreed that he had never seen this problem but had heard about it. He took photos and said he would be in touch shortly. 2 weeks have gone by and I called Guy Brothers, they said they had not heard anything but would call if they did. <br /><br />I called the sales rep (Jay Trotter) directly and asked if they had any answers, he replied that my dealer should be working on it with someone else from Evinrude and he said he would get back to me. I waited a few more days and tried him several more times, a week has gone by and he has not returned my call. So I called my local dealer again and he said he was waiting on Jay to respond as well and had not heard anything. My dealer then jumped on the problem and asked me to take pictures and send the cowling over so they could show them to (Bob Brown) whom he contacted today about the issue. I delivered the cowlings and a CD with the pictures on it within an hour.<br /><br />I am not sure where this is going but it doesnt look nor sound like it is going to go in my favor at all and thats why I am contacting you directly. I am in hopes that you will read this and understand that I am a seasoned fisherman and not just an idiot thats trying to jerk you around. I would like to share some of my background with you. <br /><br />I am 42 years old; I have been fishing since I was able to hold a rod, as my Father was a charter boat Captain out of Ocean City MD. and Pompano Beach Florida for many years and he was determined to turn me into a fisherman. I have owned my own companies for 23 years and have been successful with all of them. I owned a Tackle shop in Marathon Florida Called Tournament Bait and Tackle, which was voted best in the Florida Keys for the 3 years that we owned it. I was the original owner of Calcutta Offshore Baits where we caught, processed and shipped frozen and rigged baits worldwide which was sold in 1993. I designed a fabricated the first folding Dredge for Calcutta Baits 2 years after I sold the business to them and we still remain very good friends with Howard Christian the owner. <br /><br />After Calcutta was sold I started Triton Metals Inc. which I still own and run today. We are a manufacturer of Defense and commercial products on the east coast. We manufacture a verity of products that range from Flight Simulator equipment to Anthrax detection equipment. Here at Triton Metals one of our good customers is Phase II, a company out of VA Beach that builds instrument panels for the marine Industry. Our customers include Penn Craft, Key West Boats, Sea fox, Sting Ray, MTX, WCC, Sea Hunt, Pro Sports, and Sun Dancer. I take a personal interest in this company as it relates to the marine industry.<br /><br />I have fished many tournaments including the Masters invitational in Havana Cuba with My Father in which we placed 3rd, the white marlin Open in Ocean City Maryland, The Pirates Cove tournament in North Carolina, the MSSA tournament that we have won 3rd, 5th. And 5th. Over the past 3 years.<br /><br />I just purchased a new home @ Pirates Cove in Manteo North Carolina where several hundred offshore fishermen reside with all types of boats; I have plans on moving my boat there and plan to retire in the next 5 years. To say the least, my family and I are deeply entrenched in fishing and in the fishing community. Please take into consideration that myself and my family have been huge advocates of Evinrude and plan to continue to do so in the future. <br /><br />I am in hopes that BRP will take a close look at my situation and help me re-power the boat with a new set of Evinrude E-Tec 250s, The existing 250s will not go back on this boat because of the cowling problem. I appreciate you taking the time to read and response as soon as you find time. <br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Kevin Poole<br />301-373-6110x116<br /><br />The Dealer is <br />Guy Bothers Marine<br />Francis Guy is the owner<br />301-475-9774
