spontaneous filling of ballast tanks

[rli2]

I just took delivery of a new air 216 TE. The balast tanks have leaked from day 1 and the pumps do not seam to work properly either. As soon as the boat is in the water the tanks auto fill- all the valves are closed (except the one in the engine compartment). Needless to say, I am disappointed in the so-called quality of the nautiques. If this has been a problem discussed by the dealers, it should have been mentioned as a potential issue before I bought the boat. I also think it is crazy for a new boat owner (especially having spent $60,000) to have to discuss how to fix the problem. Correct craft must fix this problem and fix it at no cost to the boat owner. By the way, my stereo did not work properly, the cover did not show up with my boat and the Nautique decal tried to peel off the 1st day in the water. Again, I am disappointed in the quality of the boat, especially when this is supposed to be the strength of the Nautique line.

Is there a contact at Correct Craft with whom I could discuss this problem. My local dealer is at a loss (He has only been ijn business 2 years)

[Christopher-W.-Becker]

RE: spontaneous filling of ballast tanks

Welcome,

The valve issue is discussed on a thread here before. There is a $25 replacement valve that one use found that seems to work much better than the CC valve. I have left mine open and use the manual valves in the engine compartment since I took delivery of my 2004. See

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....t=2075&start=0

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ghlight=valves

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ghlight=valves

http://www.planetnautique.com/index....ghlight=valves

Pumps, the empty pump I have never had problems with. The fill pumps I have had, but found that opening the valves and driving for a second then starting the pumps makes them work well all the time. I have found less of a need to drive over time. Initially, they were touchy, but after getting a few flushes of the tanks they have been fine since. I will say that the pumps dont pump fully empty on the first pump. I shut them down wait a sec and pump again...and repeat until I no longer get any water out of the tanks. I am a solumn skier so I try to get them dry.

I do fresh water flush my tanks between lakes using a garden hose in the vent and removing the tank drain plugs in the front of the engine compartment. This is to make sure I dont move any "harmfull" species from lake to lake. I have gotten some dirt and debris out.

One last thing. Don't know if they corrected the owners manual, but the manual says open the fill valves to pump the tanks out. B.S! Each tank is vented, so keep the fill valves closed when pumping the tanks dry. Don't know what they were thinking when the wrote that. Reminds me...I need to put that on my survey.

I have had a few quarks with my 216, but have to say I LUV THAT BOAT. Friend aslo recently bought at 216 (say Hi Jeff) and last I checked he loves his.

P.S. If you talk to CC they should admit the valves are an issue and have been an issue. It comes up at EVERY dealers meeting. Seems somebody on this site should get a big check from CC for finding a replacement valve system(s) that work! What about it MIke D and Jeff. Any calls or appreciation from CC! Or should I add that to my survey.

P.S. BS....make sure you put your beefs in the CC new owners survey. There will be another follow-up survey in a year! Keep the email address that comes with the survey..you can submit others......

With respect to dealers. I had a choice of two dealerships. One new to CC and one who sells nothing but CC and has been selling them since 1981 (he and his daughter currently ski in the Pro Events and has been a past barefooting champ...so he know his stuff). It was a no brainer and the service and advice from them has been par excellent. ****, the service shop even lent me a power steering puller when my truck died last week near their store.

The dealer should make good on the problems (excepting the valves) or call Midwest Correct Craft in Angola Michigan. Ask for Greg Melon (part of the family). He will make sure you are taken care of. NOTE: Midwest CC is factory owned so it is CC.

Cover... a CC? Even Greg Mellon says don't buy their covers or biminis.

Hey one other point. Fill your bilge with water from a garden hose and let it drain out the bottom. You will be surprised at the amount of carpet fibers, aluminum shards, and stuff that come out. After using your bilge pump a time or two....take it out and clean the carpet fibers off the screen. When you do it you will understand.

A new boat is like a baby, she needs some care on little things. Sounds like this is your first CC. After a while, especaiially when you go to see, you will find out why we all have CCs.

GOD I luv my boat! P.S. So does the wife and kids. Anyone tell its BOATING SEASON AGAIN!

[TylerO]

RE: spontaneous filling of ballast tanks

I agree with you that CC/your dealer should take care of the problems you have listed but compared to some of the problems I've had with delivery of other new boats (not CC) your situation doesn't seem all that bad. Have you purchased other boats before and if so have you had better experiences? Unfortunately taking delivery of a new boat isn't like getting a new car. You have to expect a few concerns to arise and for the dealership to address them.

[jwhposon]

RE: spontaneous filling of ballast tanks

ril2,
I am a recent owner of a SAN 210 "limited", used with 100hrs, part of the CC youthgroup sponsor or something like that. I have found that even this boat has a few quarks and initially was upset. After using this site for advice, tips, tricks and general information I have found that the boats themselves are incredible, but what makes them the best is the service from the dealership. I am not saying that I am totally happy with my dealer, I hate being nickel and dimed to death when you spend 48k. This is my second boat so I have limited experience and the main reason for CC was that I keep the darn things for 10+ years. Be sure to push the dealer hard and don't minimize your expectations, but I liked the analogy of the baby previously. Take care and I hope things get worked out.

[rli2]

Thanks for the advice- when the situation is resolved I will update the site