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I would like to get your opinion about a misunderstanding I've having with my Evinrude dealer/installer.
I purchased a new 90hp E-Tec in early August. The installer said it couldn't be mounted directly on the transom of my 1974 Katama; the problem was that the bottom through-bolts would need to be above the splashwell, that would require mounting the engine 3-holes up (all the way up) and that would put the motor too high on a 22" transom (the prop would cavitate). I posted a thread asking your advice, and Joe and others sent a diagram that shows that if you drill the "green holes" on the diagram, then you can mount the motor 2-holes up with no cavitation issues. I sent the diagram to the installers with the request to drill the green holes. They called back with two reasons why that wouldn't work, 1) those were the "blind" holes, and Evinrude told them that they would not warrantee any motor mounted that way; and 2) in order to mount the motor low enough to perform well, they would have to use lag-bolts, which they did not recommend doing. They were adamant about this position. So they ordered a $300 manual jackplate that would solve the problem.
The boat did not perform well with the jackplate for numerous reasons, the most important of which was stiff steering and excessive hull vibration (despite a very smooth-running motor). After trying various solutions, a guy at Evinrude suggested to their mechanic that we might try using vibration-reducing rubber pads. I ordered the pads (made by Vibra-Stop). Last week I went in with the pads and asked that they install them. I also told them that, since we'll have the motor off anyway, I'd like them to drill the "green" holes and try mounting the motor (with the pads) directly on to the transom. The mechanic started in about the blind holes, but I had the diagram with me (along with a printed copy of the entire Whaler Central thread), and was able to convince them that the green holes were neither blind nor lag, and that mounting with them would not cause cavitation problems. They were skeptical about the latter point, but they reinstalled the motor using the green holes, and mounting the motor two-holes up.
I took the boat out on Saturday it ran beautifully. No vibration problems, handled much better, no cavitation issues. It's all good.
Question is, who should eat the $300 for the jackplate? I own it, but can't use it. The dealer/installer thinks that's on me. I think they should absorb that cost.
Please let me know what you think about this situation.
Thanks,
Brooke
(moderator note: changed abbreviated year to full 4 digit year)
You are correct in my opinion. It's too bad you bought an E-tec from an incompetent dealership like that, who refuses to listen to reason and take experienced advice from the Whaler community.
Attmpting to charge you for something not needed, because they did not know what they were doing, is ridiculous. Give the jackplate back to them, and if they don't back off, report them to Evinrude.
Unfortunately you will have to find another servicing dealer, as I would not trust them for anything. They will find a way to jack up future charges to get back the $300. Drop them, and write it off as a bad choice of Dealer. As a service to others who may buy from them in the future, I would let Evinrude know about your bad experience with them. Maybe they will clean up their act.
I agree that you should be able to return the jack plate and get your money back.
You originally told them to drill the Green holes but they wouldn't listen to you.
Obviously they were wrong as you finally got them to drill the Green holes and you do not need the jack plate they insisted you needed.
PS: I'm glad you got the motor mounted the way everyone suggested here and it works just fine.
Would you please post some photos of the inside of the transom so everyone can see where the "Green" bolt holes are located in relation to the bottom of the splashwell?
Thanks
I bet the jack plate wasn't mounted high enough which why it performed poorly. It's amazing how some closed minded some people are.
If you paid by credit card , i would return it to them and leave it. Dispute the $300 if they don't refund your money. If worse comes to worse you can always sell it for a loss so your not out $300.
