2 replies to this topic

[smaaz]

This is in regard to a 1999 Challenger 180.

My steering was getting stiff, so we cheked the cable by disconnecting it from the jet drives, it was nice and loose. So we grabbed the steering jets and could barely move them.. Went to the local dealer and was told to dissasemble, clean, replace bushing and lubricate.

Then the most amazing conversation began. We were asked, " how often do you lubricate your boat?"

"Two to three time a season, or whenever we take it out of the lake".

"You leave it in the water?"

"Of course its a boat!" "And it's in fresh water"


Well it's like we commited an immortal sin, "you can't leave it in for more that a few days at a time." "We have a 2007 in here right now that needs a new motor and jet pump from leaving it in fresh water, and the factory will not cover it due to negligence".

"Silly me, I thought boats were made for water"

So, this is news to me. Have any of you heard of this????

If this is the true, anyone interested in a very well maintained (except for keeping it in the wate) 99 Challenger?


Steve

[keviseeb]

Steve, I agree that the dealer might have had an overreaction to your keeping the boat in the water. The owner's manual only mentions not to STORE the boat in water.......HOWEVER.......fiberglass is a porous substance. Long term storage in the water requires the bottom to be protected or blisters will develop, sometimes in a few months. On the other hand we have a customer who didn't develop blisters on the bottom of their boat until right around 1 1/2 years. A general rule of thumb is to keep the boat out of the water as long as it is in the water, i.e. 6 months per year. Just so you'll know, we have found that bottom paint destroys the value of a small boat, just something to consider.

Kevin

[smaaz]

Thanks Kevin,

The dealer didn't seam as concerned with the fiberglass as with the corrosion of the mechanical parts. Seems that the jet drive and asscoiated parts are made of typical marine materisls, much like an outdrive.

However, I do inspect the bottom carefully two to three times a summer while cleaning off the pond scum. YUCK. Thank God for "On and OFF"!!

Until I hear otherwise the boat is in the water.

Any other comments welcome.

Thanks,
Steve