brand new regal, 5 problems already

[Restless22]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

I posted the original comments on the Regal owners forum also on Friday last week. It got censored and not posted.

No foul language or anything like that. I guess they don't want anyone to know about my piece.

Thats too bad. Lots of people read this forum and will know this happened. In this down economy, every manufacturer should be bending over backwards to be the best they can be in all areas, especially quality and customer service. This separates winners from losers. The strong survive.

Based on this thread, I would pass on the brand.

 

[nosaj]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Just talked to the dealer. The boat was 1.5 quarts low - they changed the oil to see exactly how much. Also found a loose fitting on the oil filter adapter. Tightened everything and washed it with acetone, then ran it in the heat yesterday at lunch, then let it sit in the sun trying to force more oil out. Came up with nothing. They then let it sit over night, and checked it again today with no leaks. They are delivering it back to my house in an hour or so.

I so hope this is the last of my problems for many year. Still need to get the crack in the swim deck repaired.

 

[ricohman]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Why would they wash out the boat with acetone? I can think of many other degreasers that won't hurt paint, disolve glue and kill your liver and cns.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

I like to adhere to the 'three sides to every story' rule. The end result being a poor customer experience and more ammo to the First Day, Last Day story.

I look at the problems people are experiencing with new boats and lay it squarely in the lap of the manufacturer. With the exception of the bigger cruisers this isn't rocket science. Engineers designed it, it should work. So what happens? The manufacturer is strapped for cash and let's people go. Orders spike up and there is a mad scramble to assemble boats. Ever seen the movie Gung Ho? But management won't re-hire the workers because they don't trust the uptick as being real. Order of the day is "Ship it".

Next line of defense is at the dealer level. But he has the same problems the manufacturer has, probably more. Other than unwrapping it and rigging it he probably doesn't make the time to really check it out before the customer takes delivery.

Finally, how many of you customers pressed the dealer to get them the boat quickly? I have 2 people who would like their boats today (July 3). We haven't even been paid for the boats yet.

Ramping up from a 5 year slumber poses some challenges. But the industry as a whole needs to do a whole lot better than it is currently.

 

[dingbat]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Boat manufacturers should be held to the same standards as other consumer products. There are virually no consumer advocacy groups for boats. Who, besides the powerless consumer, can hold boat manufacturers, such as Regal, accountable?

Boat US is the largest boating advocate organization in the country. I'm sure they would be glad to hear about your problem. Are you a member?

http://my.boatus.com/consumer/

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

well said, Scott. And there is a lot to rig on boats, way more than people think. A rural dealer I know is hiring the retired guys to help with rigging, guys that are over-qualified but don't mind having something to do that involves boats.

A boat, usually being a toy, is so much an impulse purchase that people want them right away as if buying a new TV or grill. And I know you've seen this: they come for delivery and there's 2 hours of questions and instructions, on a Saturday, while your customers are waiting for parts.

 

[dingbat]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

The Honda Civic/Toyota corolla of the boating world is the Carolina Skiff/Yamaha OB package. Inexpensive (relatively) well built and reliable.

Got to agree. Both are tough as nails

 

[oldjeep]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

A boat, usually being a toy, is so much an impulse purchase that people want them right away as if buying a new TV or grill.

I expect to drive off the lot with a new truck immediately when I go shopping, don't understand why it should be any different with a boat.

 

[billyman]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

UGH!! So sorry to hear your story, I would be livid. A shame too b/c I always thought of Regal as one of the top names in the boating world; up there w/ Chaps, Crownline and Cobalt. Best of luck getting your issues resolved.

Dumb question... But what is the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic of boats? Does one even exist?

I own a Bryant 214. This is my first Bryant and while I am happy w/ the vessel, the Bryant name goes a LOOOONG way on the lips of past and present owners. They almost seem like a cult following of sorts. I'm not knocking this in any way, just sharing the info. Do some research on them:

- They only produce about 400 a year
- They are still a small business despite being in business for over 50 years
- They sponsor a "homecoming" every year
- and you can call them w/ questions and usually talk to one of the owners personally

I think if there was a "Toyota" or "Honda" brand of boats, Bryant is it. Check them out: www.bryantboats.com

Just my .02

 

[Philster]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

I expect to drive off the lot with a new truck immediately when I go shopping, don't understand why it should be any different with a boat.

Mass production over ~100 years and bajillions of miles to prove the technology and methods puts automobile production on a level your average boat builder can't sniff.

Boats still get a big ol' dose of human labor and they are 'rigged' by hand. Fiberglass schedules are widely varied, and the workforce is barely skilled in some areas, because the margins are thin. Many/some boat builders do a lot of clawing and scraping to survive the lean times.

Even some thriving builders will hedge their bets and stave off extra QC because the lean years are just ahead. Boat production comes and goes with the economy.... and the builders around right now, backlogged with orders, figured out how to make it past the lean years. Some better builders and the better boats are no longer in production.

key words: some, most, many, etc [I acknowledge in advance that not all things are true in all cases]

 

[CaptOchs]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Dumb question...

But what is the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic of boats? Does one even exist?

A canoe! It will never break down on you.
After reading Ric's issue I don't feel so bad I've had issues with my '91 Glastron this year.

Wow after reading this thread plus

 

[nosaj]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Boat US is the largest boating advocate organization in the country. I'm sure they would be glad to hear about your problem. Are you a member?

http://my.boatus.com/consumer/

I am not, but I will be checking out the link.

On a sidenote to some of the comments:

I bought the boat on a Friday / Saturday (I negotiate a lot). I then went out of town and did not need the boat until the following Friday, so they had plenty of time to PDI. When I brought in in a week later with the loose tensioner, they should have done another PDI.

I bought a 2010 Yamaha FZS waverunner, and have had 96 trouble free hours with it. Its for sale BTW because I don't ride it anymore.

I bought a 2008 Starcraft pontoon back in '08 that had some minor PDI issues also (2). The dealer told me upfront that we would find little things that need fixing once we started using it - because he knew from experience. Granted, that boat was 1/3 of the cost of the Regal, but price really shouldn't matter. When you sell something as new, it should be perfect.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

one week in the summer is not much time to get a boat ready, unless the dealer has nothing else to do, in which case, he's got problems.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

I expect to drive off the lot with a new truck immediately when I go shopping, don't understand why it should be any different with a boat.

Because a boat is no more like a car than a horse is like a motorcycle. There are a few similarities; not many. A boat owner is not necessarily a boater, and the non-boaters who have the problems are the ones who expect a boat to be, and be used and maintained, just like a car. And buying a new boat is not like buying a new car at all, as the discussions here bear out.

 

[scoutabout]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

...key words: some, most, many, etc [I acknowledge in advance that not all things are true in all cases]

LOL good cover, Phil

What gets me is how many companies don't seem to get that a sympathetic ear and a good effort to make it right goes a long long way. If I a) get an apology, and b) see some real effort to deal with a problem, I've got (almost) all the patience in the world.

It's this "not my responsibility; to talk to them" crap that drives most of world crazy when sh&t happens. It's a rare person who steps forward, takes the blame between the eyes and does what they can to fix the problem. Even rarer when there's lots of blame in several places. That kind of service I will crawl over broken glass to get.

 

[babbot]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

What I don't understand is why can't it be like buying a new car. When a new boat comes into the dealer that is not special ordered they should set it up and get it reay for sale. Test it out and be ready to push it out the door. Obviously if your busy your busy but you would think they would try to get ahead when slow. Sounds like a few of those regal problems could have been avoided regardless of qc at the factory.

 

[nosaj]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Took the boat out today, within 20 minutes the GPS quit working again just like before.

What a joke.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Took the boat out today, within 20 minutes the GPS quit working again just like before.

What a joke.

Who made the GPS?

 

[BonairII]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

Who made the GPS?

If it were me, i wouldn't care who made what. All problems should be taken care of by the dealer. The dealer should then yell/scream at the manufacturers on his/her own time.

I'd be damned if I spent a crapload of money and then had to go chase the engine company, the gps company, the hull manufaturer, etc etc.

The buck stops at the dealer. The problems may/may not been the dealer's fault per se, but he is the person that is representing whatever brand is he selling.

A dealer certainly has the phone numbers of the bigwigs of the companies involved....and is likely to be heard much more clearly than "joe customer".

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: brand new regal, 5 problems already

If it were me, i wouldn't care who made what. All problems should be taken care of by the dealer. The dealer should then yell/scream at the manufacturers on his/her own time.

I'd be damned if I spent a crapload of money and then had to go chase the engine company, the gps company, the hull manufaturer, etc etc.

The buck stops at the dealer. The problems may/may not been the dealer's fault per se, but he is the person that is representing whatever brand is he selling.

A dealer certainly has the phone numbers of the bigwigs of the companies involved....and is likely to be heard much more clearly than "joe customer".

Of course, I was just curious.

Sounds like the dealer got it working again and then it failed after it was in use for awhile. Sucks that it happened, but it does not really sound like problem caused by Regal or the dealer, neither made the part.

I like to buy 4-5 year old used boats that were well maintained. They sell for half price of new and have the manufacturing defects sorted out. I also expect that a 5 year old boat will have issues, so I don't get all angry when they do, I just fix them and enjoy my boat.