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ek3313.
Good afternoon BCB owners,
Looking for some advice. I made a once in a lifetime purchase a couple of months ago when I bought a 2021 Bass Cat Caracal. I’ve had nothing but, disappointment ever since. Here is a list of the issues I’ve dealt with. One live well latch misaligned, missing BCB valve stem cap, running BCB lights peeling away from the trailer, drivers seat with premature wear of the leather, plastic shroud covering gear selector handle wiring not screwed down and cotter pin located on prop driveshaft nut not tabbed down. So it could have worked itself out of the nut. Not to mention a rude a$$ dealer. I have the text messages to prove it. Oh and he forgot to mail in my licensing paperwork until I called him two days before my temp plates expired.
This is only my second bass boat. And the $75,000 I paid was a once in a lifetime purchase. I’m a disabled veteran and the last hobby I have that doesn’t wreak havoc on my joints is fishing. Unless I’m using a jerkbait. Then my wrist and shoulder are toast for a couple of days.
Anyways enough of my sob story and first world problems. What can I do? I’ve contacted Bass Cat and they are working it. But, honestly I don’t want the boat any longer. I simply don’t want to deal with my dealer ever again. +I’d rather look at other manufacturers like Phoenix or Vexus. Does Bass Cat ever buy back boats from customers?
Thanks guys,
Very Respectfully,
Shawn Noyes
Snoyes, Hi, The very MINOR issues you have raised would never lead to a boat builder buying the rig back. If you think that Phoenix or Vexus do not have these kind of issues you would be in for a rude awakening. Bass Cat’s Service Dept. is second to none, take it there or go to another dealer they will fix you up. Your real issue is with the dealer, who should have taken care of your problems. FIND ANOTHER !!!
New dealer and send RP at BC a personal letter. Dont be abusive, just tell him what was wrong with your rig and include the emails proving the dealer rude and unwilling to help. I guarantee you BC will look into it and handle it.
I guess maybe that’s where I struggle with what direction to go. For $75,000 those aren’t VERY minor issues. In my humble opinion. On a $40,000 tin boat. I’d have WAY less of a problem with these issues.
First of all, Shawn, Thank You for your service and willingness to help protect us. You may want to take some pictures of the latch in question and the running lights peeling away. Send them to service @basscat.com as they may want to look at it as a QC issue.
As for bassinman2002- unless you have walked in that man’s shoes, know him and what he has gone through, or making his payments, don’t disrespect his post by commenting they are “very MINOR issues “ and “FIND ANOTHER “ dealer. Dealerships for this brand aren’t on every Main Street in every town with a population over 7000 like a Ford or GM store. Some are a couple hundred to several hundred miles apart.
Shawn, I hope things work out. It can be frustrating and if the dealer is not up to the standards that the manufacturer expects then they would want to know. In the past they would try to make things right, so hang in there…
It’s escalated to the attention of the Service Dept.
bassinman2: We expect this from other boat manufacturers, not Bass Cat! Purchased a 2014 Sabre from Brech Marine in Selma, Alabama (who unfortunately does not sell BCBs anymore, to my sorrow) took the time to go over the boat and even on the water demonstration with me. Because I was treated with appreciation, trying to purchase another BC. As far dealers like Berch Marine, not so now days.
VictoryGunner and reddogtx: Thanks for the support and feedback. reddogtx that is exactly my problem. BC only has my local dealer and one other in California. Russ Baker at Limit Out Marine in Spokane WA kind of has me over the coals. I don’t have anyone else I can run to for my issues. But, I’ve had the exact opposite treatment that you received. So unfortunately this will be my one and only BC. I will look to trade this boat in a couple of years. And whether Vexus or Phoenix would have these issues is irrelevant on bassinman2 comment. Now I know what to look for more closely before handing over my hard earned money.
Hello. so sorry for your issues. I am sure its frustrating to have issues with a 75K purchase. Large or small those issues should be corrected and the dealer is your first resource. If you have a jerk for a dealer the experience can be awful as you know. I am on the Bass Cat pro staff and from time to time I have had what I consider to be small issues and just as you have been a bit frustrated, however my dealer is steller and Bass Cat has always come through for me. Hopefully anything wrong on your boat will be corrected soon and you can start enjoying the Bass Cat. Their boats are solid and have great durability and ride exceptionally well. We all support you.
jackandted….Absolutely! Many of the things you mentioned about BCB are the very reason I bought one. I researched hours and hours and compared review after review. I loved the fact that mine would be one of the few on the water in my area. However, the dealer has made the joy of owning this beautiful boat something I’ll just have to overcome. Now I miss my 2000 Stratos:( BCB has definitely come through for me addressing my concerns. At the end of the day I’ll do what I always do. Adapt and overcome. Hunt for my pb everytime I’m on the water. And look to bless any and everyone who steps onto my boat to enjoy the wonderful creation all around us.
Having issues with any big purchase flat out sucks, and I’ve had them from time to time. I think most of us have.
My issues with BCB have been minuscule and they have been amazing to deal with. I know you don’t feel this yet, but I assure you that you bought from the best family in bass boats and know you will be taken care of
I have purchased a Cougar FTD from Sherm’s Marine and both dealer and BCB were fantastic.
I also bought a 2017 Phelix from Skyline Marine after trying to locate one and they were also excellent.
I hope your issues get attended to soon and that you will love your boat. Hang in there.
-Steve
I too am sorry to hear that your are having problems with your boat. Hopefully what issues you are currently having will be straightened out fairly quickly. I am on my 3rd Basscat, the current one I own I purchased new. I can tell you from personal experience that when I have called service, parts, etc. at Basscat the people there have treated me very well. Dealers on the other hand, I understand exactly what you are saying about frustration in the entire process. Yes it is easy for someone on the sidelines to say everything will be ok when they are not involved. I would suggest you document everything that happens regarding your boat for future reference. It is nice to be able to look up something and have a name, date, and issue that concerned you and how it was taken care of. And the cost of the item really does not play into the frustration factor. Something as small as a reoccurring bill that keeps on climbing in cost can be just as frustrating, if not more than another item. Keep your head up and enjoy your time on the water.
You are not going to be able to sell the boat back to the dealer. A buddy just bought a Vexus and he has had some issues as well.
This is what I would do…
One live well latch misaligned: Have it fixed. Simply take it to another dealer even if you have to drive a ways.
Missing BCB valve stem cap: Buy a set from BCB Store. They are cheap and you will lose another. They tend to walk away at boat ramps.
Running BCB lights peeling away from the trailer: Clean the area behind the decal, use some 3M tape, Gorilla Glue or Epoxy and fix it.
Drivers seat with premature wear of the leather: Get pictures to BCB and I bet they will ship a new seat to you.
Plastic shroud covering gear selector handle wiring not screwed down: Get the proper sized stainless screws and do it yourself.
Cotter pin located on prop driveshaft nut not tabbed down: Take a screwdriver and tab it down yourself.
I am not saying that this should not have been caught by the dealer or the factory BUT Life is too short to have issues like this affect your happiness. Sell it if you must but you will lose some of your investment.
Shawn
Welcome to the BCB family. Thank you for your service and sacrifice for all of us.
I am hoping that BCB continues moving forward in getting your issues worked out. I’m not sure of the BCB dealer network in your area, but if possible, find another. I have a New BCB dealer that is 45 miles from my house. I still make the 150 mile round trip to EK’s. Not that the new dealer is not great, but I have used Ek for a long time and they have treated me excellent. (Even when I’m 6000 miles away at work).
Many of us on here need to be aware that not everyone may be mechanically inclined as others.
For me, The Premature seat wear and misaligned latch require Dealer, possibly Factory attention. Everything else I would have dealt with on my own. I can guaranty you BCB is at the top of the list in Quality and Service. Things will get missed, and sometimes its a vendor issue, but they will work hard to take care of you. Keep your Caracal. You will see why so many owners like that model. Tight Lines.
Don
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