Marquadtseast Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 Has anyone else ever had their Tower fall of their boat and into the middle of the road while driving to your local launch? I have no idea how it came off. I just bought my 2016 VRX 203 three weeks ago from a certified Chaparral dealership with only 100 hours on it and warranty still good on the boat until Sept of 2021. I have maybe put 5 hours on it since I've had it, I had no issues towing a Wake boarder and there was never any indication that it was loose in any way. I've contacted the dealer I bought the boat at last Thursday, who said they contacted Chaparral about the issue. My local Chaparral dealer won't even look at it yet as when they pull up the warranty info it shows the motors have been switched over to my name, but the boat hasn't so they won't touch it to let me know if warranty will cover the damage. I was given the names of two people at Chaparral and have left numerous messages to see if we can get the Ownership Transform forms to my local dealership and have not heard back from anyone and neither has my local dealer. I'm at a loss of how to go about getting this taken care of and am missing valuable boat season time, it's a short enough season already! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Bt Doctur Posted June 29 Share Posted June 29 without backing and without large washers at least I`d say the person who installed it forgot a few items and if it`s installed without backing its sh$%^Y manufacturer and everything should be covered no mater what. Looks to be a good small claims winner Duct tape the holes in the boat and go boating and document everything with pictures Maybe all you Chap owners should take a look at your tower installation too Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marquadtseast Posted June 29 Author Share Posted June 29 It was a factory install as the boat came with the tower and the speakers, all the wiring for the speakers and the light of course were torn out so that will all have to be fixed also. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phillbo Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Another Chap quality issue. They are really cutting corners these days and not standing behind their product. Definitely missing backing plates etc... as mentioned. How fast where you driving when it came off? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marquadtseast Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 I was barely going 40 mph. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
gators5 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 FYI--Chaparral has warning documentation against towing a tube with a Wake Board Tower--it can cause damage and void warranty! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marquadtseast Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 My wife just informed me that when she was pulling the tube she did not use the tower. I was at work that day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phillbo Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 That's good because it probably would have ripped off and may have hurt someone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
SterndriveEd12 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Definitely save the pictures. The best one shows the bent bolt and a nut still attached. There should have been a backing system or at the very least some large diameter washers for the nut to seat against. These would spread the load out and keep the nut from pulling out through the hole. Lucky nobody behind you was hurt when that thing flew off on the road. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Rambo Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 There were similar deficiencies in radar arch installations on larger bow riders and cruisers a few years back. Thin and tiny washers, oversized holes, and no backing plates. Shaky installations by shi++y boat builder. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drewm3i Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 This is unbelievable...I don't even know what to say. I would call Chap directly. If they don't help, I would almost consider legal action. The tower coming off could have killed someone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drewm3i Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Chap isn't what it once was 15-25 years ago... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
RoyR Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Unreal - I can't believe the monkeys put that tower in without a backing plate....sigh! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Cleaver Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 2 hours ago, drewm3i said: Chap isn't what it once was 15-25 years ago... I guarantee that a lot of boats from various manufacturers had plenty of problems 25 years ago, they still do today, and they still will 25 years from now. So do many other products. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
drewm3i Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 3 minutes ago, Cleaver said: I guarantee that a lot of boats from various manufacturers had plenty of problems 25 years ago, they still do today, and they still will 25 years from now. So do many other products. For sure, but I have been inside and out many Chaps over the years (including the three I have owned '95, '99, '95) and I have pretty much never found anything that resembles the things that are posted on here regularly in the last five years. Chap used to be close to Formula, now that is obviously not the case. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cyclops2 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Minimum wages ? Piece work ? No pay increases ? Cheaper part time workforce ? Workers see a way to make their job quicker with less parts being put on the boat. FASTER FASTER assembly. WWAAAHHH HOOO We only increase profits. All else is corporate B S. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cyclops2 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Why does it look lie so many studs are missing ? like the nuts just unwound ? Pictures are deceiving. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
paulswagelock Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 If you want to see the status of the workforce, just browse glassdoor comments for the various boat builders. Provides a bit of a peek to the worker’s view of the company. Recently read them from another large brand of boats, many were undertrained and overworked. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cyclops2 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 I remember my last company having a outside workforce study done...……… NO names asked or provided on the form. I spoke to the president of the company. I said the survey was excellent. If we had been in business for 6 months. Not for over 40 years. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Chap243 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 I agree with others that it should not have happened due to lack of reinforcement but next time do not tow the boat without the bimini folded up. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cyclops2 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Remember to ADD IN direction of wind & force to TOTAL forward boat speed. 40 mph with 35 mph wind blowing into bow of boat ?? Is the top being in a 75 MPH wind. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cyclops2 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 Doing 45 mph on the road. Tractor trailer on a 2 lane road. Coming at you doing 50 mph ? Strength of the wind gusts? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Marquadtseast Posted June 30 Author Share Posted June 30 Was barely over 40, no traffic coming from the other direction, and zero wind out that day. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
dn0349 Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 WOW, man I really hope Chap steps up to help because this is gonna be an expensive fix and probably not easy. On my 244 we caught an issue with my tower before I took delivery where it was not installed completely right and the dealer fixed it but it was not easy. Really hoping you were gonna say the dealer was backing you up. It is VERY difficult to get in contact with someone at Chaparral as they almost only work and talk with dealers. You will need to be on them constantly and times it will feel like you left 100 messages before someone gets back to you. Fortunately nobody was hurt and hope you can get some answers quickly. I completely understand your frustration when it is boating season and you are looking at boat that you are not using. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Phillbo Posted June 30 Share Posted June 30 I'd be camping in the office of the dealerships owner....With my damaged boat in the parking lot for potential buyers to see.... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.