Teething problems. Most of the stuff isn't Larson, but other
manufacturers stuff. True, a quality check *should* have
found some of the problems. Others, maybe not.
My MaXum 2550 SCR, new in 1990, had it's bitch list also.
The tach didn't work. They said they had to order another
one. I looked under the dash; it was just unplugged. The
power steering actuator chattered on turns. They replaced
it, cross threaded the pipes, and I found out when I got a
couple quarts of PS fluid in the bilge my first time out
afterwards. Several other small items; I bitched their
service dept blue until they were all corrected. Under
warranty. Now, 13 years old, the boat is perfect; no other
major problems.
In accessing the boat's quality, look to the fit/finish,
construction, power package alignment, hull lay up,
controls, wiring integrity. If the deck seam, portholes,
hatches leak, if the bulkheads pull loose, or if the deck
stress cracks or pops off when you take a capped 5 footer in
the kisser, then you have a POS. Otherwise, make them fix
everything, under warranty, and enjoy the boat.
JR

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March 2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001 LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004 Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray, Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

Hi. Nice, "teething problems"! I understand that the other manufactuers
stuff is the problem, I only wish that some of them were caught before I
took delivery. The boat has nice lines, handles very well and was
comfortable.

I didn't mention that while running on the lake one day I ran into some good
wind driven waves and saw the walk-through windshield, which was closed,
separate enough from the starboard windshield so that the support lip which
keeps the windshield closed didn't have anything to support it. So, it fell
below the starboard windshield. This happened twice. What a pain it was to
separate the windshields enough to swing the center windshield up.

Like anything else, I guess, this was a big learning experience for me.

Thanks for the tips!

"JR North" wrote in message
...
Teething problems. Most of the stuff isn't Larson, but other
manufacturers stuff. True, a quality check *should* have
found some of the problems. Others, maybe not.
My MaXum 2550 SCR, new in 1990, had it's bitch list also.
The tach didn't work. They said they had to order another
one. I looked under the dash; it was just unplugged. The
power steering actuator chattered on turns. They replaced
it, cross threaded the pipes, and I found out when I got a
couple quarts of PS fluid in the bilge my first time out
afterwards. Several other small items; I bitched their
service dept blue until they were all corrected. Under
warranty. Now, 13 years old, the boat is perfect; no other
major problems.
In accessing the boat's quality, look to the fit/finish,
construction, power package alignment, hull lay up,
controls, wiring integrity. If the deck seam, portholes,
hatches leak, if the bulkheads pull loose, or if the deck
stress cracks or pops off when you take a capped 5 footer in
the kisser, then you have a POS. Otherwise, make them fix
everything, under warranty, and enjoy the boat.
JR

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March
2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001
LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to
the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes
but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during
trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the
transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some
clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I
received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone
documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a
new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004
Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would
only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work
at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and
had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just
wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I
like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with
the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray,
Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to
decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

On Thu, 18 Sep 2003 14:37:37 GMT, "Dale Darling"
wrote:

Hi. Nice, "teething problems"! I understand that the other manufactuers
stuff is the problem, I only wish that some of them were caught before I
took delivery. The boat has nice lines, handles very well and was
comfortable.

I didn't mention that while running on the lake one day I ran into some good
wind driven waves and saw the walk-through windshield, which was closed,
separate enough from the starboard windshield so that the support lip which
keeps the windshield closed didn't have anything to support it. So, it fell
below the starboard windshield. This happened twice. What a pain it was to
separate the windshields enough to swing the center windshield up.

Like anything else, I guess, this was a big learning experience for me.

Thanks for the tips!

"JR North" wrote in message
...
Teething problems. Most of the stuff isn't Larson, but other
manufacturers stuff. True, a quality check *should* have
found some of the problems. Others, maybe not.
My MaXum 2550 SCR, new in 1990, had it's bitch list also.
The tach didn't work. They said they had to order another
one. I looked under the dash; it was just unplugged. The
power steering actuator chattered on turns. They replaced
it, cross threaded the pipes, and I found out when I got a
couple quarts of PS fluid in the bilge my first time out
afterwards. Several other small items; I bitched their
service dept blue until they were all corrected. Under
warranty. Now, 13 years old, the boat is perfect; no other
major problems.
In accessing the boat's quality, look to the fit/finish,
construction, power package alignment, hull lay up,
controls, wiring integrity. If the deck seam, portholes,
hatches leak, if the bulkheads pull loose, or if the deck
stress cracks or pops off when you take a capped 5 footer in
the kisser, then you have a POS. Otherwise, make them fix
everything, under warranty, and enjoy the boat.
JR

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March
2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001
LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to
the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes
but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during
trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the
transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some
clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I
received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone
documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a
new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004
Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would
only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work
at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and
had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just
wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I
like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with
the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray,
Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to
decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

You've given me enough reason to never look at a Larson!

John
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD

Teething problems. Most of the stuff isn't Larson, but other
manufacturers stuff. True, a quality check *should* have
found some of the problems. Others, maybe not.
My MaXum 2550 SCR, new in 1990, had it's bitch list also.
The tach didn't work. They said they had to order another
one. I looked under the dash; it was just unplugged. The
power steering actuator chattered on turns. They replaced
it, cross threaded the pipes, and I found out when I got a
couple quarts of PS fluid in the bilge my first time out
afterwards. Several other small items; I bitched their
service dept blue until they were all corrected. Under
warranty. Now, 13 years old, the boat is perfect; no other
major problems.
In accessing the boat's quality, look to the fit/finish,
construction, power package alignment, hull lay up,
controls, wiring integrity. If the deck seam, portholes,
hatches leak, if the bulkheads pull loose, or if the deck
stress cracks or pops off when you take a capped 5 footer in
the kisser, then you have a POS. Otherwise, make them fix
everything, under warranty, and enjoy the boat.
JR

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March 2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001 LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004 Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray, Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

Larson did not build the depth finder, alternator, battery, trim gage, trailer
or hour meter. You could have received these very same parts on a boat that
cost twice as much.

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about boats or who
manufacturer them.

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March 2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001 LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004 Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray, Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...
Larson did not build the depth finder, alternator, battery, trim gage,
trailer
or hour meter. You could have received these very same parts on a boat
that
cost twice as much.

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your
misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about boats
or who
manufacturer them.

Dale Darling wrote:

I wonder if you had the same attitude if you bought a car and it fell apart
on you, and someone would blame it on the manufacturer of the spark plugs,
alternator, battery and tires.

Actually Jim one of the boats he's considering is Glastron. Glaspar has
been extinct since the early 70's. If you're gonna flame someone - make
sure your asbestos panties are on securely next time.

-W

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your
misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about boats
or who
manufacturer them.

Right you are sir. As you noted, I meant Glastron not Glaspar. There haven't
been any G3 ski boats built for some time.

Regarding my comments on the problems encountered, there are only a few
manufacturers of components such as alternators and gages and these few
manufacturers supply the entire boat building industry. It is unfortunate
that this gentleman had so many problems, but I still maintain it is
unrealistic to conclude that Larson boats are of inferior quality based on the
fact that he was unlucky in receiving an unusual number of defective vendor
supplied parts that are in common use in the industry.

Clams Canino wrote:

Actually Jim one of the boats he's considering is Glastron. Glaspar has
been extinct since the early 70's. If you're gonna flame someone - make
sure your asbestos panties are on securely next time.

-W

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your
misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about boats
or who
manufacturer them.

And I maintain that (at least in his case) Larson QC sucked the big weenie,
spinning the blame (at least in part) back to Larson.

Also IMHO the salesman (who makes enough commision on a deal to spend some
time) outta go out with the customer and take at least a 1 hour shakedown
cruise. The benifits to this are overwhelming. The customer learns basic
operation and boater safety. Initial break in of the motor is supervised.
And there is a decent chance that (assuming the salesman is looking for
trouble) that a lot of the "infant mortality" issues will be found and dealt
with 1st time around.

-W

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...
Right you are sir. As you noted, I meant Glastron not Glaspar. There
haven't
been any G3 ski boats built for some time.

Regarding my comments on the problems encountered, there are only a few
manufacturers of components such as alternators and gages and these few
manufacturers supply the entire boat building industry. It is unfortunate
that this gentleman had so many problems, but I still maintain it is
unrealistic to conclude that Larson boats are of inferior quality based on
the
fact that he was unlucky in receiving an unusual number of defective
vendor
supplied parts that are in common use in the industry.

Clams Canino wrote:

Actually Jim one of the boats he's considering is Glastron. Glaspar
has
been extinct since the early 70's. If you're gonna flame someone - make
sure your asbestos panties are on securely next time.

-W

"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your
misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about
boats
or who
manufacturer them.

Hi. Yes, I do know that Four Winns and Glastron are owned by Genmar
Holdings. I also know that they didn't build the items that I had problems
with.

My issue is: Were these items tested at Larson before the boat was shipped
to the dealer for me to pick up?


"Jim Kelly" wrote in message
...
Larson did not build the depth finder, alternator, battery, trim gage,
trailer
or hour meter. You could have received these very same parts on a boat
that
cost twice as much.

I notice that one of the boats you are considering, due to your
misdirected
anger with Larson, is Glaspar. You clearly do not know much about boats
or who
manufacturer them.

Dale Darling wrote:

I ordered a new 2003 Larson LXi 210 w/260 hp Volvo 5.7L GL/SX in March
2003
and picked it up in May. I purchased one because a friend bought a 2001
LXi
212 and had no problems with it.

Within the first 9 weeks, my boat had spent 21 days at the dealer due to
the
following issues:
Depth Finder didn't work from day 1. Out of stock. Replaced after 5
weeks.
Alternator bad. Replaced after 4 weeks.
Battery Replaced..
Grounding problem causing blower and radio not to work. Fixed.
Trim gauge would misread. Needle would float up and down. Fixed.
Trailer surge brake (EZ Loader tandem axle) actuator locks up brakes
but
will not disengage. Replaced.
Cockpit cover arrived 2 weeks late.
Left Bimini support pole not secure and would dislodge during
trailering
or on the water.
Hour meter didn't work. Fixed.
Cheesy stick-on graphics continually fell off.

What the hell was the OK QUALITY CHECK tag doing hanging from the
transom of
this piece of crap when it was put on a trailer?

I contacted Larson 3 times but only received an apology and some
clothing.
Big deal! They even admitted to me that someone screwed up and I
received
the transducer for the depth finder a week late because someone
documented
that it shipped but never put it on the truck. OMG!

They didn't laugh when I said I would name the boat, "Lemon Juice". I
shouldn't have to haul the boat back to the dealer to replace items on a
new
boat.

Another POS story: The dealer wanted to give me a deal on their 2004
Cabrio
220 cuddy so I took it out for a sea trial. Get this, the sounder would
only
provide a reading while at idle speed, the trim gauge was worthless (I'm
better off guessing where the trim is) and the speedometer didn't work
at
all! Did they take the parts off my old boat?

I started with a used 1998 Bayliner Capri 1850 SS (4.3L 190hp Merc) and
had
no problems whatsoever. Was I just lucky? I don't feel lucky. I just
wanted
a bigger boat. At the ramp other new Larson owners would ask me how I
like
my boat. I think I scared them when I recited my dissatisfaction with
the
piece of crap I had.

I no longer have the 210 and plan on buying another boat from Sea Ray,
Four
Winns, or Glastron. I live in Maine and I have 8 months of winter to
decide.

Anyone else have an experience like this with Larson or another
manufacturer?

Dale