mic43

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas:

I was driving my yamaha vx110 jetski (its almost new less than 30 hours) in deep, clear water when it suddenly stalled, flipped, and started sinking. I barely got it towed back to shore and took it apart to figure out what happened. There was a massive 10 inch by 4 inch hole, plus several more inches of cracks, in the water intake area (along side the impeller shaft) in front of the impeller and behind the intake grate.

The strange part is I never hit anything. And the hole is behind the intake grate, which itself had absolutely no damage, along with the impeller having absolutely no damage. I found the 10 inch piece of fiberglass inside the jetski and it had no scratches or damage to indicate an impact either, as was the story around the area of the hole.

The dealers in the area said they have never seen anything like it and no one I talked to had a clue what could have done it, does anyone here have any ideas?? The repair cost was $4500 so I really want to know before I pay that much. All help much appreciated.

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mic43

another thought...is it possible it was just a manufacturing defect in the fiberglass? Should I complain to yamaha or do they not care in general?

p10sdad

Manufacture defect

Ernest T

+1 That break is so clean it looks like it was cut with a laser. You can't hit something and leave a break like that. It would have jagged edges, and strands of the fiberglass material plus cracks etc.. I doubt you will get any satisfaction from Yamaha, but I'd try.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

mic43

Hey guys thanks for the help

Is there no possible way it was an impact like hitting the water too hard?? Insurance refused to cover the repair cost using small print that says they don't cover manufacturing defects so if it is a defect I have to pay for it myself.

Outlaw

From what I can see that has to be a Mfr's defect. Not even hititting the water hard would not cause that. I think you are stuck between the insurance company and who made it.

Good luck with that.....

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2006 RXT with RIVA STAGE THREE KIT 295 HP

2009 RXT-IS 255 HP

2008 GTX 215 HP



Land Rocket - 2003 Z06 Corvette, Chevy

Ernest T

Hitting the water hard may be what popped that piece out, but I don't think it could have happened unless there was a defect in the hull. I've seen guys break the motor mounts off the engine and not cause any hull damage hitting the water.

Like Outlaw says, your between a rock and a hard place. You would probably be better off telling the insuance company you hit a rock.

I'd be curious as ot how thick that piece is at the edges. Yamaha uses a process where the hull is pressed between large plates, not layed up like other fiberglass hulls. If that piece is thinner than the other areas of the hull it might help explain the way it broke.

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2008 Yamaha FX HO Cruiser
2010 Hurricane Sundeck 2100

pwcpro

Yamaha's nano-excell hull technology has allowed them to make their hulls thinner than ever. I have been repairing pwc hulls for 20 years and have always thought they were too thin. I have never seen an impact result in damage of that nature.

p10sdad

So, what are they telling you? Any good news?

mic43

In case you're curious, the insurance company sent a marine surveyor agency who determined it was a defect so insurance won't cover.

I contacted yamaha and without even sending a company rep to look at it in person they said I might have hit something and they refused to fix it. The dealer said he was really surprised/dissapointed they did that.

It really scares me that in an issue of public safety and injury potential, they don't even care enough about the many people who ride their PWCs to send someone to look at the damage. I sent a letter w/copy of surveyor investigation to the head of the company and have yet to hear back. So I am considering taking it to the coast gaurd for a product safety investigation.

Where the hull failed, it was less than 1/4 inch thick!! In summary don't ever buy a yamaha !!