No longer shore bound...

[leahcim_dahc]

Finally!! Today I ordered a pontoon so I can get out on the water. Didn't want to spend the money, but decided to heck with it and bit the bullet. I have been looking on craigslist for a while and found lots of decent boats...but I am looking at deploying here in a few months and with nowhere to store it (and not wanting the extra storage bill every month) I don't want to leave the wife with another hassle to deal with. With a pontoon, I can easily store it while I am gone.

I was quite surpised at the amount of accessories that you can get for them. I just ordered a couple extras like fish finder brackets, rod holders, and a creel. Also decided to order me up a fish finder and trolling motor to strap on the back.

Anyrate...I am excited and can't wait for it to show up. :bounce:


Chad

[iPodrodder]

Hey! Sweet ride...I mean, um, float. Have fun on the water, I know being shore bound is frustrating. And thanks for the service, as I assume this is what you mean by deployment.

[A9]

Good looking ride for ya...

[Mike Carey]

congrats! You're going to love it and will have many pleasant hours on that pontoon.

[leahcim_dahc]

And thanks for the service, as I assume this is what you mean by deployment.

n/p...serving in the military, even if only part-time is my way of saying "Thank You" to those who have served before me. The deployment isn't 100% set in stone, yet...but preparing now as if it were.


Chad

[michaelunbewust]

man, that is a fully equiped one.! great times ahead, and much bigger catches, now that you are out on the water.!!

[leahcim_dahc]

man, that is a fully equiped one.! great times ahead, and much bigger catches, now that you are out on the water.!!

I didn't even get half the goodies that can go on them...so many options. Just about whatever one could think of they have it. Almost too many...I could see getting all these goodies, then not be able to maneuver myself on it.


Chad

I now have a reason for getting one of these:

[littleriver]

Nice boat leah..

Pontoons are a nice stable platform to work from......

I don't see a depth finder though...

Would highly recommend the new "fishin buddy" that's being sold for about $100 now..

forget the model name/number....


I bought one because I just wanted something cheap but it's been a great depth finder..

Great resolution and very easy to use. But to get the most out of it you need to throw away
the mount that comes with it and just rig up something yourself that holds it securely in a position where
you can easily see it and where the bottom of the finder is just barely under the water when you boat is fully loaded.

[leahcim_dahc]

Thanks littleriver...

I have been checking out the fish/depth/temp/speed finders on a few websites. I have seen the "fishin buddy" in Joe's every time I am there. I didn't do much research on that particular finder...so I didn't make the purchase. I did find a hummingbird that I thought would work well, though. I ordered the 565 model with temperature capabilities. Seemed like the best in my price range and needs...we'll see how well it works out. Worse case scenario...I put it on ebay or craigslist.


Chad

[cavdad45]

Chad, happy for you on the new ride. You will definitely find better fishing as you escape the confines of shore access.

[leahcim_dahc]

You know what has really torqued me off about buying this thing? It took me to finally loose my patience and contact the manufacturer and make people mad before they would ship it.

I ordered and paid for my toys right at two weeks ago. I was told the manufacturer was in the middle of doing a complete warehouse inventory and no items would be shipped until it was complete. Ok...I can deal with that, considering I was told it would be shipped the next day. I paid for shipping that would come to the house in 3-5 business days.

I waited a few more days and received a phone call from the dealer. I was informed the order was complete, just waiting on clearance from the manufacturer to send it, which was scheduled to go out on Monday morning. Monday comes and goes...no word on the shipment. Wednesday rolls around and I get another phone call from the dealer, telling me they appreciate my patience and the word was the inventory was nearly complete and would be shipped soon. Or...the dealer would be more than happy to disassemble and box up a floor model and send that. I politely said "No, thank you...I wanted an unmolested pontoon in a shiny new wrapper.".

After a couple days...I decided to send the manufacturer an email inquiring about an estimated time of completion of their inventory. I also made it clear if I did not have the order shipped and received before Thanksgiving, I could choose to cancel my order and look to another manufacturer for my pontoon.

Finally, after I had to rattle a cage or two with the manufacturer, they decided to ship my loot. I don't understand why it comes to that before anything got done. Makes no sense to me.

Oh, well...as long as I get my pontoon...and the bladders weren't stabbed by someone at the warehouse before it was sent out.


Chad

[Lotech Joe]

Chad,
I'd be interested to know who you bought it from. It sounds to me like they were waiting for delivery from the real manufacturer before they could ship it to you.

[leahcim_dahc]

Originally, I called just about everyone that was somewhat local on Water Skeeter's website for the pontoon. No one had it...and didn't know where to get it. Some didn't even know they were listed as a dealer for Water Skeeter. I should have took that as an omen...

Anyrate, I contacted oregonfishing.com and found they had what I was looking for.

They seem like a fairly reputable outfit...and to be honest have been decent to deal with. I just wish they would have told me straight up from the get go, the stuff was on back order and it would be a while until I got it. Once I contacted the manufacturer, It almost seemed like getting stuck in between two different agendas, right where I don't like being.

I have a four day weekend coming up, so it would be rather handy if the stuff was to show up here in the next couple days. Might be kinda nice to drop it in Swofford, Carlisle, or even Riffe lake while I'm down in that area.


Chad

[michaelunbewust]

cmon chad, if you had a shipping problem, get ahold of the shipping guy, ME!HA! i know how to get backorders released, plus, i can ship anything for you with my outrageos discounts, and they wouldnt dare give me the run-around! anyways, congrats, on being on the water! i have sunday and monday afternoon off, if you want to go chase some fish on lake washington. let me know. oh yea, thanks for your "part-time" committment to your country. it means alot to us who have never served!!!!!

[leahcim_dahc]

i have sunday and monday afternoon off, if you want to go chase some fish on lake washington.

Yeah...I could probably do that. I don't get Monday off, but Sunday would be a good day. Let me know when you want to go out...


Chad

[leahcim_dahc]

FINALLY!!! It has arrived. UPS delivered yesterday afternoon just as I was leaving for work. Decided last night to put it together after work. Was I in for a rude awakening...

Broke open the box and began reading the assembly instructions, which of course left alot to be desired. I layed out all the parts that came in the box, and started assembling the boat. Started by doing a quick inventory of parts, and wouldn't you know it...I am missing a few things. Ended up missing a cross brace for the front platform...and one other item. Half an oar. Ok...nothing I can do about that, just call them up and get the rest coming.

During the assembly, I got down to installing the front standing platform, and rear cargo tray. These items didn't fit for nothing. Why....because they had been run over at some point in time by a forklift or something. Both were twisted and the mounts were damaged/crushed.

Of course, be slightly disappointed, I wandered around for a while feeling sorry for myself...then decided to get to work. Breaking out a four pound dead blow, and about thirty good sharp blows brought the pieces back into somewhat usable shape.

Finally about 7:30 this morning I got the thing assembled, wiring ran for the fishfinder and multiple dry runs with various loading and unloading methods. Time to get me a battery, mount my transducer in a better location...and get out on the water.

I am sure my attitude will change about Water Skeeter in general, once I get it wet. Right now, I am a little pissy. Took almost a month to receive the boat, only after I emailed the manufacturer...then to top it off, receive the boat with damaged pieces and parts missing altogether. Unfortunately, my first pontoon experience has not been what I originally expected. Hopefully, it will get better. I'll know better next time.


Chad

[Reel_Nut]

Leah,
Your story totaly sucks. I would have been more than just slightly frustaited at this company. Sound like they need a lesson in customer service.
I purchased a Trout Unlimited pontoon back in May of 06. Although the pontoon weighs 80lbs I have had nothing but enjoyment with it. last Sept my wife and I were going to spend a day out on a local lake with our pontoons and after inflating and assebling hers i went to put mine together only to find out that I had a hole in the bladder. I went on-line to see what a new bladder was going to cost me and discovered that they are warrented for 2 years. I called the company that makes Trout Unlimited pontoons (Classic Assesories) in Kent and they were by far the nicest people to talk to especialy Christy in warrenty. Any way no ploblems getting my replacements and I would encourage any one who thought about buying a pontoon to stongly look at Trout Unlimited.

[Marc Martyn]

How can a packer miss 1/2 an oar!!!?:shaking:

[leahcim_dahc]

Ok...now the plot thickens. Before I go into any more detail...I will say, I may have over-reacted to the whole situation. I have remained calm, patient and have not...I stress have not let my short temper or my mouth run away from me.

With that said...here's the scoop. Yesterday in my excitement of receiving the boat I may have overlooked a couple of important items. One being the fact the original delivery date was rescheduled because of some unknown reason to both myself and the shipper. Second...the copious amounts of clear packing tape on the box itself. It never really occurred to me that there might be damaged parts...or even missing parts. I won't be making the same mistake again.

Once I assembled the boat...I did what I think every normal individual would do. Throw out the garbage and toss the cardboard in the recycle bin. Fortunately, that was a decent move. I went out to the bin and gathered up the pieces of the box and reassembled it. After further looking at the way the box was taped, and even marked with the caution tape...it was opened or appears to have been opened at some time between the time it was shipped until the time I received it.

After piecing the box back together...in my opinion, it was clearly opened during shipping. Why? Maybe dropped, maybe ran over with a forklift...who knows. Either way, I now firmly believe the damage was caused by UPS, the damage which I think opened the box and loosing some of its parts was by UPS.

I have been in contact with Tim Treadway of oregonfishing.com and with Patty ?, who is partial owner of Water Skeeter. I have not had much conversation with Patty, but mostly with Tim. In the several conversations between him and I, I feel he is doing everything in his power to correct the situation. Customer service from his end has been above and beyond what I had expected from anyone during the past 24 hours. He has made it perfectly clear to me...no matter the outcome, he would ensure I was satisfied with doing business with him.

Anyrate, we have been discussing the best approach for rectifying the situation, everything from shipping the boat back, getting a replacement boat to the simplest of resolutions...just sending me the parts that are missing and/or damaged. Either way I think the problem will be taken care of in a fairly timely manner. Or at least I am hoping it will.

Thinking back 24 hours...I probably should have not been so excited to get the boat...and refused to accept the shipment. Oh, well...what's a guy to do!?!


Chad

[A9]

Anybody else notice how one of the underflaps is outside and the other tucked in like it should?

Looks like someone wanted to bang it around a little bit and/or take a half of an oar that they needed and returned it or repackaged it