Results 1 to 12 of 12
  1. #1
    Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Heyworth, Ill
    Posts
    144

    new boat not happy

    I am not very happy with my new Vexus AVX 181. I know many people are wanting to hear about this boat. Performance is pretty good, it rides better in rough water than my previous RT178. I only goes 29mph but that is because I have a Mercury Command thrust 60hp motor. Gets on plane easy and quickly, drafts 15 inches. The boat added several terrific new features, like the easy to use drain plug and the gas tank was moved forward in the boat (better storage and balance), but there were several problems I experienced. First I was mislead by two dealers as to the draft, they said it would draft 10 inches and it drafts about 15.
    Pretty sure I got one of the first boats on the market.The dealer and myself were both mislead thinking the front storage compartment was a functioning live well. It seems this was because Vexus was late getting out information on this boat, even to the dealers and the front live well is an added option.
    If the front storage compartment is used as is, water back flows into the storage area through the drain which is supposedly a dry space. This drain is designed to be used for a future installed live well. I found the only way to use the front live well, since I asked for this to be added, is to install an overflow drain tube which was not provided or suggested, plus when the live well option is added the controls are labeled wrong and misleading.
    The trolling motor disconnect switch is difficult to use and put in a very awkward location for use.
    My main complaint is with the installation of the Helix seven on the dash. When the transducer was installed an extra unnecessary hole was drilled behind the transducer bracket and not fixed so I had a pretty good leak there. The transducer wire enters the boat below the water line, and if not sealed properly can cause another leak, poor installation location in my opinion. I also had a leak in one of the bottom motor mounting bolts. The dealer fixed the easy leaks, but couldn’t find the leak behind the transducer bracket. When I returned with my leaking problem I was told I have an automatic bilge and that would take care of the problem so I had to fix my leak myself.
    I purchased the boat off the showroom floor Jan 13th. I have had the boat in four times and was told many times by the dealer they would look at my boat in the next few days and get it back soon. I got the boat back, May 26th. I only got to use the boat once and I found my helix 7 was jumping screens from sonar related screens to gps maps. The transducer wire was falling out of its plug on the back of the Helix 7. I waited for over a month for this to be looked at and then was told that was the way it was designed and they could do nothing about it. The dealers electronics specialist told me to silicone it in. Again not a satisfactory solution in my opinion.
    Vexus could have the one of the finest tin boats on the market with this new model, but without better redesign of their existing problems, quality control in the manufacturing, and especially service I expect the Vexus 181 just to become another tin boat.


  2. Member Mechanic Bob's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2019
    Location
    Wilmington, NC
    Posts
    2,304
    #2
    Piss poor dealer! If you weren't in IL, I would swear you bought your boat where I bought mine, Berkeley Outdoors. Salesman for my boat did not know a darn thing about my boat and a few items were rigged wrong.
    Sorry for your experience. Spend that much money and they blow you off.
    2019 RT 198P
    2018 Mercury Pro XS 150 HP 4 Stroke #2B610068
    Twin 12' BT Talons
    4" Atlas Jack Plate
    Riptide Instinct Quest

  3. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2019
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    837
    #3
    If your not satisfied with your dealer service. Contact Vexus customer service. You catch more flys with honey.

  4. Member JoePA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Tamaqua
    Posts
    5,529
    #4
    you have a dealer problem, not a Vexus problem. If your dealer is not taking care of you then try contacting Vexus.
    Joe Galada - Tamaqua, PA
    2004 Ranger 521VX - Yamaha 250 SHO

  5. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Heyworth, Ill
    Posts
    144
    #5
    I sent the comments I made on this forum to Vexus on May 27th, still haven't heard back from them. I wanted Vexus to have a chance to respond before I posted my comments today.

  6. Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2004
    Location
    Ooltewah
    Posts
    519
    #6
    Quote Originally Posted by JoePA View Post
    you have a dealer problem, not a Vexus problem. If your dealer is not taking care of you then try contacting Vexus.
    Not trying to start a fuss and admittedly I don't own a Vexus but a Vexus could be my next boat. I was at the unveiling of the glass boats and got to spend some time with Mr. Wood which turned out to be just about 8 months or so before his passing, what a gracious great man! Now to my comment on your post. I see a lot of people defending boat manufacturers all the time on the BBC and blaming the dealer but really in this case it seems to me that there were some manufacturing problems / quality control issues at the factory. I agree there are dealer issues but to be fair if the boat gets sent from the factory with issues there isn't much the dealer can do except advocate for the buyer and help get the issues taken care of.

  7. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Southern Utah
    Posts
    6,387
    #7
    Quote Originally Posted by maxo View Post
    I sent the comments I made on this forum to Vexus on May 27th, still haven't heard back from them. I wanted Vexus to have a chance to respond before I posted my comments today.
    Give them a call. Best CS in the business and your dealer sucks! Post this in the Vexus forum.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175. Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  8. Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2015
    Location
    Heyworth, Ill
    Posts
    144
    #8
    thanks ifishinxs, I posted this on the Vexus site, hope it helps others to avoid problems

  9. Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Location
    Alabama
    Posts
    21,475
    #9
    Dang a dealer told you to fix your own leak on a new boat

  10. Member JoePA's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Tamaqua
    Posts
    5,529
    #10
    Quote Originally Posted by ChooChooSnakeMan View Post
    Not trying to start a fuss and admittedly I don't own a Vexus but a Vexus could be my next boat. I was at the unveiling of the glass boats and got to spend some time with Mr. Wood which turned out to be just about 8 months or so before his passing, what a gracious great man! Now to my comment on your post. I see a lot of people defending boat manufacturers all the time on the BBC and blaming the dealer but really in this case it seems to me that there were some manufacturing problems / quality control issues at the factory. I agree there are dealer issues but to be fair if the boat gets sent from the factory with issues there isn't much the dealer can do except advocate for the buyer and help get the issues taken care of.

    The chain of command is to work with the dealer first and then if that fails move up the chain to the manufacture. The OP has a bad dealer and they should have resolved his issues and set his mind at ease.
    Joe Galada - Tamaqua, PA
    2004 Ranger 521VX - Yamaha 250 SHO

  11. Member ifishinxs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Southern Utah
    Posts
    6,387
    #11
    Quote Originally Posted by JoePA View Post
    The chain of command is to work with the dealer first and then if that fails move up the chain to the manufacture. The OP has a bad dealer and they should have resolved his issues and set his mind at ease.
    Exactly! Once a boat arrives at the dealer it is their responsibility to go through the boat and check all operating systems and make sure that nothing was missed during the built process and make repairs or adjustments as needed. This also includes cleaning. When a buyer picks up a boat it should be in perfect working order or darn close sometimes things get missed. If things are missed the dealers responsibility is to fix these issues ASAP.
    2024 Phoenix 818, Mercury 175. Trick Steps, 3 Garmin 106 SV,s, LVS 34. BoatEFX dual bow mount. Ionic 12V 125AH, 2 12V 100 ah LiTime’s for the TM. Minn Kota 345 PCL charger,

  12. Member Grizzly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    Littleton, NC
    Posts
    3,118
    #12
    Quote Originally Posted by maxo View Post
    I sent the comments I made on this forum to Vexus on May 27th, still haven't heard back from them. I wanted Vexus to have a chance to respond before I posted my comments today.
    I am sure Randy Hopper will be calling shortly.