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.
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Originally Posted by Chuck Pickel
