Heads up on a potential problem

[looking4five]

Hello everyone. I don't think this problem will effect pre-2005 boats, or the new style 2007's, and 2008's.

I recently started having trouble with my (RULE brand) livewell fill, and recirculation pumps on my "old hull style" 2007 boat. Both of the fill pumps went out about 1-week apart, and then (after I had replaced them) both of the recirc pumps went out in the same day (on the first day of a 2-day tournament of coarse).

All of these pumps were the 500-gph units. My dealer has since replaced the (2) recirc pumps, re-imbersed me for my cost on the (2) fill pumps, gave me (3) spares to keep me out of a bind, and has also told me that they will replace ALL of the pumps with a different brand when I get a chance to leave my boat with them for several days. My dealer said they have been having fits with these pumps, and Skeeter is paying to retro-fit with the different brand (I'm guessing that RULE is probably paying them back???).

They replaced mine with the 750-gph units for now. They say they are having less trouble with them. But, they are not holding up as they should either. I do know that the new boats already have a different brand of pump in them. So, you guys with those boats shouldn't have to worry about this issue.

One of my best friends has an 06' ZX200, and he has just started having the same problem as well. He had (2) of his pumps go out in the last few weeks. (we bought these boats on the same day in late 2006).

I was told that RULE was bought out recently (not sure when). They said the older pumps were great, and they almost never had to replace one. I'm sure they are telling the truth, because I know my 04' boat had the same brand & style of pumps, and they NEVER gave me any trouble.

The plastic motor housing is cracking on these units. It cracks horizontally, all the way around the housing just above the impellar. I was told that every one they see does exactly the same thing. So, if one quites working. Just depress the tabs on the side of the cartridge, turn it about 90-degrees, and pull the motor cartridge out of the pump housing. They are easy to pull on my boat, and you can see if they are bad real easy.

I just thought that I would warn you all of the potential problem, and make sure you all know that Skeeter is aware that there is a problem, and WILL make it right. I don't expect that there will be any kind of re-call since ALL of them aren't having this issue. But, I feel pretty sure that anyone that replaced a pump out of pocket (on an 05', or 06' boat) could get re-imbursed, or atleast get you a spare replacement pump if you press your dealer on the issue.....Just FYI

Sorry the post is so long.

[fishin couillon]

Glad your dealer is helping you out. Since i replace my 2 500 pumps with 700's i haven't had any problems. I'll keep an eye out on mine.

[EL Skeeter]

Thanks for the heads up.Your post may have been long but very informative.Thanks again.

[basspro]

Looking,

I noticed that same issue on my 21 I clas. My dealer replaced with a much noisier pump that you can hear from 20 yards away. Just think how the fish hear it.

Asking another dealer to replace screw up by the dealer who put the bad ones in.

Russ