Vapor Lock Alert

We have had a few customers call and tell us about a few vapor locking issues that are occuring so we thought we would put an alert out to explain what is going on and what can be done to keep this from happening.  Keep in mind, this is not just a Supra/Moomba thing.  All boat manufacturers are fighting this problem.

Just this year, gas with ethanol is being introduced into our area gas stations.  Unfortunately this is causing some problems in some instances with a problem called vapor locking.  Most instances where we see this is if the engine (most of the time it is the 340 hp ETX/CAT engine) has been running hard for a good while and then is turned off for 30-45 minutes.  When the boat is cranked again it will sometimes not crank or start, then run rough and die.  This happens because when you introduce ethanol in gas, it lowers the boiling point of gas quite a bit.  When the engine is turned off, all of the heat from the engine is kept confined in the engine compartment.  This essentially boils the gas in the fuel lines and fuel filter.  When the boat tries to  re-start, fumes are fed through the engine and it will not start at first. 

All boat and engine manufacturers are working together with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (to stay under NMMA regulations) to find a remedy to this problem.  In the meantime, there are a few things that you as a boater can do to keep vapor lock from occuring.  First, keep your fuel filter changed.  Indmar and Skiers Choice recommends changing the filter every 50 hours now, not 100 as stated in the owners manual.  Second, run your blower more often.  Many times we will run the blower the entire time that the boat is on the water.  This will keep the air circulating in the engine compartment and bilge area.  Third, if you have been running your boat and decide to stop and swim for a bit, open the engine compartment to let the engine compartment cool off.

If vapor locking happens to occur it is not the end of the world and normally will not require a service.  First, open your engine hatch to let your engine cool off.  After 15-20 minutes the engine should be cool enough to start and run fine.  If you do not have time to let the engine cool there are a few more things you can try.  First, open the engine hatch.  Grab a towel and get it wet or get a cup of water.  Put the towel against the fuel pump or pour a little water on the fuel pump so that it will cool down.  Turn the key on and off to the run position a few times and then try to start.  If this does not work the first time, repeat and try again.

We will keep you upadated as a fix for this problem should be in the works.  Until then, just a few simple changes in your boating habits will keep you happy on the water.

Closed Saturday, July 19th

We will be closed on Saturday, July 19th for the INT tournament in Little Rock.  We will be here early Saturday morning for appointments scheduled earlier in the week but will close shortly after.  We appologize for any incovenience.

Moomba and Supra Receive CSI Award, Again!!!

Owners Report Satisfaction with Moomba’s

Performance, Reliability and Durability

Landing Moomba Another Customer Satisfaction Award

 

 

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) announced today the recipients of the annual 2008 Marine Industry CSI Awards recognizing a select few boat manufacturers for outstanding customer satisfaction.  To be recognized, award recipients had to achieve and maintain an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year, based on information provided by consumers purchasing a new boat or engine during the period between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008. Participating manufacturers must survey all new boat buyers during this period. 

 

Consumers often underestimate the quality and reliability of a value-priced product line like Moomba. The NMMA’s survey confirms that we are meeting our customer’s needs for reliability, durability and performance,” says Rick Tinker, President of Skier’s Choice, Inc.  “It is truly an honor to be recognized by the most important organization, our owner’s.”

 

Moomba owners have proven to be so thrilled about the Moomba product line that we have officially named them “Moomba Maniacs.”  We have customers who have even gone as far as having our old logo “the kangaroo” tattooed on their arm, now that’s customer satisfaction!

Year After Year Supra Owners Report Outstanding Customer Satisfaction

NMMA Recognizes Supra with Marine Industry CSI Award for

Excellence in Customer Satisfaction

 

Maryville, TN (July 14, 2008) ~ Supra owners acclaim Supra’s performance, reliability and luxury amenities landing Supra boats another NMMA CSI Award for excellence in customer satisfaction for the third consecutive year in the Inboard Watersport Boats category.

 

Every year, the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) polls boat owners to get a reaction on performance and reliability. The poll is referred to as the Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI).  To be recognized, award recipients had to achieve and maintain an independently-measured standard of excellence of 90 percent or higher in customer satisfaction over the past year, based on information provided by consumers purchasing a new boat or engine during the period between April 1, 2007 and March 31, 2008. Participating manufacturers must survey all new boat buyers during this period

Our mission and mindset is to exceed our owner’s needs and expectations,” explains Rick Tinker, President of Skiers Choice, Inc. “Each year we interact with our owners to ensure continuous improvements to the Supra product line.  We are relentless in seeking new ways to add value to our owner’s total boating experience.”

 

 

 

Sweet board deals

Come by and check out a few sweet deals on selected boards we have in stock such as the CWB Transcend, Ronix One, and the Liquid Force Shane.  We found a few extra in the back that we are looking to move.  Call, email, or come by for more details.

Reduced hours this 4th of July Holiday.

We will be open Friday, 4th of July from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon.  After that we will be enjoying the holiday on Lake Degray.  Look for us in our black and green Moomba XLV.  Give us a call or send an email if we need to bring any equipment to demo.

We will be open by appointment only on Saturday, July 5th.

 

Enjoy the Holiday weekend and stay safe!!!!