RT55 questions....

[eddystone]

Hi all,

I'm looking at getting a riptide 55ap electric....

It seems MANY people have had issues with them :rolleyes: :rolleyes: Does the warranty include postage or do you have to fork this out???

Any vic guys sent theirs toi BLA??? How much does it cost in postage?? (i'm from tas)

Thanks
eddy

[swoffa]

My RT55AP has been back to BLA in QLD several times and hasn't cost me a cent. I drop it off to BLA Sydney myself to speed things up, and they courier it to me when it's finished.
I assume you'd have to get it to your local distributer yourself, but there shouldn't be any cost with warranty repairs.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, BLA customer service is excellent. :D

[The_Scales]

Hi Eddy, The RT55 ia a popular model as it is the largest you can go in the 12v range. After that you go into the 24v models RT65 and up. Also I bet there are more happy owners out there then there are sad ones. By this I mean you never complain when everything is working. For the record I bought a RT65 with AP. All I can say is that I'm very happy with the relative hands free fishing. I just set the speed point in the direction and start casting, with only very minor adjustments to be done. The other advantage with the AP feature is you can go for the remote control later if you wish. I also read that the first range of the AP were sent out with a cheaper compass card and that was the cause for most probs. I don't know how true thias is though.
research,research and research.

[eddystone]

Thanks for the info fellas.

I can't wait to finally have an electric.....:cool: :cool: :cool: Is going to make fishing SOOO much more enjoyable:) :) :)

eddy

[dantheman]

Mate just look at the top 5 left in the grand final last year, i think 4 of the 5 had the minn kota cable steer ones, they are far less prone to breaking down, and have less moving parts, also move faster, just food for thought

ps i find them easier to use

[swoffa]

I think those guys finished in the top 5 due to fishing ability not because of what leccy they used...


I find the Riptide easier to use, especially without a lean seat, but they are certainly more prone to problems. Also, apparently the new Riptides are 50% faster than the older model.

[the_hide]

Guys I had my RT65 go back under warranty because the steering servo died. All I had to do is drop my motor at BLA melbourne, it was shipped up at their expense and sent back at their expense in a little over a week. Like any electrical device theres going to be a % of failures no matter how good the product. How serious a company takes their warranty is usually how to assess the reliability. I found BLA's after sales / warranty service exceptionally good.

[eddystone]

Not so sure how service would be in tassie:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

I really like the AP feature but i'm somewhat put off by the reports of brake downs:eek: :eek: :eek:

Is it that people tend to knock them around??

Mine wouldn't get HEAPS of work......Maybe on average once a week and often in fresh water.

eddy

[swoffa]

Eddy,
Do they sell Riptides in Tas? If so, then you'll have somewhere to take the motor to when it break down.
I can almost guarantee that you'll have an issue with the Riptide at some stage (everyone seems to), but I can guarantee you'll be well looked after when rectifying the issue.

My steering servo has gone twice and there's been another motor problem once (can't remember what it was) and the foot control has packed it in once. Each time it's been sent to QLD and returned to me in 3-5 days at no cost.

I never used to "knock it around", I was always careful with it actually. Now is a diferent story, I knock it around and scrape it on rocks/racks all the time, I haven't had any problems with it for ages. (Except last week when the anderson plug caught on fire, but that was my dodgy wiring :eek: )

After seeing thier quality of service in the last few years I personally wouldn't touch a Kota again unless it was free.

Mark Morris's Kota sat in the BM shop for God knows how long (Mark will know but it was like months) before they even picked it up and sent it to QLD. Myself, Sewelly & Gav called them probably no less then maybe 15 times to see what the f%$k was going on and Sewelly ended up just taking it down there.

Same thing happened with Craigs kota and I honestly coudln't tell you how many kotas we have seen come back through the BM store needing repairs. We've lost count. I'd say that probably 99% of ppl who own one have had it back in at some stage.

Then there is the two boat shows that I worked here for BLA. I did talks on the main stage each day and they told me that if I did some talks on Humminbird sounders they would give me a matrix and a 74lb transom mount for my Super Punt.

I did these talks for them for two years in a row.

After 2 years of trying to get my gear including phone calls to their main office in QLD they never sent my gear and never even returned ANY of my calls.

Then when I did finally speak to some guy there he told me that I'd done nothing for Kota in WA.

The facts are that Kota had never even sold one unit in WA before I started promoting them in DohDohDoh and through the comps. The national rep at the time (Mick Gregory) told me that they sold 80 units in the first year I ran the comps here in WA.

Then there is the undelivered prizes. I had been promised about 3 kotas and a sounder for Super Punt prizes and spent a year promoting Kota as the Super Punt sponsor, then it comes to deliever the goods and guess what happened!

Mitch is still waiting for his gear.

I think you get the picture. From what I've seen their service leaves alot to be desired and so do their products.

The good news is that all it took was one phone call to some of their competition companys and I now have 5 sounders on my desk for upcoming prizes including the massive, live on stage, drive through weigh in inside the 2005 BIA Perth Boat Show, and electrics as well.

Seems like other companies know the value of this site, the #1 hit bream site in Australia and the world, our comps, the #1 BREAM tournaments in WA by a country mile and WAFM magazine.

Next issue of WAFM is the massive official Boat show issue and we will be reviewing a heap of kotas and sounders but a few may not make the cut if you know what I mean.

Bite off the hand that feeds you and it will come back to haunt you..........

I realise most of this info isn't relevant to what you asked but most ppl dont get to see what goes on behind closed doors and I wanted ppl to see just how they really operate.

Cheers.......

[Bream Addict]

so eddy should buy a motorguide:confused:

[eddystone]

Swoffa,

Thanks for the info:) :)

Only issue is now i have more doubts than ever:eek: :eek:

IRA,

You seem to have had many personal issues with minn kota BUT is there a better motor out there???

I'm right in saying they are the only ones with Auto pilot??

Thanks
eddy

I really wish ppl would read what is actual said sometimes.

Maybe you missed this bit

"Mark Morris's Kota sat in the BM shop for God knows how long (Mark will know but it was like months) before they even picked it up and sent it to QLD. Myself, Sewelly & Gav called them probably no less then maybe 15 times to see what the f%$k was going on and Sewelly ended up just taking it down there.

Same thing happened with Craigs kota and I honestly coudln't tell you how many kotas we have seen come back through the BM store needing repairs. We've lost count. I'd say that probably 99% of ppl who own one have had it back in at some stage."

I reckon I could name probably 15 guys in WA you could call and ask them about their service.

Does that sound like personal issues to you?

And I don't know anyone in WA who's AP still works after a few months of owning it.

If yours still works then post up but I reckon I know how many of those posts there will be.....

[swoffa]

I'm not in WA, but my AP still works after owning the motor for 17 months.

Eddy, as far as I know the MK is the only brand that does motors with AP, but honestly you'll hardly use the AP feature. I only use mine when fishing bridge pylons, it helps keen the boat staionary against wind/current.
I recommend the MK Riptide, just as long as there's somewhere near you to take it to when it plays up.

[eddystone]

Ira,

Settle down mate i wasn't having a crack at you!!!

You did state you had "other" issues too.....

I'm aware that riptides do break down as i have seen many reports on this site and others also.....

IRA what would you suggest as an alternative??

Thanks
eddy

And, if you worked for a company and they never paid you.

Then they promised u gear for comps so u promote thier gear and then they just never send it, how would you feel?!!!

[eddystone]

Ira,

Yes i would be pissed off!!!:mad: :mad:

BUT.....

what is a BETTER alternative???

Thanks
eddy

[Bream Addict]

And, if you worked for a company and they never paid you.

i see how this could be seen as "personal"

Well I havent used a Motor Guide so I can't comment on them. I know Bubba's had one for ages and never had it just breakdown or stop working and the best bet would be to talk to ppl who own them.

Go ahead and buy one but just don't expect the quality of the product or their back up service to be anything above 1 out of 10.

By the way the one Mark Morris had he brought off Spads and Spads had it in like 3 times himself!

Plus the only place in Aus that you can get one serviced is in QLD. Which is great if you live in QLD and not so good if you live anywhere else.

I hope BLA clean up their act and start to look after their customers for once......

[Bream Addict]

so wat kinda leccy do u use if u hate mks and have never used a mg?

[dantheman]

Swoff i didnt mean the fact that they got to the top 5 by the eletric they use more so the fact that those guys relise the down time of a broken motor and most of them have the most expericence, so they use what is best if you get my drift as ira said the Ap feature on the rt is the only thing you would buy one for but it breaks anyway,
i would be getting a cable st minn kota maximun or whateva it is.

[eddystone]

Well it sounds like i need to check with the whole BLA warranty thing....

But if i can get that sorted i can't see any better option......

If its only going to take a week to fix i can PROBABLY live with that....

It seems they are no worse than any other eletric and i like the AP fearture.

eddy

[Bream Addict]

would be getting a cable st minn kota maximun or whateva it is.

u mean the one that u see on bushys boat in the bream book?

Dude you don't get it, the AP feature doesn't work anyway.

Kurts is 6 months old, its been back 3 times already and the AP doesn't work......

If there is ANYONE here who has owned a RT55 and the AP still works then post up!

Next comp I'l walk down the boats at the start and ask everyone if there AP works.

I've got $10,000 that says 90% of them won't.

I'll let you know how many.............

[eddystone]

From swoffa

I'm not in WA, but my AP still works after owning the motor for 17 months.

Ira you seem to dislike minn kota but don't have a alternative.....??

eddy

[dantheman]

AS i said dont buy one because you think you will use the AP it dosnt work every single person i know who has had an Rt has lost the Ap feature.

yeh the black one bushy uses on his, boat if anyone fishes more then him i would like to know who, he truly has tested his and they are far better

beat me too it:p , i got two mates with riptides and the auto pilot is still working fine after a good 2-3 years of breamin.

cheers greg

[Bream Addict]

so wat kinda leccy do u use if u hate mks and have never used a mg?

exactly, whats ur answer?

Ahhhh well I didn't think that I had to spell out that Motor Guide also sell electrics :confused:

So ummm yeah Motor Guide also sell electrics.......

Go and buy a RT55 but I'll bet anyone who is prepared to take my money that in less then 6 months your having problems...

Any takers?

Hahhhahaha one guy with 3 mates that it still works on V's 90% of bream boats that I've seen...........

The bottom line is like Dan said, your saying u want one cause u like the AP feature. It simply doesnt hold up and it won't work.

My advice was, be aware that it won't work and it will take months for them to fix it and you WILL have it in there several times over it's life.

How many things in life do u pay over $1500 for and then they break down within months, somethime weeks?

I'm surprised Consumer Affairs or someone like that hasn't looked into it......

Originally posted by Ira Fehlberg
Well I havent used a Motor Guide so I can't comment on them.


well man if u write this, what are people ment to think........were not mind readers.

cheers greg

[Bream Addict]

Ahhhh well I didn't think that I had to spell out that Motor Guide also sell electrics

mate we just asked cause im sure there is other leccy brands out there that might not be as widely known

[swoffa]

As I said already, I've experienced exceptional service from BLA with all my warranty claims. I can list a heap of other guys (Sydney based) who have experienced the same high standard of service.

My AP works fine and I don't know anyone who's had a problem with theirs. The steering servos play up all the time, but like I said it's usually 2-5 days getting fixed, including the travel time to and from QLD.

I used to say that I'd never buy another Riptide due to the slow response time of the electric steer, but with the new model being 50% more responsive I'll certainly look into one again when I get the $'s to upgrade my ride.

[eddystone]

Ira,

I still feel you have a personal beef with minn kota and thats ok.....Not my issue and sounds like you should.

However from what i have seen a LOT of bream boats have minn kota bow mounts...Is this correct???

If so why are all these people buying such a bad product??

eddy

Hhahha, okay, u know what u asked ppl what they thought and so I said what I thought.

Go buy it but don't get on here DohDohDohDohDohin about how crap it is when it breaks down and BLA take months to fix it.

Are there any takers on my bet yet?

fish-man?

bream addict?

Anyone?

[eddystone]

DAM IRA,

Glad i don't work for minn kota:eek: :eek: :eek:

Wouldn't want to run into you if i did!!!

eddy

[swoffa]

Eddy,
I don't know where abouts in Tassie you are, but here's the link to the dealers down there:

http://www.bla.com.au/region.cfm?dealerlist=t#

I'm sure there'll be someone near you that can look after the warranty repairs when it break down.

[Bream Addict]

ill be a taker soon ira , im going to by my riptide in a few months hopefully.if thats the way u spoke to the ppl at bla no-wonder they didnt give u the leccy+gear.:rolleyes:

Bream Addict, put your money where your mouth is then right now otherwsie pipe down.

Also in your life I'm sure you've had someone owe you money. After two years of asking for it when they have already recieved the benefits from it, please explain below how you would have asked for it?

Can't wait to see this.........

Swoffa, we have dealers here too but all the work is done in QLD.

Long after a pattern of long waits for jobs etc we actually called them and offered to fly our BM staff over there so that they could be trained to do them but they declined.........

[Bream Addict]

put your money where your mouth is then right now

u see when i wrote the earlier post i used words like "hopefully"
cause i dont have the cash to spend ona leccy right now, therfore im not going to put my money where my mouth is right now, because financial circumstances just dont allow.as for ways to approach ppl who owe u something there, are plenty of other ways to approach them other than just shouting ur mouth off.

Your treading on thin ice now bream addict.

I'm surprised that you seem to think that you know how I tried to get my gear (of which more then 50% of is for promised prizes) from BLA?

Were u there? Did u hear the conversations?

Commenting on things you know nothing about is very dangerous and I suggest you proceed with caution as our lawyer is watching this thread and I'd hate to be defamed for something I didn't do.....

[swoffa]

Ira,
All claims in NSW are sent to QLD to be repaired also, I would have assumed there'd be the same prompt sercive that I've experienced.

[hpgoh2]

You do have to start wondering when so many MK RTs have to go back for repairs. If it's not the servo, it's the pedal, or the circuit board or something. These are just the things I keep hearing.

FWIW, I have a MotorGuide Brute (freshwater cable-steer - discontinued range?) which I bought for half the price of an equivalent MK model. I didn't get it because I have a particular preference for MG or cable-steer, just because it was cheap. For the most part, it's worked well - except when I forget to bring certain parts and have to improvise. I don't look after it very well so it's not as smooth as it was over a year ago, but it's still working.

Look back through the old posts and you'll find a few arguments about MK vs MG, cable-steer vs servo-steer.

[swoffa]

Eddy,
It looks like you've touched a nerve with Ira here and won't get a proper response to your question. Whack it up on the other bream site and compare the advice you recieve.
Most of the Sydney guys use Riptides and we've all had our share of issues, but we'll also all rave about the BLA service and most of us have no regrets about getting a Riptide.

Well you'd think so wouldn't u Swoffa. I mean that's the way it should be......

Apologies to Eddystone for hy-jacking this thread but I'm not the type of person who likes to see others ripped off and buy second rate gear.......

And I agree with Swoffa, ask as many ppl as you who own them what they are like. Really when you think about it anything over a 10% fail rate is too much. I mean you wouldn't except it on CD's or petrol or anythgin else we buy.

Ask around becasue I'm confident that you will be looking at very high fail rates......

[eddystone]

Ira,

Thanks too all the guys that have posted and bought foward some very useful info. HOPEFULLY we will have a BLA warranty place down here or i may get into trouble.

eddy

[swoffa]

Originally posted by Ira Fehlberg
Well you'd think so wouldn't u Swoffa. I mean that's the way it should be......



It certainly should mate. I know a few guys over here who a constantly surprised and impressed with the BLA service, which is why I find it hard to fathom that anyone could fault them.

Well I can't wait till Mark Morris and a few other WA boys get home and read this thread casue they will beg to differ....

[eddystone]

Ira,

I have excepted a riptide will have issues as will other electric motors. Salt water kills just about anything!!

If we have a connection down here it will be a MK for me:) :)

I fish very sheltered waters down here so its not as likely to take as much of a hammering as some of the mainland ones would.

eddy

[swoffa]

The day started off so quiet on the boards... look what you started Eddy. ;) :D

[eddystone]

Swoffa,

I had no idea what i had started:eek: :eek: :D :D I was just hoping for a response or 2 not 50+ :eek: :eek:

Ira,

Just because you feel a certain way doesn't mean you should make it public.

Of cause this is TOTALLY up to you but i would think if the right people see this thread then any chance of mk sponsoring WA events in the future are ZILCH....

You said you did promo work for MK etc.....why would you bother if the product was sub standard???

I'm not looking at making any enemies ira just asking questions. If you come to tassie your welcome to have a fish in my boat any time :) :)

eddy

[swoffa]

Originally posted by Ira Fehlberg

Lets not forget who told the lies here eh? [/B]

That comment alone could be taken as defamatory. I was recently moderated on another site for claiming that a certain company lied to me.

Well swoffa I have the signed contracts from BLA stating what the prizes would be and I would be more then happy to defend them in a court of law.

You see I don't shoot my mouth off unless I can back it up and I suggest other ppl do the same......

[Craig]

Back to the original question.

I have had 2 boats and 2 Minn Kota Riptide 55Aps.

I have had the whole Kota play up once on the first boat in that there was no movement from the propeller. Tried a different foot pedal and still no drive so I had to send the whole unit back to BLA in Queensland. The local BLA office did this for me no problem at all; I just had to wait a couple of weeks before I got a repaired unit back – bloody inconvenient. . Also had the foot pedal cease to work once when I was away down south – again on getting back to Perth sent off and speedily fixed – but again bloody inconvenient and spoilt a holiday.

New motor and I have had the new foot pedal stuff up (within 3 months) – sent off and again speedily fixed – not so inconvenient as I had learnt my lesson and had a spare foot pedal.

Lessons to be learnt – always have at least one spare foot pedal, as they will cease to work at the most inconvenient time! And it will happen.

The Auto Pilot function is good and I do use it frequently to slowly move along a river bank casting to snags etc but occasionally it does lose the plot and spin around mindlessly. A quick reset seems to fix this so no big deal. All in all a very handy feature. The rest of the system is quite durable in that the shaft and propeller can take quite a beating and not break.

I haven’t used any other type of electric much at all so it would be improper for me to comment other than to say that anecdotal evidence is they are far more reliable. If there were another brand that offered an autopilot system I would look seriously at them.

Summary – your call really, cable steer systems appear less problematic but no autopilot and maybe cheaper(?) – just be prepared for down time if you go the Kota AP. The BLA service is quite good if you do the running around and deliver the motor etc to them but then again they have had plenty of practice!! And in reality there is something fundamentally wrong with the Kota AP motors that should have been addressed long ago.

Hope this helps.

[Bream Addict]

all ill say is im tired from all the reading;) ,but ima little bit moro informed;)

[swoffa]

Originally posted by Ira Fehlberg
Well swoffa I have the signed contracts from BLA stating what the prizes would be and I would be more then happy to defend them in a court of law.


Fair enough Ira, if you have proof like that then it's certainly fair for you to say that they are in breach of the contract.

[Mick]

There's a lot of thin ice around here but I thought I would step out on to it any way.:D . I had one of the early white Riptide 55 and had a heap of problems with it and it went back numerous times for repairs. But the service I got from BLA was sensational, there was only a few days turn around to get it back and they even replaced un warranted parts, like the bottom cowling which had very little paint and heaps of deep gouges from oyster racks, this certainly wasnt a warranty issue as it was wear and tear but it came back with a brand new one fitted. I only ever had one Ap go and that was after 7 hours fishing in torrential rain in a comp and water had worked its way in through the button recess.

The 55 went with the boat when I sold it and I currently have a Rt 65ap which is a few months old and hasnt missed a beat. I use the Ap feature a lot and at this time there is no other motor on the market with a similar feature so the Minn is my only choice, I'm sure if MG had a AP it would also experience problems as there are a lot of circuits in there and our fishing environments can be very harsh. I'm very happy with the service I have received in the past with BLA and I wouldnt hesitate to buy another RT minnkota.

[eddystone]

I feel service would likely be an issue in tassie:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

But can't see a better option...

eddy

[Bream Addict]

i see only 1 workable answer eddy, move to qland and enjoy the sun,while getting (hopefully)promt &efficent service;) :D

[eddystone]

Addict,

I like the slower passed lifestyle and fishing down here too much:) :)

eddy

[Richo]

Locked til further notice........

[Bear]

Eddy,
Got to admit, the guys in QLD have been a great help. My pedal recently gave up the ghost and getting BLA out to the shop to pick it up was a waste of time. It's hard for me as well as I find it hard to get to Fremantle to drop off direct to BLA.

When I rang BLA here for some info on a second pedal to use as a spare, I was told they wouldn't sell them to me separately.

Things were fixed pretty quickly once I finally got on to the QLD guys though.

HTH.