Copied from my earlier post re: Inflatable Boat Works
"What I really liked. Talking to Jim King about the future of the "Alaska Series" inflatables. Good things coming. A new PNW dealer who is, shall I say, a bit more responsive to the customer, and more fitting with the Jim King quality philosophy. Yes my friends, the infamous "Alaska Series" is going to be available at Island Marine Center on Lopez Island. 2007 Jim sold 85 boats, 2008 Inflatable Boatworks sold 15. He is looking for a better year this year. Folks looking for a great inflatable might want to check out the IMC crew. They are just a few minutes from Friday Harbor if you are up there for the CBGT. "
Jim, I had a long talk with Jim King at the boat show, in regard to the Alaska Series that I got from Inflatable Boat Works. There have been some serious and severe customer service issues with that organization and Personally I will not go back there, ever. However, the good news is that what you have experienced with the Alaska Series 240TDS is recognized by Jim King and he is doing his best to make things right.
The problem stemmed from changing manufacturing plants. There were about 140 boats made that did not have the proper fitting outboard bracket set up. He will replace yours if you contact him. (At least that is what he told me.) He said he would replace mine, and I didn't even know it didn't fit. Haven't seen it yet but I told him I was not in a hurry, and he has a couple of boat shows to do before he gets back to Alaska some time in late Feb.
The valve problem, which I also had, and knew about, was that they had a slow air leak. Yes, every valve. They are injection molded and where the two halves come together, on the inside where the silicone valve seats against the plastic, there is a very tiny ridge. That is where the leak is coming from. It needs to be filed down to smooth, and then a silicon grease lube applied, then the silicon flap reseated on the plastic part and the valve has to go back into the boat. He showed me this on a valve he had at the show. Quite a simple fix, but it took me 2 months to get my boat back from IBW and I paid the shipping. It came back with the wrong size floor, I called and switched, they sent me another floor. Wrong size again, and again. After nearly 6 months, I finally got the right one.
He promised to send me the new motor mount, and to send some Red material to make a strip on the white boat. I did not know about an MSO.
From Dr. Bob's post:
"How about contacting the manufacturer? If you have a bill of sale, and the HIN, he should be able to give you a MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin). (I had a similar problem--different store and manufacturer.)"
I am going to e-mail Jim King (he said that is the best way to contact him) and request an MSO directly from him, rather than even contacting IBW. I do have the bill of sale and serial (HIN) number.
I don't know if Island Marine Center on Lopes could be of any help, but I am going to call them and ask. Will post their response here after I talk to them. I do know that they are a very service oriented center and strive to keep their customers happy.
Jim KIng is aware from several segments that IBW has not been a very good fit, thus his choice to move boats out to IMC. Less handy to get to, but that may not make a big difference. Inflatable only sold 15 boats all last year, and he is ready for a change. the boats they were going to get are the same exact boats, but with a "Wolvarine" label, however that has been dropped, and they are going to be Alaska Series.
Anyone considering a good inflatable, please consider the AK series, but please save yhourself the heartburn and go out to Island Marine Center.
(
Proper disclaimer here: I have no finacial interest in eather parties. Just hoping to save some brat simular grief Jim (bshillam), Warren (Doryman), I and some others have had to deal with.)
Harvey
SleepyC :moon