Replacement UL-1 arrived today....WTF?

[sailr]

It is rather comical that hobby services acts surprised when you call about a problem with the UL-1. Who do they think they're kiddin?

True Jim, but when you call on the phone they WILL act ignorant of UL-1 issues. Besides the wwater jacket. They aren't being very helpful at all in dealing with replacement parts. Especially hulls.

[bustitup]

I would demand a full refund and then buy the parts and put them in the vacu pickel hull or one of Steve's other hydros and have a fast and stronger hull. If they are not damaged by the manufac then they will be after some runs....too much flex. I really hate to see this but was pretty sure it was going to happen. Epoxy hulls are different than these polyester/painted hulls.

Mike's design is not the problem. They (GP) should have had specs showing minimum hull thickness, etc. for production... a little more is better than a little less.

Pay for Shipping back...you already paid for shipping once.

Jeff
This is what Steve was trying to convey....buy the time you buy all the UL-1 parts

motor, esc, cooling $100
hardware $125
2.4 radio system. $100
servo $20

your getting the hull for free

[sailr]

Well said!

Sorry Doozie, but I have to ask; do you own a UL-1? Another question, what are you doing to help the boating community or solve the UL-1 problem? Personally attacking Mike (Grim), and calling him names isn’t doing anyone any good. Would you say that too him face to face? How many of you guys knew Mike (Grim) before he became an part of Hobbico/Aquacraft?

I have known Mike for several years, years before the Aquacraft days. For those of you that don’t know Mike has been an accomplished nitro boat designer and racer for many, many years. He’s designed and raced boats (more than one) that have won the IMPBA US-1 award. This is the most prestigious award for IMPBA boaters. He has successfully run his own RC boating business out of his own home. He has the upmost respect for all boaters. As for the people that know him the way that I do, we have the upmost respect for him too. He is the kind of guy that would give you any piece or part at a race to keep you on the water and racing. Attacking his identity and his character is getting out of hand.

The design is solid. The manufacturing process and QC has left a little to be desired, and has been well documented. Mike doesn’t have 100% control of these items. He can offer suggestions, but ultimately the “higher ups” will do what they want to do. I am confident in saying they are trying to fix the problem, with out even talking to Mike. I am also confident in saying that Mike will make sure this happens. Not because of people spreading his name in the dirt, it’s because he loves RC boats.

Give it a rest guys….

If anyone wants suggestions on up grading or fixing there hulls let me know. I am willing to help solve the problem, not complain about it.

Mike

[sailr]

Ah come on man! I'm sure Mike has a million things on his plate. Surely you don't think you are his utmost top priority? Give him some time!!

Jim, patience I may not have but 5 days to make a call. I think not. By the way I loved the grasshopper reference.

Douggie

[skibo2]

[QUOTE=sailr;82360]Your blanket statement is off the mark. MOST of what we are running today comes from China and there is some top quality work coming from there. The Chinese make exactly what you tell them to make. They are not mind readers or proactive and will rarely offer anything better than what you have ordered unless you tell them. Look at the Delta Force hulls that are so popular. Good stuff. Nearly all of the hardware being sold by everyone is coming from China.

The motor and ESC in the UL-1 is also made in China and they work great...also the 2.4ghz radio.

It would be great if we could "buy U.S. only" but then we couldn't afford the hobby.

Sailr, you may think my previous remarks are off the mark but apparently you don't read the papers or listen to the world news. I refer to the melamine that was added to pet foods, melamine that was added to dairy foods and the addition of substandard materials that a company used in drywall shipped around the world. These are all documented violations of both world ethics and even the Chinese government agrees and is prosecuting the companies involved. I do agree that NOT ALL chinese companies do business this way but greed has reared its ugly head in a lot of places in China. I retired from a company that had a lot of dealings with Chinese manufacturing companies, some were great and others were a major problem. Your post sounds to me as thoiugh you are putting the blame entirely on Aquacraft.

[Flying Scotsman]

The motor is great the ESC suspect. The radio is great for the price. I just think that for their next venture Aquacraft should increase the price and their quality.

Douggie

[Jeff Wohlt]

Yes I understand the hulls would be free if you buy the boat...no point there as they are doing what I said they would after the first few out.

You only need the motor and ESC...well and maybe the radio but use other hardware that is cheaper...and you can paint it black, gold or whatever floats your boat.


As I said...Mike did his part . Do you have any idea what a big step this is to a company to replace them?

GP will only honor the people that call and ask for some resolve...no different than any other company. Do you think they are going to get on here and tell us something?

Do you know how many more boats they could have sold without all this bad press? Is this better for our hobby or worse?

[Flying Scotsman]

Do you know how many more boats they could have sold without all this bad press? Is this better for our hobby or worse?

Jeff worse. The UL-1 as I have stated many a time is a great design but with poor QC. We, I think all started out with an RTR and were disappointed with the speed but the boats were sound within their design and hull limitations.

Douggie

[Brushless55]

Can all the Hardware from the UL-1 fit into the Vacu-pickle Hydro?
Ive heard the Vacu-Pickle a great Hydro?


Thanks

[Ub Hauled]

I think the rudder has too small of a base for the type of material that VUP is made of...
otherwise I believe it fits.

[Doug Smock]

Can all the Hardware from the UL-1 fit into the Vacu-pickle Hydro?
Ive heard the Vacu-Pickle a great Hydro?


Thanks

If the strut and rudder are 1" or less in height there shouldn't be a problem. If they are I'm sure a guy could modify them to fit the transom.

Jan, how wide is the UL 1 rudder bracket? There are numerous V-U-P hulls out there with this Fullers rudder on them, no issues yet that I'm aware of. The rudder bracket is 7/16" wide.

Doug

[Ub Hauled]

Doug, I don't have her in front of me, I believe it's around 1/2", on the pic can you see the little tip where the screws go on, that is a bit... "shy" when considering all the forces that are applied there.

[Doug Smock]

I'd use it without hesitation!!

Doug

[Brushless55]

It's amazing to me the amount of great knowledge on this site when it comes to FE Boats!

I'm looking forward to getting my UL-1 on friday, doing the things you all have said that is good for this boat to loosen it up a bit, and when the hull gives, try and put the hardware into a different boat..

I'm jazzed!

[MarkJnK]

I've resisted joining this thread, as I have not run my UL-1 yet. But I do want to give a quick example of AQ's customer service. My nephew has a SV-27 that he got last summer. This year he noticed some cracks in the gelcoat. I told him to take some digital photos and send to AQ. He did so, and 2 emails and a couple hours later, Lisa has a replacement hull on the way to him. No begging or nasty emails necessary, just plain old good customer service. Give AQ a chance to address these things, I'm sure they are working on it. After reading many of the abrasive and immature rants in this thread, I not surprised that AQ and Grim have chosen not to participate in this thread.