2008 350SS problems
 

Sure enough the problem started after I paid for the boat. The dealer could not even deliver the brand new boat to me. They cancelled delivery 3 times each time it was an Axius software/hardware issue. They claim the Engineers are working on it and that all formula Axius boats are having problems.

So here I am out about 300K and no boat in sight.

Buying a new Formula was by far the worst buying experience for me ever.

From the lies/misinformation to now the inability to even deliver the boat after I paid for it. I demanded my money back but that doesn't look good either. Oh well I guess that's what lawyers are for.

Anyone else having Axius problems or maybe they lied about that too.

Any other Boats I should have looked? THANKS

Buy Volvo Penta next time. Or change your order. Mercury is notorious for promising before they can deliver. You, Formula, and the dealer are ALL caught in the middle.

Who's the dealer?

I don't know the whole story but it sounds to me like Mercury has the problem and Formula and you are stuck suffering because of it.

The Axius system is new and pretty high tech, maybe fair to blame Merc for going to market too soon with the product. But is it Merc on the phone to you making excuses? More likely your dealer, I'd be looking to them and even Formula to get this resolved or offer you some options. Maybe they could take the system off and credit the cost to you. Personally I think this system is destined for glitches until it has been in the real world for a while and I wouldn't want to be the field test guinnea pig.

If the dealer is not working for you, just call Formula directly. The builder is very responsive and will get you an update.

Would you rather have your new boat delivered working incorrectly? I understand your frustration, but getting it right is more important... lesson learned, pay if off on delivery.

That's too bad - sounds like Merc rushed the Axius to market trying to keep pace with Volvo, but the Volvo system has enough of a head start that they've worked the bugs out. You and Formula are caught in the middle...as for the dealer, they are there, too - but I would hope they would be trying to figure out a way to make you happy. :( If I was the dealer, during the wait, I'd be finding a boat for you to use.

That's too much coin to drop on a boat and leave the customer pizzed. Let us know what happens.

I agree with Ragged totally. Don't want to sound like a downer here but, when this system first appeared, I said to my self:

"Self, I'd rather dock my boat the old fashioned way, by learning, rather depend on some whamadyne gizmo to do it for me"

I would not want to be the product tester for this.

Sorry for your bad experience.:(

Axius is actually an add-on system for stern drives, whereas Volvo's IPS/Joystick was designed from scratch as an integrated fly-by-wire system. Volvo has yet to announce or offer a system for stern drives. Perhaps this illustrates why...

Anyway - I question why the dealer has all the money for the boat before it has been delivered. I only put 10% down on mine.

Same question I had....

I have a 350 on order with Axius, but they have not started the boat yet. I was at the plant Friday, and they said about half the 350's are being ordered with Axius. There were about 10 350's at some stage of production. They did not say anything Friday about an issue, but I wouldn't expect them to offer that if they knew.

I figured there was going to be some bugs to work through with it......

NOpe they made me close and pay for the boat about 1 week before the test drive. After the test drive they were to deliver the boat in 3 days. That was over a month ago.

Its more than bugs, its a serious software problem that their engineers have not worked out yet.

Mercury corporate called me to accept most of the blame admitting that Formula is also slightly to blame.

I also got a call from Formula but I have not returned there call yet.

As far as the dealer, I will not mention their name but I will say I will not be doing business with them again. This is my first boat so I would think the Axius joystick system will save me on docking..

Thanks. They offered little compensation. Still not acceptable to me though. I want the dealer to make up for his incorrect information that led me to not include a generator in my build. I forgot to mention that the day after I signed on the dotted line I brought in another customer that purchased a $300,000 boat from this dealer.

Great way to show your appreciation.

Software problems are bugs - at least that is the term we use and I've been building software for 30 years. I've never known new R&D software to be bug free.

With that, like you, I am surprised it would be so severe it would stop a boat from being delivered. The perplexing thing is other Axius system boats are being delivered, so that seems odd.

On the bright side, they will get it fixed, and the software patch will be applied to all the other boats out there. Either that, or someone is not telling the whole story to you.

Hey Mentalpause, remember our conversation on Axius and WHY we have not or will not order one for stock anytime soon. Dont take the chance wait and get it on your next boat and give Merc a couple of years to make it work every time. I know you can drive the 350SS oldschool

That is why iI do not like bow thrusters on the 400, it makes good boat drivers lazy!!

Mentalpause, Just come in and buy that 40PC we drove, with a little practice you could scare the guys at the Toad like I do and still be able to run in the mid 40`s!!!!! Volvo Diesel w/IPS rocks!!!

Cmcjo wrote: As far as the dealer, I will not mention their name but I will say I will not be doing business with them again. This is my first boat so I would think the Axius joystick system will save me on docking..


Cmcjo, If and when you get your boat make sure someone teaches you how to dock with the shifters. Ask mentalpause how easy I put our 350SS backwards in a 12 wide slip with just the shifts and NO throttle. You will not be sorry incase the axius does quit you will not pantic and scratch you new boat. It is not that hard to learn and you will be a better driver by knowing how to do it.

Had you ever test drove a 350 SS before you purchase one?

No, I drove a few other smaller boats though. The 350SS feels very smooth even at 55 MPH. I have to get used to the amount of steering turns it takes to start moving the boat.
Yes I agree and I would think that with time I wont be using the Axius much when I master the throttles.

You will love your 350SS once you get a chance to play with it for awhile. We have sold at least 5 since Jan. boat shows and have 2 left for the 08 model year. What other options did you get?

Hey Steve, how's things going. I am not worried about being able to spot the 350 with the sticks. After a few years docking the high X dimension staggered set ups - this will be a breeze.

I'm also sure Merc will go through a few more software updates before they get most bugs out of the system. That will be another year likely. At least for me, that was expected and does not bother me. When we put a new software product in we plan 3-4 major fix pack patches, plus several minor ones to fix defects.

I may be down this weekend. If so maybe I will stop by so you can give me a hard time on this....:D:hitfan:

Thanks man. Every option except for teak floors and the generator. (the generator exclusion is a problem though since I was mis-informed with the functionality.

I also added radar. Not sure why.. but it looks cool

Hi MP:
Will they come out to my house to do the patches? or does the boat have to be shipped to the dealer each time?

I don't know, you probably need to talk to your dealer about that. Will you have a way to get your boat back to the dealer for service for other stuff?

Cool, What did the dealer tell you that made you NOT order the genset. I am with you on the floors. In talking with customers on do they like it? About 60% say yes 40% no. The e-80 chartplotter and radar system is way cool you will fall in love with what it can do!

Did they actually DO anything for you, or just give lip service?

By all means call them. I suspect you might get Chuck Miller, who is a super-nice guy. Everyone I have every dealt with at Formula has done whatever they can within reasonable limits to take care of me. As often as not, they have gone above and beyond, but yours is a pretty high-$$$ issue...

I suspect that most of us know, and many agree.

That's a lot of boat for Boat #1!

That's a lot of boat for Boat #1!

Elaborate on that, please.... For instance, why go initially with a 28 or a 31, try it, be dissatisfied with the space, then trade up(while losing a ton of money) and eventuate with something like a 35 or 37. I understand the mechanics of learning to use a big piece of equipment can be a learning curve. But...I also understand the fact of losing your tail whenever you trade up with these things. May we hear some comments from all, including Troy and Selpel from their point of view.

My first boat was 16 feet / $6,000 new. I would suspect that very few people can jump into boating at the 35 feet / $300,000 level. God Bless those who can.

A nice pre-owned boat can soften the "losing your tail" process. There are lot's of those out there.

They insured me that the AC would work as long as the engines were running.
This turned out to not be true as I now know that a generator is needed unless the boat is plugged into power.

Yeah they told me the boat would be ready for today. That was lip service though since it didn't happen. Now they say they think the software patch is done but they need to test it on their in-house boats....

Thats just stupid
 

No Formula or any other Marine air system works on a belt system. Perhaps a large inverter but thats a strech. It sounds like the dealer is a real GEM. Publish the name ! Formula is a stand up company. Their customer service is second to none. If you can go around the dirtbag (used car salesman dealer) and get direct with Formula you will have a positive story about the way this was handled.

I hear so many boat owners tell me they always get bigger within a year or two. I would never have been satisfied with a smaller boat when I knew I had room for a larger boat. I'm thinking the 35 will be good for at least 3 years possibly even 4 for me...but no guarantees!. And even then I may not go much bigger if anything will upgrade for the latest technology stuff.

It was guaranteed that I would have upgraded my 25Ft in less than a year though.

I got a call from a real nice guy from Formula but I forgot his name right now.
He listened to my concerns and made no promises but said he will contact the dealer.

I have seen several people opt for a larger first boat. Because of:
a. They have talked to a lot of friends that told them they needed at least a 35` boat for the ride.

b. The program will help them afford a large boat and eliminate a 2 year jump to the next larger boat.

c. Customer are looking for special things such as headroom,stand up vac-u-flush bathroom, genset and air condition, etc. Most not available on smaller boats.

These are just a few that come to mind.

This kind of thing chaps my A**. A salesmen should NEVER make this mistake. Sounds like a case of not having product knowledge and more worried about the customer walking on the deal.
Every year we salesmen go to Formula to gain the product information. And I cannot believe someone at the dealership didnt say "I cannot believe he is buying this without a genset?"
I always ask the customer how he is going to use the boat and advise him on options he may want to consider for resale.

I cant imagine a 35' boat ....for 300,000 and NO gen ? ..... they need to make that right ....

Not to be a di*k....but these get used in race and pleasure boats alot.

http://nauticoolair.com/

Dave

Good. That's classic Formula concern. Once he finds out what's going on, he'll do what he can within guidelines.
Hope it all works out, and you enjoy the boating lifestyle. You've made a good choice of boats in your first purchase, other than being lead astray on the generator deal...