No Randy.. I will set the record straight for the last time, because your memory is very foggy. I had the PO with Cobra, you signed it, not your customer.
Not that it really matters anymore, being it’s almost a year, it’s water under the bridge for me.
I also didn’t feel like getting into details here or in my other older posts, (do the search) but don’t ask me to amend my post of not recommending Cobra. I don’t.
Not because there were issues or parts missing, but because the way you handed the situation. I gave you all the chances to get everything resolved and you ignored the problems. You even asked me to send you the invoice for the distribution block. (I have all the E-mails) and faxes. The package price was also more then $60K and the hours were misrepresented. (Merc. is aware BTW)
Specifically, the transom plates WERE NOT IN THE BOX. Your mechanic thought he put it on the top of the box, not the bottom. I still have the pallet, (it’s under my outdrives so I don’t get mud in the boat when I go in and out) Nothing was thrown away but the black plastic, and styrofoam you had the package wrapped to be shipped overseas. My mistake was not wanting to inspect everything at the time, since it was already packed for overseas shipping, so I trusted you guys.
The valve boxes were not cheap, and the plates are not the only issues we had. It took me, my son and my GF days of scrubbing to get the corrosion off the outdrives. New anodes had to be purchased, yet I didn’t worry about this, however the add said; what ? “perfect, like new condition”. NOT!!!.
What about the exhaust manifold that you drilled holes in it? And one had pit holes and rust all over. You just told me to deal with Merc. and sent me my way. No problem, Merc came through and covered it under warrantee. But that’s not the way to treat customers, YOU!!! should have take care of that. What about all the pumps, and misc. parts I was missing? I paid you guys in advance. That was my fault.
The boat builder was and ready to rig the boat, but there was a time constraints that I had to make some of the Poker runs. He was just to slow, and cheap and probably was looking and trying to get a deal on the motors/drives. I did not wanted to wait, so I bought the stuff from you. If you remember we had a separate PO for Cobra to rig the boat, but you guys got busy, so I had some one locally finish it.
Things were missing, lost, misunderstandings etc. I can deal and I did with all that. But than you just blow me away, ignore the problems, E-mails, faxes. phone calls etc. so my comments stands. I would never do business with your company and do not recommend Cobra to anyone. That’s my prerogative.
However. I will say this. After all the headaches the motors and drives are great. I am very happy with the ITS system, and NOT ONCE I SAID YOU STOLE ANYTHING OR YOU CREATED THE PROBLEMS on purpose. Chit happens, You should have been more cooperative and open to solve the issues.
I’m sure you kiss everyone azzes who buys motors from you, but me being on the other side of the state, I got shafted.
I’m done with this, Good luck with your Cobra motors and your real estate ventures.[/QUOTE]


Again,sorry to that u had problems,,,but u say that merc resolved it and Randy send them your way ??....... well ,,then Randy did take care of you ,,atleast what he could take care off,,maybe the rest was out of his reach????
I do believe,,now that i read this post ,,,,,that you are plaming the wrong guy ,,,or atleast to hard ?!

but also that was your exp. with Cobra ,,,,,and like u sayd chit happens.
I bet every enginebuilder in the whole world had issuis with a couple of costumers in the past and will have them,,,,,because you just can't make it right for everybody.
So if you think that u got what your dollar is worth,,like u sayd ,,"nobody stole from u" ,,,then wy this negative post ????
Hell there are people out ther that will not give you 20 cent's on the dollar !!!!!:eek:

COBRA ROCKS ,,is all i can say !!!:party-smiley-004:

Just to clarify for you Daredevil, you read it wrong, but it’s ok.
One of the headers that Cobra provided was rusty, full of pit holes and leaking.
Randy did not provided any assistance to have Merc, or Cobra fix it or exchange it. Randy just “sent me away.” I meant by this; he sent me AWAY, out the door (sort of speak) or “sent me on my way”, with out resolving the header issue. After getting with Merc. they (Merc.) take care of it with out any assistance or anything from Cobra. Cobra/Randy had all the time, chance and option to get “things right”.
While the motors and drives are ok now, (after spending thousands for parts etc.) I did not get what I paid for or get what my dollar was worth. The PO was not followed, nor fulfilled and if I’m who got the short end dealing with Cobra. So be it.
And this is enough of this.

Well, then i am sorry that i missunderstud u !!!!!!

SORRY !!!:party-smiley-004:

Don't know a thing about cobra but who the heck would package something flat on the bottom of a cardboard box and then put a flat piece of cardboard on top? He probably did throw it out thinking he was looking at the bottom of the box. Who wouldn't?

A local guy minutes from me runs an 04 Nor-Tech with Ron Potter motors. He swears by them. This will be his 3rd season with the mills, each season thus far has been flawless. And lastly his rig doesn't sit, he runs it steady in the summer months.

Now that Ron Potter no longer builds for Nor-Tech how does it work with Nor-Tech built motors? Is someone new building the way they think they should be built? Or is someone heading up the builds based on training from Ron Potter? Does Ron continue to be available for consulting for current Nor-Tech builders? Why did he leave?

drypipetiger, once again another positive comment about Ron Potter Motors, its seem that all motors built by Ron while at NT or out under the " Potter Performance Motors " have nothing but praise about the product. I will not get into this at this thread ( a new thread will be started ) but my brand new Headders developed a leak on my new 63 hours 800 efi, water got back into motor. We shipped the motor to Ron, all issues taken care of by Ron. Another guy would have been saying , not
my problem deal with the Headder company. Once again Ron Potter one Great Guy to deal with.:grinser010:

Dude, why don't you just stay out of everyone's business. your post inflame more issues than anything.... You really don't need to comment on everything.

Secondly after your reputation selling parts that you don't own, I really don't think the majority of the board cares about your opinion.

[QUOTE=PARADOX;2775226]Just to clarify for you Daredevil, you read it wrong, but it’s ok.
One of the headers that Cobra provided was rusty, full of pit holes and leaking.
Randy did not provided any assistance to have Merc, or Cobra fix it or exchange it. Randy just “sent me away.” I meant by this; he sent me AWAY, out the door (sort of speak) or “sent me on my way”, with out resolving the header issue. After getting with Merc. they (Merc.) take care of it with out any assistance or anything from Cobra. Cobra/Randy had all the time, chance and option to get “things right”.
While the motors and drives are ok now, (after spending thousands for parts etc.) I did not get what I paid for or get what my dollar was worth. The PO was not followed, nor fulfilled and if I’m who got the short end dealing with Cobra. So be it.

The 525 package was mine that you bought from Randy, I can assure you that the package that I listed on OSO was correct. The motors had 65 hrs over 1 season and were in great shape. I cannot tell you the cond of what was inside the motors. You were not the easiest person to deal with. As far as Randy goes he was simply doing me a favor by taking care of the sale. Randy has been nothing but great and his product which you did not buy has been perfect. Ill give you that he is sometimes hard to get on the phone but there are plenty of people in his office to take messages and he always gets back to people or gets someone to do it for him. Randy has offered his cell phone to everyone and is reachable at all hours even weekends. He shows up at poker runs for his customers that have had last min problems routinely, what more can you ask of him? Almost everyone I know that has dealt with Randy has walked away with a great product (that he stands behind) and a good friend that is there for you whenever possible. I think your issue is with Merc or me but not Randy. Just because you had a personality conflict and you bought USED motors you should not try to damage a mans reputation or business.

The 525 package you bought came directly out of my boat then was put on pallets where they stayed until you picked them up. I dont know how you were missing the parts but I assure you they were on my boat which then went directly to boxes and pallets. How would you have listed as 1 season old set of motors with 65 hours. My opinon they were perfect for what they were, USED. You did have the opportunity to go and inspect them before you bought them but you didnt. SHAME ON YOU! You complain about missing parts after you leave?????????? Why didnt you make sure everything was there before you left??????? As far as pit holes in the headers, call Merc you got a 1year waranty with the package, leave Randy out of this.

Again,,,,if somebody asked me i f ican sell this for him i will,,,,so what is your problem with that ?????

I try to help people and i had great exp. with Cobra.
Also i can stick my nose into things ,,like i whant to ,,,just like you !!!

:ernaehrung004:

engines
 

i would like to add that i've found that most of the "marine" engine builders have pricing as expensive or more expensive as Mercury. peolpe should do some research and compare pricing to what the cost would be from a racing - automotive engine builder. i'm running 750 hp drysump 565's with all topself parts for under 35 k. you will need to add raw water pumps, bell housings and drive plates. i basically have NA supercat motors that will spin to 7500 rpm and run on 87 pump gas.

i often wonder why people like to pay several thousands more just cause the motors are painted blue???

Because they don't know how or don't want to turn a wrench. And reliable marine wrench turners are not as available in other parts of the country as they are in Florida.

You are right on one thing. I should have inspected the packages, but the way they were all wrapped up for shipment overseas, was not practical. Plus both of you wanted upfront cash wired. I had no opportunity to check before payment was made, but that's not the problem. Lacking the effort to resolve the issues IS. That's why trust and integrity should exist, and an effort to resolve issues if they do arrise.
The motors and drives work fine once I spent an additinal 4-5K. for misc. stuff.
You were upfront of what you will want to keep. Props and K-plane transom bracket. I have no issues with any of that.
Reply to your PM sent.

Randy(Cobra) for what its worth I made the right decision in using you and your equipment. You have been a gentleman, great business man and an awesome engine builder. Sorry for getting you involved in this but I do appreciate all you did for me. You can use me as a refrence any day. This sport needs more people like you.


PARADOX im glad everthing worked out and in running well. Would love to see the new boat some day.

Like I said. It's in the passed. Boat and motors are awsome.
Cobra and I had some issues. Ok so be it. I'm sure their motors are great. I don't know. For what it's worth, let's learn from all this and try to resolve any differences or issues in a friendly and ammocable manner in the future everyone.
Randy/Cobra.! for what it's worth dept. While we had some unfinished issues, I do wish Cobra the best of luck in the future. May be you had a bad month, God knows I had a few.
Purhaps in the future we can have a beer and you can make it up to me. :ernaehrung004: I will edit my post.
I never forget, but I always forgive.

Can ya feel the love

[QUOTE=scarabman;2774025]Nobody mentioned Laz Mesa/Mesa Balancing?????????????




yea because he's the BIGGEST POS!!!!!!..............Chief enough said

Is that a promise ?????

When I was considering upgrades and custom built motor options 1 of the people I was told to call was Ron Potter. Turns out he is from the town in upstate NY as I am, small world. I had been having issues with my 350MAGmpi's @ 400hrs and thought I would have to rebuild 1, so I was considering rebuilding both; 383's: pistons,crank,basically all new rotaing assembly- cams, heads, intakes also. Anyhow, I spoke with Ron for some time and during the conversation he diagnosed what my current engine problem was. He saved me $$thousands$$ and didn't just try to sell me new motors....unlike a few others.
Ron Potter is an honest & knowledgeable engine builder, with integrity and takes the time to talk with a fellow boater strictly to help out someone in need. Rare and refreshing.
Thanks Ron!
Potter Performance; smart choice.

[QUOTE=Midnight Run 32;2775618]
Would you elaborate on this? I have no dog in this fight but in the past was very close to buying a pair of his motors and he seemed very helpful and sincere and even gave me advice to buy another pair from someone else.

I second Scarabman's vote for Innovation 600's. Run great, from cold starts to WFO. I've got 460 hours on mine and love them. Put new springs and seals in at 408 hours, but that's essentially been it. Bowtie block and heads, Crower crank & rods, JE, Crane, Holley EFI and close-cooled. They're based on a Millitary-spec engine that Innovation builds for the Navy.

I purchased my first real high performance boat from Cobra six years ago, way over my head both financially and mechanically. The boat was the #1 35 ft. Jaguar Marine with merc 900's and Cobra mods, Randy's heads, motor stroked to 572. He babysat me through the experience. When I had a head problem, he overnighted another complete head with head gasket at no charge. Helped me out when, through my neglect smoked a transmission. This was a used boat and he certainly did not have to do this. I have since had new motors built on the west coast, just due to the distance, Florida to California, and have always regretted not going back to Cobra. The Cobra's ran strong and Randy was always around for support. Thankfully I have learned a bit since the first days but still remember the sound of the Cobra motors at full song. I would use him again for any of my boating needs. Every business at one time or another, including my own, makes someone unhappy. Cobra could not have survived in business screwing customers over all these years. Enough of the love fest, my fingers are tired. Good luck picking a builder. Doug