Bought a used 2012 Skeeter ZX21 with a 250 SHO. Second fishing trip we went to Caddo Lake and I clipped a stump and bent the prop shaft. Murphy's Law, right? I've never bent a prop shaft in 20 years of boat ownership. So I guess it was my time....

I took the boat to Diamond Sports Marine to have it fixed on December, 11th. Called today to check on the progress and was told that all the parts were in but the prop shaft. Was told it's on back order until January, 8th. Noting I can do because the parts have already been ordered and it can't be cancelled.

I'm about an hour and 45 minutes away from the dealer, so now I need to leave the boat sitting out in the weather (cover is on, but still not preferred) or go get it and take it back.

Frustrating for sure. Maybe a lesson not to buy an outboard motor produced in another country? Or, typical with boat parts?

Next time something like this happens, I will have the dealer order the parts and make sure they are in before dragging the boat all the way there and leaving it outside for a month. Lesson Learned.

Leave them the lower unit and take the boat home.


Its pretty typical with certain boat parts, dealerships can't inventory everything for every motor.

That won't be your last bent prop shaft on the Yamaha. They are known well for it.

"Next time something like this happens, I will have the dealer order the parts and make sure they are in before dragging the boat all the way there and leaving it outside for a month."

That's the ticket! Also might want to check first with shops that are premier Yamaha dealers.

I took mine to Service Marine in Emory, Chuck & Perry straightened it for around 200 bucks 4-yrs ago, had me back on the water in less than 3-days..justsay'n

Had to have a new lower unit on mine about a month ago. Dropped it off at Premier Yamaha is Jasper (used to Dawson's) on Monday and the boat was ready within a week. That included a little down time to insurance claim. They had a brand new lower unit in stock though.

Build a relationship with a dealer and stick with them. They will take care of you if they know you.

That's Great information. Thanks for sharing.

I doubt its a dealership issue. If there are no parts in the system there simply are no parts in the system. I have waited on parts with any brand engine I have had a time or two. It happens.
Its that time of year where production at manufacturers and their subcontractors slows down. I know DMS would rather have him back on the water and get another boat in the shop in its place to repair making money as opposed to pissing off a customer and making him wait longer than he has to. They just fix them and they don't make the parts for them.

Like has been said before have them take the lower unit off and bring the boat home until they get the parts

I have had several ( 3 to be exact ) in the last 2.5 years. All my fault, however all were ultimately due to low lake levels that brought the underwater object I hit into play. Low lake levels also have more to due with part allocation I believe. More of us are in the repair line these days as mentioned above.

Each time I was fortunate to find a shaft in stock but only one. Rockwall Marine does a great job keeping parts on the shelf and I'm sure other dealers do as well. As soon as they pulled the shaft out of inventory for me John placed an order for another one. I have learned a good rule of thumb is to call ahead or find a dealer with parts in stock. It cuts down on the frustration level.

That seems to be a ongoing excuse at DSM...I am not sure what is going on over there but the service has really dropped over the last year.

I replaced my own on a ox66 and had the parts in a couple of days from Sims Yamaha. If you're worried about the boat, agree with the other post to leave the lower unit and go get the boat. Putting it back on is no big deal and might save a couple of bucks. If the impeller hasn't been replaced, you might as well do that while you have it off.

I have had the exact opposite expereience this year. Have had 3 different situations where they got me up and running within a couple of hours so I could get back on the water. Each time they charged me normal rates and did not price gouge me. I have ordered stuff from them and always in within the timeframe they say. I have come to really trust them and rely on them when I am at the lake. Not a knock on any other shop just saying DSM has went above and beyond for me even though my boat was bought elsewhere.

Call John at rockwall marine and he will have you fixed up in no time.

Not to mention that its the holidays and the absolute worst time to have anything shipped in a hurry.

Don't know about Yamaha repairs but DSM has always gotten parts ordered, unit repaired, and gotten me back on the water when they said they would. Yes, this time of year is bad for parts inventory as taxes usually have to be paid on them, somewhere by someone, and shipping...well it is the busiest time of the year. Good luck and stay in touch with the dealer. They want you out of there as soon as possible because it is money in their pocket.

Where are they ordering their parts from? No way it should take one month to replace a prop shaft this time of the year.

Really, you have anything to add or are you just puking up nonsense. Last issue I had they stayed late and gotit done to get me to a tourney. I have nothing bad to say about them.

The past two times I had my boat serviced by them they did not have the parts. Understand I let them know what I need done ahead of time and what parts they are going to need. I understand there are times of the year that they are busy. I ask them when they can get to it so I do not have to leave the boat over night. The last time I told them to call me when the parts were in and I would bring it to them. They told me they were 10 days out. They called 14 days later and told me to bring in my boat. When I went to pick it up I was told they did not complete all of the service because they did not have the parts. They advised me they would order the parts and call me in 3 days. 7 days went by and I did not get any calls. I called them and they said they were in. I asked if I could bring my boat back it so they could finish the service. I was told I would have to get back on the waiting list....not a great experience

Probably from Yamaha. Call Yamaha and ask what the estimated time is otherwise you are just guessing.

I've personally had a good experience with DSM but it was years ago......

By the way don't you know that you are not allowed to be critical of anyone or any shop around Fork without getting attacked??

One month wait/delay for a prop shaft on a Yamaha/Mercury/Evinrude 250 is wrong at anytime of the year. This should be 3 days max in Dallas/Houston markets. Obviously a problem somewhere.

Bent my prop shaft on a Friday took it to Fun and Sun on Monday picked it up on Wednesday with a new prop shaft in it.
That was a few weeks ago

Now that's customer service Mark, thanks for sharing Rodney your past experience. They are probably shipping your prop shaft by pack mule being the reason for delay.

I just was able to get a sho shaft. different place but Yamaha shaft.

There isn't a good Yamaha/ Mercury shop unfortunately in the Texarkana area, and no Bass Boat dealer.

I have to go to Longview to get good service.

If I remember to think about it tomorrow. I will look up the part number for the sho shaft and check status for you. Yamaha is honestly one of the best companies to work with. Japanese before Mexico any day of the week.

+1. They wont get any business from me ever again. There to busy trying to sell Boats than fix your problem. Go pick it up and take it to service or Rockwall marine. They will EARN your buisness and find you a shaft.

You do understand marine dealerships/repair shops make 75-80% of all if their yearly income on service not boat sales right? You would be surprised how little the profit margin is on a 65,000 rig. So that statement is 100% FALSE. Hardworking employees are extremely hard to find in the area so they have all they can get.

Low lake conditions are causing a shortage of parts, if you are worried about the boat then as stated just leave the lower unit with the marina and keep the boat at home, the repair shop cannot control their vender's parts stock. But I think that they should have given you the option to have the shaft bent back into shape. I have personally have both done, and they lasted a long time.

I know boat margins. 8-12% .After a month of the run around of (get to it this afternoon or in the mornin and then waiting on parts-{basic2.5merc parts that most have on hand}) boat went elsewhere. Maybe you regulars have better luck. That was the first and last dealings with their service department. The lady who wanted to sell me a 518 wanted to earn my buisness. Service didn't.

I'd pay the bill for what was done and take my boat with me. I'd be shocked if nobody in the Dallas area had that part or could get it quickly.

Any order can be cancelled if it's backordered. If it can't, it's their fault for using a supplier with crummy policies. And really, if you cancel the order, they should order one of those to keep in stock anyway (for obvious reasons). Good dealers keep commonly used parts in stock.

Regardless of who is at fault for the part supply issue, I'd be ticked if I was in your situation.

Cant some of you guys just be happy you woke up this morning. God bless and have a great day. Merry Xmas to Bigolesack and family

this time of year is the worst for trying to get anything done parts are at a low rate because of end of year an everybody is in party mode. I would bet that if they could get the parts they want your boat gone as much as you want it back. good luck an merry Christmas to all it could be much worse.

If you go black you wont go back!

The other issue is shipping from Japan. From what I've heard, the Tsunami had a major impact on production across Japan. That said, you would think a fairly basic part would have a quicker time frame...Sorry for the frustration. DSM has been good me me the couple times I've used them.

I wonder if it had been a Lake Fork guide boat probably been fixed a lot sooner.

I too hava a yamaha. I too have had 3 lower unit incidents since may 2013. I ran a mercury on previous boat that i owned from 1996 til 2012. i never knocked out a lower unit on the mercury, but i did knock out about 20 prop hubs during those yrs. the yamaha lower unit problem in my opinion is the prop hub that comes on a yamaha prop. the hub is pressed in and has no give when you hit something. the solution is to put a mercury prop with the plastic replaceable hub inside. keep in mind, you always need to carry an extra prop hub, bout $20.00. if you hit a stump hard enough the hub breaks versus bending the prop shaft or ko'ing lower unit. lmk how it works.

I am no guide but DSM put in a new propshaft for me in just a few days Told me a week got it in 4 days. But I have a Merc

You have heard wrong. If it's in the warehouse it will be at the dealer in usually 3 days from Japan. If you want it bad enough Yamaha does next day delivery. I didn't get a chance to have someone look up your parts because I was fishing. I will Monday. As far as the merc vs yam. I have seen them both break equal amounts. And on the side of the shop. Every work order is just another work order. Technicians work on what's there ready to be done. 80% of them are on commission.

I'm fishing on lake o the pines in my 2004 ranger that I haven't sold yet. So at least I have a boat to use. I've also been offered a storage unit to use by a very genorous forum member.

I'm really not blasting the dealer I was venting some frustration about a month wait to get a basic part. I've certainly learned not to drop the boat off without making sure the parts are in stock.

I do wonder about the cancelation policy though. If the part won't ship until January 8th you would think an option to get it from a different supplier would be available.

Live and learn. On the bright side I'm keeping the hours down on the boat. :-)

Ok part # is 6CB-45611-00-00. I would never put an aftermarket shaft in one personally if you could even find one. Now the part is back ordered from yamaha. But you can cancel a back order or you might have to pay restocking fee. However my parts locator shows a couple in Texas. Although this might not be accurate. Eta is 01/08/15

so you are saying Japan is the problem?

After deciding to delete what I almost said. Let me explain this so you might understand. Yamaha has so many shafts ok. So many engines. They run off of batches. Yes you might get a back ordered part. But normally it is no major ordeal for a dealer because we can find the same part from a different dealer. Although I figure you can receive your parts from Mercury Suzhou. To the original poster I am sorry I tried helping you.

Thanks for the help Andrew. I was thinking it should be simple for the dealer to source the part from a different distributor or another dealer.

I know my buddy has had his sho blow up 3 times that's yet another shaft