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225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:20 pm
by ppickerell
I bought a 2 yr old 2002 Champion w 225 opti from Anglers marine about 5 yrs ago. Was some Havasu/Socal Pro's trade purportetdly "well cared for". Love the boat.

Had a small bump recently around Mandy and noticed a quarter sized paint chip on the leading edge of the bulb in the gearcase with a white spot and did not think much of it as boat runs great. Took it in for spring service at Boatmasters and they tell me the gearcase has been repaired and bondo'ed and the bondo has clogged the 4 cooling holes and recommended fix is a reman gearcase for $2300. I have had ZERO alarms for overheat and ran 70 days plus last year with ZERO issues so this patch job has been in place for 5 yrs. Anglers in Anaheim did not answer there phone and the mailbox is full so I need second opinion. Are there supposed to be holes in the front of the gearcase on a 2002 Opti or are they redundant? Anyone know the service# for Anglers Marine?

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 4:38 pm
by Guy Williams
714-666-2628- ask for Jordan.
Guy Williams

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:14 pm
by ppickerell
Thanks for the contact name Guy

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:34 pm
by Kevin
No way the guys at Anglers Marine would have Bondo'ed your gearcase. They don't win the Mercury CSI award every year for doing hack jobs.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 7:41 pm
by DeltaDan
If it is not broke ..... Don't fix it ! :wink:


A Bro took his boat to a shop in the very same area you took yours to that was flawless in running for a simple 2 year Service very recently .... +/- 2 to 4 hours on the water ~~ and it appears his compressor went out. :?

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Wed Mar 24, 2010 8:15 pm
by lunker punker
Patrick call me. You might want check out calfishing.com and use the search feature. Type in boatmasters and you may be surprised (or not). :wink: Let me look at it and i can tell you if it really is bondo or not. I highly doubt that would come out of one of Grovers boats. He just doesnt do business like that. Sorry to hear about another friend discovering NEW problems every time they go to boatmasters. Ill talk to ya soon. I gotta shut my mouth before basscat puma gets on me again. :lol:

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 5:39 am
by mark poulson
Get a second opinion. Anglers would not do anything underhanded.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:03 am
by TAP25
I have used Boatmasters for the last 5 years and I would not have anyone else work on my Boat. Boatmasters has always treated me right and have taken care of any problem I have had, even on short notice. They really do cater to the fisherman and tournament angler. I know there are hundreds of customers like myself! I am sorry to hear about your misfortune I hope it works out. I would trust what Boatmasters says you can always go down there and have them show you the problem I know they will!

Tony Peterson

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 7:15 am
by Sacto John
Read the information that Lunker Punker is talking about, and then get a second opinion

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:37 am
by lunker punker
Sacto John wrote:Read the information that Lunker Punker is talking about, and then get a second opinion
You know what im sayin' John? :wink: This is 3 friends in the last 6 months. I had great service from them when they were in DUBLIN. Once they were in the NEW building things somehow changed............................. I now only trust my rig with Lyle Gossett.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 8:48 am
by Sacto John
lunker punker wrote:I now only trust my rig with Lyle Gossett.
Lyle is the man...my boat will be visiting him soon

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 9:19 am
by massbaster
Yes get a second opinion .. I was told two years ago my lower unit was blown and I needed a new one . It turned out to be a broken shifter cable. I was also told at the same time my power head was about to blow , this was two years ago and my boat runs good.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 10:14 am
by jamescaird
It's either bondo'd or it's not... I wouldn't doubt boatmaster's unless it turns out there is no bondo?

In any case I would just keep fishing the boat, if it works, it works.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:04 pm
by ppickerell
Thank you all for your comments. I talked to Jordan today who was not quite sure if this boat had the newer style bulb case with the 4 holes up front or not. Records show that Anglers did not do any gear case repair. BM says they are not sure about the holes but there is definitely a bondo job.

Oh well, boat has run great for 5 yrs, what's a blown power head between friends.

Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:29 pm
by sker13
Get a second opinion. Bondo on the lower unit doesn't necessarily mean a substandard repair. Adequate cooling is the only thing I would really be worried about if it has been good to you! Bondo is the easiest way to cover up cosmetic damage and that may have been all that there was. Cosmetic damage.

JB weld is better !!! Re: 225 Opti bondo job?

Posted: Thu Mar 25, 2010 1:55 pm
by bustout
I had a pin hole leak in my lower unit. Was told that the gearcase does not build up pressure so I gave JB Weld a try. Lasted over 5 years before I sold the boat.

Put a good coating of paint, a label or thin coat of silicone over your bondo job for extra protection.