Mercury Marine

6250 W. Pioneer Road, Fond du Lac, WI

Dan of Springfield OR (8/1/03):
Mercury Marine denies liability for repair on a 240HP sportJet that has a history of water injection. After our marine mechanic and myself verified through Mercury that there is a history of water in the motor with the 240HP Sportjet the company refuses to fix or replace damaged motor.

My 240 HP Sportjet injected water in it causing rust and pitting in the entire powerhead. The company refuses to fix it leaving me with a bill of over $7000 for the replacement of the motor & labor.

Jeff of Shrewsbury MA (10/12/02):
I am an avid fisherman in small boats with electric trolling motors. I have used them for years. I bought a new one at Wal-Mart and went fishing. After getting the boat launched I attempted to lower the motor from its locked "up" position to the run position, which drops it into the water. There is only a small plastic button to push to get it unlocked. Upon pushing the button the motor lowered (as designed) into the water.

However, the dangerous situation is when the motor drops, the operators' other fingers are left in a moving part area. The movement is like a scissor and it proceeded to crush my left index finger. Not just pinched but crushed. After many attempts of trying to get the finger out my partner tried as well but the boat was tipping over. I would have gone with it because I was now, part of the boat. After an agonizing minute or so, the motor latch/lock had to be broken off to release my finger. I was in immense pain and after 2 months the nail fell off. It took 4 months before a full recovery. I took multiple digital photos the day of and throughout the recovery and sent them to Mercury and Wal Mart.

In my line of work I give group presentations weekly and was always harassed about my "monkey finger". It was black for 8 weeks. How can a company turn their head so easily and just get away with it. Maybe if it was a hot coffee maker and I touched it and burned my finger they would listen? Can you offer any advice?

I contacted Mercury Marine many times after the incident with no reply. After writing a threatening letter to them, their lawyer Todd Lemke called me for details. He explained they just acquired Motorguide and would look into things are call me back. He never did. I made many attempts calling his direct number and only could leave messages. He never called back.

By advice of a local attorney I Fed Ex a Massachusetts 93A letter in which they need respond within 30 days. It has been 4 months, no calls or letters. They have absolutely neglected me regarding the injury their product had done to me as well the dangerous product for sale to the public without proper warning against injury. Can you help please? Nobody will talk to me. I have asked other boaters of their opinion of this product (Model T-34) and they also feel it is a hazardous product and will create other injury.

Jeff should send a copy of his report to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which will investigate and could order a recall.

Update

I was reading a complaint about a trolling motor sold by Mercury Marine, that crushed a man's finger. You replied that he should file a complaint with the Consumer Product Safety Commission. That is not the correct agency. Boating related complaints (But not trailers) should go to the Coast Guard. See our web site at www.uscgboating.org.

Peter D. Eikenbeery
Commandant G-OPB-3 US Coast Guard
2100 2nd St sw, Wash DC 20593

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