Surveyor error

[rappja]

I bought my 2019 R-31-CB about 6 months ago. I had a sea trial, then survey.
I have never had a power boat before. However, I have extensive experience with sailboats.
During the sea trial, the seller's broker and my broker were aboard. My broker, who is also a licensed captain, sort of took over. The owner's broker and I were basically passengers.
We noted that the autopilot wasn't working. The seller's broker contacted the seller, who told him something about which order the engine and instruments had to be turned on. I really didn't understand, but during the (second) sea trial part of the survey, the autopilot worked fine, after following the instructions. The surveyor didn't mention anything about the autopilot or the steering in his report. I bought the boat.
My broker and I drove the boat from where it was to my marina, about 30 miles. It was a blustery day, with choppy seas. I finally got to drive the boat, and noted that it was difficult to steer. Having never steered a power boat before, and given the choppy seas, I was unsure, but after playing with it a bit, we both decided there was something wrong with the steering. As I remember, we needed to put the wheel hard over to sort of engage the steering. The autopilot, however, steered perfectly.
I did some research (mainly here on this forum; search for Garmin autopilot), did some tests at the dock and decided it was probably a problem with the autopilot pump. My vintage R-31 is apparently known for this problem. The factory guys confirmed this. I found out about the bypass valve that Garmin produced to correct this problem (you can read about it on this forum). Also, newer models now have a different pump installed (called the SmartPump 2).
My Garmin dealer will not install the bypass valve. He considers it an inadequate solution. He thinks it requires the new pump. Also, the installation of the bypass valve will probably cost at least 50% as much as the new pump, so it probably makes sense to do it right. It will cost around $5000 (ouch!).
I disabled the autopilot as described in this forum, so the boat has steered well all this time since the purchase. I have not needed the autopilot yet. I have an appointment to bring it in next week to have the new pump installed, if that is in fact the problem.
So, my question is does the surveyor have any responsibility for missing this expensive issue which existed when I bought the boat? He did steer the boat, and could have found out about this known issue with some research. I want to be fair.
Also, I have the bypass valve which Garmin sent me for free, despite being out of warranty. I'll send it to anybody who needs it.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Save the money on buying the smart pump v2 and put it toward the reactor 40 mechanical/solenoid retrofit kit, then buy a standard high quality hydraulic pump (accusteer, octopus, simrad, whomever) and wire it in, along with a run of the mill rudder position indicator to the computer. Likely you'll still come in either equal to or less than the cost of the smartpump v2 and you'll have the added benefit of constantly displayed rudder position. (The smartpump just uses a virtual position so it's only available while the autopilot is in operation unless you buy the extra Garmin rudder sensor)

 

[Full_O_Fish]

Generally speaking torque steer from fluid bypass in hydraulic steering should be called out on a survey if noted during a seatrial... But if you were present for the trial, then it would be understandable if it didn't get formally written up assuming you still enjoyed the performance of the vessel.

 

[SKing]

First question is what area are you in. A lot of times there is somebody near you that can tell you what's normal and not normal on your boat. Steering is completely different from my previous powerboats which had outboards. Making sure the autopilots is on stand by and then having a feel for what's prop steer, how responsive the boat is at different speeds, trim etc. takes a few trips to figure out

If you're in the Seattle area you will probably run into lots of people who have similar boats and are happy to go for a ride with you. I'm in the Duwanish river if your in Seattle.

 

[rappja]

I'm in SF Bay. Not many Ranger tugs down here. Thanks for the offer

 

[pete s]

rappja....
I have a 2018 R31 CB that had exactly the same problem. I guess I was still under warranty, because Garmin sent me the bypass valve and had it installed by a local Garmin dealer, no charge. It only took the tech about 30-45 minutes to install. It works perfectly.... I have had absolutely no problem since.
I am sure that install labor would be much less expensive than the $5,000 pump. Also, it came with installation instructions if you wanted to install it yourself,
looks pretty easy. The only work then would be bleeding the system...
Pete S

 

[rappja]

rappja....
I have a 2018 R31 CB that had exactly the same problem. I guess I was still under warranty, because Garmin sent me the bypass valve and had it installed by a local Garmin dealer, no charge. It only took the tech about 30-45 minutes to install. It works perfectly.... I have had absolutely no problem since.
I am sure that install labor would be much less expensive than the $5,000 pump. Also, it came with installation instructions if you wanted to install it yourself,
looks pretty easy. The only work then would be bleeding the system...
Pete S

When did you have the work done?
My boat was just about 5 years old when I contacted Garmin and Ranger Tug. They each reported different warranty periods of 2 or 3 years, so either way, I was out oif warranty. Garmin made an exception and sent me the bypass valve for free, but wouldn't cover the installation.
Everyone on this forum who had the bypass valve installed reported that it was functioning well after up to 3 or 4 years, so I conclude it would work.
Unfortunately, my local Garmin dealer will not install it, claiming that he doesn't want to be responsible for what he considers a patchy fix. This may be because of insistence on quality (good) or wanting to squeeze more money out of the job ( bad, but it will only hurt my pocketbook). I don't feel competent to do the job myself, nor do I have the machine to bleed the hydraulic system.
I find myself stuck between a rock and a hard place, and have to decide what to do quickly, as I have an appointed next week with the Garmin dealer.
First World problems.

 

[it4llc]

i don't know if this is helpful or not, but we had steering issues as well, and had the check valve installed, about 3.5 yrs ago, and also no problems since then with steering. Fortunately we were still under warranty and the dealer installed it, but point of that is that maybe you don't need a Garmin tech to install, and just need a competent service shop.

 

[pete s]

Rappja...
Strange.... don't know why local Garmin dudes won't install it... weird... I would just look for a local boat mechanic who can do steering hydraulics (should be tons of them...), hand him the instructions... and just do it.... It really is quite simple !!! Bet it works out fine!!!!
Pete S.

 

[rappja]

Thanks all for your replies.
After too much misinformation from Ranger Tugs and Garmin, I just brought the boat down to the official dealer. I just want to get it done. Mucho dinero, but that's what boats are for.

 

[BillyClyde]

Thanks all for your replies.
After too much misinformation from Ranger Tugs and Garmin, I just brought the boat down to the official dealer. I just want to get it done. Mucho dinero, but that's what boats are for.

 

[BillyClyde]

“But that’s what boats are for.” Thanks for my morning chuckle.