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May 04, 2025, 13:17:21 pm

Author Topic: Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?  (Read 1856 times)

DRHRSH

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« on: March 23, 2016, 02:06:45 am »
I am trying to sell my 99 Epic22 with 575 hrs. Its been a perfect boat. The prospective buyer is concerned about parts availability. He said he checked with Capt. Rick and is concerned by the low quantity of parts available. So he backed out of buying my boat! I tried to assure him that in 15 yrs I have needed very few parts, and some parts are available elsewhere. Any suggestions?

Rambling Wreck

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #1 on: March 23, 2016, 17:04:47 pm »
Wow, I hate to hear something like that. This forum is generally all about helping each other. I think Capt. Rick sold his boat a while back. He has posted several times since then that parts are getting scarce. He is trying to get folks to buy parts from him but I have never needed anything that I couldn't find elsewhere. When I tried to buy parts from him last year to change the timing belt, he jacked the price up after I ordered saying he was having a hard time getting parts and that his source went up on the prices. I found all the parts I needed at Rock Auto, thanks to a forum member, and they cost about 1/3 what Capt. Rick wanted to charge me. Together with the tutorial YOU posted, what I feared was going to be a major ordeal was fairly straight forward. It is a real shame that happened.
Don't be so humble, you're not that great.

cyclone

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #2 on: March 24, 2016, 03:27:39 am »
Well, what other boat make has a site you can go on, click click click, paypal, parts on your porch in 2 days. None. None more black. (Spinal tap reference)

Most mastercrafts et al are cast to the dustbin of history after 17yrs, they start falling apart after 2 or 3. So, the dork is the wrong buyer for your boat, don't blame the forum, You can blame Capt Rick and his apocalyptic posts. He's not affiliated with this site, he's just a member. Truth is, Toyota sold the inventory to a warehousing company called Obsolete Parts, they are awesome.One thing that Les (genius and builder of aforementioned paypal linked parts ordering service) and I and anyone we deem worthy can do is delete stupid posts that cast theboats in a bad light by making it sound like the rug will be pulled out from beneath us. Rick has some kind of financial stake in selling of parts and tries to pretend like he is part of the administration of this forum, he is not. His help is appreciated but he is just a fellow member. The boatsare not that hard to figure out, the chronic gauge problems were waaaayyy over his head and remain unfixed. From what I know, they are noise related serial communication bugs. I deal with such issues in my day job and will find a fix soon, separating communication wires in the harness, adding a ferrite bead or two. I haven't had time lately to look at the issue but will concentrate on it soon, my boat has them when all accessories are running so I can replicate the issue anytime.

In fact, I started this site because I could not get warrantee support from Rick. We were all very lucky when Les stepped up and took over the mechanics of the site, my web adminskillz are still stuck in 2001, this site would be long gone if not for him.

So, sell your boat to someone else. It is a nearly two decade old collector item now. With an awesome support network.




Pete

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Capt Rick

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #3 on: March 24, 2016, 03:55:27 am »
I am here to support the customers, since 1998, when asked yes there are some parts not available. Yes when you needed timing belt parts, I sold all the parts, and sourced Lexus OEM parts at current Retail prices. I have not increased prices on the original parts. So whats next....

Please use you expertise to make a kit to replace an overpriced DECC.

Les, Thanks for creating this site.

Capt Rick

cyclone

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #4 on: March 24, 2016, 04:45:39 am »
Rick, I am member number one and created this site because of you and don't forget it
Pete

'01 Epic SX

cyclone

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #5 on: March 24, 2016, 04:48:20 am »
That'll be a yes SIR there shipmate. I was actually in the f***ing Navy.
Pete

'01 Epic SX

jhardy3

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #6 on: March 25, 2016, 15:10:22 pm »
This coming season will be our 2nd full season with our Epic, and after some of the trouble we have had with previous owners' lack of maintenance, I have found that at least 95% of parts are typical inboard boat parts. If the engine needs anything then you can find most of what you need online from used Lexus LS or GS 400 engines of the same era. I had some throttle problems last year and bought a Lexus LS400 throttle body that literally bolted right on after a quick switch of how the throttle cable attached. I am looking forward to many more years in our boat!
1999 Toyota Epic 22- SOLD to a guy in Greenville, TN
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DRHRSH

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2016, 01:46:20 am »
Thanks for the comments guys. Maybe I can encourage the potential buyer to read this threa. Although Cyclone mentions gauge problems, I have never had any, only the speedo, so I upgraded to GPS with the help of Nautique logic. I love my Epic, but due to family pressure for a Wake surfing boat I am forced to sell.

JIMBO

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #8 on: March 26, 2016, 05:18:21 am »
All we do is surf behind our Epic ? whats the problem ?

my neighbour has a 2014 wake setter and it is "better" but i paid 20 000 for my epic and he paid 140 000 for his

its not 120 000 better. i am very happy with my wave


as far as parts go the only thing i have had to do is the timing belt and the kit was about $200 for belt water pump tensioner pulleys and all that off rock auto and it was EASY with all the youtube tutorials and easy engine access !

EPICS ARE THE BEST ! I'm leaving mine to my son in my will.

Sammamish Skier

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #9 on: March 26, 2016, 17:44:43 pm »
I've been super happy with my Epic as well. We've had it for two years now, and it has been fantastic. The only major maintenance we've done that that required toyota parts was the timing belt, and all of those were stock ls 400 parts. I ended up taking the boat to a car mechanic that works on toyotas, and they were really surprised that all the part numbers came up as stock ls 400 parts.  I've worked on/owned mercruiser engines, and by far this is an easier engine to work on, and pound for pound puts out way more horsepower.  If you buyer is really concerned about parts, you can point out that you can get a complete JDM 1UZFE engine for around $1500, swap out the accessories, exhaust headers and computer, and you're in business.  That's far less expensive than replacing a mercruiser which will likely cost around $6-8k

curtis

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #10 on: March 27, 2016, 05:33:46 am »
Currently we are on the 16th year enjoying our Epic 22. Other than the first summer a nut coming off the trans linkage, which dropped in the bilge,
And the normal battery replacement every other or third year. These boats are fantastic. Just maintain them, feed them premium gas, and enjoy them.
This forum is like having a tech person at hand if needed. Thanks to all those that have made this site possible.


breakawaydaze

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #11 on: March 28, 2016, 23:01:00 pm »
Well, not to go back to stale posts but jeesh, I have had several boats and have been tied by a rope behind many more.  Every time I encounter another brand of boat regardless of age, I am amazed at the strength, durability and reliability of the 2 Epics I have owned.  The first one was a 1999 E21 that I bought used in 2004. (hardly used, less than 30 hours I think).  I really enjoyed that boat, but needed an open bow so I sold it to Rambling Wreck, a member on this site in 2005.  He still has it, uses it every year and I bet it still looks and runs like new.  I bought a 2002 S22 in March of 2005 and still use it every summer.  My S22 is 14 years old, has never failed me and pulls like a champ, not to mention it still looks spectacular.  Of course it has a lot to do with how you take care of things, but it also has a lot to do with build quality.  I am amazed at how a 5 year old Nautique, Mastercraft, Moomba, Supra or Tige' ages compared to either of the Toyotas Epics I have owned.  Sure, electronic fill and drain, digital dashboards and trendy color schemes are all attractive to me, but in the end, My Toyota Epic does everything I need it to, people are amazed its 14 years old.  Every year I put it in the water and it starts right up. The only parts I have ever needed are 8 Autolite sparkplugs each year, a new impellor every other year and a timing belt kit, once in 10 years.  Every single item, right off the shelf and affordable.  If you can, go ahead and buy a new boat and put your Toyota Epic in storage.  I bet within 3 years you will be glad you kept it, then you can sell your new boat for a loss and be happy you got that out of your system!  Toyota Epics Rock! Don't Sell it, try to keep it.

Rambling Wreck

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Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #12 on: March 31, 2016, 18:01:58 pm »
As Breakaway said, I do still have my E21. It still looks pretty darn good and I LOVE it. There is nothing better than the first day of the season when it starts right up and growls. Those of us with the E21s know what I mean - the sound is special. I have the older gauges so I have never had any issues. My issue is my sound system and I am willing to bet that it will be an easy fix once I coax Cyclone to Hartwell. He could diagnose the issue in his sleep.
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Water Sports

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Re: Lost sale of my Epic due to this forum?
« Reply #13 on: May 04, 2016, 03:19:00 am »
We also agree, these are great boats with great support due to this forum(THANK YOU).  Own 4 Toyota boats, 3 with over 3000 hrs., they run all day with little gas.  The parts are available, everything is fixable, though very little is necessary.  If any potential buyer needs reassurance they can contact me direct.  Keep your boat and enjoy the quality and low investment. Doug