07-31-2016, 07:11 PM
[#0000FF]Okay, I’ve had my NFO Escape “pontube” for a couple of months now. Here is my review, up to this point…after 4 “maiden voyages”. And, by the way, I have caught fish on every trip so it is a proven fishing machine. My main negatives are the result of being a multi tackle and multi species angler…fishing from a craft designed by and for fly fishing anglers.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]I almost did not get the Escape…not because I did not want it but because of the poor communications and delivery and follow-up chain of errors and frustration. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]1. I ordered it around the 1st of May, 2016. It was shipped 5/16/2016. When it arrived, the two side pockets were not in the box with the Escape and other accessories. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]2. I figured I could go ahead and start setting up the tube and the motor mount anyway, so I aired it up. The right side started going flat very quickly. I found a large hole near the end of the right air chamber. Could have fixed it, but shouldn’t have to. After all, there is a “lifetime warranty”…theoretically beginning the day you take possession.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]3. I couldn’t reach Dave by phone so I sent an email…then another…then another. No response. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]4. The UPS guy showed up with a pickup order for the tube. I had received no communication or warning from Dave so I did not have the tube boxed up. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]5. Still could not reach Dave by phone so sent another set of emails…saying I still needed the side pockets so be sure to send them with the replacement tube. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]6. UPS delivered a box and picked up the defective tube box. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]7. There was a new tube in the box…but still no side pockets. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]8. Finally got Dave on the phone. He claimed he had never received any of my emails (but why did he send the replacement tube?). I repeated that I still did not have the pockets. He implied that he did not believe that and told me to recheck the items I had received. I told him I had done so almost daily…for over two weeks. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]9. Finally got the two side pockets over a month after I first placed the order. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]10. My maiden voyage revealed there was a leak in the seat air chamber that lost air soon after launching and had to be constantly refilled to keep me from sliding out of my seat. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]11. It has been almost a month since advising Dave of this problem. No response. I have found and Aquasealed one small leak but the seat air chamber still loses air. So much for the lifetime warranty.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Overall, I like the Escape. It is larger than the Fat Cat but smaller than the Renegade I had before. Just right size-wise for my large girth and all the gear I carry. And the large pockets allow carrying more tackle, gear, snacks and hydration.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]And it floats the battery and motor fine with no need for additional floatation. It is rated for 500#. It floats virtually level even with the battery and motor on the back. The Escape rides well on the water…with efficient use of the battery. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]Attached is a brief PDF file…with pictures…showing some of my modifications. I am finishing up putting together a more detailed writeup showing how I put everything together for the “pimping” job. Anybody who would like a copy can send me a PM[/#0000FF].
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[#0000FF][inline "READY TO ESCAPE.jpg"]
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[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]I almost did not get the Escape…not because I did not want it but because of the poor communications and delivery and follow-up chain of errors and frustration. [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]1. I ordered it around the 1st of May, 2016. It was shipped 5/16/2016. When it arrived, the two side pockets were not in the box with the Escape and other accessories. [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]2. I figured I could go ahead and start setting up the tube and the motor mount anyway, so I aired it up. The right side started going flat very quickly. I found a large hole near the end of the right air chamber. Could have fixed it, but shouldn’t have to. After all, there is a “lifetime warranty”…theoretically beginning the day you take possession.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]3. I couldn’t reach Dave by phone so I sent an email…then another…then another. No response. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]4. The UPS guy showed up with a pickup order for the tube. I had received no communication or warning from Dave so I did not have the tube boxed up. [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]5. Still could not reach Dave by phone so sent another set of emails…saying I still needed the side pockets so be sure to send them with the replacement tube. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]6. UPS delivered a box and picked up the defective tube box. [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]7. There was a new tube in the box…but still no side pockets. [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]8. Finally got Dave on the phone. He claimed he had never received any of my emails (but why did he send the replacement tube?). I repeated that I still did not have the pockets. He implied that he did not believe that and told me to recheck the items I had received. I told him I had done so almost daily…for over two weeks. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]9. Finally got the two side pockets over a month after I first placed the order. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]10. My maiden voyage revealed there was a leak in the seat air chamber that lost air soon after launching and had to be constantly refilled to keep me from sliding out of my seat. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]11. It has been almost a month since advising Dave of this problem. No response. I have found and Aquasealed one small leak but the seat air chamber still loses air. So much for the lifetime warranty.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Overall, I like the Escape. It is larger than the Fat Cat but smaller than the Renegade I had before. Just right size-wise for my large girth and all the gear I carry. And the large pockets allow carrying more tackle, gear, snacks and hydration.[/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF]And it floats the battery and motor fine with no need for additional floatation. It is rated for 500#. It floats virtually level even with the battery and motor on the back. The Escape rides well on the water…with efficient use of the battery. [/#0000FF]
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[#0000FF] [/#0000FF]
[#0000FF]Attached is a brief PDF file…with pictures…showing some of my modifications. I am finishing up putting together a more detailed writeup showing how I put everything together for the “pimping” job. Anybody who would like a copy can send me a PM[/#0000FF].
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