Catastrophic failure of Vance jack plate, unsafe design and poor support
I am writing this so other boat owners understand the real risk of trusting products from Vance Manufacturing. I purchased the Vance Manufacturing JPL4200 2 inch setback, 5 inch lift manual jack plate, rated for up to 115 HP, for my Yamaha F90 outboard. The plate was installed properly, torqued to specification, and used only under normal operating conditions with no racing, no rough seas, and no abuse. Despite that, the unit suffered a catastrophic structural failure that could have easily ended in disaster. Both side plates cracked completely through around the height adjustment bolts. The cracks ran through the narrow ligaments beside the vertical adjustment slots, which are the weakest point of the entire design. These slots remove most of the metal where the bending load from the engine is greatest. When that thin section of metal finally failed, it left the plate unsafe to use and unable to support the engine properly. I had children on board when this happened, and it could have been a tragedy. The side plates are made from three eighths inch 6061 T6 aluminum according to the manufacturer’s specifications, but the long adjuster slots leave a thin section of metal to carry the full bending load from the engine. With a two inch setback and a 90 HP outboard, basic mechanics shows that this thin, notch sensitive section is overstressed during normal use, which is exactly where and how mine failed. In plain terms, this jack plate is underbuilt for the load it is advertised to carry. After the failure, I contacted Vance Manufacturing and provided photos, receipts, and all requested details. Their engineering director, Edward, eventually asked me to return the jack plate for inspection, which I did at my own expense. Once they received it, communication stopped for weeks. It normally took multiple follow ups before getting any kind of response, and even then, answers were vague and dismissive. Only after I stated that I would be filing a chargeback with my credit card did they finally respond and issue a partial refund of 723.96 CAD through PayPal. The total product cost was 1,049.68 CAD before taxes and shipping, which included the jack plate and add ons. Even looking at their current increased prices, 45.05 CAD for the upper transom plate, 41.61 CAD for the lower plate, 32.11 CAD for the four inch bolt kit, and 29.98 CAD for the two and a half inch bolt kit, a total of 148.75 CAD, the numbers still do not explain the short refund. Vance is now claiming the difference covers parts not returned, even though they specifically instructed me to send only the jack plate. To make matters worse, they have refused to refund the shipping and taxes that were collected at checkout, despite this being a warranty return for a defective and unsafe product. Between the dangerous structural failure, the lack of accountability, and the incomplete refund, I have completely lost confidence in this company. Their customer service is extremely slow to respond and shows little concern for safety or responsibility. This product failed in a way that could have caused serious injury or worse, and their handling of the situation has been evasive and dismissive throughout. For a manufacturer that builds components designed to hold your engine to the back of your boat, this level of quality control and after sales support is unacceptable. If you value your boat, your passengers, or your safety, avoid Vance Manufacturing. Their products are unsafe, their horsepower ratings misleading, and their warranty process practically nonexistent once something goes wrong.
By Charlie B.