Van Staal RIP OFF

[Sea Dangles]

I've had my 200 for over ten years,I have at least ten 40's on it and I have never spent ten cents in maintenance.Never rinsed it after dunking,reel is bombproof.If BB caught fish the washers may be an issue.Ask redlite about his VS, that had no oil in it and still hammered fish nightly,what he thinks.AS FOR DRINKING FROM THE CUP;I guess I'll let you take a sip.In all fairness,the daiwa is a great canal reel.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I've had my 200 for over ten years,I have at least ten 40's on it and I have never spent ten cents in maintenance.

That's because you're one of the many VS suck ups who probably gets the stuff for "0" thus you get compensated for saying nice things about them. As for 40's, I got more 40's on my penn 650ss(with fewer issues than the VS I owned) than you'll see in your lifetime...

[Sea Dangles]

I'm actually surprised you remember that far back Flap er BackBeach.

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I'm actually surprised you remember that far back Flap er BackBeach.

You better be nice to me...

If we're ever reincarnated(you as a bear and me as a trapper) I'm going to sell your hide to the Daiwa corporation to use as a welcome mat...

Actually, you'd look better on the floor in front of the firepace at the S-B clubhouse when people come too see the Striper Cup displayed proudly on the mantle...watch out for the chocolate croissants scattered in the woods as they may become your undoing...

With any luck I'll come back as the seat on a women's exercise bike..

[eastendlu]

Originally Posted by Back Beach

You better be nice to me...

If we're ever reincarnated(you as a bear and me as a trapper) I'm going to sell your hide to the Daiwa corporation to use as a welcome mat...

Actually, you'd look better on the floor in front of the firepace at the S-B clubhouse when people come too see the Striper Cup displayed proudly on the mantle...watch out for the chocolate croissants scattered in the woods as they may become your undoing...

With any luck I'll come back as the seat on a women's exercise bike..

And be lucky enough to have this ride it

[Back Beach]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

And be lucky enough to have this ride it

Actually, I like the trapper thing better now that you mention it...

[NIB]

Originally Posted by eastendlu

And be lucky enough to have this ride it

Now thats funny

[NIB]

Brian,Looks like they did some good things to that reel.Like SD siad to make thm current.They had an issue with some of the spools and drags.The drag would actually loose as line came out.I have watched Steve C do try to get the drag stack out on some older ones it is not easy..They changed the drag configuration in the spool It will be much smoother...They installed a sleeve on the inside with new bearings and washers they replaced the line roller and bearing...Them little parts add up.And you should not have most of that expense in the future.
It will be better with a smoother drag.Ya it cost some but you will be happy..
Me I maintain em myself.Mobil one 50 weight oil.Fells like my Penns did.I love it.
I also lubed the drag stack up with the cal's grease.I jammed like three spoonfulls in there an squeazed out the excess.. smooth as silk.You can also use a yamma lube.stay away from teflon grease with the VS as it will eat the rubber seals.

[redlite]

Originally Posted by Sea Dangles

I've had my 200 for over ten years,I have at least ten 40's on it and I have never spent ten cents in maintenance.Never rinsed it after dunking,reel is bombproof.If BB caught fish the washers may be an issue.Ask redlite about his VS, that had no oil in it and still hammered fish nightly,what he thinks.AS FOR DRINKING FROM THE CUP;I guess I'll let you take a sip.In all fairness,the daiwa is a great canal reel.

I get absolutely no endorsement, not even free service from VS, so this is my take on them which I post every time this battle comes up.
I used to think anyone who spent $800+ on a reel was an arsehole, especially if they said they sucked. Back then I wasn't wetsuit fishing and swimming around, so I had no need for a VS. If you're not dunkin the reel all the time, then I agree it is a waste of money. I used to bash them everytime. Then I started the swim thing and the Shimanos weren't cuttin it. Wife bought me a 200 for our wedding 3 years ago (holy SH#t, can't believe she has still stayed with me for this long!!!) and now I wouldn't fish with any other reel.
First year was flawless. 2nd year after having it serviced, I blew a seal right at the start of commercial season. I fished it with 0 oil in it for the whole 2008 season. Never let me down. The insides were so bad that the guys at Rivers End didn't even know how to classify it. Cost me about $100 to get it redone. I have beat the ever living bag out of the thing and NEVER even rinse it off, yet it still keeps going.

As I stated, unless you are swimming with your reel, there are better, more economical options. It is in my opinion a function specific reel, but for me well worth it.

Will update on how much it costs me for this year once I send it back in....

Back beach is a hoot to watch swim a couple of hundred yards holdin his rod out of the water.......