Aluminum Hull Straighness?

film495

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
285
I recently picked up a new 2022 Starcraft 14" Aluminum utility boat to use for fishing. When I was trailering it home I kind of noticed one end of the transom seemed a bit higher than the other, but figured maybe it was how it was trailered. When I had more time, I eyed it up, and looking from the front, and getting the very point of the bow centered with the center of the trainsome, one side is definitely 2 or 3 inches more visible, higher - and that should be perfect no? From that angle, the rear corners should be symmetrical, no? Is there some margin of error? I don't know that most people would even notice something like that, so - maybe I should pretent I didn't see it and it is fine. but if that is a defect, I have a manufacturers warranty, cuase I bought it new.
 

Mad Dog 2

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 19, 2013
Messages
40
I would promptly contact the dealer and mfg creating a paper trail. Often the Mfg have people that specialize in getting these things straighten out. I would be polite and respectful but persistent.
 

film495

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
285
Maybe one of the bunks isn't aligned properly?
I thought about that. I probably should measure it diagnal and see what comes back. Then I have more to go on than, well gee, it looks a bit off to me. oh, I set up the trailer for the boat, and angled the bunks to the hull, with the boat sitting on it. still seems off.
 

film495

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
285
from square in the front and back, the tilt on the trailer does not matter, the boat has to be aligned to itself, if you spin it, the dimenstions don't change, so - as long as I'm square in the front and back, it should be symmetrical, no?

can see port, left from rear, seat in the back

can see transom on same side sticking up, opposite side not seen

can see oarlock on right side, left side not visible

seats back to front appear to progressively tilt more to the left

I don't know if it matters, most people would probably not notice, but - from the back, the whole hull and shape of the boat is corkscrewed counterclockwise. One would think it should just be straight and symmetrical, but it seems obvious in person, more obvious than in the pics, it was actually kind of hard to photograph.

I reached out to the Marina that sold it to me new on the 20th of this month. I'm not a boat expert, but being a vehicle that isn't straight, that seems like it could pose a safety issue if that corkscrew affected handling and performance of the craft. I don't know that it does, but I don't know that it doesn't.

I tried a public viewable facebook album as a photo share sight. Not sure if that will work or not.
 

cyclops222

Lieutenant
Joined
Mar 21, 2024
Messages
1,289
Tough call about who bent the boat like that. Question is........Will anyone pay for the damage ? Likely no one will. Boat company will not repair . Dealer will claim it was sold as is. That twist is difficult to do correctly. Good luck
 

BWR1953

Admiral
Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
6,177
Pix definitely make the difference. Looks bent to me. I'd be all over the dealer, manufacturer, BBB and anyone else who could help.
Bummer, man.
 

film495

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 8, 2009
Messages
285
Tough call about who bent the boat like that. Question is........Will anyone pay for the damage ? Likely no one will. Boat company will not repair . Dealer will claim it was sold as is. That twist is difficult to do correctly. Good luck
sold to me new. so, lifetime manufacturor's warranty on the hull. I'll find out what the dealer says. as they say, can't hurt to ask. I haven't sent those pics yet, they said someone would contact me, but if they don't I'll just email those pics to the sales guy I worked with and go from there. Not sure what I'm looking for, but if that is a manufacturing defect, since I just bought it new, they can swap it out for another new one that isn't corkscrewed. My guess is that isn't fixable.

I just sent the pics to the sales guy I worked with. Just saying I noticed it and asking if that is a common problem with these models and that I wasn't sure what to think of it, kind of playing dumb? Want to see what info may get shared, before I try to figure out next steps.
 
Last edited:

airshot

Vice Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
5,080
If it is brand new as you mentioned, ask for a replacement or your Money back ! Hopefully you used a CC that protects your purchase.....
 
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