Fiberglass cracking - BRAND NEW R4 Surf 2023

[brandboat23]

Looking for feedback/advice on how to proceed regarding (fiberglass failure on the (port) rear side of gunwale) of my brand new 2023 R4 Surf from the dealer and manufacture?

Custom ordered a brand new 2023 R4 Surf arrived on Thursday 6/29/2023 and 7 days after delivery 7/6/2023 the rear (port) side upper gunwale Fiberglass below the non-slip step started cracking. Boat sits on a lift and no impact damage. Did a test, and when stand on the non-slip step and boat is sitting in water, you can hear a popping/crunch noise right where the spider webbing cracks are.

What causes this in a brand new boat? Air pocket/soft spot? Based on my research this most likely is a manufacture defect or design failure.
Can something like this be repaired? If repaired with gel coat products, will cracks come back?
Does the entire upper gunwale of the fiberglass have to be replaced?
Given custom order, should manufacture replace the entire boat?

Any advice feedback would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimmbo]

Gelcoat is not very flexible and cracks easy as there is no Glass to take any load. It also help reveal Structural Problems, and I suspect your boat has problems with lack of Resin in the Glass, or just not enough Laminations to provide rigidity. Take it back to the Dealer and insist on a New Hull as this will only get worse, and if need be, seek Legal Advice. The Manufacturer will try to gloss this over. but demand new boat. And if need be post everywhere what a POS the Boat is.

 

[flashback]

Sloppy layup schedule and a good chance that additional flaws will show up soon...

 

[JustJason]

If you can physically hear/feel flexing underfoot there is a latent defect in the hull and it wasn't laid up thick enough in the mold. It may or may not be able to be repairable. Taking it to the dealer is always the first step, they may or may not be able to fix it. Depending on the feedback you get from the dealer you may have to bring in your own expert, and that is going to be a qualified marine surveyor who will likely recommend bringing in somebody who specializes in IR and UT testing.

 

[tpenfield]

Cobalt, right?

You should be on the phone with the dealer and Cobalt tech support.

 

[dubs283]

You should be on the phone with the dealer and Cobalt tech support.

Ring, ring.............



ring

 

[Scott Danforth]

Call dealer, file warranty claim..... Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

 

[brandboat23]

Gelcoat is not very flexible and cracks easy as there is no Glass to take any load. It also help reveal Structural Problems, and I suspect your boat has problems with lack of Resin in the Glass, or just not enough Laminations to provide rigidity. Take it back to the Dealer and insist on a New Hull as this will only get worse, and if need be, seek Legal Advice. The Manufacturer will try to gloss this over. but demand new boat. And if need be post everywhere what a POS the Boat is.

thanks for feedback and this weekend now starboard side is starting to crack in same spot between (vent & gas fill), see photo

 

[jlh3rd]

easier said than done, but I'd be demanding a new boat.

 

[Grub54891]

My first thought from the first pics had me thinking it was damaged/repaired at the mfg end of it. Now it's cracking somewhere else, Yeah, I'd be on the phone with the dealer and mfg. I'd be firm but not bullying at first. If you get no satisfaction, get firm with them and contact a lawyer.

 

[briangcc]

You have a warranty, use it. Get ahold of the dealer and/or manufacturer.

 

[tpenfield]

Also, just a thought . . . Since it has been such a short time of ownership, your state may have a lemon law that may apply to Boat/RV purchases. That might be worth checking out.