Re: Gelcoat cracking - new boat
I hear you guys trust me. But here's my $.02 I've learned in my short time on this earth. But first off, from the link above and other readings, I don't believe gel-coat cracking is ALWAYS a structural problem, though generally do come about from structure flex. It could be they've experienced some minor manufacturing flaws in the gelcoat alone. Someone could have fed the wrong mixture or not let it cure properly as well.
What I don't want to do is come flying out of the gates at them on this. Dealers always like the chance to make it right. They haven't even seen it yet and if they're not that concerned for something they ultimately will be responsible for then fine by me. Taking it somewhere else aside from the place that is still spending my money isn't an option, and so far this dealer has been very kind to me AFTER I gave them my money which is my service barometer.
Blowing up to a manufacturer while a dealer is trying to help you is not the right course in my opinion. The dealer will get instant follow up and we all know how stuff rolls down hill. "Why is this customer unhappy?" they'll ask. Dealers get kickbacks and incentives for happy customers. The dealer is going to get questioned and put in a stand-off mood with me if they haven't even had a chance to rectify it.
If it's NOT structural then it won't come back. Then I don't really care. If it is structurally unsafe and has a history I doubt they would say otherwise. I don't own things for only a couple years and hope to get resale. Toys, boats in particular, are not an investment. If anything I'd buy another boat from them down the road and trade this one in. Nobody knows the boat like the dealer. It is possible they HAVE seen alot of this. And it's also possible there's a TSB or whatever from the factory on how to fix it. If they have, firing off to the factory will shut the door and let them prepare. Due dilligence is alot in these arrangements. If the cracks come back, a happy dealer will much more likely take on my cause if I haven't shut the doors so quickly before they had a chance.
Lastly, if I were to get in this battle it's possible my boat will be frozen at a dealer. It's been a cold crappy winter (figures since I bought a boat) and I'd like to enjoy it by driving 800 miles to party with my family for the annual bash they do on a lake in California where I know it will be warm, pleasant and a blast with tons of friends and families and all their toys and my new one. I don't feel this issue is safety related. I figure it best to start this battle in 4 weeks right after my trip. Then have some time to shake it out before winterization. THEN have the winter to do battle as my boat would not be used anyway.
Customer service...is a two way street.
Oh, yes. So far as the proper repair I would like opinions. So far as my experience leads me, they should drill and chamfer the ends of the cracks to prevent spreading, chamfer or v-cut the cracks and lay gelcoat.
I bought a new fish and ski last summer. Right from the start I had problems with the dealer which required a call to the manufacturer. That got me no where, in fact, I was told quickly that they would in no way jeopardize the relationship with their dealer due to customer dissatisfaction. And that was just the start of my problems.
After five weeks and fifteen hours of service the motor blew up. To add to my problems I found a data plate on my new motor on my new 2007 boat indicating the motor was manufactured in mid 2005.
I took it in to the dealer and the first thing they tell me is there is no model year on motors. It's just old stock. Then they tell me that they would not replace the motor but they would overhaul it at my expense if it wasn't covered under warranty. I blew a gasket. I called the motor manufacturer demanding a new replacement. They tell me they will have the dealer disassemble it and send it to them for warranty evaluation. Guess what; that day a customer satisfaction survey comes in the mail from the motor manufacturer. I filled it out and grading the products, the dealer and customer service being as honest and true as I could.
The motor manufacturer determined that I had done nothing wrong and sent a factory rep to the boat and replaced the power head. They treated me like a king and went an extra mile to satisfy me. I have nothing but high regards for how they handled the situation, but, I still feel that due to the time in service, I was justified a new current year replacement.
That went down in August 2007. In February I get a call from the dealer. That customer satisfaction survey had found its way back down the line. Those people dog cussed me and told me they did not want my business. They said they would do everything in their power to have my warranties canceled. I took the boat 120 miles from home to get warranty work done and I am shut down. Nobody will touch it.
I have spoken to two lawyers. I live in an arbitration state and they tell me that I am only facing more grief and aggravation and would most likely not get anywhere. I guess in this day and age where corporate power and money rules I learned you don't go tugging on super mans cape.
This was only a short attempt to tell the story. It would take hours and page after page to tell the whole story. All I can say now is its buyer beware because for me it was; see ya, wouldn't want'a be yu after I signed the line.
