HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

[iwhitevt]

I have a 2003 18' Maycraft CC, and while inspecting the bilge area preparing to install a new livewell, I found some bad news. There is a square chase notch in the bottom half of the stringer about 6 or 8 inches from the transom. The hole is approximately 4"x6". the stringers in this boat are wood and are fully wrapped in glass. The problem I found is a crack in the glass that runs around the outside of the chase hole. The crack is open enough to get my thumb nail into. This wouldn't be as bad, except that, since my last outing, the boat sat for a week with the bilge full of water from were I had filled it to help keep it in place during the recent hurricane (left it full for so long to have water to flush with while out of power). Now I'm afraid the stringer has been able to drink as much as it wanted to. It is under warrenty, but I wanted to get some imput before I talked to them about what is an acceptable repair. Any help would be greatly appreciated.<br />http://members.fishingworks.com/iwhitevt/viewPhoto.cfm?photo_id=71719&use rname=iwhitevt&user_id=41586

 

[iwhitevt]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

Well, I went ahead and called Maycraft. They said to bring it in and they would fix it while I waited a couple hours. Also said they didn't think that any water would have seeped through the crack and that moisture in the wood was not a problem. I'm a little concerned about the long term effects of sealing this up. What do you guys think?

 

[vegard]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

Thats not enough time to do any harm to good, new wood. They are doing the fix right, and this is not a big deal. Enjoy your boat!

 

[cbavier]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

Well, I went ahead and called Maycraft. They said to bring it in and they would fix it while I waited a couple hours. Also said they didn't think that any water would have seeped through the crack and that moisture in the wood was not a problem. I'm a little concerned about the long term effects of sealing this up. What do you guys think?

How could they make this judgment without seeing the crack first? They haven't even seen the Boat and they are saying no problem. Not being cynical but I would think they would want a repairman to see the problem first before making a diagnosis. This sounds like a Dr giving you a Physical over the telephone????
Well at least they seem willing to co-operate but I too would be concerned about the Long Term consequences. Wood soaks up water fast, new or old. Then comes Rot.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

There is one way they could have known that it's "no problem" without seeing it... if they had seen the same problem before on the same model.

You could ask them... maybe it's something that happens regularly.

In any case, keep good records of the repair. If it turns out that they seal in water that later causes rot, you can get them to pay for that fix, too.

As an alternative, talk to them about the repair while they do it, and ask them how they know they're not sealing water in to cause rot later. Maybe they do something to take care of that, like peeling back the glass for an inspection.

Erik

 

[72SideWinderSS]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

Post from Oct., 2003

 

[Texasmark]

Re: HELP! crack in stringer on new boat

You own the boat so it's your baby. Personally, I can't believe a boat mfgr in today's market still puts wood in the bowels of a boat. Years of problems with that have taught the industry that fiberglassed wood just doesn't work

So, if you got water in your stringers, in my opinion, you need to get it out before you seal the joint. Otherwise you are sealing water in your stringers.

If I were in your shoes, I would not be a happy camper.

Sorry for the real life facts,

Mark