Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

[Dave1251]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

As a boat dealer, I can tell you first thing to do is read your warranty. This will clearly tell you what is or is not covered here. You do have a problem that should be handle by the dealer/manufacturer. But to date, you have made the problem worse by fixing the problem your self.

Get the boat to the dealer so it can be inspected and documented as the the condition of the transom and stringers. Both should not be waterlogged on a new boat and must be dried out or the wood will rot. Good fiberglass shops can test for moisture and rot under fiberglass. Than a plan of action can be established for the repairs if needed.

If the dealer/manufacturer will not to this, then contact your states AG office and start a complaint. This is much cheaper than hiring an attorny and very effective in cases like this.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

As a boat dealer, I can tell you first thing to do is read your warranty. This will clearly tell you what is or is not covered here. You do have a problem that should be handle by the dealer/manufacturer. But to date, you have made the problem worse by fixing the problem your self.

Get the boat to the dealer so it can be inspected and documented as the the condition of the transom and stringers. Both should not be waterlogged on a new boat and must be dried out or the wood will rot. Good fiberglass shops can test for moisture and rot under fiberglass. Than a plan of action can be established for the repairs if needed.

If the dealer/manufacturer will not to this, then contact your states AG office and start a complaint. This is much cheaper than hiring an attorny and very effective in cases like this.

Hey Dave1251,

Thanks for the advice. I'll be taking the boat to the dealer this weekend. I understand I should not have made the repair. I'm glad I took pics of the issues, sent to dealer, and had them at my house to witness. They seem to want to stand behind me on this, and make sure I'm satisfied.. So we'll see... What is "AG Office" ? Thanks again!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Only speculation, but I think he means the story does not pass the smell test, being I smell something fishy about the story...


My story or the dealers?

Thanks for the good advice Knightgang.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

What is "AG Office" ? Thanks again!

AG = Attorney General

 

[Philster]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Admit your attempted repair, because the time-line is irrefutable anyway. There is no way you caused the rot, and you had a salesman there to see the boat shortly after purchase, which substantiates the time-line and the condition at the time. Making the repair might have minor consequences for you, but this doesn't excuse a manufacturer of all responsibilities towards a warranty.

It might be smart to get an accredited marine surveyor on this. Since he only has to inspect the hull and not the whole thing, maybe for 200 - 300 bucks you get someone that knows how boats are supposed to be built (and the manufacturer will have no greater credentials than the surveyor), and take his professional opinion with you when making a complaint.

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

As a boat dealer, I can tell you first thing to do is read your warranty. This will clearly tell you what is or is not covered here. You do have a problem that should be handle by the dealer/manufacturer. But to date, you have made the problem worse by fixing the problem your self.

Get the boat to the dealer so it can be inspected and documented as the the condition of the transom and stringers. Both should not be waterlogged on a new boat and must be dried out or the wood will rot. Good fiberglass shops can test for moisture and rot under fiberglass. Than a plan of action can be established for the repairs if needed.

If the dealer/manufacturer will not to this, then contact your states AG office and start a complaint. This is much cheaper than hiring an attorney and very effective in cases like this.

Re AG: If it come to that, we hope it is only becomes a matter of investigating the problem and not the new boat owner and his actions. Legal this and legal that, is not the issue here...yet. The AG office does not intervene as representation for the complainant. The AG could orchestrate an investigation on the basis of a complaint on whom you are complaining to determine any violation of business practices as affects the consumer adversely. They do not seek remedy or restitution on your behalf and do not provide council to you. They do; however, oftentimes "suggest" to another to act "on his own" to avoid further interaction with the office. They have enough to do without adding to their caseload. And they generally will, if they know they are wrong. Anything short of that, is a job for your own council. Dave is correct though. Follow protocol: 1) Dealer 2) manufacturer 3) AG 4) your own council, but always refer to your warranty, so that you will know just how the manufacturer protects himself from you. And, if you don't understand the language, talk with the manufacturer. A new boat of any sort should become your pleasure and we all hope that's exactly the direction this hiccup turns.

 

[Pez Vela]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Am I correct in believing that this photo was taken during your initial investigation, before you attempted any modifications or repairs to your transom? Does this photo reveal that any water collecting inside the hull and draining aft to the transom would have direct contact with the wood without any factory applied sealant or other waterproof barrier on the inside of the transom?

In the legal world, I believe that would be referred to as a manufacturing defect. It's hard to believe that a boat could be that poorly constructed, but who knows?

I imagine that a 2008 model year boat could have been sitting around since 2007. I'm sure its been washed a few times. No real mysteries here.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Just spoke with the dealer. They told me to bring the boat in. They will stand by me 100% and want me to be happy and satisfied with the boat. They have an external vendor that specializes in fiberglass boat repair/restoration, that will assess the water intrusion, and if necessary will fix any issues under warranty. So I hope this is the case! I will keep this thread updated, and again appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on my issues. iboats is an incredible resource of people, I really appreciate you all! Thank you!!!!!

 

[QC]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Personally I think most are jumping to conclusions here . . .

Drain plug hole. The factory work sucked, but he contacted the dealer and they suggested he could repair. Nothing he has done would void a "Material and Workmanship" warranty. Looks like a good repair, and the fact that there is no wood in the new suspect area seems to isolate the two issues.

Water in lower transom area. New issue. While I don't like "that's normal" answers, nobody appears to be acting in bad faith yet. Contact the dealer again. Don't stress about it, don't expect a nasty response and keep emotion out of it. Discuss options and their opinions. Ask them to get the Manufacturer. involved and ask to be involved in that discussion as well.

I see no legal issues yet.

Edit: Obviously simultaneous posting. There you go, perfect.

 

[wizbang 13]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Possibly a better repair would have been to overbore the hole by a lot,(2" hole for 1" plug) fill it with epoxe ,then bore a new 1" hole. Same for the holes for the smart tabs, overbore, fill, then re-bore.The 4200 will let go of the pvc eventually.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Am I correct in believing that this photo was taken during your initial investigation, before you attempted any modifications or repairs to your transom? Does this photo reveal that any water collecting inside the hull and draining aft to the transom would have direct contact with the wood without any factory applied sealant or other waterproof barrier on the inside of the transom?

In the legal world, I believe that would be referred to as a manufacturing defect. It's hard to believe that a boat could be that poorly constructed, but who knows?

I imagine that a 2008 model year boat could have been sitting around since 2007. I'm sure its been washed a few times. No real mysteries here.

Yep that pics was pre-repair. I don't believe it can reveal that water was draining aft to the transom from the starboard area where water seems to be pooling.

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Personally I think most are jumping to conclusions here . . .

Edit: Obviously simultaneous posting. There you go, perfect.

Thanks QC!

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Possibly a better repair would have been to overbore the hole by a lot,(2" hole for 1" plug) fill it with epoxe ,then bore a new 1" hole. Same for the holes for the smart tabs, overbore, fill, then re-bore.The 4200 will let go of the pvc eventually.

These are great ideas, and will suggest these options when I bring the boat in.

 

[markntexas81]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Sounds to me like the mfg/dealer should repair it regardless if there was rot. There is no way it could have rotted in 2 weeks. They cant weasel out of that. Good luck!

 

[boat1010]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

First of all I would have never tried to repair the problem myself with that new of a boat. I would have had it right back to the dealer and had them fix the problem. Then when I was still having the problems I probably would have held off on drilling into the hull. Now that I am over ranting... I still think that you didn't do that much wrong that the dealer shouldn't still be responsible. You did a very nice job on the repair. The dealer should stand behind the boat or at least be on your side going back to the MFG. to help you get it taken care of. Good luck. Service after the sale has really gone to the dogs.. When they are trying to sell it they will tell you anything. After the sale it's "who did you say this was"???

 

[Capt'n Chris]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Just spoke with the dealer. They told me to bring the boat in. They will stand by me 100% and want me to be happy and satisfied with the boat. They have an external vendor that specializes in fiberglass boat repair/restoration, that will assess the water intrusion, and if necessary will fix any issues under warranty. So I hope this is the case! I will keep this thread updated, and again appreciate everyone's thoughts and opinions on my issues. iboats is an incredible resource of people, I really appreciate you all! Thank you!!!!!

Boat dealers read these posts too. It's a good policy to assume that everyone is honorable as no one profits through conflict. All of these posts are supposition and perspective anyway on the basis of the information. Most everyone emphasizes what they believe to be the most favorable answer.

 

[199q]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Boat dealers read these posts too. It's a good policy to assume that everyone is honorable as no one profits through conflict. All of these posts are supposition and perspective anyway on the basis of the information. Most everyone emphasizes what they believe to be the most favorable answer.

I agree totally. The dealership has at this point decided to stand behind their product. Many people are speaking in relation to their past dealings with some of their local dealerships. I have also had many bad experiences with motorcycle, car, and boat dealerships. But must give them a benefit of the doubt, and try to work it out with them before any lawyers are involved.

At this stage of the game, there is not much of a legal case. The only tort you could have a case under is intentional fraud, pretty hard to prove that in this case.

It is nice to hear that the dealership is working with you to figure out the problem! I hope that it is all solved, and that you can get back onto the water and enjoy your investment!

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

[2 CENTS]I was actually just talking to the guy I bought my boat from the other day.

He used to own 3 locations of new boat dealerships and a big shop he had custom made for service. He said he got really tired of getting undersold to a dealer up the road which basically rented a gravel lot and a construction trailer and filled it with boats. He couldn't believe that people would go there and drop $20++++K on a boat, with a warranty at a place that didn't even have a shop to do repair work on.

He said he'd get REALLY pissed off people coming in, whom the manufacturer had sent his way, because they'd been having horrible troubles with their original point of sale.

He also said he got out of selling new boats because of this very issue. He couldn't impress upon the manufacturers that they should really be careful who they let sell their products, and when they get someone (like himself) who has really happy customers and a HUGE repair facility, they probably shouldn't allow some douche up the road to sell the same product.

But, the boat he sold me was his last new boat...he said he was going to strictly do used sales and service.

Anyway, I guess the point of the whole story is, when you find a good dealer/service shop, that seems to be worth a lot...and often times not very common.[/2 CENTS]

 

[jcsercsa]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

What are you worried about ??? you know how to redo the transom !!! hahahha sorry Bear , I just had to !!!!!!!! lol


Yea it kind of does sound like there going to stand behind her !! but make sure you ask this weekend !! John

 

[bear_69cuda]

Re: Need advice please! My new boat and possible big issues.

Hey Gang all is good with the Hurricane. Godfrey covered everything. The repair shop lifted the bow high ~ 45 degrees so any water could drain. Then they used a hole saw to remove ~ 3" of wood around the bilge drain. ( the core was over 2.5" thick! ) None of the wood was wet. Then they used poly resin to saturate the raw wood, mixed resin and glass beads to form a thick (peanut butter texture like paste) filled the hole, let it cure, then drilled a new drain hole. Covered exterior with CSM/glass cloth, and finally gel coated everything. No way for water to penetrate transom at all. We found that my deck scupper had not been properly sealed from the factory, hence the water issue. Also some of the cup holders and built in coolers did not have tubing leading to the bilge area. All these issues have been addressed. Basically if the boat had ever been outside at the dealer and it rained, or the deck was washed down upon prep, this is how water got into the boat. The repair shop did a moisture test to verify transom was dry and free of any rot issues. Two core samples were also taken. Thanks again for all the support from everyone on iboats! You kids rule! "Hurry Up II" is hibernating until spring!