Polar Kraft - Warranty Denied

[ShafferNY]

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to figure out what's going on with my 2007 Polar Kraft aluminum boat. There are several small holes in the transom that look like they corroded from the inside out, or due to a paint failure. The paint is bubbled and the aluminum underneath is corroded app the way through. Ironically, the rest on the boat still looks brand new.

This boat had never been used in salt water. There in no electrical on the boat to speak of, other than a set of running lights that were never used. It has always been stored in a garage.

I'll try to post pictures so you can see what I'm referring to. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Chris

 

[dingbat]

Hi Everyone,
I'm trying to figure out what's going on with my 2007 Polar Kraft aluminum boat. There are several small holes in the transom that look like they corroded from the inside out, or due to a paint failure. The paint is bubbled and the aluminum underneath is corroded app the way through. Ironically, the rest on the boat still looks brand new.

This boat had never been used in salt water. There in no electrical on the boat to speak of, other than a set of running lights that were never used. It has always been stored in a garage.

I'll try to post pictures so you can see what I'm referring to. Any thoughts or suggestions are greatly appreciated!
Chris

See Filiform Corrosion page 3

http://www.drivealuminum.org/wp-con...m-Association_Corrosion-Types-Automotive-.pdf

 

[Carl1783]

You say it's a fresh water boat. Where do you live? Do you tow it in winter time? Mag chloride or road salt could've started the filiform corrosion.

 

[racerone]

I would drill a hole.----Install a bolt.----Done.

 

[dingbat]

You say it's a fresh water boat. Where do you live? Do you tow it in winter time? Mag chloride or road salt could've started the filiform corrosion.

Salt exposure is most common, but not the only means.

Any moisture which penetrates the surface layer, and becomes depleted of oxygen, will make the area anodic and subject to further corrison

 

[ShafferNY]

I live in upstate New York. I'm no where near salt water. I've never towed the boat during the winter either. No reason to. It's always been covered with a tarp or stored in the garage in the winter too.

 

[ShafferNY]

Here are some more pictures with a better view. The holes are pretty scattered and there are too many to simple a screw though.

For now, I filled and covered them with a clear to part epoxy. I'm thinking of painting over with some boat bottom paint for aluminum.

 

[ShafferNY]

[No message]

 

[ShafferNY]

The rest of the boat...

 

[JimS123]

I feel sorry for you. I always thought Polar Kraft was a more upstanding brand.

My advice is to go to your dealer and demand a repair. He is the one that ultimately can go to bat for you. That should not happen and they should make things right.

You might want to publish the name of the dealer as well the name of your attorney. A little advertising always helps.

 

[ahicks]

I have a '96 17' Polar Kraft. It's the Jon boat style bass boat with a side console. The transom on that boat looks just like your boat. Maybe 50 pin hole size pits that appear to have started on the inside.

I have to wonder if they are using treated ply to build these?

My boat had absolute mush where the plywood used to be. Had to rebuild it. Had a little welding done as part of that project and learned that NEXT TIME, I will do all the clean up and old transom removal, then let the welder fab an entire new transom that does not use plywood. New one will be ALL aluminum with NO plywood!

This boat was used in the Sebring Fl (central Florida, all fresh water)) area since new. FWIW....

 

[ShafferNY]

Thanks guys. Everything I've been reading online points to either the use of pressure treated plywood like you mentioned or water logged plywood. I think it's spot on because all the holes are in the area there plywood makes contact with the aluminum. There are no holes in the bottom of the transom where there is no plywood. Nor are there any holes anywhere else on the boat.

As suggested, I think I'm going to reach out to the dealer next. It's the one avenue I have been down.

The whole reason I bought a bare bone aluminum boat like this is because I planned on taking care of it and keeping it for life. The so called, "lifetime hull warranty" was a huge selling point for me. This is very disappointing.

 

[GA_Boater]

You might want to publish the name of the dealer as well the name of your attorney. A little advertising always helps.

Don't a good idea for either one. Polar Kraft lawyers can use that against the OP, they will use anything they can to muddy the waters.