New to site, having just purchased a 1999 28 SS in the spring.
I have come across a problem and wonder how common it is and if anybody has had any experience with the some. As my user name may indicate, I have found a soft spot around the topside hatch caused by water penertration through the neoprane gasket that was used under the hatch as a sealant. As a result, the water peneratrated the fiberglass on the topside causing extensive damage for which I have been quoted $5800 to repair. There has been no damage or seepage into the cabin and nothing is visable from the inside. I spoke with my insurance company only to be informed the my policy does not cover any damage or delamination caused by water seepage as the consider it to be wear and tear over a period of time. Contacted Sea Ray, put in touch with a customer service rep who informed me that at the time of manufacture the hatch was installed with a good grade marine sealant and that the maintainance of such is the responsibility of the owner. I do understand that the boat is 10 years old and out of warranty however I am still somewhat in a state of disbelief that a boat with the price tag of a Sea Ray could have a hatch installed without the use of a marine grade caulking as a sealant.
Two people, the insurance adjuster who is also a marine surveyor and a rep from a Sea Ray dealer that I contacted, told me that this was a problem that boats built at that time by Sea Ray encounted. The Sea Ray dealer told me that they were aware that it was a problem and that it was be handled on a case by case basis under warranty as the problems presented themselves.
So here is my question Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so did Sea Ray acknowledge that it was a problem?
As far as the actual damage being repaired, my boat is presently at a local fiberglass repair shop and has a 6' by 6' hole cut out of the topside to facilitate access to the balsa core that has been completly rotted out from the water that entered through the hatch opening. I have pictures that I will post showing all the damage when my daughter is home as I don't know how to do this myself. Don't know if it was just a coincidence or not but when my boat was dropped off for repair the shop was accepting another Sea Ray one year older with the same problem.
Hope the post wasn't too long and look forward to hearing from anybody with the same experiences. THANKS
I have come across a problem and wonder how common it is and if anybody has had any experience with the some. As my user name may indicate, I have found a soft spot around the topside hatch caused by water penertration through the neoprane gasket that was used under the hatch as a sealant. As a result, the water peneratrated the fiberglass on the topside causing extensive damage for which I have been quoted $5800 to repair. There has been no damage or seepage into the cabin and nothing is visable from the inside. I spoke with my insurance company only to be informed the my policy does not cover any damage or delamination caused by water seepage as the consider it to be wear and tear over a period of time. Contacted Sea Ray, put in touch with a customer service rep who informed me that at the time of manufacture the hatch was installed with a good grade marine sealant and that the maintainance of such is the responsibility of the owner. I do understand that the boat is 10 years old and out of warranty however I am still somewhat in a state of disbelief that a boat with the price tag of a Sea Ray could have a hatch installed without the use of a marine grade caulking as a sealant.
Two people, the insurance adjuster who is also a marine surveyor and a rep from a Sea Ray dealer that I contacted, told me that this was a problem that boats built at that time by Sea Ray encounted. The Sea Ray dealer told me that they were aware that it was a problem and that it was be handled on a case by case basis under warranty as the problems presented themselves.
So here is my question Has anyone else experienced this problem and if so did Sea Ray acknowledge that it was a problem?
As far as the actual damage being repaired, my boat is presently at a local fiberglass repair shop and has a 6' by 6' hole cut out of the topside to facilitate access to the balsa core that has been completly rotted out from the water that entered through the hatch opening. I have pictures that I will post showing all the damage when my daughter is home as I don't know how to do this myself. Don't know if it was just a coincidence or not but when my boat was dropped off for repair the shop was accepting another Sea Ray one year older with the same problem.
Hope the post wasn't too long and look forward to hearing from anybody with the same experiences. THANKS