Cracks, should I worry

[keets]

I have two cracks starting at the windshield support screws radiating out toward the windshield aprox 7" long in the gel coat on the dash. I tried to post pictures but had trouble with that. I took delivery of our 260da around april 15 2007. How long is the warranty period for this? I got two different answers from my dealer. The sevice manager told me I had 5 years on the gel coat and the service tech told me I only have 1 year. I also have other minor issues to get fixed but my main concern are the cracks, will they spread in time and can they be fixed. Any insight in this matter will be appreciated. Thank You, Keets.

 

[Dave S]

Notify your dealer of the cracks and ask they be fixed. They are not normal and given your boat is almost new and you have had it less than a year, they should be fixed free of charge. Even if the boat was two or three years old, I would expect that Sea Ray would step up to plate and repair them.

 

[jrcinnh]

Cosmetic cracks in gelcoats are specifically not covered. From the warranty:

This warranty also does not apply to the following items:
...
damage or deterioration of cosmetic
surface finishes, including cracking, crazing, discoloration, air voids, fading or oxidation of gel coat....

Structural defects are covered for 5 years and blisters are covered prorata for 5 years.

That said, in the first year most dealers, with support from Searay, will try to help you out. It's not that expensive a repair.

 

[keets]

Thank you, I sent my dealer an e-mail with pictures. They already replied and told me they will get a preauthorization for the repair. I, like everyone else, want to keep my boat looking nice however it seems like an uphill battle. I'm just worried they will spread. You guys have to love new boaters. Thanks Keets.

 

[Morpheus]

Yes definitly before your 1 year aniversery find every little thing wrong or out of place on your boat and get it in before that 1 year and have them fix it, after that they will take all of your money.

 

[Fishnut]

Yes definitly before your 1 year aniversery find every little thing wrong or out of place on your boat and get it in before that 1 year and have them fix it, after that they will take all of your money.

I had the same type of cracking and they fixed all of it. And it is true that they will fix everything the first year and after that you are on your own unless you bought the extended warranty like I did. :thumbsup:

 

[Dave S]

I had the same type of cracking and they fixed all of it. And it is true that they will fix everything the first year and after that you are on your own unless you bought the extended warranty like I did. :thumbsup:

Not quite true about being on your own after the first year especially if the same cracks re-appear. There have been a number of posts on our board where problems were taken care of well past the warranty period especially if there are reoccuring issues.

Now three years down the road it may be a different story if you notice a crack or two elsewhere. Then you are probably on your own.

 

[270SLX]

I would take the position that the cracks are neither "damage" or "deterioration" but the result of the fiberglass flexing under the relatively brittle gelcoat. My 2005 had about 20-some odd stress cracks, spider cracks and blisters and Sea Ray took care of all of them. But then, my 2005 warranty says SR covers them 100% the first two years, 75% the 3rd year, 50% the 4th year and 25% the fifth year.