Gel coat cracks again

[Charlie L]

UG...this is the second time the gel coat has cracked origionating from the bow winch eye. The first time I had 2 hairline cracks repaired under warranty, this time one has returned. Back to the dealership we go again. I know that there have been several 185 sport owners with gel coat problems, what I'd like to know is if other searay models are having similar problems? We will probably upgrade to a bigger boat next year and I now that all boats will have some issues and our dealership has been very good at handling the few problems I've had so far, but It's frusturating to have the same problem more than one time and to know that other boats of the same model are having similar problems that also repeat. Don't get me wrong I love our Searay, just don't want to have similar problems with our next boat or this one once repaired.

On a happy note...had a blast at lake moultrie this weekend. First time to that lake, wind picked up in the afternoon and so did the chop. I had a blast driving in 3ft chop since the most action I see in the ICW is a large wake off a cabin cruiser. My passangers mostly had fun as they caught a lot of spray on the way back to the ramp in the afternoon, but I say that's part of the fun!

Charlie

 

[270SLX]

Gel coat cracks are not limited to the 185. My 270 SLX has had eleven or so. So far, all the repairs have held.

Gel coat cracks are not unique to Sea Ray, either.

There are different causes and theories. Gel coat too thin or too thick. Gel coat not cured before boat is shiipped. Failure to countersink holes causes cracks to eminate from the holes. I've heard all that and more.

Dennis

 

[First Born]

Rob could probably be more help but I have read that when you have a spider crack repaired there is a good chance they will come back. Looks like one out of the two did. I would take it back to the dealer and let them try again. :wink:

Wesley

 

[Charlie L]

I plan to take it back and give them another shot at it, just hate to give up the boat for the time it takes to fix it. Hopefully I can get it in on a monday and get it back by the weekend. Oh well, if that's the worst problem I have then I'm probably doing pretty good.

FYI don't lose your wake board tower wing nuts(the ones that allow you to fold it down) 16 bucks for one of those suckers. A piece of advice: check them when you pull out of the water before the trip home :wink:

 

[MacPhly]

Just noticed cracks around the front eye on my '06 195. I'm pissed off about this because I just had the thing at the dealer for other gel coat issues not 2 weeks ago. I had a bubble/crack behind the stbd speaker and very thin gelcoat on the port side near the keel. Both have been fixed but now these cracks have appeared.

Not looking forward to having the boat at the dealers while the weather is turning warm.

 

[First Born]

Not looking forward to having the boat at the dealers while the weather is turning warm.

Take the boat by the dealer, show them the cracks, and tell them that you know they are busy but you wanted to make them aware of them and you will bring the boat in at the end of the season to be fixed. Take a picture of the cracks with a camera that will place date and time on the pictures.

Two things - one you get to enjoy your boat. Two it gives you time to find other things during the season and have them all fixed at once.

Good luck with it.

Wesley

 

[MacPhly]

Not looking forward to having the boat at the dealers while the weather is turning warm.

Take the boat by the dealer, show them the cracks, and tell them that you know they are busy but you wanted to make them aware of them and you will bring the boat in at the end of the season to be fixed. Take a picture of the cracks with a camera that will place date and time on the pictures.

Two things - one you get to enjoy your boat. Two it gives you time to find other things during the season and have them all fixed at once.

Good luck with it.

Wesley

Good call. Thats what I did last year. Should I be worried about water getting into the sub stucture through the cracks?

 

[First Born]

I would think not maybe others will chime in here. That is why I think it is a good idea to take it by the dealer and show them as well (instead of just calling). Let them make the call if you are ok to wait till the end of the season. If they are only spider cracks, I think you are fine.

Others will tell me if I am wrong. :grin:

Wesley

 

[Charlie L]

Atleast you have the front seat that allows access to the bow eye. They had to cut access holes in my bow( added the bow speaker option) to get to the bow eye to remove it and fix the cracks the first time. I haven't had a chance to take it by the dealer yet to show them that one has returned, but plan to do so soon. The only worry I have about waiting too long is that the crack may get longer with time. My dealer was very good last time about getting it done during the week when I'm not really using the boat anyway. Sounds like you're dealer has been good as well and in my opinion it makes it a lot better when they are very willing to make any and all problems right without a fight. I just wish car dealers were that way.

 

[ruf1967]

This may be a dumb question, but, I figured I'd ask it anyway. After you've finished trailering the boat, ie, returned home from the lake, are you loosening the tie down straps to relieve the tension from the eye bolts? Eventhough the eyes have backing plates, the constant strain from the tie downs will eventually cause spidering in the gel coat.

Just a thought.

 

[Charlie L]

Actually I do loosen the winch, but not the stern straps. I still feel that even with the winch left tight the gell coat shouldn't crack. But, not a dumb question.