New 2006 38 Sundancer with transom door that does not match

[Millertime]

I recently purchased a new 2006 38 Sundancer. The transom door, which is new for 06, is positioned in the middle of the boat's transom and is considerably whiter than the rest of the boat. I realize this is a different material than the rest of the transom but this shouldn't justify such a discrepancy in color. Sea Ray has switched out the door once already and the problem still exists. It is killing the look of the back of the boat. It's interesting that the web site and boat brochures show ZERO color discrepancy. (see photo) Are there any other 06' or 07' 38 owners or other Sea Ray owners that have any comments, suggestions or ideas for me? Thanks MT

 

[Dave S]

Mine is a perfect match on my 2006 260DA. I would ask your dealer to remove your door and compare it to transom doors for other model Sea Rays. I don't think the white gel coat would be any different from model to model but somehow they first need to determine if it's the door that's really the culprit or the gelcoat is different and that's the only way I know of doing it.

 

[fwebster]

This is a case where cost reduction won out over the guys that know how to make a boat at Sea Ray. Stay on your dealer and let him know that the mismatch is just not acceptable. THe magic question is "Do you really expect me to be happy with a $400,000 boat where the major external parts are different colors?"

The dealer will try, but eventually he'll tell you that he's done all he knows how to do. This iisn't a cop out...it is likely the truth. When that happens, ask him to involve Sea Ray and hook you up with someone who can make this right. THe approach with Sea Ray is to never threaten but just ask reasonable questions like the one above.

One of Sea Ray's tactics or methods for problem resolution is to ask the customer what he would like them to do. Always answer this questoin the same way. "Just make the external parts on my $400,000 boat match the way they did on the show boat I looked at or the catalog I was shown."

Good luck with it.........

 

[First Born]

Welcome to the board Millertime!!! That is not acceptable; take Frank's & Dave's advise and you should get it taken care of. Especially "THe approach with Sea Ray is to never threaten but just ask reasonable questions like the one above. " Again, Welcome to the board. :thumbsup:

Wesley

 

[RobF300]

is the door is plexiglass? it will never match the gelcoat on the boat if it is.

Even in that picture it does not match, looks pretty obvious even in the picture on the computer.

If its gelcoat then you should check another door that DOES match the boat it belongs to, try your door on his boat, and thier door on yours. If its not good on yours it could be your deck had a adverse reaction during its cure.

Lots of bolt on parts dont match the rest of the boat on many boats, try looking on a overcast day to see what im talking about.

 

[chuck1]

Welcome aboard Millertime. Sorry to hear about the mismatch color. I agree even the picture does not look right. Sounds like you have already got some great input from the group. Keep us informed about how it goes, I'm sure Sea Ray will stand behind it :thumbsup: I know on the TN river trip we took with MM back in the summer and went to the SeaRay plant outside of Knoxville. They took a couple of the boats into the factory to solve a couple issues with them while we were taking the plant tour and eating lunch.

 

[Millertime]

Chuck,
I hope you are correct. So far they have been helpful and courteous but the results just aren’t there. This has to be a common problem with other new 38's. I really want to find another new 38 da to see if I'm alone in my fight or not. If you know of anyone please let me know. Thanks so much

 

[osd9]

My neighbor has a 2006 38DA....I know I have some pics of his transom after he had the name put on....I'll see what I can find....


Anyway, I don't remember his transom door being off color....I know he had/has a bunch of items that had to be addressed by both the dealer and Sea Ray....none of which were the transom door color...

I'll look and get back to you....


later,

 

[Millertime]

38

I've had my fair share of new boat issues thus far with my 38 as well, but this is the one they can't seem to figure out. I would really appreciate it if you could somehow put me in touch with your neighbor. Thanks a million.

 

[osd9]

I found the picture.....PM me with your email and I will send it to you....

 

[osd9]

I spoke with my neighbor and he gave me the OK to post the pic of his transom....so here it is....if you want...he said he would have no problem talking with you about the boat either....he's a great guy in his mid 60's and semi-retired......PM me with your cell number and I will put you guys in touch......Notice the play on his name...the two flags on the Port are "Gale Winds Warnings"....when you open his transom door, the flags are not hidden....

 

[RobF300]

that door does not look like a match, but the picture is not as good as the other pic posted.

I will try to remember to check when I go to the dealer tomoroww.

But again- if its plexiglass, it will never match. And if it does match today, it wont match after a season or so.

 

[Dave S]

that door does not look like a match, but the picture is not as good as the other pic posted.

I will try to remember to check when I go to the dealer tomoroww.

But again- if its plexiglass, it will never match. And if it does match today, it wont match after a season or so.

So Rob..............if that's the case is there a work around? Can the door be painted or sprayed with gel coat?

 

[RobF300]

if its plexiglass the answer from searay is going to be to live with it.

If its gelcoat, then the obvious solution is to match gel to the boat, then hope when you spray it it matches the boat after it cures, it kind of boils down to how much of an eye for color the owner and the repair person have. Some people dont pick up slight shade differences.

Again though- in a few years there is a slight chance that the two wont match 100%.

Just be sure to check the boat on a overcast day, in the sun everything white looks right- it blinds you too much to tell the difference.

Searay used to have alot of bolt on parts made outside the plant from the main hull and deck, those parts were always very slightly off.
The parts molded under pressure an finished on both sides also are slightly off from each other from a tradional layup like the hull and deck.
Check to see how many boarding ladder doors may not match, or archs, and the small deck hatches on the boats around in the marinas and the dealers- but check them on a overcast day.

 

[RiverGalsMan]

Millertime, I've also got an '06 38DA and I'm pretty anal about the boat. I don't think I've got a color mismatch on the transom door, but you've got me thinking and I'll definitely look closely next time I go to the boat. The problem with the transom door I do have is that they can't seem to adjust it so that it doesn't hit before the latch catches. I could have fixed it myself by now. I can see exactly what the problem is, but the repair guys don' seem to get it. Also, the fiberglas where the hinges attach is pretty thin. It flexes a lot when the door opens and closes. I haven't heard back on what they're going to do about that one.

 

[RiverGalsMan]

Millertime, I went by the boat yesterday and took a close look at the transom door. There is definitely a color difference between it and the lockers. To my eye, it looks like it's a combination of a different color and a different finish. The door is not as "shiny" as the lockers. Frankly, it doesn't bother me as much as the door being out of alignment. I can see where they made another adjustment, but it's still not very well aligned. It's very frustrating.

Anything happening with your issue?

 

[Octopus IV]

2006 38 DA transom door will never match exactly because it is made of acryllic. The major issue to worry about this door, is that the latch/handle allows water to collect inside the door :smt013. The dealer is going to contact SR on that issue .

 

[RiverGalsMan]

Octopus, are you finding water in the engine compartment? I don't mean the bilge (where I figure there will always be some water,) but underneath the swim platform space and on the engines. When I went down there a couple of days ago, there was water everywhere. I'm wondering if it was condensation from the cold air.

Interested in seeing other's experience(s) there.

 

[Octopus IV]

."River Gal"

My 38 is in heated storage for the winter :smt015 no water .
During the last 2 weeks of our season my poor 38 was subjected to lows of 26-28 degrees at night with a water temp around 48degrees. During my winter "prep" never saw any water down there. The only time I've had any water of any kind in the engine area&/bilge area, has been during rough crossings in Lake Michigan in 6-8 ft seas (water enter via aft vents). I'd have your dealer investigate of possible leaks on the transom deck.
Keep me posted Good Luck

 

[CSR_Admin]

If its plexi you should be able to spray it with a matching tint of awlgrip, this of course is a workaround if they can't find you a matching door. A boat yard can "take a picture" of yourt gelcoat and have a paint mixed to match perfectly.