Powell Ratz

[powell ratz]

Hello all, I just had a 2002 240 Sundeck on a test drive. Loved it!!! However, the boat has several cracks in the gel coat. The dealer says they are common on Sea Rays, anyone ever heard of that before? They look like small tree branches and they are all above the bumper line. Any advice???

 

[chuck1]

Have the boat surveyed. The survey should be able to tell you if they are just cosmetic cracks or serious cracks.

 

[Alegria]

Google - Fiberglass Crazing...

That is most likely what it is. Unfourtunately there is no easy way to fix it or remove it so I just live with it for the most part.

From my limited research it seems that too much gelcoat is applied to the mold and over time the added weight of the gelcoat sags causing the crazing...

If they can be removed, easily, I would sure like to know how...

I've seen reports that painting is the most effective way..

 

[powell ratz]

Do you know if this is a warranty issue?? Does Sea Ray warrant the coating?

 

[chuck1]

Do you know if this is a warranty issue?? Does Sea Ray warrant the coating?

If it is just the coating, no way on a 7 year old boat. Have you had it surveyed yet?

 

[avguy]

Do you know if this is a warranty issue?? Does Sea Ray warrant the coating?

There are several reasons why the gelcoat might crack or get stress fractures. If they are confined to areas like the windshield or bimini support mounts it could be the holes for the mounts were improperly drilled. If the cracks are fairly rampant all over the boat it could be that too much gelcoat was applied when the boat was built.

The good news (sort of) is the fractures can be dremeled out & repaired. The bad news is if you don't find out the cause of the fractures they will likely return.

Our '05 Sundeck had cracks (2 or 3) around the windshield & bimini supports the day we bought it new. They were considered cosmetic and repaired at the dealership. The problem with our's was the cracks kept returning in the same & different areas. Because the cracks were considered to be cosmetic they were only covered under the Searay warranty for one year.

After the first year we had to contact Searay corporate. After a few phone calls with a Searay customer service rep they re-classified our cracks from cosmetic to structural so they would be covered under the 5 year warranty. It took a lot of persistance as well as some guidence from a few knowlegable people here to get the problem resolved. Our problem was too much gelcoat applied when the boat was manufactured. The boat was returned to the Searay plant where the entire deck (everything from the hull up) was replaced.

Your boat is an '02 and not covered by any warranty from Searay. More than likely the cracks are cosmetic but as Chuck said get a survey. Good luck.

 

[powell ratz]

you have all been very helpful. I appreciate all of it....