Radar Arch Cracking - Searay Poor Quality and Customer Service

po removed for your own good

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    Votes: 2 50.0%
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With the downturn in the economy (recession, depression, whatever) - there were many boats sitting around. I think it had like 2 hours on it when we got it. Had been to a couple of in-water boat shows and the like. The cracked dash, they attributed to a boat show. However missing table post and filler cushions not fitting they said came straight from the factory. Not trying to trash the brand - but dagnabbit - I want to know how others handled this. Jason said his dealership did it - that's helpful. If saying that a vessel/vehicle has poor fit and finish is trashing a brand - well truth hurts I guess. I've applauded all the dealer has done to make things right actually elsewhere.

Again I have some doubts about your dealer being 100% honest. I've seen boats come from SeaRay to my dealer. They come shrink wrapped and with a full inventory checklist. A dealer should never accept a boat with missing items.
 
Gelcoat cracks are a normal part of owning a boat. Cracks through the gel into the glass behind the gel are not.

If it was my boat, I would call a glass guy to give me an opinion/estimate before I got my panties in any bigger of a wad than you already have them in. Then you would not be speculating, but, working on hard facts.

Some of us have had the opportunity to become somewhat familiar with some of the folks that run the company and their employees. You could not ask for a finer bunch than those at Sea Ray. However, if you went and pooped in their cornflakes, then they may act as if you pooped in their cornflakes.
 
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Thank you for the great advice. I will try to find a local fiberglass who can give me a better idea. I haven't dumped in anyone's flakes (yet), but having these ideas has helped unbunch my panties.
Oh, but don't condescend please either. I knew Rob Parmentier, his brother took our boat out for its first orientation, and I graduated high school with his daughter. That doesn't mean bean counters dont call shots sometimes.
 
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I also bought a 09 left over in 11 and I have had my own share off issues with my new boat. Which are still on going to some extent due to some design flaws in the eim and PCM side of which sea ray has been working on. But in all my dealer ship took care of all of my other cosmetic and minor mechanical problems they have only dealt with sea ray on more major issues. As for missing cushions and posts not fitting I doubt it came from sea ray most 09 boats showed up in aug of 08 or early 09 so I would think they were lost at boat shows or misplaced. When I got my boat all my things were wrapped in plastic and in the proper storage areas. What I am getting at is that the boat sat for better then 2 years and was transported and used at boat shows things happen. I think the dealer should take care of those things as for the crack I would bet the arch was over tightened when installed my hard top was installed by dealer when boat was new since it comes off the boat when delivered. my hard top had to be tightend after the first season and recaulked. I would imagine that's why sea ray is not giving you a difinitive answer on warranty as it may have been cause by the dealer if they installed the arch. I would see what it would take to repair and find cause then approach sea ray I have had good results with sea ray but it starts at the dealer. Good luck.
 
Disclaimer: My input here is not related to the arch or even boat related. I am posting in an effort to benefit the thread, the forum in general and all involved with CSR.

I would like to suggest that we all take a deep breath. Seems that in a very short time, (19 posts), the thread has the tone of something that has been debated by the Hatfields & McCoys for decades. Obviously the OP has some real, legitimate issues with his Sea Ray. I say he came to the right place for advice. Did he go about it the wrong way? Maybe so. Did he ruffle the wrong feathers? Probably so. But, in the interest of helping, a little "benefit of the doubt" May have gone a long way.

I am not defending the guy. He obviously took the wrong approach here on the forum and, I believe, he did not read the replies with an open mind, but rather with an axe to grind. I hope he sticks around long enough to learn that axe grinding is allowed. Brand bashing after disregarding the advice of board members that are trying to help is sometimes frowned upon.

Blitzn - you have joined an extremely knowledgable group here. (I exclude myself from the knowledgable part). I would like to suggest that you reread some of the replies with a different mindset. We are here to help you. Brand loyal? You bet! But some of these guys have been down every road & around every block. Some know more about boat repairs, some know more about warranty & dealership procedures, some know both. Your boat has issues, no doubt. But I'm guessing that most of what you have mentioned is NOT manufacturer related. Yet they are all grouped together as if they were poor quality craftsmanship. I've got $10 bucks that says the boat did not leave the production floor with missing parts & the wrong filler cushions.

Another $10 says that you will, if you choose, find CSR to be by far your best resource for all things boating.
 
Have you personally tried contacting SR customer service or just letting your dealer do it ??
I have always found them very helpful and responsive to customer needs.
and FWIW ....this can be a good place to burn bridges as well as build them...
the squeaky wheel sometimes DOES just fall off...not greased.

  1. The warranty covers what it says, so shut up and pay for it (actually – warranty doesn’t say it)
  2. Handle it yourself, shut up and pay for it
  3. Contribute to the website, shut up and pay for it
  4. We are omnipotent and disapprove of the way you are approaching this – thou shalt not complain about Searays. Keep complaining and we’ll boot you from the forum (fall off)
And yet few have sent any comments about a better way to address this….attack the messenger, live with poor quality.
My father bought a FourWinns new, and never had issues like this. Guess I expected better.
This thread will probably be deleted. Ah well - sorry.
If you took the squeaky wheel analogy as a call for you being booted you sir are incorrect and being a bit defensive. what I was saying is that some people pay no attention to the noise. There are members here from SR and purely IMHO coming in with what appears to be a brand bash on said brand's lead forum is not the way to win friends and influence people...people who COULD possibly help you with your situation. And I really didn't see any post that said shut up...or shut up and pay for it. I do sympathize with your frustration but personally feel all of the mentioned defect would be more dealer induced on a 2 year old boat that has been boarded by god knows how many people at the boat shows and in the showroom. As for the arch ... with proper inspection and documentation I would think SR would fix the issue if it is a defect in materials or manufacturing process. All of the SR employees I have met have been the most conscientious group of people ..and proud of their work...I have ever seen.
Try some honey ... it makes a difference with everyone.
 
I also bought a 09 left over in 11 and I have had my own share off issues with my new boat. Which are still on going to some extent due to some design flaws in the eim and PCM side of which sea ray has been working on. But in all my dealer ship took care of all of my other cosmetic and minor mechanical problems they have only dealt with sea ray on more major issues. As for missing cushions and posts not fitting I doubt it came from sea ray most 09 boats showed up in aug of 08 or early 09 so I would think they were lost at boat shows or misplaced. When I got my boat all my things were wrapped in plastic and in the proper storage areas. What I am getting at is that the boat sat for better then 2 years and was transported and used at boat shows things happen. I think the dealer should take care of those things as for the crack I would bet the arch was over tightened when installed my hard top was installed by dealer when boat was new since it comes off the boat when delivered. my hard top had to be tightend after the first season and recaulked. I would imagine that's why sea ray is not giving you a difinitive answer on warranty as it may have been cause by the dealer if they installed the arch. I would see what it would take to repair and find cause then approach sea ray I have had good results with sea ray but it starts at the dealer. Good luck.
Ooooh. Really? The arch comes off like that? That would make sense. Thanks.
 
one other thought I had about your missing and mismatched parts...maybe your dealer "cannibalized" your craft somewhat trying to fix other boats they sold prior to yours as a customer service to someone already floating knowing they might be sitting on that one for a while. Also being from the automotive world...in the dealership we did that regularly and just ordered new parts for the out of service unit.
 
I've got $10 bucks that says the boat did not leave the production floor with missing parts & the wrong filler cushions.

Another $10 says that you will, if you choose, find CSR to be by far your best resource for all things boating.
Thanks for the great advice. However, it did not have the "wrong" or "incorrect" filler cushions. The filler cushions were too short for the V-berth. They fit at the "front", but were too narrow and short by 1" at the "bottom". Perhaps you are correct - someone switched them. But since they were same material and everything else - and from the boats we looked at the 240 is different from the 270 - same gen - so how else would you explain it?
 
As I said in post #7, I think your dealer could have been a lot more help in the beginning. I've been to the factory, I've seen the effort Sea Ray puts into making the boat as near perfect as possible so that you are pleased when you take delivery. I assure you the boat didn't leave Tennessee with a ripped headliner, doors that don't fit, hatches that don't close etc. All of those things are easy to fix and are checked and handled before shrink wrapping. However, as even a perfect boat must ride on t he back of an 18 wheeler at 70 mph over our highway system to get to you. I tend to believe the mal-adjustment happened between the factory and the dealer. That doesn't excuse the fact that you got a boat with list of alignment defects. It does explain how it happened, but not why the dealer didn't find those items and correct them.

Owners have to rely on their dealers as advocates with Sea Ray. If you have a dealer that can't work within the system and advocate for you with the factory it makes it very difficult to get help outside of the warranty. And I don't understand why........all it takes is a phone call. You are also incorrect in assuming that warranty reimbursement in the boat business is like cars where warranty work is paid at a discount. If the dealer is in good standing and is a Master Dealer they are reimbursed at 100% of their retail hourly rate for Sea Ray warranty work. It actually works to their advantage to do Sea Ray warranty because they get paid on approved repairs immediately and they are usually furnished any needed parts.
 
Blitzn,

You are quoting Twain in your sig., so I'm going to presume you have a healthy perspective on life...... able to start anew and laugh things off perhaps? Look, whether you know it not yet, you've stumbled on one of the best resources and people concerning Sea Ray. I don't say that lightly.....

Frustration aside, to me, this seems like a minor life issue...add to that, you don't even have a proper assessment of the problem. I think it's time to laugh this off, get an estimate, and proceed after you have the facts.

We're here for ya....
 
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As I said in post #7, ..... I assure you the boat didn't leave Tennessee with a ripped headliner, doors that don't fit, hatches that don't close etc. .....However, as even a perfect boat must ride on t he back of an 18 wheeler at 70 mph over our highway system to get to you. I tend to believe the mal-adjustment happened between the factory and the dealer. That doesn't excuse the fact that you got a boat with list of alignment defects. It does explain how it happened, but not why the dealer didn't find those items and correct them.
You are also incorrect in assuming that warranty reimbursement in the boat business is like cars where warranty work is paid at a discount. If the dealer is in good standing and is a Master Dealer they are reimbursed at 100% of their retail hourly rate for Sea Ray warranty work. It actually works to their advantage to do Sea Ray warranty because they get paid on approved repairs immediately and they are usually furnished any needed parts.
OK, if that is how they reimburse the dealers, I won't argue. Learn something new.
Not sure about the alignment part though - that might explain some items. When the dealer has to remove the cabin door, repair the fiberglass and shift it 1/2" so that it aligns - I have to think that is not an "alignment" item - more like improper installation or incorrect templates on early production models would be my guess.
It's in the past so not really an issue though.
Taking Jason’s advice – I have contacted a local fiberglass company to get an estimate of the repairs.
 
If I can help, I will.

I have PM you my contact information and would enjoy a conversation if you have time this weekend. I am out of town but will try my best to take your call.


Rusty
 
If I can help, I will.

I have PM you my contact information and would enjoy a conversation if you have time this weekend. I am out of town but will try my best to take your call.


Rusty

Hopefully he accepts this offer.....
 
one other thought I had about your missing and mismatched parts...maybe your dealer "cannibalized" your craft somewhat trying to fix other boats they sold prior to yours as a customer service to someone already floating knowing they might be sitting on that one for a while. Also being from the automotive world...in the dealership we did that regularly and just ordered new parts for the out of service unit.

The above sounds about right to me! We had that happen to us when we bought a new boat too (not a SeaRay). From what we know of SeaRay customer service they have always been most helpful. The SeaRay we currently own is built much better than others we have owned too. As others have said this is the best place in the world to find out info about boats, not just SeaRays either, the wealth of knowledge and level of willingness to help by members is absolutley unbeatabale. Plus if Capt. Higgins is offering to help you, you're not going to get any better than that:) Good luck and remember "you catch more bees with honey":)
 
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Y'know, it's a shame you can't "like" a post. I've seen some awesome ideas and comments and wanted to thank each and everyone of you for them - this is the best idea I had to communicate that. Thanks.
 
Captain Rusty is a Sea Ray employee. While he is not in the Customer Service Department, he is the public face of Sea Ray. You will not get any better help, nor advice. Take him up on his most generous offer.
 

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