Gel coat crack on new boat

[cnote]

Found this after doing a wipe down on new R23. Just dropped at dealer so they're taking a look, but I'm doubtful this is something that can really be fixed. Has anyone seen this before? It's hard to tell, but it looks like possibly an issue with the mold where gelcoat ended up being laid too thick and it cracked when they screwed in the vent screen (this is the port aft screen right where it comes to a point). IKO this is unlikely ever to get worse or cause problems down the line, but it will always bother me a little, especially since I bought new.

You guys tell me. Should I expect perfection from a brand new buy, and what, if any, solution is even worthwhile pursuing here, if warranty repair isn't feasible?

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[chpthril]

I bet it originated from the corner of the vent.

[TigeFamily]

Gelcoat cracks are not a structural issue of course, but it would bother me too. I don't see why they could not fix that....I think they would need to grind out like 1/2" on each side (maybe more) and then re-gelcoat and then clear coat. Being new there is no reason why it would not be a perfect match.

From what I have seen, Tige has pretty good warranty support. Much of it is dealer, so hopefully he is in your corner.

[carthur]

just picked up my new RZX2 and found a set of webb cracks about 12 in long, please let me know what they say.. I'm scared as well that they won't be able to fix it

[ski_antique]

I'm pretty sure Tige or the dealer will take care of you at the end of the season if it's non structural

[Jetdriver]

Gel coat and fiberglass damage is always fixable.
Although it’s not a big deal as far as effecting the use of it, I would definitely expect them to fix it as it’s pretty obvious it’s a manufacturing flaw.

[freeheel4life]

I'm fairly sure 1st year cracks are covered. I would bring it to your dealers attention now and get the ball rolling to have it warrantied then have it repaired later when you aren't using the boat. That or figure out who is doing the repairs, where and when, and how long it is expected to take so IF you opt to have it done now your boat doesn't just go sit on a lot somewhere waiting to be fixed. Flake repairs can be a bit tricky and if not repaired by a good fiberglass/gel guy you will always see it when you look for it. I would bet that the crack runs right to the edge of that screw hole when vent gets pulled off.

[UNSTUCK]

I would bet that the crack runs right to the edge of that screw hole when vent gets pulled off.

Me too. Makes me think they didn't drill a pilot hole first.

[cnote]

thanks for all the feedback, the boat's at the dealer, I'll update how it turns out.

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[boardman74]

Cracks like this actually originate from not properly chamfering the holes.

Truth be told the major gel coat issues started in 2013 or 2014. Thats when Tige significantly reduced the thickness of the top sheet and the bottom sheet at the rub rail to aid in the mating process. This makes the area more flexible which allows them to manipulate it more when joining. The problem is it allows a lot of flex in this area and thats bad for gel. Fiberglass remains flexible and gel is hard as glass once cured. So as the fiberglass flexes underneath the gel cracks. There were so many boats with cracks radiating from these areas that the factory was sending glass guys out to make repairs. We had a factory guy come and I think we had around 16-18 boats for him to gel work on. Those were 2014's all with less than 2 hours on them. Heck my 14 literally was unwrapped and left same day to have over 10K in fiberglass work that the factory QC people simply missed.

So people say its not structural but in a way it is. Its the fiberglass being week underneath that causes the flex that leads to the cracks. That weakness to me is a structural problem.

[bsreid]

You say it’s structural but I can garuntee you when the gel shop fixes it they’re only fixing the upper layor and crossing fingers it doesn’t happen again.

My 14 definitely had some weak spots on the upper portion that got some chips from literally who knows what. So far the 16 seems good except for some factory imperfection chips on the chine which are going to get fixed.

[Jeepdude]

I to also have a 2013 and above the rubrail has been a nightmare.
Fact of the matter is I will be having it fixed on my dime and likely never owning another tige after the way I have been treated about it.
I have called Tige about it multiple times over since year 1 and they are forward in admitting that it was a really bad year for gel goat.

These are expensive boats. treating us right would go a long way in creating loyalty to the brand and Us recommending them to our other water crazy friends.

[Germaine Marine]

Wish yall nothing but the best going to another boat company, sometimes thats what it takes to be happy. While I understand your frustration, I can say without hesitation I see it in brands other then Tige. Upon delivery we note these things, and dont have too many issues getting them fixed. Sucks you two have had such a hard time in that area.