In a predicament with my Gel Coat

[SPBFAN]

I found this out also after I bought my boat. The dealer knows because of the contract that he owner the Hull Warranty now. They did step up and take care of Gel Coat cracks and other issues also. On my contract they stated the boat was a new sale and I had full warranties. TIGE did not honor the warranty because it was a Demo Boat. So the dealer agreed to take care of all the other warranties for me and take care of the boat.

However, their is always a way out of warranties. When someone tells me there is a warranty I just laugh.

[gman]

SPBFAN
Just out of curiosity were you the first registered owner of the boat?

[loudelectronics]

Nothing new as of yet. Just using it as I bought it which kinda scares me as one of the options is a return of my funds (prefer to keep the boat) but depreciation may be included.

[gman]

Please Keep us posted. This is going to be interesting to see how it turns out. Have they given you a date for the resolution?

[gman]

How are things going in the resolution of your problem?

[loudelectronics]

Well almost got rid of the boat all together today. A tornado came through our bay at the lake and ruined everyones boat except mine. The lake has a few less pontoon boats and PWC thank god. Tornado could not lift the Tige I guess. Made a mess of cabins, trees, toys everything except our cabin and boat.

As far as a resolution, nothing has happened. They phoned our lawyer and asked us to be more cooperative. We are doing everything to get this done but not signing there waiver. They are a little miffed at us I imagine, but I have just left it with our councils hands. I just want this resolved. I have Tige dealers from other parts of the country phoning me as they know the details apparently. So Tige is fully aware of the situation and have told me that they really can not do anything which they cant.

[venetrex]

Gel Coat

I have cracks in my 2002 21v gel coat where a snap cover was installed, at almost every screw. I think it is crap that the warranty in nontransferable. MAstercraft lets you transfer the warranty from owner to owner, why would tige be so reluctant to honpor a warranty on something that severe? In my case it was installer error, but that case is very bad.

[gman]

loudtelectronics
what is it that you have to be more cooperative about? Either Tige or the dealer need to get this fixed. its been long enough. if i may ask what is it that they are wanting in the waiver?

[da.bell]

I have cracks in my 2002 21v gel coat where a snap cover was installed, at almost every screw. I think it is crap that the warranty in nontransferable. MAstercraft lets you transfer the warranty from owner to owner, why would tige be so reluctant to honpor a warranty on something that severe? In my case it was installer error, but that case is very bad.

The warranty on the gelcoat is 1 year for all models except the 2008 and 2009 boat models and those are a 3 year warranty (I think the '09 are a three year warranty. ChpThril?????)

As for that warranty being transferred, I would think that they would honor the 1 year warranty on that no matter who was the owner. However, with your boat already 6+ years old, it definitely is not under warranty. Sorry to provide you bad news.

The hull warranty once the original owner sells the boat becomes a 10 year warranty and the engine warranty can be transferred with a fee from my understanding.

[SPBFAN]

Just like the auto manufactures a warranty is there to help you feel at ease about buying the product. Once you buy it there is no cool off period. It is so easy to back out of a warranty. I would bet that if TIGE' was ever faced with a true delimitation they could find a way to say it was not there fault. For example: They could say You had a snap down cover put on and that separated the fiberglass or started the process. Or you drilled through the boat and put in an aftermarket ballast system. Ect Ect. There is ways out of warranties. IMHO.

[da.bell]

Just like the auto manufactures a warranty is there to help you feel at ease about buying the product. Once you buy it there is no cool off period. It is so easy to back out of a warranty. I would bet that if TIGE' was ever faced with a true delimitation they could find a way to say it was not there fault. For example: They could say You had a snap down cover put on and that separated the fiberglass or started the process. Or you drilled through the boat and put in an aftermarket ballast system. Ect Ect. There is ways out of warranties. IMHO.

Yes, but for a PR standpoint, not sure if that would be in Tige's best interest. There are too many places today that one can post negative things about anyone/anything.

[spankyt]

Hey guys I have owned a number of boats and all gel coat gets surface cracks usually caused by age temperature fluctuations stress, holes (screws ect.) damage ect. I like also have waited years to own a tournament tow boat. My last ski boat was a 1978 Glastron Carlson CVX 18 it had several cracks but were not as noticeable in the metal flake finish. I have noticed that hand laid fiberglass seems to get more surface cracks in the gel coat as compared to the pressed hulls from that large hull manufacturer that produces Larsons, Chaparells ect. I purchased an 04 22v finally and absolutely love it. I baby it always covered and wax and polish it with Mequires polish's. Go figure it has started to get several little cracks all over. Speaking to my dealer he claims a lot of the problems are from temperature fluctuations up here in Canada. He also stated that because the previous owner had a cockpit cover with snaps installed (drilling through the gelcoat) adds to the problem. All said an done, cracks in the gel coat are the nature of the beast like rust to metal and up here with our extreme temperatures. I have restored old 60's Corvettes years ago and they too got them. That is why GM switched from FG to a more composite material in the mid 80's.
Regarding fixing them yes it is possible but like the other fellow said, they must be sanded down to bare FG otherwise they will reappear. Anyway I am going to enjoy my Tige'. If anyone has some advise on better care and knows of a good shop up here that can handle large boats let us know.

[spankyt]

Gel Coat Issues

Hey guys I have owned a number of boats and all gel coat gets surface cracks usually caused by age temperature fluctuations stress, holes (screws ect.) damage ect. I like also have waited years to own a tournament tow boat. My last ski boat was a 1978 Glastron Carlson CVX 18 it had several cracks but were not as noticeable in the metal flake finish. I have noticed that hand laid fiberglass seems to get more surface cracks in the gel coat as compared to the pressed hulls from that large hull manufacturer that produces Larsons, Chaparells ect. I purchased an 04 22v finally and absolutely love it. I baby it always covered and wax and polish it with Mequires polish's. Go figure it has started to get several little cracks all over. Speaking to my dealer he claims a lot of the problems are from temperature fluctuations up here in Canada. He also stated that because the previous owner had a cockpit cover with snaps installed (drilling through the gelcoat) adds to the problem. All said an done, cracks in the gel coat are the nature of the beast like rust to metal and up here with our extreme temperatures. I have restored old 60's Corvettes years ago and they too got them. That is why GM switched from FG to a more composite material in the mid 80's.
Regarding fixing them yes it is possible but like the other fellow said, they must be sanded down to bare FG otherwise they will reappear. Anyway I am going to enjoy my Tige'. If anyone has some advise on better care and knows of a good shop up here that can handle large boats let us know.


Col

[gman]

spankyt,
I have a different experience. Not all boats have gel coat cracks. I owned two sea rays. The first one 10 years the second one 20 years. Not one gel coat crack in either one. A friend of mine had a cobalt for 10 years. Not one gel coat crack.

[SPBFAN]

spankyt,
I have a different experience. Not all boats have gel coat cracks. I owned two sea rays. The first one 10 years the second one 20 years. Not one gel coat crack in either one. A friend of mine had a cobalt for 10 years. Not one gel coat crack.

I think it has something to do with the beating the boats take. Those boats were designed for rough water and the tow boats take some pretty hard hits when going over other wakes or running double ups and such. Over time I think it causes stress and as a result cracking. As for the snaps cracking that is because these whacked out awning shops do not know anything about gel-coat and they so not take the time to drill the hole and counter sink it before installing the snaps. If they did this the snaps would not develop cracking around them.

Last week I saw a friends Malibu 247 that has cracking from the window bolts. It looks like Malibu did the same thing drilled the holes did not counter sink them and pull the window down tight. Now he has cracks going down the side of his boat. We will see what Malibu will do.