In a predicament with my Gel Coat

[loudelectronics]

Well I tried removing the rub rail. Not an easy job as it is rivetted on. So I took the carpet out from the inside. That glue is pretty sticky. Anyways, the above cracks all line up with rivets. The inside rivets punch the glass out in a shape that looks like Saturn. There is no doubt that the rivets cracks run from the rivets now. Only some of the front cracks line up with rivets though. There is one section up front where the cracks run up on both sides of the rub rail, from a single rivet. Both cracks line up.

[Wake Bandits]

Our gelcoat color was nowhere near a match of what the sample showed.

We later learned that the guys in the Tige gel shop at the Tige factory also have a band called "The Blind Boys of Texas".

We should have guessed, the name of our color is called Braille Purple.
Formerly crapshoot purple.

[da.bell]

I got some Pacific Blue from Tige about 2 months ago to repair some of the gelcoat cracks on my 24Ve. The person who put the gelcoat on had to add more blue than what he was provided from Tige.

What is up with Tige and their gelcoat coloring now? Oh well, at least they helped a little bit.

[loudelectronics]

Still nothing to date. Getting a bit frustrated to say the least. Boat is going in the water even with the gel coat falling off.

[da.bell]

I was thinking about what was up with this the other day. Why is it that someone comes onto TO and totally bashes Tige about their gelcoat issue and you have been calm and collected about this and you haven't received any word about it??? Sounds a little back-arse-wards to me

[loudelectronics]

Well for one, I love my boat! All the the boats I have driven to not even come close the the versatility that a tige offers. I have passed up good deals on other boarding boats to get my 24v. I actually been wanting one since I was 15. I was sold on my first demo ride. No other dealer could give me the same with there offering. The only reason I have a good job is so I can afford my Tige. Honestly, I would be happy with a stress free job of pumping gas (well for a while, then I would want to manage, then want to own the gas station but that is just me). Secondly the dealer is the one that should be taking care of getting it done by any means. Tige makes a lot of boats, not everyone of them is going to be perfect coming out of the factory. Maybe they had a new guy tapping the holes for the rivets or something? I do not know, but stuff happens. The dealer signed an agreement to get it done so I know they have to follow suit. The only thing now was the plan was to keep the boat for a couple years and then buy a new one. But with the boat in the shape its in I can not sell it. I do want to buy an 09 but can't until my boat is fixed.

The dealer is trying to send it back to Tige to get the work done. I have no issues with this as I have more faith in them doing the proper work then anyone around here. If it was possible I would actually like to take it down my self so I can see the factory. If it was possible I would like some of the vinyls done there as well cause the dealer I bought it from did a crap job of it. Not what you would expect when you lay down 50g.

Anyways, I will keep you posted when I find out more. Almost pulled it out yesterday though cause the melt is on here and the river is flowing. Just no guarantees that it wont drop below 0 again.

Oh and when it really comes down to it. Its my fault, I should have been smarter not to buy a boat in that condition. Just when they said they were going to regel and vinyl the boat with only 118 hours. I thought I was going to be in the good with a boat with new shiny gel and new interior. Just has not worked out that way.

[loudelectronics]

Dealer phoned today and said Tige is going to phone me today or tomorrow??? Not sure why Tige wants to phone me as I am just third party but more then willing to talk to them if they want to. I am sure it was just the dealer saying that stuff is in the works. I have a meeting with them on Tuesday. It will be just my luck that if something does get done it will be in the middle of the summer and me with out a boat, lol. Well lets just hope something gets done.

[Tequilasun]

Loud, you have to be commended for being so patient. I don't think I would be! I also think you are going about this the right way. The dealer agreed to fix it, hold their feet to the fire till they do. I personally don't think I'd deal with a dealer who didn't have a quality gel coat guy they work with. Gel coat is a spooky thing, just some weird qualities to it.

From what I've read in here, it looks like there was a flub up at the factory, so I bet the dealer is fighting with Tige about who's paying the bill for the repair. Honestly, I wouldn't care about that as long as it got done. I'd inquire about getting a demo boat for your troubles if it has to be done during the summer... Lord knows with your attitude you could probably sell a few boats for a dealer while demoing! If I were another dealer in your area, I'd take that chance on you!

Anyway, Good luck, I hope it all works out well and swift!

[loudelectronics]

Loud, you have to be commended for being so patient. I don't think I would be! I also think you are going about this the right way. The dealer agreed to fix it, hold their feet to the fire till they do. I personally don't think I'd deal with a dealer who didn't have a quality gel coat guy they work with. Gel coat is a spooky thing, just some weird qualities to it.

From what I've read in here, it looks like there was a flub up at the factory, so I bet the dealer is fighting with Tige about who's paying the bill for the repair. Honestly, I wouldn't care about that as long as it got done. I'd inquire about getting a demo boat for your troubles if it has to be done during the summer... Lord knows with your attitude you could probably sell a few boats for a dealer while demoing! If I were another dealer in your area, I'd take that chance on you!

Anyway, Good luck, I hope it all works out well and swift!

Thanks for the props Tequila. It is definitly a flub at the factory and that is why the dealer wants tige to fix it. However the dealer screwed up and did not get it in in time for warranty to be over and then signed with me stating they would fix it. So you can easily point fingers any way. This dealer has one of the top Gelcoat gals in the country from what I hear from other dealers as far as British Columbia. She will not touch it because of the amount of damage. She said that no matter who pays, this boat should go back to the factory. I also showed it to a guy that used to work for Nautique, who actually did gel on there boats said the same thing. We also had a Tornado this past summer and it twisted out tower ( I think it did any way, they said it didn't and it is just an optical illusion) but the appraiser who specializes in only boats has never seen this type of damage and said it should go back to the factory. I personally would like it to go back to as I know I can trust them to do a good job plus I would like to buy some new interior cause the dealer screwed up on that.

As far as getting a demo boat, I doubt it. This dealer knows I will buy a Tige for my next boat, so there is no benifit to them giving me a Bu. As far as selling boats, I am not sure, but it is likely. I actually got an email today from my yamaha dealer thanking me for selling 6 grizzlies for him. If I like a product, everyone knows about it and people do listen (maybe it is the salesman in me, lol, wait thats my day job). I do know though my boat is the biggest baddest thing on Lake Metigoshe and everyone on both sides of the border knows about it as I found out in a coffee shop in Bottineau ND. Wakeboard boats are just starting to catch on out here, they are not a dime a dozen like in fla. Anyways I am just rambling.

I am pretty calm, frustrated but calm about this situation but my two Pitbulls are ready to start biting. In that I mean my Lawyer and my mother (doesnt matter how old you get moms just can't keep there noses out of things, especially when there kids are getting the short end, lol)

[kko]

Im sorry but i see nothing that would indicate to me that Tige should fix your boat for free,it is out of warranty and you bought it used.It even had the problems when you bought it.your dealer is the one that shoulD have their feet held to the fire here not Tige.i see 3 options
1.dealer return your money and you return the boat
2.dealer trade you into another boat giving what you paid for the boat as a credit
3.DEALER repair gelcoat however by whomever he wants at his cost.If he wants to send it to tige thats his choice.He didnt put it in writting that he would have it repaired by tige so he could find someone else to do it.But if that is not an option in your area then the dealr would be responsable for getting it to tige and paying for the repair.
I do wish you the best of luck in getting your boat repaired but IMPO your DEALER is the one at fault here NOT Ttige.

[loudelectronics]

Im sorry but i see nothing that would indicate to me that Tige should fix your boat for free,it is out of warranty and you bought it used.It even had the problems when you bought it.your dealer is the one that shoulD have their feet held to the fire here not Tige.i see 3 options
1.dealer return your money and you return the boat
2.dealer trade you into another boat giving what you paid for the boat as a credit
3.DEALER repair gelcoat however by whomever he wants at his cost.If he wants to send it to tige thats his choice.He didnt put it in writting that he would have it repaired by tige so he could find someone else to do it.But if that is not an option in your area then the dealr would be responsable for getting it to tige and paying for the repair.
I do wish you the best of luck in getting your boat repaired but IMPO your DEALER is the one at fault here NOT Ttige.

You are exactly right KKO. I am not holding Tige's feet to the fire for this. This is the dealers fault for not getting it done. These cracks showed up in year one and they sat on the boat with out doing anything about it. They had ample time in getting this boat fixed under warranty. The Dealer is responsible for getting this boat fixed any means possible. Like I said though. I would rather they get it done by Tige so it is done right.

Used boat or not though, these cracks should never have happened. The boat was only used by one owner for one year and sat at the dealer as they traded it in after there first season. Only 118 hours when I got it.

[kko]

You are exactly right KKO. I am not holding Tige's feet to the fire for this. This is the dealers fault for not getting it done. These cracks showed up in year one and they sat on the boat with out doing anything about it. They had ample time in getting this boat fixed under warranty. The Dealer is responsible for getting this boat fixed any means possible. Like I said though. I would rather they get it done by Tige so it is done right.

Used boat or not though, these cracks should never have happened. The boat was only used by one owner for one year and sat at the dealer as they traded it in after there first season. Only 118 hours when I got it.

Let me get this straight that boat cracked like that when it was less than a year old 04/05 sometime then the dealer took it in trade and the dealer just sat on the boat until 07. then they made a deal with you.You buy the boat and they would have the gel repaired.so now they find out no one in your area can do the repair and its going to cost them to much to send it to tige so they dont want to do that.
Im just trying to understand the whole situation no busting on you or anything so please dont take it that way.
1.You must really love Tige to buy a boat in that condition.At the very least I would have had it fixed before i ever took delivery of it.I love my Tige as well but i dont know if i could buy a boat knowing it had this issue.I would want it to my satifaction before i gave up my money.(trusting the dealer could make it right was a small mistake on your part IMPO)But you have it on the contract they would so they dam well should.
2.Have they offered you your money back for the boat or trade value towards a different boat,and if yes why not trade out?Are there other tiges for sale or is that the problem-no boats you would be willing to trade for?
Again good luck in getting the situation handled in a way that makes you happy.

[Tequilasun]

Kko, you got it right from what I've read.

I find it hard to believe that the dealer would even want to sell the boat in that condition. My dealer would make sure any trade-ins were as showroom perfect as they could reasonably be before selling them.

[loudelectronics]

The dealer that I got it from has all the major wakeboarders in the area working for them. I knew a lot of them from the circuit so I figured I could trust them. Most likely taken advantage of. I should not have taken the boat in that condition but like I said the deal sounded good. 50g for 24v with 118 hours with new paint and all new interiors. There is nothing wrong with the motor so it was like almost getting a new boat. That is the only way I would buy it. There were no other Tiges in the immediate area. I would have had to drive about 15 hours to pick up a new one which I could not afford. I needed GE financing for the 15 years to make payments affordable enough that I could pay off the boat in 5-7 years. This dealer was semi close (3 hours), had financing, reputation and most importantly a Tige.

I have gave them the options:

1. I bring the boat back for a full refund.
2. Return the boat for invoice value for purchase of a new 24v (2006 no hours)that was on the lot.
3. Get my boat fixed by June 1st 2009 or else we move to option 1 and 2.

None of this could be agreed on so we are still waiting for them to do there thing with tige. This is the last summer I will put up with it though as the gel is starting to fall off on the bottom of the boat near the rudder at the end of one of the cracks.

And yes, the dealer sat on the boat that long with the cracks and did nothing from what I gather. I know the users of the boat before I bought it so I had a rough Idea of the background.

[dogbert]

I've never seen anything like that...something's not right. You might want to find out if that boat was totaled in an insurance claim.

I'm guessing it was involved in some kind of accident. Gel coat does not just fall off.