Gelcoat cracks

[wakedv]

Wondering if anyone has had similar problem? I have an 06 vride I purchased used last fall, noticed some cracks around the windsheild on the passenger side, they start from the windsheild mounting screws and spider down from there. The dealer told me that they were not covered under warranty any longer, but would split the repair costs with me. I later found out from the previous owner that they have already fixed cracks in that area, and upon closer inspection I can see some of the repaired area. I assume gelcoat cracks occur if screws are not correctly installed, should the dealer or Malibu pay for all the repairs or am I stuck with the costs?

[99response]

Amazing they would fix the problem once and not properly install the windshield afterwards.

I think your stuck with half the repair costs.

-Chris

[68Slalom]

Amazing they would fix the problem once and not properly install the windshield afterwards.

I think your stuck with half the repair costs.

-Chris

[aaudii5150]

Sounds like it all you...... Sorry......

I've not found any in my BU but have seen several in the other boats I've owned.....

Nothing to worry about, just make sure they are not getting any longer.....

[WakeGirl]

2 things: you're the second owner, & the boat is out of warranty. Given that, half the repair bill is pretty generous IMO.

With that said, there is an outside chance, a longshot of sorts. If the repairs were done at an outside facility & they were the ones to reinstall the windshield, then depending on what their own warranty policy is you may get something out of that shop. It's definitely a long shot, but it may be worth finding out who did the repair & go from there.

[Malibudude]

IMHO your dealer willing to pay half is certainly a great business move. While it sucks at least they are willing to work with you, many may not reach out with such and offer especially since you didn't purchase it from them originally.

[Chef23]

I have some cracks on my dash in the area of the windshield and frankly they don't seem structural and I am not doing anything about them right now. I am technically the second owner (my Dad was the first) and I know they are not covered. I am keeping an eye on them to ensure they don't get worse. My guess they are connected with having an RLX and having the walk over to get to the open bow.

[Kingfish]

I've seen three 09's with gelcoat cracks at the screw location where the side frame tapers down. From what I was told they are supposed to reverse the bit and start a pilot first before drilling and they didn't. If the dealer is paying half that seems pretty good.

[droptine]

Yep my 09 is cracking in the same spot.. Haven't even had it on the water yet and crack wasn't there at the dealership.. By the time I got it home, it was cracked about 5 inches down on the side.. Surprised that they haven't gotten a better handle on this yet..

[Kingfish]

Yup that sucks considering the cost of these recreational masterpieces. The LSV was cracked on both sides and on one side right to the rub rail. I also heard there was something with California emissions standards and a different forumulation was used that made the gelcoat more prone, not sure if that is true. Whats the plan for repair, in the fall ?

[droptine]

Ya, use it as much as possible until fall and then get it taken care of.. I'm just waiting for the other side to crack as well.. Ya you think they would have this under control if it has been as issue before. My 06 VLX was fine, no problems at all.. Yet my buddies 08 VLX cracked in a few spots on the sides of the boat..

I know its a pile of $$ tied up for something a guy only gets to use a couple months of the yr..

[99response]

All boat builders have these issues, and it comes down to lazy people on the assembly line who don't want to chamfer holes they put in gelcoat.

For reference the boats I've worked on extensively include Malibu, Cobalt, and Fountian, all had gelcoat crack issues.

-Chris

[droptine]

Ya I'm sure they all have issues.. Brutal when you think of it and that it just comes down to incompetent people..

[Malibuzer]

My 07 VTX had lots of cracks. Just about all were located by screw locations!! Front vent screw, bow rail, cup holder, windshield, platform brackets, and rear vent screws. I have on e more this year about 1/4" from one that was repaired last winter. I have been told that extreme temperature swings can cause lots of grief as well. Like towing your bot from a heated shop to the dealer at -35 deg. C.

[wakeup]

Had an 06 Vride we sold last year. not one crack on the whole boat.

[Kingfish]

My Glastron had them around the windshield, got it repaired under warranty and a year later it cracked in adjacent area. Please not the Malibu, please pretty please.

[droptine]

Finally had the new 09 VLX out on the lake yesterday and today.. What a sweet boat.. Although there are definetely a few things I don't like about it.. While wiping it down tonite, I found another gel coat crack, in front of the windshield, where those intake vents are.. Thats brutal, in the water for the first time and two big gel coat cracks..

LIKES:

The wake on this boat is just awesome, great for wake boarding, very crisp wake, excellent shape compared to our 06 VLX.. Surf wake is incredible, no extra weight needed.. Love the presets.. Presets and MaliView is wicked, really easy to use. Keyless ignition is a nice feature.. Love the new interior changes. Cut out on back of transom is nice to sit in to get boards on. Boat handles and rides great, but so did the 06. Like the Tower Lights.

DISLIKES:

Very loud compared to our 06. I hate the back storage compartments compared to the 06. This one has the two huge compartment doors, you just about give yourself a hernia lifting them, then get all the heat from the engine.. I liked the 06 with the three compartments, engine was in its own compartment.. They've cheaped out on lots of things, quality has decreased.. Take the docking lights, hubs are all plastic now, where the 06 was stainless chrome.. The Illusion XS tower seems very flimsy, a little chop on the water today and the tower was shaking at every little bump.. The 06 Illusion X never moved..

Disappointed with the cracks I guess, but what do you do.. That's the way it goes.. Guess I got a little off topic here, just had to vent a little..

[JeffS]

A couple of +1's.

Gel coat is getting weaker and weaker as the formulations have to dance around newer and newer regulations.

The dealer's offer is really good.

And a thought - if they are going to do the fix, and you get to pay 1/2, ask if you can watch them do it. It's a really good thing to know how to do. Only need 3 things - a dremel tool, some gel coat and a lot of sand paper. It should be a 2 hour job. A few minutes to get everything you need together, 1/2 hour to open the cracks wider, 1/2 hour to skillfully fill them. Let it dry. And an hour or so of sanding and blending.

[droptine]

Ya well, on a brand new 09 they will be paying for all of it !! But I do agree, its not a bad thing to learn, b/c they will be cracking more if they are already with 2 hrs on the boat..