Gel Coat issues on my brand new R5!!

[dmnouri]

Here’s the latest update: Cobalt is having my boat shipped directly to them next week and having my dealer drop off another R5 at my home to use while they have mine. I have asked that Cobalt keep me informed of what they are going to do before they do it. I want to know exactly the extent of the repairs and whether it’s worth me holding on to it. Happy about the loaner but not happy about having a refurbished new boat... we’ll see

Stay tuned.

[Big Block Power]

Glad they are doing it right. To the factory it goes. My guess you get a new hull. I honestly think they replaced my bottom as well. I heard mine went back. When I'm not sure and why I'm not sure. But there are signs only with the caulking that I could tell and maybe that's why it's not all scratched up.

[akorcovelos]

Best resolution you could get, gold star for Cobalt! Keep us posted on how they fix it.

[NautiGirl]

No better place to have it repaired. And bonus for the loaner!

[tgrace98]

So the person that is going to fix your boat is most likely the person that fixed a few dock marks on my 262. She did amazing work. I’m not terribly far from the factory and she does side work.

And awesome that cobalt is getting this one right! Just sucks you had to be the one to go through with it.

[akorcovelos]

No better place to have it repaired. And bonus for the loaner!

Nothing but Cheetos and red wine for boat snacks until you get yours back!

I kid.

[jhnmdahl]

Honestly, no way that makes the out of the factory like that. I suspect it got dinged up a bit in shipping.

[dmnouri]

Honestly, no way that makes the out of the factory like that. I suspect it got dinged up a bit in shipping.

Air voids, Cleat over tightening, pin hole sized gaps in gel coat, hair in gel coat, etc are not shipping related damages.

[jhnmdahl]

Honestly, no way that makes the out of the factory like that. I suspect it got dinged up a bit in shipping.

Air voids, Cleat over tightening, pin hole sized gaps in gel coat, hair in gel coat, etc are not shipping related damages.

That's true. From looking at the photos on my phone, I saw stress cracks around a cleat and some pock marks in the color.

Still, many of us have seen the stuff that Cobalt will hold up a boat to fix in the factory - something weird happened with this one. Unfortunate for sure, and shouldn't have happened. I'd be surprised if Cobalt doesn't feel the same way and make it right.

John

[dmnouri]

Latest update: like some of you had said, they want to replace the hull. They want to ship it back to me to use during the summer and have it sent back to them in the “off season” to replace the entire hull.

This is on a boat that was completed in April from the same factory.

I will not accept a brand new refurbished boat when I paid for a new one like many of you. I told the dealer I want my money back.

Ask yourself, would any of you buy a rebuilt boat for the same price of a brand new boat off the showroom floor that wasn’t rebuilt? That’s the position their putting me in.

Yes they are wanting to fix their failure, but I don’t want to be the guy who owns “their failure” for years to come at full price.

Would you? Curious to hear your responses.

[akorcovelos]

If it still carried the full factory warranty, from when it’s re-delivered, then you don’t have much to lose.

[cmattj]

Well as a lot of us here have seen the process.. it’s seems simple on paper right? The hulls and tops are numbered so they marry up in final production for the tailored fit. Here’s the but.

The method we watched mating the top to the hull was unique. As the top has a mounting lip that before tightening is scribed to the glass barrier . It allows the clamping force to be equal and snug around the hull lip once there screwed together. Here BBP pointing out the scribe line.
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Can this process be repeated after a new hull is brought to re attach? That’s where the word “ Comprimised” comes into play.
Anytime a composite or component is stretched past it’s natural yield position it won’t be able to have a different memory. It’s runs a risk of breaking or splitting as we are bending it once again. Kinda like bending a credit card.
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Boats new.. it’s structure will be compromised to be reattached to the new hull ( even with the same mold number).
I would have preferred fiberglass repair over hull replacement. But since that’s not an option...
It’s appropriate you request a replacement boat. Have the Dealer unwind the Deal.

[Big Block Power]

Matt and I don't disagree on much. I'm not in your position. I didn't pay over a 100k for a new boat. But we work in this industry. So I believe my hull was replaced and 16 years later mine still looks brand new. Yes I've heard of this being done with a bunch of diff manufacturers. Yes Donzi, Crownline, Formula, Chaparral,Mariah. It's not that uncommon.
It sucks don't get me wrong. They may buy it back or trade it in. Order a new one and make sure you get a diff mold number?
Would I let them fix it yes. You will never know.

[CaptainTom]

I wouldn't accept a refurbished boat. That's simply not what you bought. The deal wasn't new boat price for a lemon boat this summer and a refurbished boat next summer. If Cobalt and the dealer are so positive that it will be fine with a new hull, then they won't have any problem selling it to someone else. My experience dealing with Cobalt is that they are pretty good at dealing with bread and butter warranty issues but when they really screw something up you have to push hard to get them to own up to their mistakes and do the right thing.

[mtwbldr]

sucks to see this happen, but its good to see Cobalt step up and fix this.. If it were me, I'd accept their offer to replace the hull under one condition. Refund the difference you paid vs purchasing a year old boat from the same dealer. Yes you get to use it for the summer but your brand new boat that you paid brand new price for is essentially not being delivered to you in brand new condition until next season when its a model year old.