FCT3 Freeze damage warranty assistance ending 2009-2010 Nautiques equipped with FCT3

[IrishLew]

Giving this subject another bump. I have a 2010 that I purchased last spring. Had a great summer on the boat. Winterized the boat at local dealer and put her away in storage back in October. Then, I notice this thread about the freeze damage issue. Being the boat was from TX where the freeze is rarely an issue and me being in IN, I ran to the barn to check. One side had the modification drain hole drilled....no issue. Go around to the other side......nope, not drilled and tower is split open. Merry Christmas to me. Why the previous owner, or the dealer would only drill the one side is beyond me. But, here I am. At this point I am just looking for some direction from anyone who has been through this. Reading the previous posts, welding the split has been mentioned. I could see this being a fix with an experienced welder. But, I do not know that for sure. Has anyone tried this avenue? I have e-mailed Tracy @ Roswell to see about a replacement base and also guess I need to check with my local dealer about doing the work. Does anyone have a ballpark on cost of parts and labor? Thanks for the help!

[max 1.6]

Giving this subject another bump. I have a 2010 that I purchased last spring. Had a great summer on the boat. Winterized the boat at local dealer and put her away in storage back in October. Then, I notice this thread about the freeze damage issue. Being the boat was from TX where the freeze is rarely an issue and me being in IN, I ran to the barn to check. One side had the modification drain hole drilled....no issue. Go around to the other side......nope, not drilled and tower is split open. Merry Christmas to me. Why the previous owner, or the dealer would only drill the one side is beyond me. But, here I am. At this point I am just looking for some direction from anyone who has been through this. Reading the previous posts, welding the split has been mentioned. I could see this being a fix with an experienced welder. But, I do not know that for sure. Has anyone tried this avenue? I have e-mailed Tracy @ Roswell to see about a replacement base and also guess I need to check with my local dealer about doing the work. Does anyone have a ballpark on cost of parts and labor? Thanks for the help!

I've been thru the process with my local dealer first before calling Roswell or Nautique.
This "service bulletin" stopped in 2012 i've been told but they accepted to cover it under "goodwill".

The part was paid by Roswell, the paint was covered by Nautique and I needed to pay for labor. I could've install it myself but it was a 3h job with 2 guys at the dealer. Total was 600$ for me. That was last summer so pretty recent.

As for your case, I would ask your dealer to investigate why only 1 side was drilled....Maybe the part was replaced for whatever reason and they didn't drill the new one....

[IrishLew]

I've been thru the process with my local dealer first before calling Roswell or Nautique.
This "service bulletin" stopped in 2012 i've been told but they accepted to cover it under "goodwill".

The part was paid by Roswell, the paint was covered by Nautique and I needed to pay for labor. I could've install it myself but it was a 3h job with 2 guys at the dealer. Total was 600$ for me. That was last summer so pretty recent.

As for your case, I would ask your dealer to investigate why only 1 side was drilled....Maybe the part was replaced for whatever reason and they didn't drill the new one....

Thanks for the response!! I've got some ground work to do on this before spring.

[srock]

Just bought a used 230 with an FCT3. Interesting to see the notification but with no solution? So the water sits in the leg regardless but in the winter freezes. Guess I will do a search.

[Montana Boat Guy]

Good morning IrishLew I received your message this weekend but was on the road. I plan on responding to you this morning. Hang tight help is coming!

[IrishLew]

Good morning IrishLew I received your message this weekend but was on the road. I plan on responding to you this morning. Hang tight help is coming!

Thank you!!

[IrishLew]

Just bought a used 230 with an FCT3. Interesting to see the notification but with no solution? So the water sits in the leg regardless but in the winter freezes. Guess I will do a search.

Yes. The issue is with 2009-2010 model years with the FCT3. The towers have a gasket at the bottom that perfectly matches the shape of the hull. This allowed water to collect in the base with nowhere to drain. Which is not an issue until that water freezes. The freezing water turns to ice and expands and can split open the tower tube. There are 2 things to check on your tower at the base. The first is too see if the gasket has a drain port. Some do. This allows the water to drain. Others do not, and then you will need to drill some 1/8" holes 4" up the rear base. These holes will allow any water to drain out. There is a video of the fix somewhere that gives the exact details. With you being in Florida, the freeze issue would be very rare, but something you would for sure want to address. For me, I'm in Indiana so this issue quickly popped up this early winter.

[Bevostein]

I found this youtube video to be helpful on this issue

[srock]

Yes. The issue is with 2009-2010 model years with the FCT3. The towers have a gasket at the bottom that perfectly matches the shape of the hull. This allowed water to collect in the base with nowhere to drain. Which is not an issue until that water freezes. The freezing water turns to ice and expands and can split open the tower tube. There are 2 things to check on your tower at the base. The first is too see if the gasket has a drain port. Some do. This allows the water to drain. Others do not, and then you will need to drill some 1/8" holes 4" up the rear base. These holes will allow any water to drain out. There is a video of the fix somewhere that gives the exact details. With you being in Florida, the freeze issue would be very rare, but something you would for sure want to address. For me, I'm in Indiana so this issue quickly popped up this early winter.

Freeze is a rare event but still possible but regardless I don't want a pool of stagnant water collecting in the tower.