Put a deposit down and boat arrived damaged. What now?

[lucky7t]

Sorry for double post but I paint cars and have repaired gel. It really stinks but to do it right you would need to gel the entire area until a line break . I bet they tried to blend it. Won't work and if looks good today , give it 3 months and you will see a blend repair because they dye back


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[DLafont]

Like most everyone that has chimed in on this, I'd say go see it and if the repairs aren't to your taste have them redo them or find a replacement that you'll agree to. Take a trusted 3rd/neutral party with you to go see the repaired boat so you can bounce your thoughts of them.

[Quinner]

Sorry for double post but I paint cars and have repaired gel. It really stinks but to do it right you would need to gel the entire area until a line break . I bet they tried to blend it. Won't work and if looks good today , give it 3 months and you will see a blend repair because they dye back

This is really the sacrifice you need to be willing to make, spot repair will be noticeable later no matter how perfect the match is now, typically a little polish & wax will hide/blend everything again but it will always be a spot that will need minor attention to remain hidden.

If the boat is colors, cost and options perfect for you then make the call, what (if anything) would compensate you adequately to live with it? You and the dealer agree on that = all good, if not then move on.

Good Luck

[shag]

So what happened to the trailer? You said most of the damage was there. Are they giving you a new trailer ?

[RTS DC]

I would be as concerned as you are, especially considering you took a loan on the house. This type of damage, no matter how minor some see it, is akin to being cheated on. I know it happened and I know there is damage. I would ask the dealer to search for another boat. If you got a great deal on this one, there will be another.

I had some gel coat issues on my first boat. A good friend of mine shapes surf boards and SUP's for a living. He fixed the gel and I couldnt tell. It was on the keel, but it looked great and the boat was older. I couldnt tell even two years later. I see your in CA, my friend is in Newport Beach, take him along.

[G_WaTT]

Some really great feedback! Thanks everyone! I would have been so disappointed if I thought a gel patch or blend was sufficient only to have it show more and more over time. It's good to know a blend could/will possibly get worse with time. I will also be sure to take a close look at the red metal flake since this should have been the more problematic area. The damage is above the gunnel, so I would think it wouldn't be too difficult to just redo everything above the gunnel. The area would require much less gel/work than if it had happened below the gunnel. The trailer fender was trashed. Tires and wheels looked perfectly fine. Step behind fender was scratched and the guide on that side was completely sheared off.
I would appreciate having some knowledgeable company, but I'm almost 3 hrs North of Newport Beach. Thanks again everyone. All this has given me a lot of food for thought and an idea of what my expectations should be.

[DocPhil]

Buy mine instead

[4th ski-doo]

I had damage and the repairs are great! Good guys find a break to make the change and if done right, and boat taken care of will never be noticed. My first boat had damage thru 3 color outlines into the white right at the waterline.


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[Sailfun]

Gel coat damage is nothing to even worry about unless it was into the glass. Even then a good repair and no issues. I would be more concerned about the trailer. If it took a hit on the side that did the damage you mention and reached the boat I question if it is still straight with proper axle alignment.

[G_WaTT]

These are a couple pics my dealer sent me. Seems like the issue is the area between the white and red. The glare from the lights also makes it seem as though the surface isn't completely smooth. I told him if I'm going to buy something "new," I shouldn't see any evidence of the repair. They are going to work on it and I should be going in on Saturday to see how everything looks. I was curious if anyone knows if it's possible to get some type of signed document or contract stating some type of agreement which guarantees the repairs will not deteriorate or degrade below factory standards. I don't know if this would be a realistic request, but I feel as though I should get some type of guarantee on the work. I'm not even sure what compensation would be acceptable for a breach of a contract such as this. I really like my dealership and the guy I'm working with (I probably ride with him more than any other person), but it's a lot of money and I don't want to get burned. Any advice?

Would a car shop be able to check if the trailer alignment is fine?

[markj]

That's nowhere near as bad as I thought it was gonna be. I bet you'd never notice that if no one ever pointed it out-until you waxed it that is. It's way up there. Having said that, it should still get fixed properly at some point. Like Sailfun says, I'd worry more about the trailer. What did they hit to cause the damage?

[padge]

I can tell where they taped it off and sprayed it. It's a different color. I wouldn't accept the boat. It'll always be in your mind.


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[Cpan13]

I wouldn't accept that. My boat was a demo boat so it's almost perfect minus one small chip in the gel. The reduced cost justified it but the chip still bugs the **** out of me. If I was paying new boat price I wouldn't accept anything but perfect.

Any compentent tire shop that does alignments should be able to check out that trailer for you.

[gmdog2]

Is that line crooked or is it me? White looks different as well? I'd try to get it in the sun, could maybe see a little more better..but I would probably back out of the deal..it would eat at me.

Support the NRA

[Quinner]

Cannot help but to laugh at some of these comments about walking away or not buying it because of a scratch, so what would you guy's do when your kid drags his bike across your boat in the garage or hits it with his ski in the water, sell the boat or junior finds a new home at the orphanage, lmao. Believe me I get it, these boats are big money and I like me stuff perfect as well, but really??

G, most reputable company's will stand behind their work for life, if it was an insurance claim many times the insurance company will require it, get the repair and the deal on the boat done where you are happy and go enjoy your time on the lake. You may think this is a lifer boat for you but trust me it doesn't always work that way, I am on my seventh one now and have only sold 4 along the way, lmao.