Pretty Big Issue with Early Paragons (23s and 25s)

[blueroom]

I've had several cracks repaired and a platform replaced and you can't tell the difference...

This is not your basic gel coat crack repair - that happens all the time. You would not believe the number of new boats dealers make gel coat repairs on before they go out the door. RDT-G23 is talking about a serious engineering/production flaw that has led to structural failure, that essentially requires an overhaul. I highly doubt you have had several cracks repaired that require the engine to be pulled, running gear removed, and a major section of the boat rebuilt.

To use your analogy.... If I have a newer truck that has transmission issues (been there), ya they rebuild it. If the frame on a newer truck fails due to an engineering/production flaw, that is a whole other conversation.

RDT - I feel for you my friend, this sucks bad. My G23 had around $20,000 in warranty work done over a few different issues. Did Nautique stand behind it, absolutely 100%. Should it have happened, absolutely not 100%. Did it affect my overall satisfaction, lead to a lot of missed lake days and become a major stressor, for sure.

[RDT-G23]

I’m not marginally worried about the strength or the exterior appearance. It will be stronger than the factory would ever specify, and the gel color match is below the water. Even if it weren’t, it would be very good. That isn’t my issue. My issue is engine removal/consequential issues. I will know if a clamp isn’t lined up the same way. The bilge needs to be “eye surgery” clean. This is the way it is now. We are talking about not just an improbability, but frankly, a likely impossibility. The interior? Impeccable. This is the way it is now. Not a half a drop of leaks, no scratches at all from the process. I’ll take north if 50 pics at POINT-BLANK-RANGE (in the words of Ron White). I just don’t think it can happen. I do want it to, but 56 years of life tells me it will not.

[WakeSports12]

This is not your basic gel coat crack repair - that happens all the time. You would not believe the number of new boats dealers make gel coat repairs on before they go out the door. RDT-G23 is talking about a serious engineering/production flaw that has led to structural failure, that essentially requires an overhaul. I highly doubt you have had several cracks repaired that require the engine to be pulled, running gear removed, and a major section of the boat rebuilt.

To use your analogy.... If I have a newer truck that has transmission issues (been there), ya they rebuild it. If the frame on a newer truck fails due to an engineering/production flaw, that is a whole other conversation.

RDT - I feel for you my friend, this sucks bad. My G23 had around $20,000 in warranty work done over a few different issues. Did Nautique stand behind it, absolutely 100%. Should it have happened, absolutely not 100%. Did it affect my overall satisfaction, lead to a lot of missed lake days and become a major stressor, for sure.

We don't even know if this really structural nor can we say it's widespread. If it is structural, there is a lifetime structural warranty... this doesn't change my statement. Have i had my engine removed, no. But i've had the whole floorboard replaced as well as air voids in the stringer. I think that a two boat sample that still hasn't shown pictures seems a little quick-triggered to claim Nautique has some major structural failure in their boat. I've seen boat with thick gel coat on the hull and the entire hull bottom shows cracks but they are just that, stress cracks. I'm not discrediting that the situation sucks and can put us as owners on edge but to assume the worst and expect the most seems extreme. Again, the boat is covered under warranty and Nautique has always stood by their warranty and made it right, that's what I would fully expect as a customer.

[RDT-G23]

It is under warranty; this has never been in doubt. It is likewise widespread for this generation-early P23s, P25s and Gs. My dealer is the largest in the US-by volume. Trust me, they know.

[scottb7]

"I am a complete weirdo”…sounds like you know yourself really well. I feel you. I know myself well too. And honestly that requires more introspection than most will ever do. But as you likely know that is only the first stage…the harder work - our next stage (challenge) – is figuring out how we overcome what we know about ourselves to move forward and continue to evolve. How do you prepare yourself to re-align all those clamps.

[gonefishin5555]

How many other owners have reported the problem? In your situation you seem to have phobia allowing them to do the warranty work on your boat. What if you let them do the work and then when its done see if they will buy it back? How much off msrp did you pay for the boat? Seems like you could work this out if you tried hard enough.

[gonefishin5555]

"There you go Mr RDT your boat is as good as new." Okay great you can buy it off me at MSRP less 20 or 30K and we will call it even.

[RDT-G23]

How many other owners have reported the problem? In your situation you seem to have phobia allowing them to do the warranty work on your boat. What if you let them do the work and then when its done see if they will buy it back? How much off msrp did you pay for the boat? Seems like you could work this out if you tried hard enough.

The last two Nautiques I’ve bought have taken me a solid two years to “de-bug”. I’d sooner have a hot tar enema. I’m not paying a penny more for a new Paragon. I bought this one at the beginning, long before inflation silliness. If I part with the boat - it will be to go back to the brand that I came from, Cobalt. I’ll just buy an R8 Surf and call it good. That said, I haven’t made any such decision to this point. Regardless, I likely won’t have my boat for the beginning of the season. The dealer tells me that their fiberglass repair group is easily 3 months out, and they have a lot of these repairs to do (which are major repairs).

[Scooter G]

Approaching page 4, would love to see us some pictures...

[bturner]

For what it's worth.... I've only owned 1 Cobalt, that was some 20 years ago. I've never owned a boat that was better built or with better/components materials. Have no clue what the new ones would be like.

[GMLIII]

RDT-G23 How did this issue conclude; I'm just curious?

[Scooter G]

Thanks for the follow up GMLIII, the thought popped into my head the other day as I was under my boat bleeding brakes, I wonder what ever happened with..?

[GMLIII]

The last two Nautiques I’ve bought have taken me a solid two years to “de-bug”. I’d sooner have a hot tar enema. I’m not paying a penny more for a new Paragon. I bought this one at the beginning, long before inflation silliness. If I part with the boat - it will be to go back to the brand that I came from, Cobalt. I’ll just buy an R8 Surf and call it good. That said, I haven’t made any such decision to this point. Regardless, I likely won’t have my boat for the beginning of the season. The dealer tells me that their fiberglass repair group is easily 3 months out, and they have a lot of these repairs to do (which are major repairs).

RDT-G23- How did this conclude?

[RDT-G23]

The boat is done, but in storage. I hope to get it in the water today/tomorrow. The dealer ended up taking almost two months. I’ve not seen the interior. We will see. In general, I’m questioning myself whether I stay with the v drive platform, or just get a big Cobalt Surf version-that is also a runabout. In 15 years, I never had one problem with my Cobalts. In 7 years, I have issues with my NAUTIQUE’s at every turn (a brand I think is best in this class of boat). Time will tell. I’ll report back after getting my boat in the boathouse. Bad summer.