2009 230 coaming inserts sticky and getting black paste everywhere

[TXtiki hut]

We recently bought a 2009 230. We started noticing hats, towels etc were getting black stains on them. I traced it to the black plastic coaming inserts. They have a coating on them that is a total pain to clean off with simple green, good off, or stain remover.

Just curious if anyone else has experienced this, and if so, what did you use to clean them?

[NautiqueJeff]

I have not heard of this before. I wonder if a previous owner used some sort of cleaning product on it that caused it to start doing this. I would think that if this was a known defect, we would have heard about it here by now.

[TXtiki hut]

My first thought was the dealer detailed it and the shine spray was coming off. But this is thick and almost tar like goo. Ive seen something similar on a motorcycle helmet from 2008. Originally it had a matte finish, and after years of sitting in the garage the paint got tacky and came off like these panels. It was so bad I tossed the helmet. Do you know how difficult it is to remove these panels? It would be easier to clean if I could get them out of the boat. Do the pads have plastic christmas trees holding them in, or are the bolted in place? Thank you for your response.

[shag]

If you are talking of the plastic where the cup holders go under the gunnels, you have to remove the side upholstery bolsters (not too difficult, a trim remover from an auto parts store makes it easier). They are held on with the little plastic 'christmas tree' inserts. Once you remove them, the inserts should be able to be removed with small screws, easily seen. Sounds like someone coated them with something that is now succumbed to the marine environment. You may have to get a few of the 'christmas trees' to replace ones that come out. (just take one to an auto parts store, pretty generally sized and easy to match up imo)

[TXtiki hut]

Thanks shag, I'll post pics of the parts when I get them out. Hope this is something the previous owner did and nothing from the factory. We are in arizona, so the heat is pretty extreme. Other than this goo, we LOVE the boat.

[shag]

IMO, you have one of the best boats made. 2009 was last year for all gauges and the 230 is very good performing hull.

[srock]

My 09 has no issues in Florida sun. I bet someone used the wrong product while cleaning the boat. You may need new inserts.