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Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
https://www.smwebhead.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=6867		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  chipdude [ Sat Nov 20, 2010 2:24 pm ]
Post subject:  Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
While putting my boat away for the winter I noticed some large cracks around my factory installed tower. After removing the tower, I found even more cracks. Will these cracks continue to grow? Has anyone else noticed cracks forming around their towers? I asked my local dealer and was told "can't help you, gel coat is out of warranty". The manufacture promotes that their boats are made with the highest quality and workmanship, and the manual listed how a hole was to be drilled, but my tower was thrown on and not sealed properly, I don't understand how a company can build something sub par and not stand behind it. Please let me know if your boat is showing the same signs of wear as mine is, I think it is important that we band together get this problem fixed. Our four winns boat is a big part of our summer and we enjoy it, aside from the bad install of the tower the boat is amazing. Any ideas on how to approach this problem would be well received.
Author:  aguyindallas [ Sat Nov 20, 2010 4:30 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
Four Winns has a lifetime hull warranty...with that said, I am not sure if they cover these or not. Try calling them direct on Monday.
Author:  230 Mike [ Sat Nov 20, 2010 6:12 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
Hull warranty yes, but gel coat is one year. We had some minor cracking in the transom area that was detected a couple weeks after the one year mark and our dealer had to fight for coverage.
Author:  Walt [ Sun Nov 21, 2010 12:28 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
I had the same on my '07. They fixed the cracks I had reported then. I have more related to the tower mounting. FW says it's not part of the hull, therefore not covered by the warranty. The "new" cracks don't seem to be growing, so I will get them fixed at some later date. From the repair ticket on the first go-around, I estimate it will cost less than $500 for this... more likely around $200-$300.
Author:  cabwizard [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 2:08 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
Hi, After reading your problem I am concerned as I have a H200 08 model bought new this year. I havent used the tower yet, dont really intend to it was on the boat and when I bought it it was a good deal. Question is what have you used the wake tower for ie Skiing, Wakeboarding, Tubing, I have thought about towing the kids on a tube from it but I hear this is too much drag for it, although I woould have thought a Wakeboard is more drag. I hope your cracks are just superficial.
Our boat is also a big part of our summer put 100hrs on it this summer
Ray
Author:  Walt [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 4:41 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
Tubing is definately a no-no with the tower. Mine rocks back and forth a bunch with light chop, but pretty solid when in use. When I had the first batch of cracks, the repair place "adjusted" the tower, making all of the above better. They also said there was no "champhering" of the holes, which causes stress in and of itself. The spidering I have now are from areas (front supports) that had not shown cracks before. All areas repaired previously are NOT presently cracking.
Author:  Flying Sushi [ Tue Nov 23, 2010 8:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
In reality there would be tough to avoid spider cracks from tower mount… Current Horizon Mold was around 2004 (before tower era) and there is no provision for extra meet in the area tower would mount… There are tremendous force will applied to tower mount just going through chop. I would recommend to ask dealer to champher/counter sink holes and change gasket to other material than Factory one. (stronger rubber since factory one would stretch thin and mount will dig into gel) My Arch is a Factory OEM but installed by dealer who is as anal as myself and try to avoid this issue. So far so good but this might be a matter of time....
I do not believe this is an only for Four Winns but other manufacture as well. We have a family friend who has 2009 Cobalt 242 with tower and already develop rather large crack from the mounting point...... :roll:
Author:  230 Mike [ Wed Nov 24, 2010 1:21 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
I've always loved the towers, but one of the top reasons I opted against it was the fact that I don't see how you can not have cracks around the mounts. Chamfering would be a must (as with anything that mounts to the hull and/or deck), and the more reinforcement the better. But you could back it with 6" thick machined unobtainium and there would still be tremendous loads on the gunwales. Gel coat is about 1/16" thick. It just doesn't add up to me.
Author:  boatfun08 [ Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:50 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
See information below from:
http://www.monstertower.com/Home/FAQ/ta ... fault.aspx

The most common cause of a tower damaging the gel coat is abuse. The more accessories you put on the tower (racks & boards, speakers, lights, etc) the more stress there will be on the boat. Also, never let someone climb on a wakeboard tower not only is it very dangerous but it could cause damage to the gel coat. The Monster Tower is very durable and uses Heim joints which greatly reduce the possibility of stress cracks. Older wakeboard towers that had 1-5/8" diameter tubing and fixed mounts were the cause of most of the damage we have ever heard of. Monster Tower is not liable for any incidental or consequential damage caused by installation or use of the tower.
Author:  aussie_sundowner [ Tue Dec 21, 2010 12:27 am ]
Post subject:  Re: Gel coat cracks on a 2008!
after some spider gel coat cracksd appeared around the rear tow point, i took it back to the dealer - not under warranty. they checked the mount, all was ok, and suggested ignoring it unless it gets worse ( it hasnt) and when you want to sell it get it fixed. the gelcoat is thin and any flex can crack it. so structural or water proof significance though...
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