hull damage question.

[jaysen]

i took out my 2016 fsh 190 for the 3rd time on saturday. water had chop at 2 feet. I didnt hit anything and heard or felt nothing when driving. upon return i saw damage to the gel coat. the area looks paper thin. is the gel coat this thin normally or was there an air pocket when it was applied? not sure if it is covered under warranty. i know there was no damage when i took it out because i am meticulous when looking it over prior to departing and when returning. I have no idea what to do now or how long repairs for this take.

 

[Ilmmct]

@jaysen sorry that happened to you. I am not very experienced with fiberglass issues to help you determine if there was an air pocket or whether Yamaha’s hull warranty might cover there repair. I rescued a 20-year old rowboat recently and have been impressed with the West Epoxy System for below waterline repairs. The hassle of pulling the boat and getting queued in line for a gel coat repair during high season ... would push me towards a DIY for this. It does not look like your fiberglass was penetrated, so a clean epoxy fix might be a fast and cost effective way to get back on the water. You can work a West Epoxy repair right from your Jetdock. Also I would expect the chime to be thicker than the surrounding hull fiberglass, perhaps giving more reason to address this “cosmetics” with a matching white epoxy repair.

 

[jaysen]

@jaysen sorry that happened to you. I am not very experienced with fiberglass issues to help you determine if there was an air pocket or whether Yamaha’s hull warranty might cover there repair. I rescued a 20-year old rowboat recently and have been impressed with the West Epoxy System for below waterline repairs. The hassle of pulling the boat and getting queued in line for a gel coat repair during high season ... would push me towards a DIY for this. It does not look like your fiberglass was penetrated, so a clean epoxy fix might be a fast and cost effective way to get back on the water. You can work a West Epoxy repair right from your Jetdock. Also I would expect the chime to be thicker than the surrounding hull fiberglass, perhaps giving more reason to address this “cosmetics” with a matching white epoxy repair.

I appreciate the info. I don't feel comfortable doing the gel coat since I haven't done it in the past, and I feel Yamaha should back their products. I will bring it in on Tuesday and see what they say, and have them fix the standard leaks ( livewell and fish locker). I know boats are constant work but I am disappointed as of yet. the fiberglass is fine underneath but I worry if water gets between the gel coat and the fiberglass... next winter will wreck it.

 

[Tailwaters]

Certainly looks to be void. Have seen this before. During the layup they failed to get the matting pushed into the strake. Should be a fairly simple fix for a glass guy. Hopefully Yamaha will warranty.

 

[jaysen]

Certainly looks to be void. Have seen this before. During the layup they failed to get the matting pushed into the strake. Should be a fairly simple fix for a glass guy. Hopefully Yamaha will warranty.

is it normally supposed to be so thin? is there a way to check for this issue on the rest of the hull without using a hammer?

 

[Betik]

They are thin and as time passes the newer ones become thinner and thinner.

Please check some YouTube videos. You really really can do this yourself.

 

[ClemsonTiger]

Highly unlikely it will be covered under warranty.

 

[jaysen]

Highly unlikely it will be covered under warranty.

why not? is it expected that the gel coat be as thin as an egg shell?

 

[ClemsonTiger]

I'm not arguing if it should or should not be covered or if it is a manufacturing defect...

From the warranty perspective (Yamaha's point of view):

The property left the dealer without damage...the property was received without notice of damage...the property has been in private ownership away from dealer responsibility...

The burden of proof will be on you to prove it is a manufacturing defect...and not damage incurred by the owner after receipt of property

 

[Van T]

Definitely a air void I worked at a boat repair shop . I would tap down all your chimes with a plastic hammer or a rubber mallet and fix them all one time . Hopefully it is one spot

 

[LukePrinsloo]

Wait it's a 2016 and the front cleat is already corroded that badly???

 

[jaysen]

Wait it's a 2016 and the front cleat is already corroded that badly???

yup. i bought it in december. used it 3 times in the last 3 weeks. definitely disappointing. i thought this would be a reliable boat since yamaha has a great reputation. nothing but regrets.

 

[ClemsonTiger]

In regards to the corrosion, check the metal clamp attached to the cleat is the same metal material as the cleat....if not, that is the source of your corrosion. Cover the cleat with sealant, silicone, etc. after rust/corrosion is removed to prevent it from occurring again.

 

[Tailwaters]

Clemson is correct. Lots of the manufacturers are using lower quality stainless these days which can result in a form of rust . Looks like the thin plate maybe a poor quality and having a chemical reaction to the other piece casuing the staining. Had this issue on a couple other boats and ironically the same type of eye piece.

 

[Tailwaters]

My last center console was a 2008 and develope some gel coat cracks. I discovered the same issue . There were voids underneath. I ended up grinding them out and re-gel coating the areas.

 

[jaysen]

quick update: I brought the boat to the warranty repair center. unfortunately, they don't do gel coat or fiberglass so the guy who does it is a 3rd party who gave an estimate based on pictures which will be submitted. there is a crack by the rear ring that ratchets to the trailer as well. the mechanic said it was a manufacturers defect but I wont know if Yamaha covers it until it is confirmed.
the trailer is also showing some wear where the ball hitch attaches, the weld is also giving way. I was told that it is due to use and Yamaha will not cover it.
I was also told that rust is not covered by warranty even though the boat is still new and the stainless steel was subpar.
the steering cable has water inside it even though I lubed it thoroughly before winterizing. if anyone can show me how they seal it with grease, it would be appreciated.
rod holder caps are deteriorating also, not sure if that will be covered but rubber should not be dry and cracked in such short a time.
I decided to have them repair the anchor lock, fish box, and livewell leaks while it is there since... I expected Yamaha to be of quality.
overall I am very disappointed. this is my first boat and expected quality for something new made by a reputable company. if Yamaha refuses to cover it, I will be posting a detailed youtube complaint that should warn other potential buyers.

 

[Tailwaters]

Hopefully they will warranty all your issues. I've thus far been very happy with my FSH. However I bought it new last August and have only logged in about 30 hours.

 

[ClemsonTiger]

quick update: I brought the boat to the warranty repair center. unfortunately, they don't do gel coat or fiberglass so the guy who does it is a 3rd party who gave an estimate based on pictures which will be submitted. there is a crack by the rear ring that ratchets to the trailer as well. the mechanic said it was a manufacturers defect but I wont know if Yamaha covers it until it is confirmed.
the trailer is also showing some wear where the ball hitch attaches, the weld is also giving way. I was told that it is due to use and Yamaha will not cover it.
I was also told that rust is not covered by warranty even though the boat is still new and the stainless steel was subpar.
the steering cable has water inside it even though I lubed it thoroughly before winterizing. if anyone can show me how they seal it with grease, it would be appreciated.
rod holder caps are deteriorating also, not sure if that will be covered but rubber should not be dry and cracked in such short a time.
I decided to have them repair the anchor lock, fish box, and livewell leaks while it is there since... I expected Yamaha to be of quality.
overall I am very disappointed. this is my first boat and expected quality for something new made by a reputable company. if Yamaha refuses to cover it, I will be posting a detailed youtube complaint that should warn other potential buyers.

Many love their FSH...but you are not alone in being very disappointed by the FSH and lack of quality! I am a former FSH owner...key word is FORMER! I know 2 others here in SoFlo...in the same situation.

 

[Grover70]

Wait it's a 2016 and the front cleat is already corroded that badly???

My front cleat did that too and then I found out this is pretty common and not only on our Yamahas. I put some white silicone around the cleat edge where it meets the gel-coat and no problem since then. I removed the rust with a Mr Clean pad and then applied the silicone. 5 minutes.