Would you avoid a boat with the cracks in these pics?

Lookin4Bass · Post by **Lookin4Bass** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 5:49 pm

I'm looking at buying a '99 Triton SF. The owner told me there were a few minor cracks (is that an oxymoron?) in the fiberglass.

I've posted pictures of the cracks as well as one of some stains (mold) on the leather to a Yahoo photo album at:

http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/more2life ... /my_photos

They're not particularly easy to make out in the condensed size of the photo's in the album. If anyone's willing/interested in seeing full size pics I can email them.

Would you steer clear of the boat because of the cracks? Apparently he had them checked out and was told they weren't a problem.

Also, if the cracks are a cause for concern would they fall under Triton's lifetime hull warranty?

Popper · Post by **Popper** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:20 pm

The stress crack shown in the photo is caused due to the mounting hole supporting the cleat. These types of stress cracks occur when the mounting holes along the fiberglass hull are not countersunk. I had a similiar problem on another boat. In my case, the stress crack continued downward until I took it for repair.
All fiberglass hulls will eventually show some stress cracks over time; however, if they appear on a newer model it's probably related to 3 things: running the boat too hard in rough water, issues with the design of the hull, or problems with the manufacturing process of boat.
I have never heard anyone complain about the brand boat shown in the photo as they build a qualitity boat. So check her out throughly...........

Good Luck
Ed

getalife · Post by **getalife** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 6:39 pm

I had similar cracks all over my Stratos. The company did fix it under warranty (although it was in the shop for 7 months). I ended up selling the boat and buying a new one two years ago and the new one started cracking before I even got it wet (it now has over 200 cracks from one end to the other). Stratos says they will fix it but I cant let it go for 7 months again. For now, I will just assume that the cracks are cosmetic and then sell it and buy a Legend someday.

DeltaDan · Post by **DeltaDan** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:07 pm

"Stargazing" -- while not preaty does happen.

The MOST important part to know is that it is not happening/root cause from a bulkhead in the boat.

For $200+ You can not go wrong with seeking out a liscenced and bonded Marine Appraiser. The engine may be a seperate bill as well to pull the #'s of today computered motors.

The appraiser should be more than through of the bulkheads as well as the trailor, electrical, bielge, wiring, fuses, wells, trim, gauges brakes, hoses, clamps ect.....

gabuelhaj · Post by **gabuelhaj** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:07 pm

Those cracks aren't nothing related to the structural integrity of the top cap. You can use those cracks as a bargaining chip when negotiating the price though but cracks in gel coat is a common occurrance.

Good luck!

bazs · Post by **bazs** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:18 pm

Those are minor stress craks in the upper gel coat and I dont know any boats that dont have em after a couple years. I dont know the price but that looks like its in great shape.
Tight lines

Scott L · Post by **Scott L** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:33 pm

I have a '99 TR21 that has some of the hairline stargazing or whatever it is called. I was a little concerned at first, but hasn't been a problem. Most of them seemed to appear early on and have not spread much. You will notice all these types of cracks on a white boat much more if at all compared to a heavy metal flake boat.

In '99 the lifetime warranty was new to the industry and only covered the original owner. For it to be transferable, it had to be sold/transferred in the first 5 years and would become a 10 year warranty from the original purchase date. You might contact Triton to confirm and if you had any concerns or wanted it fixed you could work something out with the original owner to have it fixed first. I also think they said something about not covering spider cracks on the surface (cosmetic). Call Triton. I would not complain too much about the transferability of the lifetime warranty. Triton got the whole lifetime warranty wars started and we are now the beneficiarys when buying almost any of the brands.

David McKenzie · Post by **David McKenzie** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 9:40 pm

Avoid the head ach. I would say move on. Your concerned and rightly so. Look for a boat not so, well, cracked. Lots of em out there.

Lookin4Bass · Post by **Lookin4Bass** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:27 am

Thanks for all the opinions regarding the cracking.

I get the impression that bass boats are like the two types of concrete. Concrete with cracks, and concrete that hasn't cracked yet.

Peter

Tobe · Post by **Tobe** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:53 am

If you are trying to find an eight year old boat without gel coat cracks you will be looking for a long time.

Phil · Post by **Phil** » Wed Jun 20, 2007 6:55 am

I have found most cracks to be gelcoat cracks anyway. I bought a used Ranger 363V once had terrible cracks in the transom. but remembering the transom is solid fiberglas, I bought it knowing it was just the gelcoat cracking from big waves pounding at lake Mead the man said he had jumped a few big 6 footers; that'll do it for sure !!