Unhappy with my Boat

[Ewok]

I had gel coat cracks first season after not may hours and they did nothing for me. Told me I must have hit something and they wouldn't cover it. They were just above the rub rail and I know I never hit anything as I am the only driver and the thing has never even been at a dock. Also there were no signs of impact or anything to even suggest that it was hit. I haven't fixed them because I figure they will just come back after spending a bunch of money to fix them, kind of like what is happening to your buddies boat ChrisBarnes. Must be some kind of structural issue that allows the boat to twist or flex too much and cracks the gel coat. Especially if it is happening while trailering down the highway right after being fixed. Going into summer number 4 with the boat and haven't had any issues with engine or tranny though which is great. I know my dealer was working hard to try and get things rectified with my gel cracks and for Tige to cover it but Tige wouldn't budge. I saw the emails back and forth from him and Tige.
I understand what you are saying Loudelectronics about the dealer taking care of the customers and not Tige. However if Tige is there to back up their dealers then who does a customer call when the dealer isn't taking care of the problem? Should be the next in line after the dealer which is Tige as far as I am concerned. Love my boat but the way my gel coat issues were handled by Tige will lead me to buy from a different manufacturer when the time comes. I know other manufacturers have the same issues but I have to at least try them out and see how they handle problems. I know what I get from Tige and to buy from them again would be accepting how my issues were handled, and probably be handled the same way with another new boat. You know how the old saying goes, "Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me."

The gelcoat issues are more EPA driven than boat builder driven. The composition of gelcoat has changed drastically in the last 10 years and the newer, more worker and environmentally friendly gelcoat is not as flexible as the older type of gelcoat so it's cracking more. All the manufacturers are dealing with this issue and it seems to be worse in colder climates. It sucks and I know the manufacturers are working hard to find a solution to reduce or eliminate the gelcoat cracks. I'm glad my 2009 doesn't have any yet, I hope my boat was sprayed with the old formula.

[ChrisBarnes05-12-84]

My buddies boat started cracking before he ever even took it to the lake. I get cracks on inside of mine. But in my opinion the outside should never get any without hitting something. I think they may have decided the gel coat was sprayed too thick. Not sure though. He may see this thread and weigh in sometime.

[Ewok]

I'll also speculate that with the newer, more brittle gelcoat it's probably more important than ever to keep a good coat of UV blocking wax or wax like protective coating, like hula polymer sealant. The way the boats are made the interior and exterior gelcoat will suffer the same, so I don't think there is any way to do a better job on the outside. I agree that it shouldn't crack at all and people with newer boats should be inspecting theirs more frequently to catch a crack before it gets too big or allows water intrusion to the Fiberglas and starts the process of gel coat blisters.

[gibbs114]

Talked to the dealer today and there gonna have to replace the transmission. Parts are ordered.


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[Z3CO23]

Talked to the dealer today and there gonna have to replace the transmission. Parts are ordered.


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Bummer

[Ewok]

That is a bummer. WABoating had to get his transmission replaced too not long after he bought his boat as well. PCM Did a great job getting him a new transmission and back on the water, hopefully you get taken care of quickly too.

[Tomp]

My 2014 with the Indmar 350 had a lemon motor, some of you may have seen my venting last year on the forum.
Traded it in on a 2015 with the raptor and so far this motor keeps running, and I love this boat.

I feel for who gets my old boat if the motor issue isn't fixed first.

[Greeko]

geeze... lots of issues...

But i don't think any boat manufacturer is clear of issues. I always try to spend a good day in the boat a month or so before the season to make sure everything is working...then take care of issues before season starts in full swing.

I have heard a lot more issues with the Indmar motors than the PCM.;..maybe its just me. Anyone find similar findings?

[loudelectronics]

There are lots of Gel coat issues right now in the industry. I have seen it from all brands. As Ewok mentioned it is due to the new resins they are using. I believe the 2015 boats are coming with a polyester coating over the gel like what covers the metal flake. This is supposed to reduce the cracking issues from what I have heard.

Lorney, you might want to try again with your cracking. The results may be different this go around.

[loudelectronics]

There are lots of Gel coat issues right now in the industry. I have seen it from all brands. As Ewok mentioned it is due to the new resins they are using. I believe the 2015 boats are coming with a polyester coating over the gel like what covers the metal flake. This is supposed to reduce the cracking issues from what I have heard.

Lorney, you might want to try again with your cracking. The results may be different this go around.

[talltigeguy]

My 2014 with the Indmar 350 had a lemon motor, some of you may have seen my venting last year on the forum.
Traded it in on a 2015 with the raptor and so far this motor keeps running, and I love this boat.

I feel for who gets my old boat if the motor issue isn't fixed first.

TOMP, please update your personal information with your location.

[BrentRR]

Don't mean to hi-jack this thread, but I think what a lot of people are saying is there are issues with all boats. My dealer (Performance Marine LOZ) got Tige/Marine Power to replace the 6.0 (constant over heating issues) with a 5.7 at no charge to me - 9 years later the engine is still running like a champ. A couple years ago, I had to pay to have the V-drive replaced, but my dealer stepped up again by getting it done right away at wholesale cost plus labor. The boat is running great. So, it really comes down to how good the dealer is.

@talltigeguy, seeing that you have owned the top of the line boat (at the time) from 3 manufacturers, maybe you could provide an honest comparison between brands. While it will be your opinion and experiences, I think it would be good information for others (like me) that are trying to decide on their next boat. I have joined a number of owner's forums to try to get some knowledge about each brand and I think it would be beneficial to hear from someone who has 'lived it' with multiple manufacturers and dealers. I would like to hear your thoughts on quality of construction, dealer knowledge and support, drivability, problems, 'fun factor', etc. It should probably be on another forum like WW.

[talltigeguy]

My Malibu and Mastercraft were both bought used. So I might not have much insight into the factory quality control/warranty dealings at those places. I will say that when I owned those brand boats, I trolled the owner's websites a lot. MC Team Talk is controlled by Mastercraft, so 'my boat is a lemon' threads get shut down at times. Sometimes those threads are allowed to stay if the owner does not get too negative. EVERY site I have been to has threads with guys with brand new boats with a lot of issues, and the majority of owners who chime in that any quality control issues have been minimal or non-existent.

Having said that everyone puts out an occasional multi-problem boat, it is my totally unscientific opinion that I see more Tige owners with this than on the other boards. Especially relative to the market share. As Brent said, these threads pop up when a dealer does not step up to solve the problem, so Tige could have as much of a problem with dealer network as factory quality control.

[gibbs114]

I had a Axis A22 before the Tige. Had it for 2 years no issues.


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[Chad Montgomery]

I have to agree that the dealer is the final OC before the boat is delivered to the customer. We inspect each boat thoroughly when it arrives from the factory. We check the gelcoat for blisters, fiber bloom and scratches(Helps having the x fiberglass QC insector from Brunswick Boat Group)We then do a full inspection on the tower, interior, accessories etc. The techs then prep the engine and boat and finally it is water tested including timed filling and draining of the ballast system. We normally like to put between 2 and 5 hours on a boat before delivering it to the end user.
If your dealer isn't fighting for you on mechanical or cosmetic issues plain and simple find a new dealer. They should be getting you fixed asap even if that means sending a tech to your dock on Saturday evening at 8pm, its not all about the sale but the service that follows the sale. We certainly are not one of the biggest or oldest dealers but thus far Tige has been great to work with on any issue that arises.
Hopefully they get your transmission replaced quickly and you can get back to enjoying how great Tige boats really are.