Major Gelcoat Issues 2006 22i

[Dorourke83]

Hi everyone! I’m the original owner of a 22i, and have had some gelcoat issues for as long as I can remember. It started with some hairline cracks at the typical places and I was told at the time by the dealer that it was typical and only cosmetic. I wasn’t very concerned after having that discussion with the dealer nearly 20 years ago. It has continued to get worse and now basically the entire bottom of the boat from the waterline down has hairline cracks and blistering covering the entire boat. There are a few small, like 1/4 inch chips in the gelcoat now as well. I feel like this is getting way beyond just being cosmetic. I’ve reached out to the nearest dealer and to Tige directly, but I haven’t gotten any real response. Here’s some photos, I was hoping to get some opinions, I really want to keep using this boat.

IMG_5550.jpeg

[Vettedrmr]

I wish I had something to help with, but I'm out of my league on this. How long does the boat live in the water; just while you're in it or at a dock?

[h2o-ski]

It looks like the gelcoat was either sprayed on thick or too hot. If it was a small area then I would say just a minor issue, but since it appears to affect a large area of the boat, then it is a manufacturing defect.

Are you the original owner?

[Vettedrmr]

It looks like the gelcoat was either sprayed on thick or too hot. If it was a small area then I would say just a minor issue, but since it appears to affect a large area of the boat, then it is a manufacturing defect.

Are you the original owner?

1st sentence. And it's a 2005/6 manufacture date, so doubt if it's an early problem. Back to my original question: how much time does the boat live in water?

[h2o-ski]

These are hand built boats so mistakes can be made. I have seen on some gelcoat facebook pages, almost brand new high quality boats with similar issues. I had a 2005 22i that had numerous air pockets between the gel and the fiberglass. I was able to see that Tige did spray on the thicker side compared to the rest of the industry. In the mid 2000's the formulation changed for polyester resins to reduce the VOCs and boat builders had issues with cracking, delamination and curing until things got worked through.

My point was that multiple but different areas are affected indicating that there most likely was an issue with the spraying of the gelcoat. Gelcoat becomes more brittle the thicker it is laid down due to crosslinking of the polymers. Looking at the bottom of the hull, the cracks are running perpendicular to the length of the boat over a large area. The stress in this case would be from the flexing of the hull as it moves through the waves. Gelcoat blisters could cause some cracking but I would expect the cracks to be more random in direction.

[Vettedrmr]

To be sure mistakes can be made, and, full disclosure, I was looking more at the blisters than the cracks. One reason I ask the question about duration in the water is that the OP states that the problems are all below the waterline. Since the gelcoat can absorb water, I wonder about how long the gelcoat in question was exposed.

In any case, I doubt that a warranty claim will stand up over this period of time; if that's the OP's real question. If it's not, then I'd find a boat refinisher with a good reputation for solving these kinds of issues and get it repaired right and be done with it.

[Dorourke83]

You’re right to ask about the storage! It has been in the water for the New England warm weather season, so about 3 months a year, fresh water only.

I also think a warranty claim would be difficult at best, it has been twenty years, but I also haven’t seen any other boats with such significant issues, even much older boats which have been through the same type of use. I previously owned a Marlin for 18 years, and while it faded it never had any major hull concerns.

I do still have the paperwork for the lifetime hull warranty, but I’ve read online it doesn’t cover cosmetic gelcoat issues.

I really wish Tige and/or their local dealer would at least be a little more helpful.

I’ve read that it can cost upwards of $15,000 to refinish a boat this size, which makes me wonder if it is really worth sinking that much money into a 20 year old boat.

[Vettedrmr]

I’ve read that it can cost upwards of $15,000 to refinish a boat this size, which makes me wonder if it is really worth sinking that much money into a 20 year old boat.

It depends on how much you like the boat. I love our '08 22ve, and just spent $7500 on upholstery, about $1500 on the sound system, etc. If the gelcoat issues aren't structural, you could work the budget and scheduling tasks during the summer and get it refinished next fall.

Or, if you want a new (to you) boat, make someone a good deal.

Have a good one,
Mike

[Dorourke83]

I was in a similar place of planning to re-do upholstery/electronics/trailer all are showing their age. Not looking forward to having to decide if spending about $30,000 for all the work now with the hull added is worth it, although the boat would probably be worth about that once all the work was done.

[Vettedrmr]

I didn't/don't look at it as a financial win/lose, but rather what would it take to replace the boat that does what I need so well? Darn near everything with a v-drive since 2014-ish has been optimized for surf boarding activities, which makes for a rather poor skiing experience. Want the skiing experience? Then you go to a center-mounted engine, which makes for an awesome wake but tough packaging for family & friends. Hence my desire to keep my '08 happy.