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Post by MalcolmP on Nov 6, 2013 14:37:21 GMT
Frustrating to hear that, to me it seems that some boats out of the same mould seem to get stressed more than others (bit like people). Our 34.2 had quite a few stress cracks appear on moulding corners, but once Jeanneau had filled them they were indistinguishable and did not reappear in the 7 seasons we owned her. On our current 39i we seem very fortunate that after 5 years we only have a couple of hairline cracks on the cockpit floor and nowhere else.
You don't mention the size of the cracks, I presume they are only hairline - if any larger might be worth getting a surveyor to comments on the repair before, during and after etc in case of any repeat issues outside of warranty and for eventual resale
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Post by j24sailor on Mar 27, 2014 4:37:18 GMT
I just noticed hairline cracks myself on our two year old 409. The cracks are mainly on the deck where the wood trim/handrails/linecovers are. I wonder if they are from people stepping on the wood which stresses the deck. I did also find one in the cockpit. I was hoping to inject gelcoat into these areas myself and just stop people from stepping on the trim. If anyone has better suggestions would appreciate it.
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Post by Tafika II on Mar 27, 2014 15:18:05 GMT
I have 2008 SO42DS and some minor non-structual cracks appeared over the years, mainly on the cabin cover pan roof, but also around some of the canvas snaps attached to the deck. All were hairline cracks. None were on the decks. I purchase a repair kit from Supreme Color in St. Augustine, FL (800-754-5516). The color is Beneteau Pure White 02-09 for my boat. The kit worked as advertised. After it hardened, I sanded it with 600, then 1000 wet-dry sandpaper and then buffed to out. I would rate the color match at 95%, probably due to UV and salt exposure of the original gelcoat. If you have a structural problem, Jeanneau should fix it.
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Post by gschoone on Feb 23, 2015 21:37:15 GMT
All, My 409 is 4 years old and my deck is also full of cracks! I have tried to find a solution with Jeanneau, but so far they claim it's just 'esthetic' which means no warranty!!
The value of my boat is heavily reduced because of this, and I truly believe this is not 'esthetic' but a constructive issue.
I am planning to start a lawsuit against them,...what have you done so far? IF no solution, am happy to bundle forces!!
Many thanks, G.
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Post by jlasail on Feb 23, 2015 22:36:26 GMT
I own a 2014 SO 409 too, and I can also see many cracks similar to what is described on previous posts above. I mentioned it to the dealer and the plan is to have them fix it when weather gets better (Chesapeake Bay location US East Coast). I will let you know when it is done, the dealer is telling me that it is not structural and that it happens often on new boats.
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Post by vasko on Feb 24, 2015 8:11:06 GMT
That sounds awful ! If I have paid the extremely high price and got a new boat and a crack developed without any reason I will expect the factory to offer full replacement with completely new boat and from a BIGGER class to repay me for keeping my month shut and not discus the issue !
when I got my boat if she had a crack I would ask for about 30% minimum down on the price ... btw according to the spanish law everyone including a second hand seller need to fix any problems that developed on the boat during first year and had been not there at time of purchase ..
if a dealer or factory do not replace my new boat that has developed a problem of such magnitude I would make my life's mission to bring down the dealer and the factory , talk with all newspapers, magazines , boatshows , all possible consumer protections, including I will get a small stand on all major boatshows and display the peace of the boat with the crack next to the actual new boats and explain to everyone what will happened when they spend the ridiculous amount of money for a new boat and I will be on the cover of all magazines , newspapers and websites.
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Post by amathus on Feb 24, 2015 8:23:01 GMT
My 2011 (August), so 3 years and going into the fourth season has lots of these cracks. It is very annoying. My previous SO40 was also cracked but these appeared after around 5 years. Below is immaculate but have had to replace cupboard and door handles, hinges and a few other bits that are too light weight for purpose. Other than that, very happy. However, still cost a lot and should be better than that.
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Post by amathus on Feb 24, 2015 8:26:17 GMT
Hey Vasko, the problem with trying to get any sympathy from the media or general public in this is the nobody cares about a man with cracks in his decking on his new yacht. Most of the people would find it amusing at best with some being pleased about it so that wouldn't help your cause.
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Post by hoppy on Feb 24, 2015 8:35:40 GMT
It sucks that this happens on new boats. I recently bought a tube of MagicEzy and will hopefully test it out in a couple of weeks when I'm next back at my boat. Hopefully it is a good as it appears on the video www.magicezy.com/products/hairline-fix/
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Post by MalcolmP on Feb 24, 2015 8:43:00 GMT
Before others start getting hysterical I think some facts are required. Clearly if there are real structural cracks that is indeed a major concern and needs rectification. But if as I suspect the issue is with hairline stress cracks these are far from uncommon in all fiberglass mouldings, from most boatbuilders and generally can and are permanently invisibly repaired.
That said I am personally rather frustrated that without any background or detailed information or images that "GShoone" registered on this forum for the very first time and within an hour of registration uses the forum to state that he is planning a law suit. This is a community and not somewhere that can be simply hi-jacked, by someone who has never contributed previously.
As I have previously suggested in such cases it is best to employ a professional suitably experienced surveyor to make an investigation and report - if no suitable remedial action is then agreed by either the dealer or factory - then of course civil actions in courts are available and such actions would no doubt be of interest for reporting by the media.
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Post by abgreenbank on Feb 24, 2015 12:53:44 GMT
Hi my DS50 delivered april 2014 has multiple cracks and jel coat defects on the deck, mostly from voids under the jelcoat. I have been in constant contact with seling dealer and Jeanneau but so far have had no repairs done. They have however recently approved some of the repairs after quotes from 4 different boat yards. many of the defects were present at handover but I was assured they would be quickly repaired and not visible. The commisioning yard refused to do the repairs as they were too busy. The boat was moved to Gibraltar and two quotes were provided, both too expensive for Jeanneau, and it took around a month for them to say so. The boat was moved to Canarias in October still no repair work completed at all. Jeanneau approved yard provided quote but was not where my boat was moored and the cost to me of having the work done was going to be around euro 1000 in marina fees at a different yard having already paid in another (Marina Lanzarote). Jeanneau refused to pay or make any contribution. The new Marina Lanzarote then provided a quote of which the majority was accepted, however they insist this yard is my agent and want to pay me, and I pay the yard, and if the repair works are not acceptable or visible for example its my problem. Jeanneau has set a maximum of euro31 per hour which appears to be a low rate certainly much too low for Gibraltar and probably UK too. I had leaks from the main sink drain seacock and Jeanneau happy to pay a couple of hours for repair but will not pay for any haul out fee! The only repair completed so far have been safety related and done by myself such as securing lazzarette bulkhead so they wont fall again into the steering gear. I love my boat but Jeanneau has not made life easy, dealers are reluctant to work for them as they are not the best of payers, the system is, selling dealer gets paid by Jeanneau and then is passed on to the repairer, the selling broker is always trying tp pay me a settlement figure and leave the problems to me, this is no kind of warranty. I guess photos are required to prove my case so i enclose a few. Attachment Deleted
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Post by abgreenbank on Feb 24, 2015 13:07:06 GMT
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Post by sailbleu on Feb 24, 2015 14:44:57 GMT
Malcolm , of course you are ahead of us by focussing on the ...... ' first post and bashing Jeanneau's ' by " gschoone ". Staying alert for sneaky infiltration is absolutely necessairy. But then again , this is a Jeanneau board , so people talk about ............Jeanneau . I'm sure other boards related to other makes/brands have similar discussions. I own a 1999 SO 40DS with few stress cracks , few gelcoat voids , and I just love the quality of my boat. Really !!!!!! If it were to be true that recent boats have more cracks and voids it could be a sign that something is wrong . And to be honest ,.....I think something is getting wrong in the entire sailingyacht-manufacturers industry. But maybe , just maybe (huge understatement) the picky customers are partially responsable also. Looking for high quality at a rockbottom price. Or is it the unions , or the shareholders ? Who will tell. Regards
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Post by Anwen (Deep Joy) on Feb 24, 2015 16:21:15 GMT
I had leaks from the main sink drain seacock and Jeanneau happy to pay a couple of hours for repair but will not pay for any haul out fee! Clearly not all dealers are equal. My SO379 had a minor problem with the hull to keel joint - the Coppercoat flaked off the sikaflex at the front of the keel joint and there was some evidence that the joint had worked a little during the first dry out of the boat. My dealer looked at the photos that I had taken of the problem, talked to Jeanneau and then arranged for the boat to be lifted out when we returned to our home marina and a repair effected at no expense to me. The whole process was painless. They have also completed all of the snag list that I generated, and fitted window shades to the hull ports in the saloon after Jeanneau supplied the boat without the blinds even though these were listed on the inventory for the boat when I signed the contract. I'm sorry to hear about your frustrations, but I think the quality of the dealer is a key component in how satisfied or otherwise Jeanneau customers end up. PS. My dealer is Network Yacht Brokers at Swansea.
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Post by dublin on Feb 24, 2015 18:35:47 GMT
In my opinion this is a dealer issue. I have bought two new jeaneanus from the same dealer and all "snag list" items were dealt with quickly and without charge. Even items I only noticed after the warranty period had expired. My dealt MGM Boats provided an excellent service on both occasions. The golden rule is to deal with a reputable and reliable dealer rather than the cheapest. The dealer must be the first port of call and the manufacturer is the second port of call This rule applies to virtually all goods and services.
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Post by dbostrom on Feb 24, 2015 19:14:42 GMT
This is pretty interesting in the sense that it makes me wonder what the process differences are that lead to this cracking. Our 2010 39i has a few gelcoat cracks but only in places where it's obvious that people made a contribution: stern pulpit used as a makeshift cleat means some cracks around a stanchion base, etc.
None of the more routinely highly stressed parts of the boat are showing issues. Compare w/a Catalina I recently sailed, where mainsheet attachments etc. looked like cracked eggs.
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Post by Trevor on Feb 24, 2015 19:45:47 GMT
I have been informed in the past that the issues relate to too thick a gelcoat layer. When the gelcoat is applied to inside of the mold, the strengthening fiberglass is applied over it. The gelcoat is very hard and hence brittle, so it cannot flex like the normal structural fiberglass. If the gelcoat is slightly too thick, the cracks appear as it is unable to flex. I know it seems counterintuitive, but by using too generous an amount of gelcoat, the cracks could appear.
I know that doesn't make anyone feel happy, but I figure in some ways stress cracks are a consequence of brittle gelcoat over structural fiberglass. I have some stress cracks on my SO 42DS around the traveler but I am not too concerned as I feel it is simply cosmetic and if I really wanted to I could carefully grind out the cracks and reset, sand and polish some gelcoat to resolve the issue.
I also have a very small gelcoat void appearing after all of these years on the edge of the starboard mid ships portlight. I will probably get that one professionally repaired but she is a big boat and I do expect to find a few little things over the years.
I love my boat but understand I have bought a production boat at a very competitive price. I also agree that the dealer has a lot to do with it. We purchased a new SO36i many years ago and our dealer went through all of the issues and resolved them without fuss.
Happy sailing
Trev
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Post by sailbleu on Feb 25, 2015 5:12:18 GMT
Trevor ,
maybe the stress cracks appear because less fiberglass is being used so the ship becommes too flexible. We all hear stories of newer boats ( different makes mind you) where tightning the back stay for instance prevents an inside door to be fully closed. For me that are serious indications something is wrong.
Regards
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Post by vasko on Feb 25, 2015 7:16:05 GMT
Trevor , maybe the stress cracks appear because less fiberglass is being used so the ship becommes too flexible. We all hear stories of newer boats ( different makes mind you) where tightning the back stay for instance prevents an inside door to be fully closed. For me that are serious indications something is wrong. Regards May be this is the actual issue. I had so far 3 boats first one was 2004 Bavaria 40, VERY flexible and thin hull - squicking and making wierd sound while in highseas, but had crack only around one of the posts of the railing, Second was Bavaria 34 2002 -a lot better but still very flexible and squicking , now I have Sun Liberty 34 1990 - no squicking and no cracks at all all very stable
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Post by Trevor on Feb 25, 2015 11:41:51 GMT
Ahhaa gentlemen, that is also a possibility! I hadn't really thought of that but I guess that is another possibility.
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bigred
Junior Member
Posts: 19
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Post by bigred on Feb 25, 2015 13:14:55 GMT
Wow, what a concerning thread to bump into while planning a new 439...
But in my many years in boats isn't it a case of wood rots, fibreglass gell coat cracks, steel rusts and aluminium fizzes?
Anybody that's used fibreglass yachts and boats, from Optimists through to Jeanneau 509, must be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of gellcoat. But it's also dead easy to patch/fix provided it's not textured.
Or am I wrong? Are the Hanse, Beneateau and Elan forums absent of discussion about gellcoat?
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Post by jdl01 on Feb 27, 2015 1:03:02 GMT
I have owned 9 boats over 40 years, most of them new, and I have never seen as naked a case of ducking responsibility as jeanneau telling owners to look out for themselves regarding the substandard seacocks that have been installed in their boats for the last four years. Gelcoat cracks aside, it is the apparent corporate culture of the boat builder that should influence purchase decisions. The difference in dealer response/responsibility is a function of their willingness to potentially absorb warranty costs before receiving jeanneau factory commitments to reimburse or wait out the less than timely response of jeanneau to customer complaints.
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Post by sailbleu on Feb 27, 2015 7:16:28 GMT
Wow, what a concerning thread to bump into while planning a new 439... But in my many years in boats isn't it a case of wood rots, fibreglass gell coat cracks, steel rusts and aluminium fizzes? Anybody that's used fibreglass yachts and boats, from Optimists through to Jeanneau 509, must be familiar with the idiosyncrasies of gellcoat. But it's also dead easy to patch/fix provided it's not textured. Or am I wrong? Are the Hanse, Beneateau and Elan forums absent of discussion about gellcoat? Every make is being confronted with competition issues. They 're all in the proces of " optimizing the production line " . Which usually boils down to using less and lower quality (cheaper) materials. That and automizing/computerizing are about the only thing they have a real impact on. Keeping employees (unions) and shareholders happy is the primary target. and lets face it , profits need to be made. But we are also living in an era where customers are blinded and being distracted by nice interiors , flashy desing and shine gelcoat . Its' a bit like that ' true lies ' expression ,....." the vette gets ' em wet " (Right Hoppy ??) Regards
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Post by jdl01 on Feb 27, 2015 22:44:07 GMT
Hi Sailbleu, To carry your car analogy further, in north America, the sailboat brands - hunter and catalina- that we used to denigrate as being basic Chevrolets are now producing better quality [not better design] boats than today's jeanneau offerings. Forget the integrated sound system - give me better hardware.
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Post by hoppy on Feb 28, 2015 9:20:23 GMT
Its' a bit like that ' true lies ' expression ,....." the vette gets ' em wet " (Right Hoppy ??) That's where I was going wrong, I bough the wrong cars
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