Help with fiberglass voids in Hull & Hunter warranty

[mmino]

Marine Surveyor using percussion testing has identified voids in hull above the water line. The boat is still under warranty.

Should I be concerned? Can this get worse over time. Is this something Hunter will repair?

Does anyone have any experience with this issue?

 

[steves22278]

I had a similar problem in 2005 when I bought a 2003 H356. I had selling dealer repair damage believing it was under warranty - got a bill for $1400 for repairs. Dealer said that Hunter said that damage was "cosmetic" and not covered under warranty. First, I made the case that voids in the hull were not cosmetic since they could not be seen and were structural - which is covered under warranty. Then took several letters to dealer and calls to Hunter to explain to them what their warranty really said. After much back and forth, Hunter covered the cost of repairs. My experience with boats and airplanes says that voids in the layup are a structural problem and should be repaired ASAP.

 

[Ed Schenck]

What year did Hunter start building cored hulls above the waterline? I would think that a cored hull would always show voids using percussion testing.

 

[mmino]

Thank you for your reply.

When the work was completed, could you tell where the gelcoat had been repaired?
Would you happen to know how they repaired the voids?
Did you have many voids to fill?

Best regards
Michel

I had a similar problem in 2005 when I bought a 2003 H356. I had selling dealer repair damage believing it was under warranty - got a bill for $1400 for repairs. Dealer said that Hunter said that damage was "cosmetic" and not covered under warranty. First, I made the case that voids in the hull were not cosmetic since they could not be seen and were structural - which is covered under warranty. Then took several letters to dealer and calls to Hunter to explain to them what their warranty really said. After much back and forth, Hunter covered the cost of repairs. My experience with boats and airplanes says that voids in the layup are a structural problem and should be repaired ASAP.

 

[mel22]

mmino, I think sstarley Has given the best advice. Just to add to this, think about a void as a place to collect condensation then think of where that water is going to end up. My guess is that it is going to seep into any coring material that is present and that is going to lead to a rotten core. Some one is going to have to deal with this problem some day, why not do it when boat is coverd by warrenty. In my opinion voids in any solid are a structual prolem waiting to cause a system failure. Do not let them tell you poor quality control on their part is only cosmetic.
Meanwhile enjoy your boat and happy sailing.

 

[quadrille38]

We experienced voids in the hull of our 2008 Hunter 38. We acquired the boat new in 2009. We first noticed the void when prepping the boat for launch in spring of 2010. The gel coat showed a circular crack that was about 4 to 5 inches in diameter. You could hear it was hollow just by tapping on the hull and the surrounding area. Hunter did cover under warranty. The glass guy ground it out, filled the void and then put new gel coat on. He was an artist at color matching and you can't tell where it is.

Subsequently we had several voids pop open on the bridge deck right in front the companionway. These actually opened right up providing a nice place for water to collect and enter the glass. Glass guy to the rescue. Ground out, filled, and new gel coat. Can't tell. And Hunter covered this too.