I have a 2007 Hunter 25, and under the rub rail, there appears to be a crack about three feet long from the bow to stern. I call Hunter on this and they said this was cosmetic and was not covered by warranty. This makes no sense as new 40,000 boat should have no defects. My question is however, what would be the best way to repair this. I thought maybe filling the crack with marine tex might do the trick. Thanks in advance for any suggetions.
crack under rub rail
- Thread starter Mike16400
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Bull
Sorry but that is bull shame on hunter and who ever told you that. Call your dealer and call hunter again and don't stop complaining. I had some minor spider cracking on my 2007 36 and the dealer did a great job under warranty. I took delivery in april and returned the boat back to dealer to do any complaints in sept. I also had a 2001 290 which had some voids in the fiberglass a few years later and was told that they are only covered the first year. Nick
Sorry but that is bull shame on hunter and who ever told you that. Call your dealer and call hunter again and don't stop complaining. I had some minor spider cracking on my 2007 36 and the dealer did a great job under warranty. I took delivery in april and returned the boat back to dealer to do any complaints in sept. I also had a 2001 290 which had some voids in the fiberglass a few years later and was told that they are only covered the first year. Nick
Crack repain
The first question is whether you have a scratch or crack. Generally speaking, a scratch is just surface damage and might or might not have been on the boat as delivered or caused by the owner. I seem to remeber that Hunter will not do anything about this if the boat is more then one year old. However, you need to check your warranty papers. A three foot crack is another issue since you have a five year hull warranty - unless Hunter has changed its policy. If the damage is more then skin deep then it is structural and a warranty item. We had a big issue with Hunter on warranty repairs on our 2003 H356 related to voids in the layup near the bow. Hunter claimed that is was cosmetic and our survey said it was structural. Hunter read their own warranty one way and we read it another way. It took some calls and letters and Hunter finally paid for the repairs. Don't try any repairs until you have exhausted your options with Hunter because they will want your dealer to photograph the damage so they can estimate the warranty repair costs if they agree to cover the repairs. Good luck.
The first question is whether you have a scratch or crack. Generally speaking, a scratch is just surface damage and might or might not have been on the boat as delivered or caused by the owner. I seem to remeber that Hunter will not do anything about this if the boat is more then one year old. However, you need to check your warranty papers. A three foot crack is another issue since you have a five year hull warranty - unless Hunter has changed its policy. If the damage is more then skin deep then it is structural and a warranty item. We had a big issue with Hunter on warranty repairs on our 2003 H356 related to voids in the layup near the bow. Hunter claimed that is was cosmetic and our survey said it was structural. Hunter read their own warranty one way and we read it another way. It took some calls and letters and Hunter finally paid for the repairs. Don't try any repairs until you have exhausted your options with Hunter because they will want your dealer to photograph the damage so they can estimate the warranty repair costs if they agree to cover the repairs. Good luck.
Bitch to everyone...the squeeky hinge gets the oil
If you didn't cause the crack...write your local newspaper hot line...find out who the president and CEO of Hunter Marine are and send registered letters. Call your local TV station. And tell them you'll put a big negative blog about Hunter on the internet. Believe me you'll get response. Tell the bank you will stop payments and put the monies into escroll until the problem is resolved by Hunter. Also put a big sign on the boat telling people not to by Hunters until and why. Send a photo of the sign to Hunter.
If you didn't cause the crack...write your local newspaper hot line...find out who the president and CEO of Hunter Marine are and send registered letters. Call your local TV station. And tell them you'll put a big negative blog about Hunter on the internet. Believe me you'll get response. Tell the bank you will stop payments and put the monies into escroll until the problem is resolved by Hunter. Also put a big sign on the boat telling people not to by Hunters until and why. Send a photo of the sign to Hunter.
Nah, that really won't work
I've watched people work with Hunter for 10 years. My advice: don't make threats. Once you start with the hysterics and threats there's _no_ chance anyone will champion your case. Work with your dealer and the factory, be firm but calm.
I've watched people work with Hunter for 10 years. My advice: don't make threats. Once you start with the hysterics and threats there's _no_ chance anyone will champion your case. Work with your dealer and the factory, be firm but calm.
Complaint about crack on Hunter sailboat.
Did Hunter even look at this? I think Landsend is right. Contact the owners of Hunter. As a past business owner the reputation of my company was number one priority. If he doesn't care then the company is not reputable. Keep us posted because I had planned on getting a Hunter as my next boat, but if they don't stand behind their product, forget it. Comments and complaints like this thread spread quickly and are easily searched out through the Internet. Praise and recommendations show up too. Just bought a boat based on blogger's reviews. Are cracks a common problem with Hunter? I have none on my Mac and it is 23 years old. I have a one word sign in my office for our high schoolers "Tenacity" Good luck Frank
Did Hunter even look at this? I think Landsend is right. Contact the owners of Hunter. As a past business owner the reputation of my company was number one priority. If he doesn't care then the company is not reputable. Keep us posted because I had planned on getting a Hunter as my next boat, but if they don't stand behind their product, forget it. Comments and complaints like this thread spread quickly and are easily searched out through the Internet. Praise and recommendations show up too. Just bought a boat based on blogger's reviews. Are cracks a common problem with Hunter? I have none on my Mac and it is 23 years old. I have a one word sign in my office for our high schoolers "Tenacity" Good luck Frank
no dog in this fight
as the only minor issues I've ever had have been promptly and courteously taken care of by Hunter which I infer from other comments, is typical. Often, it is how you ask rather than what you ask. Not to imply that you may have been confrontational but I can't understand how an otherwise reputable manufacturer knwn for standing behind their boats would simply dismiss a structural issue so lightly and apparently without inspection. In response to your question about ho to repair it, kind of hard to suggest anything without actually seeing the extent as it could be simply a hull to deck joint seperation and simple repair to something more fundamanetal to the glass structure below the deck joint. Before attempting to do anything, I'd go back to Hunter or more properly the dealer first.
as the only minor issues I've ever had have been promptly and courteously taken care of by Hunter which I infer from other comments, is typical. Often, it is how you ask rather than what you ask. Not to imply that you may have been confrontational but I can't understand how an otherwise reputable manufacturer knwn for standing behind their boats would simply dismiss a structural issue so lightly and apparently without inspection. In response to your question about ho to repair it, kind of hard to suggest anything without actually seeing the extent as it could be simply a hull to deck joint seperation and simple repair to something more fundamanetal to the glass structure below the deck joint. Before attempting to do anything, I'd go back to Hunter or more properly the dealer first.
Thanks everyone for the input
Thanks everyone for your input. When I call Hunter I was very polite, which is why I think they brushed the whole thing off. Another problem I have is that the boat is now over one year old and the dealer I bought it from is now out of business.
Thanks everyone for your input. When I call Hunter I was very polite, which is why I think they brushed the whole thing off. Another problem I have is that the boat is now over one year old and the dealer I bought it from is now out of business.
I would
Don't get me wrong I have owned two hunters and would buy again,I think they usually are really good at keeping owners happy and they have don a great job doing the right thing. So try calling sailing specialties in Ct. and see what they say about helping you,they are great to work with. tell them and hunter your thinking of going bigger some day. I think if it is a defect and only little over the year that they would work it out with you. A very happy 2007 -36 owner. Nick
Don't get me wrong I have owned two hunters and would buy again,I think they usually are really good at keeping owners happy and they have don a great job doing the right thing. So try calling sailing specialties in Ct. and see what they say about helping you,they are great to work with. tell them and hunter your thinking of going bigger some day. I think if it is a defect and only little over the year that they would work it out with you. A very happy 2007 -36 owner. Nick
Plan carefully
I am the other half of Lands' End and I would like to add my two cents, since I handled many delicate situations for the international corp. I worked for. Start by taking pictures from all angles. Make sure to include something in the pictures that gives the date, a newspaper is usually adequate. Use a measuring tape to indicate the size. Good documentation will go a long ways towards a favorable resolution. Next step should be to write, not phone Hunter. Send copies of the documents along with a brief, concise letter explaining what has happened. The letter should be sent either registered or at least "return receipt requested". Stick to who, what, where, when, don't ramble, be firm but polite. Be clear about what you want them to do. It is reasonable to expect a response within 10 business days. Avoid agreeing to anything on the phone. Ask them to contact you in writing and preferably via e-mail. While this is happening, check the internet for sites about Hunter complaints, you may be able to learn tips from others' experiences. Contact a lawyer and ask how much it may cost to pursue something like this, at minimum how much would it cost for a lawyer to write to Hunter on your behalf. Start a "trouble diary" immediately and list all the steps you have taken. Keep track of any contacts with Hunter and always ask for the contact's name and phone number. Make them understand that you are not going to go away. Stay calm but be relentless. Good luck. Edith
I am the other half of Lands' End and I would like to add my two cents, since I handled many delicate situations for the international corp. I worked for. Start by taking pictures from all angles. Make sure to include something in the pictures that gives the date, a newspaper is usually adequate. Use a measuring tape to indicate the size. Good documentation will go a long ways towards a favorable resolution. Next step should be to write, not phone Hunter. Send copies of the documents along with a brief, concise letter explaining what has happened. The letter should be sent either registered or at least "return receipt requested". Stick to who, what, where, when, don't ramble, be firm but polite. Be clear about what you want them to do. It is reasonable to expect a response within 10 business days. Avoid agreeing to anything on the phone. Ask them to contact you in writing and preferably via e-mail. While this is happening, check the internet for sites about Hunter complaints, you may be able to learn tips from others' experiences. Contact a lawyer and ask how much it may cost to pursue something like this, at minimum how much would it cost for a lawyer to write to Hunter on your behalf. Start a "trouble diary" immediately and list all the steps you have taken. Keep track of any contacts with Hunter and always ask for the contact's name and phone number. Make them understand that you are not going to go away. Stay calm but be relentless. Good luck. Edith
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