skiffdiver

I recently bought a Carolina Skiff DLV198 (4 months ago) 2 months after I bought the boat the hull cracked, since the boat was only 2 months old I assumed it would be replaced. I contacted Carolina Skiff and they told me I had to bring them the boat (Waycross,Georgia) after driving for 6 hours I arrived at the factory, the "Warranty Specialist" looked at the crack, tapped it with her pen and said, "no problem, its just the gel coat". I left the boat in Georgia and two weeks later she calls and said the boat is ready "good as new". I return to Georgia to pick up the boat whenI look at the boat it has new cracks.I show the Warranty Specialist and she says,"no problem,go to lunch and it will be ready when you get back". I went to lunch and returned to the plant. There were two girls using what appeared to be hair dyers on the fiberglass and six hours later they said "good as new". so I leave for my fourth six hour trip. I took the boat out about a week later in 6 inch seas for a couple of hours when I returned the boat had the same crack , but longer! I immediatly called Carolina Skiff and demanded a new boat, the Warranty Specialist said she will get right on it. A week later I call and get the familiar answering machine and left a messsage inquiring about my boat, I do this for several days-- no call back, frustrated I call my local dealer and they inform me that Carolina Skiff does not call them back either. The Warranty Specialist finally calls back and tells me that they have a new hull (hull only) and they will ship it to me at my expense and I will have to swap my motor and everything else to the new hull. I have had boats all my life, and never had any problems (I'm 36 ) this was my first new boat and the worst buying experience in my life. Has anybody else had similar problems with Carolina Skiff?By the way the crack is about two and a half feet long and ugly.

IRRIGATOR

Time to go up the ladder on the ( Warranty Specialist ). I would startwith the CEO. Then with the 500 phone calls a day. Until the problem was resolved. Also read your warranty book from cover to cover. Good Luck. Ihate to hear somebody getting screwd by an American made boat manufacture. Just goes to show you how good our workmanship is in theis country.

SkinnyWater

Yours is the second story I've heard of Carolina Skiff hulls cracking. I had strongly considered purchasing a 19 DLV. I heard the first story prior to making that purchase. It wasn't entirely the deciding factor, but it did sway the selection. I ended up with the Tidewater and so far (knock on fiberglass) I have no complaints.

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2003 Hydra Sports 230WA / 225 Yamaha

Sailor612

Thats sad...with the little money (their cost)that Carolina Skiff probably puts into those "piece together"style boats you'd think they'd be more than willing to just keep their customers happy instead of getting a horrible reputationlikethat. MakingYOU pay for the freight of a new hull thatTHEY messed up in the building process...HA, thats a joke! If you have a manufacture defect its easier to eat the cost of replacing one boat than to lose the possibility ofa handful of future customers. I was looking at Polar Boats until I heard they had a problem with defects in the hulls on occasion...then I started looking into Carolina Skiff....BUT I GUESS THAT IDEA IS OVER! On to another boat manufacture for me!

Best of luck. Keep us updated about how much more crap you have to go through to get the problem resolved!:banghead

shrimp for brains

Has the dealer you bought the boat from been of any assistance? I know hull defects are a manufacturer issue but seeing how the dealer made money off you as well he could at least help in getting the manufacturer to stand behind the product he is selling.

flynurse

alex you need a bigger boat anyway. that way i can sell my and just ride on yours, craasch and skinnywater (my bro). you know i'm good for gas and stuff. good luck with all that crap

Danno

Your more patient of the dealer than I would have been, he is the person that took your money. Load him up with the responsibility of making things right. He will in reality carry more clout with the factory than you will.

I would start with a certified letter to him on what its going to take to make it right, I would request within a reasonable time a meeting with him and a factory rep to discuss the problem and give you a time frame on when it was going to be resolved. The part about swapping hulls and equipment belongs to him.

Telum Pisces

I agree that the dealer should be the one dealing with the boat manufacturer, not you. I would have lost my cool with a bunch of people way before what has happend to you. That is what the dealer is for. So we don't have to drive cross country to deal directly with the manufacturer. Don't let things go and stay on top of people and move up the chain of command.

Clemson

Your notalone in the CarolinaSkiff junk boat!

All anyone has to do is google "Carolina Skiff" to find the Carolina Skiff forums and you will find story after story of holes and cracked hulls. It's a shame to buy a brand new boat and get the "5 year Hull Warranty" that means nothing. They do not stand behind thier boat! Beware of a Carolina Skiff.

spanky

Alex, I wish I could have met you before you bought your Carolina Sh_ _ !. My Dad has one with the same problem and took monthsbefore they "fixed it". All they did was fill the crack and buff it out. He still has it but does not trust it.He wants to get rid of it but he would'nt fell good giving the problem to someone else. I hate to say it but you might have to play the "Lawyer Card" .---- NEVER GIVE UP, STAY ON TOP OF THEM----

Spanky