Stress Cracks Common for PQ
 

Would like some opinions on the stress cracks in my 260 PQ. Average length is >3" with one that is 9". PowerQuest calls them common? :confused: I have a zipped file I can email if anyone is interested in giving feedback.

Thanks Jan

my email is [email protected]

I have a few under the swim platform on a curved area. Very few and minor though.

Got a whole bunch of them. Some on the deck some on the back under the swim platform around the tabs. :(

What has PQ's response been like???

Let's see if PQ responds to this thread...

By the way, post some pictures of the cracks and locations.

NTP :rolleyes:

[ 01-22-2002: Message edited by: New To Power ]

PQ seemed real interested until I told them how many I have. All of mine are on the top deck. Will have to remove windshield to repair. I can email you a zip file, not sure where I could post pics.

Jan

I have heard too about stress cracks under the windshield.

What year is your 260 ? I have a 1994 290 that has 400 hours on it and it has no stress cracks :D We have taken care not to put the boat in huge water but it has been in Lake Michigan in 3-4 footers several times. I striped all the old wax off last year and re-applied McGuyer's 3-step wax process (which means I was over the boat 4 times) and did not see one crack.

This seems like something that PQ should stand behind. The variables are has the boat seen some big water with an in-experienced operator and the age. Stress cracks are not uncommon on fiberglass boats, but yours sounds excessive :(

I am glad to say i have found no stress cracks anywhere on my boat, and have been in what you would call "big water" with it. I was in daytona for the races there and had my boat out in what some where calling 7 foot seas :eek: .. and being that i only have a 237 i think that constitues big enough.

I would not say age is a factor in cracks, where would some one come up with that? :( If i read that right that would mean large fizures would be in my boat.. being that i am only 26. Sorry, the age thing gets to me alot when people generalize like that. Would be like me saying most of you would need canes to walk, correct?? :D ... anyway... Hope to see many of you in miami. i will try to talk my travel partners into going to the gathering friday... we will be staying in Lauderdale and traveling to the show in his <gasp> scarab!

Sorry Fl PowerQuest if I offended you :eek: I was referring to in-experienced operators (regardless of age) and the age of the boat :D

The boat is a 1997 that I bought new. The boat has only seen inland lakes.(Hartwell and Murray in SC, and tested on Lake Lanier in GA). Just turned 200 hrs. I have been around boats for more than 20 years. First full time job was at our local marina, rigging bass boats, Glassmaster and Hydro Streams.

I have seen SMALL cracks in other boats, but not in many boats that cost more than 40,000 dollars.


Jan

Any response from PQ ????

NTP :confused:

I had a 1997 260 PQ that had 175 hrs when I sold it last fall and it didn't have a single stress crack. My boat had snaps for the tops, bow rails, stern rails and windshield. I have seen other boats that had cracks from these items not having the holes drilled properely.

you didnt offend me there H2O.. just making my statement.. :D

I had a '00 280.
NO stress cracks anywhere!
Boat was VERY solid.

I have a 98 260. I have some minor stress cracks by the windshield on the port side. I've owned a Checkmate a Donzi and other boats, and they all had some stress cracks.I've also seen them on other boats that my friends own. I just think that it is normal for a boat that is subjected to the abuse we all give them. It is just the gelcoat and not a structural thing.That's just my .02 :)

I have had quite a few especially near a radius like the ones Ray has. They have repaired and strengthened all but two that were created by taking one on the side it was a hard hit and they are located on the cockpit floor area. I was hoping they would fix them but PQ decided it wasn't a warranty issue. Whether I agree or not with that decision I can certainly understand that they can not be fixing every single crack in there boats. I do know that when they find a problem area they change there production to reinforce that area.
There are a couple questions that I have wondered about. Is the gel too thick? Are the stress areas put together too tight? With any material or structure some type of expansion joint or buffer needs to be used to absorb shock. SCOTT

Scott,


How did the repairs turn out??? Can you tell that there was work done in these areas???


NTP :confused:

I would like to email some of you guys a zip file of pics I took of my cracks and also sent to PQ. Maybe some of you who have had stress cracks can compare, and post feedback.
Maybe I am over reacting.
I do know after I sent PQ the pictures they asked how many areas I had so they could get an idea of hours of work involved, but when I emailed the following list, they informed me it was not covered.

My cracks
14 cracks around the windshield. All cracks start on the cockpit side of
windshield and extend into bow. All cracks are 3" or longer( one is 9"). None are
spider web type cracks you normally see in gel, all are deep and you can
feel when you run your hand over them.

4 cracks in the stripe that is gel coated into the bow, one deep like around
the windshield.

3 cracks around the pump out fitting, all similar to the ones around
windshield.


Jan

[ 01-24-2002: Message edited by: Jan ]

Jan, non of mine were even close to what your describing.

New to Power, The repairs looked good a little shade difference do to sun fade but 90% of my trouble was in the cockpit area so it wasn't a issue.

If you call PQ I'm sure they would give you the gel manafacturer and part #. I have learned a little bit about this type of repair it seems most of them require some type of reinforcement from the underside or pressure relief.

I'm with rbtnt, my 97 260 had 330 hrs and no stress spiders. But hey, it did have a "carpet" cabin headliner that was glued poorly and started to fall. Try stretching and re-glueing one of those badboys, a real job!.

I had to re-glue my head liner after the first year, what a job! The problem seemed to be the wiring harness that ran the length of the cabin on the stbd side was not secure and started to sag on the carpet. If I keep the boat might look at the cost of installing a suspended head liner

Doesn't sound like they're coming from improperly prepared screw holes the way you're describing them. Either the deck is flexing too much or they got a bad batch of gelcoat(I believe PQ uses Ferrocoat). Those sound like some nasty cracks, mine doesn't have any except where the screwholes weren't clearance drilled through the gel.

My question is how old is your boat. Is there are stress cracks and the boat is less than 5 years old, I'd be freaking out....

I have a Chris Craft 222 Stinger that's 14 years old and it only has a few tiny stress cracks on the front of the hull...

- jeff

Jan, I would have a hard time tolerating stress cracks and a fallen headliner on a boat that new. I am running a 91 Fountain that has no cracks (except for that one where I bumped the pier :p )and has been run at 80 mph + in every type of water from oceans to creeks! And my headliner damn sure never fell down. I am really surprised that PQ hasn't offered to fix this for you. They had a good name at one time. Reggie would have jumped all over this just to save his reputation. I have a friend on this board (27fever) who has a 27 Fever (go figure!) that he purchased new that had several problems which Fountain fixed free of charge...no questions asked. Expensive boats should be handled in this manner. Good luck with this issue, I hope PQ sees the light.