175 Hull Deformation

M

matty789

New Member
Dec 2, 2008
9
Forster Australia
Boat Info
1997 175
Engines
150 Hp Mercury Outboard
Has anyone experienced any problems with hull deformation on any of your Sea Rays? I have a 1997 175OB that is in perfect condition, always kept in garage, always washed down after use and looks as if it just drove out of the showroom. The problem I have been noticing over the past few years is that at the rear of both sides of the hull (below the rub rail) it is shrinking inwards creating large dents in the side of the boat. It has shrunk so much that the fibreglass/timber supports inside the boat have pulled away from the side of the hull. I contacted my dealer who gave me the "Out of Warranty" answer. I have written direct to Sea Ray headquarters and am waiting a reply. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
 
Can you show us a photo? I don't' fully understand becasue you say; timber supports inside the boat have pulled away from the side of the hull ??
 
I'm no expert, but I believe that "bulhkeads" are those solid pieces of plywood/fibreglass that go from the port to starboard sides of the hull and are attached to the hull sides with fibreglass ''tabs".

From your description it sounds like the bulkheads are shrinking??? Never heard of that. :smt009

You sure water isn't getting in there and shrinkin them bulkheads???:smt101
 
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These were taken over 12 months ago. The dents are much worse now.
 

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WOW, that is to strange. I assume the area you speak of is just over the corner of the trailer up the boat in the photos. Yea' it looks like the wood is shrinking but wow never have I seen so much shrinkage......Well on my husband maybe..... But you know...... Check the stringers and motor mounts see if they are all still in place. Also look for cracks under the carpet if it's snap in on the deck.
 
Matty,

Just kidding about water/shrinkage.

Thanks for the photos. I've never seen anything like that. Usually it's the bulkheads starting to protrude outwards if anything. That area is so close to the transom (stearn) that it's hard to imagine why there would be a bulkhead there in the first place. Does this bulkhead go from one side of the boat to the other? With the engine being there, I can't see how a bulkhead span the boat.
 
The boat is out getting the trim on the engine fixed at the moment so I can't check the bulkheads. From memory it doesn't have any down that end of the boat. As Its an outboard the mounts are all good.

Do you think I should be concerned about future cracks and hull integrity failure?? Anyone have a direct contact with Sea Ray other than dealers??
 
Just looked at that thread.... The last post makes the most sence but I would think it would have never made it off the yard if that was the case. I have never seen any thing like this in all my works. I have seen them pushed out in many ways but never sunk in. And on top of that his photos show it's pulling away from the hull on the inside...

Very strange. Very-Very-strange. My only thought,, and it's a reach is that what ever wood span is in that area was not dry when built and it has now dried and shrunk....

I,,,, if it were me; as a hands on person I would cut that span away and let the sides relax again and hope they go back into shape... Then look at rebuilding that spar.

As for what to do???? I fold... I have no more ideas.
 
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As the indentation has gotten larger on the exterior, has the interior gap pictured above stayed the same or has it too gotten larger...maybe even close to full separation? Condolences to Spookeay for the husband's shrinkage. Has he tried Viagra to see if it helps or have you taken it into your own...eh, hands?
 
Anyone remember that thread (?maybe early summer?) about the guy in Hawaii that was looking at buying a mid to late '90's 210BR? That had something very similar going on. However, I don't remember the outcome (if there was one) and can't see, to find the thread.
 
sfergson727 said:
Dennis, I am shocked. I tell you, I get no respect around here. I already referenced the link......

Between this, and the suggestion to salvage the engines, transmissions and gennys on the burned out 44 which went ignored, either I am on a lot of people's ignore list, or like I said, no respect, I tell ya. I got to tie a steak around my neck to get my dog to play with me here lately.
Click to expand...

I actually remembered that thread and was going to make a link to it.... but you beat me to it! There are some smart boaters on this forum and you are definitely on my read list. Don't take offense... because there are some posters that like to type more than read. : )
 
sfergson727 said:
Dennis, I am shocked. I tell you, I get no respect around here. I already referenced the link......

Between this, and the suggestion to salvage the engines, transmissions and gennys on the burned out 44 which went ignored, either I am on a lot of people's ignore list, or like I said, no respect, I tell ya. I got to tie a steak around my neck to get my dog to play with me here lately.
Click to expand...

Well, in that case, I guess someone does remember!:smt001

In all seriousness, my apologies, Scott. I read the first few threads yesterday, then just recently that Hawaii thread dawned on me. I logged back in and just quickly scanned through and posted the comment. My fault for not reading thoroughly.

Make it a prime rib... :lol:
 
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This is a real serious matter you guys. This shrinkage could be a real problem. I wonder if they have Viagra for boats and whether the 175 would become a 185 or 190 if you gave it too much?
 
Thanks everyone! I'll get some more photos in the next couple of days and show you the difference in the past 12 months. It is certainly getting worse especially on the port side. The problem now is when the boat is running through chop those hull supports (that are broken away) slam against the hull which make it all sound very bad!!

Does anyone think Sea Ray might come to the party and sort this out??? Obviously they have built a defective boat!
 
That would be nice but it seems a decade is a little late to notice a factory 'defect' (just trying to put myself in the manufacturer's shoes). Are you the original owner and, if not, did the other person notice it when they owned it? Also, is there any other sign of shrinkage or warping with other panels? Strictly from a money perspective, it might be cheaper to have the fix done than fight the company. If you could break the rest of that bond on the interior and just graft a new piece of plywood in there and re-inforce it with fiberglass like the factory, that might be the cheapest and easiest route since it has not leaked. How's the other side look? Is that interior bracing still straight or has it developed a bow? Plywood is supposed to be fairly stable so I'm thinking all that loss had to go somewhere and not just 'disappeared'. Do you have any Viagra in the medicine cabinet?...oops, wrong type of wood.
 
I really don't think there is a way of getting to the interior bracing without pulling out the entire rear interior. Remember that model has glued in carpet so all that would have to be removed.
I have owned the boat since new. Don't the new models come with a Lifetime hull warranty? The 175 hasn't changed that much in the past 10 years!

Anyway I'll wait and see what Sea Ray has to say.
 
Darn I was trying to help the guy and it's now a "Ask your boat doctor about Viagra"

Well,,, I still say shrinkage is always a problem and never under warranty.
 
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