Axis Wakeboard Boat Forum

Did Tommy's call it a structural issue as well? Glad to hear that Tommy's is stepping up and taking care of you. Please update when you can.

It's not structure, it is lazy practices at the factory. The holes are not chamfered and there is where the crack comes from. I repair high end boats every day and see it from Malibu, supra nautique and the list goes on. In fact I have a brand new supra in my shop with a crack in the gel from every screw in the rub rail.

Can it be repaired such that the cracks don't reoccur? We have a great gel coat fiberglass guy here. I just want to know that the fix is right and solves the problem. Your description sounds technically correct but it's a manufacturing defect. The structure question is related to warranty. I too am assuming that Malibu will not acknowledge it as structural, so I need it fixed right now, before warranty expires. Let me know what I should insure gets done to fix this. Thanks!

I believe the hull is a lifetime warranty, no? Not that this should happen but at least it should be covered longer than the standard warranty.

I have a 15 T22 ordered in March and delivered in May with no gel/hull issues to my knowledge, hope it stays that way.

Keep us updated on what happens with yours!

Hull and gel warranty are two different things. I believe all gel warranties are changing for 2016. Gel are stress cracks and air voids. Hull would be a weakening of the structure. More than likely not the issue. If you have spider cracking it could be do to thin gel, a real problem with axis and Malibu right now. If your gel guy is good where you are located he can identify this very quickly.

In my years of experience repairing boats, gel cracking isn't caused by thin gel. It is caused by thick gel.

Thin gel is more flexible than thick gel so it does not crack as easy.

So, as a follow up to my hull cracks, Tommy's was asked by Malibu to take photos of stringers and what appears to be disbonding of the fiberglass layers. Photos were sent and now Malibu is shipping my boat to factory in Tennessee (from Florida) for further inspection. By their engineers. Unbelievable! Tommy's has been great and is giving me a new boat off their lot while mine is being dealt with by Malibu. This is a hull manufacturing defect, not gel coat; at least that has been settled. Now what? I am anxious to get confirmation of what Malibu will do. Malibu has promised a determination within a week. This is a brand new 2015 T22, a patch job is unacceptable. I hope they stay, "Centered on me." We'll see how this plays out for me. Does anyone know if this kind of issue can be repaired. Warranty terms say, "repair or replace." I intend to demand replacement. I'll keep you posted. I'm super bummed out; I love my boat!

Before you start dwelling on all of the negatives and what ifs why don't you wait to see what they say. No use winding yourself up any further.

You find it unbelievable that they want the boat shipped back to the factory for inspection. Personally I see that as them wanting to find out exactly what happened. Is there something wrong with that?

Can that be repaired? Yes, it's fiberglass. Anything in fiberglass can be repaired.

Not trying to be negative but you can demand a replacement all you want. If they determine that it can be repaired that is what will happen.

I hear what you're saying and I've agreed to the process with the presumption that they'll do the right thing. I trust my dealer and they've assured me that the'll make sure it's right. It's really disappointing that I paid for a new boat four months ago and that I've had such a serious problem that will result in either a major repair or replacement. I really didn't want either. I just want to be out on my boat with my family every weekend.

I'm just vetting a bit with people on the forum that might appreciate how I feel.

Here's the update on Malibu's assessment of the cracks in the hull. They have determined that the hull has structural defect and cannot be repaired. On Tuesday, I was advised that a new hull is being built. The top will be removed and engine and top will be installed on the new hull which will maintain the same VIN.
It seems like a lot of work but if it fixes my problem, I'll be ok with it. Hope they do a good job putting her back together. Hoping the new hull has the new 2016 surf gate actuators.
Unfortunately this has been in process for seven weeks now and the hull won't be ready for 3-4 weeks. That's a long time while I make boat payments to my lender. At least Tommy's- gave me a 2013 Malibu LSV until this gets completed. I can tell you that I like my Axis way better. Hate the computer and digital screen for ballast. One thing I really like is hydraulic wedge, it does allow you the make fine adjustments to wake shape. I'll let you know how it all goes when I get the boat back at month's end.