Quality issues-stress cracks

[oriental2010]

I am going to look at the Defiance 220 EX Pilothouse that I have under contract in NJ next week. I just got off the phone with a dealer that sold these boats 2007-08. He said to look at something else, too many quality issues.
Can any owners of defiance's let me know what issues you have experienced so I can look at these areas when I see the boat.
He mentioned stress cracks and coring issues but did not get real specific. The aluminum fuel tanks that are below the deck concern me, are they coated or isolated from being in contact with bilge water?
Thanks,
Steve

[Por Fin]

I am going to look at the Defiance 220 EX Pilothouse that I have under contract in NJ next week. I just got off the phone with a dealer that sold these boats 2007-08. He said to look at something else, too many quality issues.
Can any owners of defiance's let me know what issues you have experienced so I can look at these areas when I see the boat.
He mentioned stress cracks and coring issues but did not get real specific. The aluminum fuel tanks that are below the deck concern me, are they coated or isolated from being in contact with bilge water?
Thanks,
Steve

I have not experienced any stress cracks in the gelcoat and I run mine pretty hard. I have had issues with the aluminum full transom bracket though. It cracked adjacent to where the motor is mounted and I had to have a local welding shop strengthen and repair it. Also, the paint job on the bracket was not done very well as large areas of paint bubbled and chipped off. It doesn't appear that an aluminum oxide primer was used prior to the enamel being applied... so I had to redo it and it's holding up much better now. The only other issue I had was that, on delivery, the steering lines were connected backwards... on my first launch I found the boat going to the right when I turned left! It was a dangerous situation. So, even though the website says that every boat is extensively water tested prior to delivery, I wouldn't assume that to be the case. I have not personally seen my fuel tank, so I can't comment.

All that said, I have worked out the kinks and love my boat.

Mike

[support]

Cannot comment on the dealers comments other than to say if they are no longer a dealer, there may be some "sour grapes" involved. I would definitely recommend checking out the boat in person and inspecting for yourself. I would be more concerned with the specific boat, as opposed to the boats in general. All boats will have some minor issues here and there. But I think that you will find that most Defiance Owners love their boats and have been very happy with the way that they hold up. That being said, with a used boat it is impossible to know the history of the boat for certain. If it was ever damaged, or mistreated. Nothing can substitute for giving a very good inspection.

With regard to the fuel tanks. At one time aluminum tanks were used, and still are on our 290 Guadalupe. Nothing wrong with Aluminum tanks. They are designed so that they drain well around the tank. The tanks are not "foamed" in so fuel tank issues would not be my major concern. Unless, the boat had been partially submerged at one time or had some other type of incident. Best of Luck

[oriental2010]

Cannot comment on the dealers comments other than to say if they are no longer a dealer, there may be some "sour grapes" involved. I would definitely recommend checking out the boat in person and inspecting for yourself. Best of Luck

I was thinking about the sour grape theory also. The boat is a 220 EX pilothouse 2008 hull # 9 .What years or run of hull #'s did they use aluminum tanks? I am planning on thoroughly inspecting the boat before I order the seatrial and survey. I already had the serial # run on the engine and there have been no issues with it, Yamaha 150w/300hrs.
Thanks for the reply.
Steve

[oriental2010]

I have not experienced any stress cracks in the gelcoat and I run mine pretty hard. I have had issues with the aluminum full transom bracket though. It cracked adjacent to where the motor is mounted and I had to have a local welding shop strengthen and repair it. Also, the paint job on the bracket was not done very well as large areas of paint bubbled and chipped off. It doesn't appear that an aluminum oxide primer was used prior to the enamel being applied... so I had to redo it and it's holding up much better now. The only other issue I had was that, on delivery, the steering lines were connected backwards... on my first launch I found the boat going to the right when I turned left! It was a dangerous situation. So, even though the website says that every boat is extensively water tested prior to delivery, I wouldn't assume that to be the case. I have not personally seen my fuel tank, so I can't comment.

All that said, I have worked out the kinks and love my boat.

Mike

Hi Mike, That must have been quite a shocker, port is starboard...... Thanks for the heads up on the bracket, I was not aware that it was made of aluminum. I assumed it was reinforce fiberglass. The bracket on this boat is not full transom, just wide enough for the single engine.
Both front windows are opening which is important as the summer months in NC are hot! How do you manage with the pilothouse during the hot months?
Regards,
Steve

[Por Fin]

Hi Mike, That must have been quite a shocker, port is starboard...... Thanks for the heads up on the bracket, I was not aware that it was made of aluminum. I assumed it was reinforce fiberglass. The bracket on this boat is not full transom, just wide enough for the single engine.
Both front windows are opening which is important as the summer months in NC are hot! How do you manage with the pilothouse during the hot months?
Regards,
Steve

Steve, I grew up on the the East Coast and you are wise to get two opening front windows. In Northern CA it's a rare day that the heat is an issue while on the ocean. I have just one opening front window and that serves me just fine.
Mike

[Half and Half]

I bought my 25 ft. Pilothouse from the dealer referred to above. I have had some minor issues, but nothing much to speak of. Have been in some very rough water, and have never felt unsafe. As for the stress fractures, I have a little in the rounded edge of the hard top - starboard aft. That's pretty much it. One other issue that I have been having is water intrusion into the cabin around the rub rail forward, both sides. I would suggest, if you can, that you use a hose to spray water under the lower edge of the rub rail to see whether your boat might have a similar issue. Good luck! It's a great drift boat. I think you will be happy.

[Por Fin]

One other issue that I have been having is water intrusion into the cabin around the rub rail forward, both sides. I would suggest, if you can, that you use a hose to spray water under the lower edge of the rub rail to see whether your boat might have a similar issue. Good luck! It's a great drift boat. I think you will be happy.

I had similar water intrusion issues in the cabin. Water was coming through the edges of both cabin windows. Turned out they were not caulked when installed. A little silicone and the problem was solved.

[Half and Half]

My issues are well forward of the windows, and are almost definitely confined to the rub rail seam.

[oriental2010]

With regard to the fuel tanks. At one time aluminum tanks were used, and still are on our 290 Guadalupe. Nothing wrong with Aluminum tanks. They are designed so that they drain well around the tank. The tanks are not "foamed" in so fuel tank issues would not be my major concern. Unless, the boat had been partially submerged at one time or had some other type of incident. Best of Luck

I just got back from NJ and the survey/seatrial. I found that the fuel tank on this boat is sandwiched between two bulkheads, fore and aft in the bilge. The tanks is" foamed in" between these two bulkheads and the foam has retained lots of moisture. Possibly from the inspection port in the cockpit directly above the tank.
I could not tell how far down the water intrusion extended , the top several inches were wet. Since this wet foam cannot dry out I am concerned about the longevity of the tank.