More on Gelcoat Blisters.....

[tommybuoy]

Read with interest a previously closed discussion on blisters and one member's frustration with CS. Was very interested in buying my first CS but now have reservations after reading the horror story. Search the internet on gelcoat warrantees and you'll find a ton of info. While many people have bad mouthed Maritime Skiffs for being expensive, I guess in some cases you get what you pay for. Here's one blister story I found with a happy ending. If CS wants to maintain positive customer relations, they should eat a hull or two as MS did in the following:

"fitz03-15-2000, 09:10 AM
This is an open letter to all of you who read my post last November when I reported that I was having some problems with the hull of my Maritime Skiff 18'.

First off, I am happy to report that the crew at Maritime Skiff are 100% dedicated to customer service and stand proudly behind their excellent boats. I have always raved about my MS 18 and will continue to do so. It is an excellent fly fishing machine, capable of handling the roughest inshore waters that I dare to fish in.

OK, so here is what happened. Last November I noticed that flakes of gel coat were coming off the bottom of my Maritime Skiff 18 on the way back home from Harkers Island, N.C. I contacted Maritime as soon as I got home and spoke to the owner of the company, Paul, directly. He was obviously concerned and wanted to get a look at the hull. This was an extremely rare problem. In fact, MS has one of the lowest defect rates in the business, something like 4/900 boats have any problems at all. Very impressive.

When MS got their hands on the boat, they spent a little while over the Christmas holidays (they even opened the warehouse for me on Christmas Eve) assessing the situation. In a short period of time, Paul called me and told me that they would be replacing my hull, free of charge.

I was (and still am) thrilled. I took delivery of the boat last week and it looks great. Not to mention that the new hull warranty has been extended to 5 years. Nice.

When I first realized that I was having some problems with the hull, I reacted rather sharply, mentally preparing myself for an uphill battle, as I have friends that have had problems with other boat companies. I was taken by surprise with the care and attention that I received from everyone at Maritime Skiff.

In the end, I've loved my boat since I bought it and still do--very much. I don't think I've ever dealt with a better company and recommend that you take a hard look at the Maritime Skiff line if you are in the small boat market.


Sincerely.

Sean Fitzpatrick"



We should all challange CS to follw suit.................................Tommybuoy

[Fillet1]

Tommy,

No offense, but Maritimes cost twice as much as a Carolina skiff and it looks like they have gel coat issues also. We have not heard the end result of the blister problem posted about here, and there have been no other complaints on this board regarding blisters. I like Maritimes, but for what you get they are overpriced. There are many better boats in their price range IMO.

[tommybuoy]

Couldn't agree with you more that Maritime's are expensive. Know that 1st hand, own a 1690. Have to agree that they too have had blister problems, as I did bring it up. Would guess that most if not all brands, regardless of cost, have had a blister or two. The point I was trying to make is that in at least one instance MS took care of the problem. Perhaps I was trying to shame CS into doing the same. Only trying to help the guy w/ the problem.

[o2bfishn]

You guys are right about maritime skiffs, I looked too, great boat, but for the money I could get so much more in the way of boats.


One of the reasons I went with a CS was becuse they stand behind their boats, I read this a few times on the MSN site where owners had problems and CS stepped up to the plate and made things right. All boat bulders have had some kind of problem over the years, the good ones step up and make it right.

I think there is more to the story about the gel. blisters on that skiff than we have been told. Just my .02cents but I find it hard to believe that CS would not help out with out good cause.

o2bfishn

[sportskiff]

BY GOLLY !!!!!!!!
He must be running thru the toxic ponds ::) ::) ::) ::) with his fishin pal the toxic avenger!!!!! ::) ::) ::)
Quality and consumer confidince in a coustomer-aware company seems to be hampered at cs on this issue, this certain issue above most.
ok, lets vote,
if ya think he's been or done something outside the norm with the boat say AYE
if ya think he's not say NAY.............
nay's got it, cs should replace the boat
MY 2 pennies, Reggie