It does suck that he wont have a boat for a while but from experience when he gets that next boat and if malibu handles it like tige did for me he will be 100% happy with them and the boat. It took about six weeks to get mine back.

I know that having a gelcoat issue with a new boat can be a major pain, especially with all the money a guy has to fork out to get into one. I have worked on Malibu's for quite some time and feel that they have always stepped up to the plate when it came time to take care of their customers. I assure you that you did not receive a used\damaged boat. All boats leaving the factory are brand new. It is not uncommon to have boats be re-sprayed in production for spots that did not come out of the mold perfect. All manufacturers all makes. Judging by reading what you have been through your dealer is not taking proper action to resolve your issue. You need to call the Malibu customer service line and get in touch with someone and ask when they can get this fixed for you. Many dealers are not equipped to handle spraying gelcoat, or at least doing it properly. Perosity is a cosmetic flaw only and does not affect the performance of the boat, integrity, or longevity. This is a very easy problem to fix and you just need to get to the right people and you will find that Malibu takes great pride in their boats and take care of their customers. Something else to think about is that the federal government has mandated all kinds of restrictions and laws to gelcoat and related materials for environmental preservation. Not only is this a Malibu thing to deal with it's a boating\automaker\anyone spraying anything problem. It takes some time to perfect a new formula and end with the same results with only limited base to start with. All boat makers are going through the same problems. My best advice to you is be patient and Malibu will step up and take care of you.

I agree with Horsepower Henry completely. This is a problem with any manufacturer that uses gel coats. In the long run getting this problem fixed correctly is better than having it fixed fast. <BR> <BR>I work at a dealer and we do 95% of our gel coat in house, most dealers do not, and if we lose our main gel coat guy he would be hard to replace. The main thing is to talk with your dealer and figure out the best way to get the situation remedied, whether the repair take place at your dealer, at a boat repair facility or at the factory my guess is that you end up getting taken care of.

Just got the word that Ed IS getting a brand new 08' boat. Ultimate Watersports of Livermore DID step up to the plate and defend Ed from the start. Which hopefully Ed will get on here and admit that. Ultimate of Livermore NEVER knew of the problem and have always told customers of problems in the past if we notice them before delivery. It is good to see Malibu step up and take care of their customer as they have always done from what I have seen and will continue to do so. <BR> <BR> <BR>"For for all of you going to Cope Mcphethers or Ultimate water sports Beware they will sell you a repaired Boat for the price of a new Boat." <BR>- <BR> That was a little harsh Ed knowing that we did not know about it. You're a good guy Ed and I'm glad Malibu stepped up for you!

Myke thanks for clearing this up, us malibu owners knew that was b.s. and that the issue would be fixed properly.

Mike, I just got the word myself. Malibu did step up and they say I am getting a new boat. I did not say that cope Knew that the boat was repaired. I was saying that this happened to me and it could happen to someone else just beware. If this sounded harsh I apologize to you and the other guy's. I did not say that you did not stick up for me. Phil lang told me that Ultimate would not take care of this problem when I was at the show. I did not mention any names until now. You are a good guy also and I did not say that mike did not stick up for me or the other salesmen. I said that you company told me that they would not take care of this and that is what they said.

That is malibu boats for you. Looks like they and skier's choice are at the top of customer service.

The funny thing is that it got taken care of when it was put on this forum... Publicity works...Both Good or Bad!

No hard feelings at all Ed! I just have to cover our (Livermore Ultimate) butts. We've been working hard here to get our good rep back and will continue to try and do so. <BR> <BR>Again glad things worked out for you and see you soon!

I have no hard fellings at you or the other guy's there. Thanks for your reply and see ya soon

Malibu is a quality company. There was no doubt in my mind that they would step up and take care of this.

Cool deal EGJ. My gelcoat chipped away so bad, it made my boat look like a Supra. I'd better contact Malibu right away and get my free boat coming. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/wink.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>j/k. Love my Supra

This is the third or fourth horror story I've heard about Cope's. I think it's probably more of a dealer issue than a mfg issue. <BR> <BR>Good luck

sperbet, since when did Copes start building Malibus? <BR> <BR>I must have missed the memo.

Screw Copes! I bet their EVIL karma got into your gelcoat and that is what is causing your problems.<img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/crazy.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>Seriously though. When Malibu chooses to repair gelcoat flaws that occur in the production process they are rolling the dice that the repair holds up. It probably does 90% of the time but they have to already know that they will have to replace the hulls on some boats. It's the cost of doing business. It is not too much to ask them for at least a new hull. <BR> <BR>Also, for those that are saying that it's not the dealer's responsibility, just who is your local Malibu rep if it isn't the dealer? <BR> <BR>just my 2 cents.

this happens time to time at every builder. People just never realize it. It will hold up fine.

Hey EGJ, It seems that there was a poor repair on this boat...but that dose not mean there is anything wrong with the boat. <BR> <BR>All boat companies have some small issues on a few boats. You can't throw away a boat because of a "cosmetic blemish" that if properly fixed will have no effect on the performance, durability or longterm value of the boat. <BR> <BR>A "structural flaw" is a different story but porosity...if fixed right is no problem when its in a small area. Not seeing the boat makes it hard to know for sure...but my guess is this is/was a "cosmetic thing" that QC missed. Now the world knows about it. <img src="http://www.wakeworld.com/MB/Discus/clipart/blush.gif" border=0> <BR> <BR>It sounds like Malibu is going "well beyond" to please you. The dealer may have been saying there is nothing they could do...because they didn't build the boat. You know what they say about the "squeeky wheel".

bocephus, im going to have to tell you this real lightly, my sanger had the most gel problems out of the 5 boats i have owned. severe air pockets in the gel that would pop and crack, crazy crazy chips were seat cushions would touch gel. 3 trips to the glas/gel guy. along with many other problems i had with that boat. but i would buy a sanger again. great boat and wake. <BR> <BR>it got to a point where i was going to sue that ex dealer of mine until the man step in. funny enough i was at last years boat show when i was aproached by Scott P. and the rest is history. boat was fixed and fixed again. and you know what, i own a malibu now, from a different dealer, and i have had small bugs to work out and everytime i call the dealership. they get the problem solved. its the dealers responsibilty, not to fix the problem, but to get the problem fixed by the manufacture for you. you the consumer should never have to do any extra work besides call the dealer and say fix it. <BR> <BR>props to ultimate in liv no more, i stop in there on occasion and have never had a cope vibe from one person there. seems like a different dealership, as for san jose, "not so much" <BR> <BR>but i just gotta throw it out there, for the best quick pro shop stop on the way to the D, i always hit N.C. MC, great vibe and selection and i never feel like im not cool and need to buy an xstar. love that shop. <BR> <BR>(Message edited by westsiderippa on January 10, 2008)