300 Marlin - Hardtop issues

[Neurodic]

Gents - looked at a 300 Marlin yesterday. Approx. 1 foot forward of the aft edge of the hardtop (underside) were small cracks that ran the width of the top and that whole area felt like it may be getting "soft". Anyone ever experience this?

I'm really liking the layout of the 300. However, it would be nice if it had a decent sized kill box. Definately not going to be a dealbreaker but I was hopeing to get rid of the big cockpit cooler/canyon bag.

Paul

 

[no problem]

Mine definitely has a wood core. sounds like that one has water intrusion from where it was penetrated by hardware. and no, I've never seen that before on a hardtop. It reminds me of my decks before being re-cored. Good luck

 

[Grady678]

Gents - looked at a 300 Marlin yesterday. Approx. 1 foot forward of the aft edge of the hardtop (underside) were small cracks that ran the width of the top and that whole area felt like it may be getting "soft". Anyone ever experience this?

I'm really liking the layout of the 300. However, it would be nice if it had a decent sized kill box. Definately not going to be a dealbreaker but I was hopeing to get rid of the big cockpit cooler/canyon bag.

Paul

Have not seen cracking but my surveyor found wet core traces around hardware installation areas on mine. I'd suggest a surveyor take a look. If the top separates into 2.....that is one heck of a fiberglass repair or replacement. I'm guessing it originated from moisture and an installer climbing on top.

On second thought.....it's a 2 piece construction and the bottom piece may not be load bearing at all. If that's the case.....there is no issue.

 

[Lainie J]

Hard top

I have 1997 Marlin. GW made their own tops for a few years. My top started delaminating along the edges, fiberglass was coming off in sections. I noticed it one year, did not repair then following year it started spreading and also started peeling in other areas. GW replaced the top. The local dealer inspected it and determined that it was not due to anything I ever did but was a manufacturing defect. GW stepped up, thats why i am on my 3rd GW.