Stress Cracks

Bob Meola

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2008
Messages
129
Reaction score
2
Points
18
Just noticed 2 spider stress cracks on deck of 265 Express. Its a 2005 which I bought new. Is this covered under warranty??
 
Grady has a limited lifetime waranty on their stringers and no-rot wood. Grady has been good at addressing structural issues and manufacturing defects. That said , stress cracks on the deck are probably not under waranty and if they are related to after market (not Grady dealer) installed options, you probably don't have a strong case. You could call Grady and ask. You never know. Good luck
 
Doubt Grady will cover it, especially if just spider cracks. If it is significant enough to get your fingernail into, it might be worth bringing in for an "assessment" but still doubtful 8 years post sale.

(I sent in pics to Grady about my transom having a hairline stress crack and sent in pics of the repair when I found it was due to bad cuts on the notched out transom that actually caused it, they said they "agreed the cuts were less than ideal, but given the age and high stress area could not say for sure it was the bad cut (kerfs) that caused the crack" They regretted my issue and said feel free to contact them again if they could be of help.......with anything "else")

That aside, are your stress cracks right in the corners where the step ups are at the forward end of the gunnels? I have some on the floors right there where the floor flares up to the step, but its purely cosmetic "spider crack".
 
Take some pics, post here and send to GW. They are pretty good about reviewing things and covering the repairs if their issue.
 
At Salinity Now. yes that is exactly where the stress cracks are
 
At Salinity Now. yes that is exactly where the stress cracks are
 
Bob, I would love to hear Grady step up and fix it, but I dont see it happening, but thats just my opinion, since you are the original owner, its worth taking in to get looked at, or at the least, take a few pics and email to grady service, here is their reply to my recent inquiry, I read it as a nice, thank you have a nice day, its not our problem anymore......(and for me, at 12years old, I have to except that.....for this particular issue, as always everything is on a case by case basis).

"I agree the cuts should have been done better, which may or may not have prevented this from happening. I will share these photos with production. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and if you should need anything else please let me know."

Best Regards,

Danny Davis
Customer Relations &
Technical Service Representative
Grady-White Boats Inc.
Phone: 252-830-8602
ddavis@gradywhite.com



Overall, I dont think spider cracks are worth concern on a boat of yours or mines' age (in high stress areas, assuming they dont spread out beyond reasonable limits). If you want to really get an idea if there is an issue with it, take the tackle center box out and look at the step from the inside to see if there is any delamination or bad fiberglass from the backside. But overall, if you cant grab it (the crack) with your fingernail its probably just cosmetic.


Good Luck with it, show us some pics if you can, that always helps in the jury of internet opinions!!! (I wish I had that newer interior you have on yours, mine as a 2001 lacks some of those subtle enhancements Grady made on the 265)