WARNNG Sleekcraft owners w/ VIN beginning w/ "NASE" WARNING

[Sleekster]

If you or someone you know / love / mildly can tolerate has a Sleekcraft built after the company switched ownership, then look or tell them to look at all the bulkheads, bracing, transom knees, stringers ANYTHING that was glassed to the hull. Poor - AKA "NO" - prep work might have been done. That is the case w/ my hull. I called the factory and 1. I am not the original owner, 2. the hull warrantee is good for only 3 years TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER, and 3. they said w/o seeing the damage, "It sounds like that hull was abused". Both glass shops said "ABSOLUTELY NOT", it was "NO PREP" that allowed the Sleekcraft to become a Swingcraft - rock and roll is great BUT NOT in the structure of a boat.

EVERY union needs to be ground and re-glassed - INCLUDING the top to hull.

Anyone want a piece of junk fiberglass? :mad: :mad: :mad:

I might waste my time and send pictures for them to appreciate.:mad::mad:

My new handle is now DUMPSTER.....:mad:

[halveb]

Sorry to hear the story. Is it beyond repair? :(

[Sleekster]

I'm stripping the interior, carpet, rigging, let's see anything else? I can't even leave the gagues b/c the crapheads didn't prep there either. Then I'll leave the other work to the professionals. I am a little pissed. Gel work in the splashwell is needed too. When it is finished it will be better than new.

MUCH BETTER THAN NEW.

I think the new company moto needs to be:

"Buy a Sleekcraft, and then Build a Sleekcraft"

JUST WHAT I WANTED TO DO TO A 1996 BOAT.

Thanks for asking. Sea ya, I got work to do.....:mad: :mad: :mad:

[cobra147]

Bummer, Sleekster that stinks!! My hull ID starts with SLES so I guess I got one of the originals.

[Techno]

http://www.uscgboating.org/mf/mf_SafetyReportOverview.asp

Just found this

[Scott]

I know we were talking about this. You 'gonna have someone do the work? Sorry to hear it's what you thought it was. You pickin' up the Stream this weekend?

[Potroast]

This past summer my buddy bought a 32ft. Sleekcraft Heritage SS/B brand new from them. He even drove from NH to AZ to pick it up. Anyway the boat was only used here in NH on a freshwater lake and honestly was never abused. In mid August we were coming into the docks and the only thing we could smell was fuel. We raised the engine cover to find 12in. of fuel in the bottom of the hull. The boat was pulled out of the water 20min. later. We called Sleekcraft the next day and all they said was they needed to see the boat (understandable). So the next week we were off on a 3500mi. roadtrip to bring the boat to them for inspection. According to them the boat was severly abused and the fuel tank cracks were from jumping huge waves and slamming back down. If I remember correctly there are none nor have there ever been waves big enough to send a 32ft. so high into the atmosphere here on the lakes of NH to cause any damage to a boat that was supposedly built for offshore use. So the nice people at Sleekcraft are still telling him that they will not warranty the hull and he is the original owner. The boat is still sitting in Phoenix and apparently tere has been no progress in with any of the situation. Sounds to me like they won't stand behind anything they produce. Good luck!

[B.Leonard]

So these joints on yours are all pulling apart? Geez! I wonder if that little ol lady you bought if off knew about this?

-BL

[Techno]

I think this to be the best reason of all to contact the CG. Thats the kind of thing they are interested in.
Let me get this right. A fuel tank ruptured although the hull didn't? Fuel was found in the hull? This was from abuse?

Who cares? The tank isn't supposed to leak! For any reason! If the hull caused the stress failure to the tank then they did something wrong.
All those tank and fuel line regs are to keep the boat from blowing up. They do no good if a boat is caught in bad weather and ends up compromised from a tank failure.
It should sink not turn into a bomb!

[Instigator]

I feel for you brother!
UN-freaking believeable!!
Your boat together with the guys new I/O???
I think Techno is right.
I'd go to the Coast Guard.
On the I/O another possible explanation could be improper installation of the tank.
Most of them are set into 2 part expanding foam.
If they skipped, skimped etc on this step it could/would let the tank leak/rupture.
Regardless, WOW, that sucks bad!
Thought Sleek used to be an upper level builder??
Reminds me of Chris Craft back in the mid '80's--- when the company was bought out and run by a bunch of bean counters that did'nt know anything about boats.
Remember reading about some of them breaking in half and sinking!!
Oh well, wish I could do something to help Gregg!!
Let me know if I can do anything for you!
Gary

[LaveyT]

Greg ask fast eddie about his Sleek tunnel,he bought it brand new.Imnot sure of the year,It was a beutifull boat but the whole
boat flexed when crossing wakes ect.He is not a Sleekcraft believer any more.:(

[fasteddie]

Had a mod tunnel model bought new in 1987.
This was not a light boat by all means but man did it bend like one.
The boat would actually flex lengthwise.
I was given the same bull**** abuse and don't run it in water rough enough to make it flex story.
Hell you didn't even have to run it to make it flex it would do it sitting still when waves rolled under it.
What a ****box.

[Sleekster]

I just got in from ripping out the seats and carpet. Looks like pulling the motor will have to wait. I leave in the AM to go get the 'Stream. Have a wake to go to tonight - no its not a burial at sea, although.........

Only good thing, it wasn't raining today that would have really sucked.

Thanks techno, but if I found all this crapo last year.....the 5 year rule, the Sleek is 6 years old.

Anybody want some of my luck? Its free, until you get it......

Well, at least I got some new living room furniture for awhile.

Sleezecraft, I like that the best. I wonder if the offshore sites would like a copy of this thread........

I really don't want to be Sleezster though....

[84exciter]

that really sucks!!!!
sorry to hear about it,i hope you rebuild it.it's a good looking boat.
you may get the bow lift your looking for when done!

[Instigator]

Rock on my brother! You can do it, we know you can!
Be carefull tomorrow, good luck and keep me posted!!
Hell, turn west at Pittsburgh after you pick up the new rocket ship and come on over and party with us Saturday night.
I DARE YOU! :eek:
If I get you drunk enough, you might not notice me switching you boats??
Especially if you tow with the cover on:D

[delawarerick]

Sleek is this an excuse not to be whooped once again by a sidewinder. This is extreme. Just kidding hope you make out alright by the way a 235 on the boat shall make it a little different. back to work on boat. Later Rick

[B.Leonard]

Sleekster -> Slowster -> Streamster -> Dumpster -> Sleezster :D

Hang in there Gregg, Screamster is right around the corner!

-BL

[Dutch]

I finally had the pleasure of meeting Gregg, and got to see the
damage first hand. I was there when the glass expert told
him the glass was basicly falling off due to no prep work. It
really sucks when you work hard and save your money to buy
what you think is a good quaility product, and then get screwed
like this. Looking at the boat I am sure Gregg paid top dollar for
it. It's a shame what they can hide that comes out years down
the road. The guys at the glass shop I turned Gregg onto are
first class and this boat will be back stronger than ever.
Matt

[Sleekster]

BL, you have a memory of an elephant. Last time I change my handle.
But you are right, Screamster is next no matter what I'm driving.

delawarerick, don't worry, you are in my sights this summer. BTW, looks like we will be down at Bethany the third week in June. Get ready dude! I'd like to hit that Tiki bar again, THIS time I'm buying!

84, can you believe it? All looks, no go and no hold-together! This summer, maybe we can rumble on the bay!

Susquehannamirage, I am indebted. That shop does have it's poop together. I like the team there, the price, the know-how. After tearing into the boat today, they might not have to do the deck-to-hull seam. But I'll let them decide for sure. Every bow support was worthless. No wonder the consoles were as bad as they were. W/o the bow seating in, the thing twists. I might add bracing just to trailer the thing back to PA!

Instigator, believe me, I thought hard about coming over....Still think I got a good buy on the 'Stream, eh? Your's has THE colors though. Plus, I'm stuck w/ an L&S low water p/u lower going on mine. That has GOT to give you a major advantage right there. Got my "new" lower together today at the shop. Michael's really is good to me. Counter-rotating for the Sleek for who knows how long. Swapped the 20" for the 25" and good to go. Just need to add a water pump.

fasteddie, I'm starting a 12 step group for Sleekcraft owners. Step ONE - Admit Sleekcraft is powerless to make decent boats, Step TWO...... wanna join?

LT, after this thing is built right, w/o Sleekcaft manufacturing involved in ANY way, and I sell it at a disrespectful loss, the Lavey's look promising! I'm kidding, I might be able to run it afterall...we'll see.

Thanks all for the comments and suggestions.

[LaveyT]

Greg,Some good things are bound to come your way,YOU ARE DUE! In your Sleezecraft Anonomous group,Do you guys
pray for God to remove all those defects of workmanship? This I gotta see:p

[Sleekster]

Believing in a Boatbuilder greater than the Sleezcraft, is an easy step. No reservations here!

Turning the Boat over ... well, I need help doing THAT!!!!!

I took an inventory yesterday when the boat was stipped of all its strength and comfort, you could say it was laid bare, naked before the Higher Boatbuilder. Well it will be when I tow it's transom to the shop!

Then I think it will be ready for your step....:)

[Instigator]

I just about cried when I saw his boat at Lloyds down in Fla, over the holidays.
We knew he had some structural issues with the boat after seeing it at Rumble 1 for the first time.
I had no idea though.
The deck and hulls glass work looked good but you could see every freaking joint pulling loose on the inside.
All of the bulkheads were the most evident. All of the galss that they laid in to bond the bulkheads to the hull/deck had pulled loose.
No fracturing of the glass/resin joints, just flat freaking pulled loose (lifted) from the surface it was laid on.
Clearly, ****craft glassed all of these joints after the parts had cured and did not sand the contact areas to give the resin teeth to attach too.
To see this (any glass guy can spot this situation a mile away) and then hear ****craft try to blame abuse, miss use----- get a grip!
These guys should be shut down!
Gregg is a good friend of mine and has been through way more crap in the last 12 months than what anybody deserves.
I gave him the worst luck award at Rumble 1 for all of the thrashing he did before/durring/after the event to have his boat running.
The feeling you get (been there) after paying a serious chunck of cash for a rig that pretty and then to find that kind of situation internally??? Not much worse!
Gregg, I been thinking about this for a while.
After you get back from Pitts, why not back the Vector in beside the Sleek, and switch motors??
F*&^ the Sleek!
Let the bastard set a while.
Dive into a new project that (as long as my hammer did'nt lie) does'nt have any surprises, and needs way less work, is 500lbs lighter???
Take the power head you have, if you have the funds, send it to Dr.Monty.
If not, dial what you have, and you will still have a unique/gorgeous/fun low 90's JohnRude powered rig by Spring.
As always, let me know what I can do to help.
Your friend,
Gary

[KaptainKirk]

gonna go there......
I will say I have fed ya alota ****...at the Rumble and since.
But NO one deserves what has happened to you.

now to go there......Ya wanna be Screamster....ya can ride passenger(bitch) with me at Rumble 02' Guaranteed ta make ya scream....HAHAHHAHAHHAHAAHAA
Sorry just had ta try and make ya laugh....smile.....try harder to come layeth tha smack down on my Darkside.
Well I gotta agree with gator' swap injunes and fly.
Save the project til next winter.
Of course thats just my 2 cents hoping ya gonna be out there at carrolton.
Later,...K.K.

[jesel]

I've had two Sleekcrafts , no problems, 84 & 85 SST MVP boats. OK the 400 lb 85 would stress crack the gel, but what do you want from a 400 lb 20'2'' boat? The 85 fliped at 100 mph , spent 2 days under water , and is now the basis for the UFO (pictures --soon) The ONLY damage to the Boat after the near death experiance , was my body breaking the dash Plywood ouch (the reason I Quit racing) Oh yeah the front seam split one foot or so from the gush of water/air into it,I hit transom first.

[Riverratt]

So far the only things I noticed with my 86 sst is about 3 real small stress cracks in the gell coat at the splash well transom area where they meet. Been there atleast 8 years and never got any bigger.

[David]

The mold(s) for the 20' Sleekcraft tunnel are not owned by whoever makes the bigger offshore Sleekcrafts.

The guy who owns the 20 footer lives in Ontario and has some other outfit in California build the boats. He told me who, and it was one of names I'd seen in Hotboat, but I can't remember which one.

This means that the Sleekster and the guy with the leaking fuel tank need to be pissed at different people.

Condolences and best wishes to you both.

David

[Sleekster]

David Yes, the Sleekcraft I have is the "Newer" company and for crap. That is why I posted the VIN. To be sure, I haven't heard too many complaints about the last generation Sleekcrafts.

KK, you break me up, oh no, I shouldn't have said that......

Thanks Instigator. Thought about the whole ride thing. I have had the boat for 1.5 years and can number the times out w/o problems ON ONE HAND. I really don't want another Summer of messin' w/ the boat. I want to use it! And as far as abuse goes, hanging the 225 looper on the V-King WAS ABUSE and that 1984 boat took it. So Sleekcraft can kiss my transom.

Other Sleekcraft owners, ought not to worry, unless the vin starts like mine. If it does, then check your hull. I took pics of the tear-out process so if someone thinks this isn't fact, I'll prove it.

'Stream has a new home and thru the kindness of others on this board is far away from the Bad Sleekcraft - I don't want the jinx being contageous.

Continued thanks to those posting here.

[Jeff "Yammer"]

The owner/builder of the 20' SST is someone I know personally . He owns the molds and yes they are built at an American ( Californian ) shop . " I dont want to say where they are built without him knowing that I am going to say it .
His boats are built to great quality and yes they are quite heavy 1050-1150 lb
less rigging . I will be seing him soon and will ask him what he knows of these problems and how long he has owned the molds for the SST .
!!!!!!!!!! As a question anyone that has a 20 SST ......... "How does it run #################.######## setback , HP , etc etc etc!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Jeff :D

[Sleekster]

and I needed to be pissed at the same guy.

I do have a Canadian plate rivited to the transom. Is that a common Canadian way of hull identification?

My Sleekcraft is a family open bow that I thought was made in AZ. I don't have the SST, I have a 21' 3" Diplomat.

Yammer, if your friend has any comments, I'm open to them. If he had nothing to do w/ this hull, I wouldn't want any fallout for him and would do my best to that end.

[jesel]

The new owner is from iceland ///that would not be Boris Owen, or something like that. Does anyone have his #. I thought he was the one who held the record for a single motor V-bottoms--with a Allison.

[cobra147]

Jesel,

Sounds like the hull I have. From looking at the Hull ID # I guess it's a 1983. Parquet flooring, center steering, big holes cut in all the gussets, maybe 3/16" thick fiberglass on the deck. I installed a floor and full interior, rigged it with a 235 Johnson and Powerlift electric jack plate. On the trailer the whole rig weighed $2,140 lbs. I didn't know just how much the hull weighed alone. Drop me an email if you get a chance.

[Riverratt]

Here are the specs from an old brochure

[Jeff "Yammer"]

What kind of numbers are you getting and with what ?????

Jeff:cool:

[Riverratt]

I'm against the rev limiter at around 6200 turning a 25p 4 blade OMC shooter. The motor is an XP 2.6 probably in the area of 235 to 240 horse. Never had a gps and the speedo is way off, sometimes reading triple digits when in reality it is probably in the 80 mph range but have no way of confirming it.

[B.Leonard]

Riverrat;

C'mon out to the Rumble, I'll bring my 27" and any others I pick up to test in the meantime, we'll have a blast testing. I'd like to see that 2.6 stretch it's legs :D

-BL

[Sleekster]

Riverratt, how much setback are you running w/? Looks about 8-10"s. I just met w/ the guy making mine, I went to 18" instead of 12". If your hull is 800 lbs, mine has got to be 1600 lbs. I tried to get specifics from the manufacturer after I bought the boat, but got the cold shoulder. I wasn't a prospective buyer, so I didn't matter to them. Should have been a big first clue.

The 25 shooter, isn't that more like a true 24 pitch prop? Anyone do the math on the theoretical speed? w/ 7-10 % slip, seems like you are more like 70+ mph, but that's just a guess. You sure have the hull flying so drag is minimized.

I would think the Renegade would be a good one, still have the 4 blades for accelleration and reduced torque steer.

I might be getting a 26 Laser II small hub. The V-King really liked that prop. Great all around w/ decent top end.

I still liked to put the 19p SS on for skiers - a lot of people lost their arms....

[B.Leonard]

LOL! That's surprising to me. I would think that 19 would slip big time, mine did. The jack plate made it worse the higher I went. Didn't matter with the Shooter, it launched effortlessly even with 8" more pitch.

-BL

[Sleekster]

Gripped from the git go and pulled all the way to the limit in something like .5 sec. JK, A little positive trim at the launch and play w/ the throttle, better than any amusement park ride. Full throttle burns were a bit harrowing....The re-entry was the concern. Planing was less than 2 seconds w/ the negative trim wedges. Sure had fun w/ that boat. Maybe the Vector will bring the fun back.

[LaveyT]

Ive still got that 26 Laser Sleek,Bring your drill this time:p

[B.Leonard]

I think your Stream was probably much lighter than the Lund? Had to be because I notice my 17" blow-out w/ the V4 on the Lund also. It never blew out on my 16 ft boat (also aluminum). It hooked up like you're describing, absolute neck snapper.

Interestingly, the 16 ft boat was not as fast as the Lund is now. Lighter but slower? Weird. No jack plate on the 16ft though...hmmmm :rolleyes: That has to be it, now that I think about it, it never blew out before the weight loss either! Must have been deeper in the water in both cases.

-BL

[Riverratt]

I'm only running a cmc jackplate with 51/2" setback. The shooter is pretty much like the renegade as far as I know. What numbers were you turning with your sleek?

[Riverratt]

Here is the page with the Diplomat. It doesn't have the weight of the outboard but the jet is 900 pounds heavier tham the SST.

[Sleekster]

OH yeah, LT, I forgot about that II. Is it the smaller hub or the larger one? If it is th esmaller it should have a plastic blow-out ring and square vent holes. I'll check the Lasers I have now, they are the larger hub though. There's one near here for $150. I'll check to see if it has been reworked or not.

BL, what about bottom surface? The 16 could have been more wet than the Lund now that you run her naked. Unless vented, I think at the speeds we are talking it is hard to blowout a prop. My 30p small ear merc chopper would cavitate so badly, leaning over the shield and throwing anything and anybody overboard was about the only way to plane it w/ the old 235. The 225 spun it alot easier, but the negative wedgies REALLY helped too.

Riverratt, I wish I had more to report on the Sleek. I still don't have it prop-ed right yet. I'm told a 24p 4 blade big ear chopper would be a great starting point. I'll need a LH 24 though. I found a three blader but a 4 might prove a little more challenging. The 28p Raker(stock) would hit 6200 rpm but I have a TON, almost literally, of slipage. With the motor still not running right, my best gps run has been 58 mph. Now that Monty has cured a mess of little problems, it seems to be getting up and out much better. Well, until I blew-up my lower. Now I have a lower together, but the hull neds to be reglassed before I launch it again. If I have a 65 mph boat I'd be: 1. surprised; 2. very pleased; and 3. looking for more! I have 250 lbs of seating and stuff in the bow area, maybe more. Go out w/ a hefty friend as a hood ornament and see what happens to your speed. Plus the hull is very wet. The openbow was never meant to compete w/ what you are running or my old V-King, but w/ some setback (18" + 5.5" CMC), and more hp, I think I'll be able to reduce drag, get a cleaner bite out of the prop and fly the bow better. Right now I'm running the CMC hydraulic only and stock case.

RR, check w/ 84eciter. He has some good poop on the Shooter vs the Renegade. They are a little different. I ran his 25 Shooter and it didn't get me any faster than my 21 Renegade.

[B.Leonard]

The 16 was a flat bottom, no jack plate, but I'll bet 300lbs lighter!

I'd like to hear 84's findings on the Shooter vs Renegade, my Shooter collection is growing. Got my eye on a 22" 4 blade Turbo 2+2. Brand new $200. That would make a nice selection. Anyone ever run one?

-BL

[B.Leonard]

http://cgi.ebay.com/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1807395411

[Riverratt]

hope it works

[LaveyT]

The Laser has the square holes,$150 is what I want for mine.
When ever you want to try it just call.Ive never run it.Of course another 28 Raker would work for me! I also have a 29" Shooter
thats as fast as my Raker,but with slightly less bow lift,More thrust,If that makes sense.See ya,Dave

[Sleekster]

I've been trying to get some idea of the weight of this thing and that helps. 1700lbs w/o power is close to what I was thinking. Maybe a little light, even.

I couldn't see it all, could you email that to me? [email protected] If you can thanks, if not don't sweat it. Sunbury, sounds southeast PA? Or am I just wishful thinking. Ever hang out w/ SusquehannaMirage (should be SusquehannaEuro now)? He's a good guy. He gave me the tour when I was up there a week plus ago. He has a cool cabin on an island in the middle of the Susquehanna.

LT, might take you up on the 26, worth a try anyway. The Rumble is late in the year though......I tried a 27 SRX and it had the same top end as the 28 Raker but got there with less effort on the ol' 235. Always wondered about w/ the 225.

BL, you might have a new handle there yourself, Prop Connection. Do a post on Shooter vs Renagade and 84 might jump in.