Xpress hull warranting is crap!!

I’ve been a big Xpress boat fan for more then 15 years because when I originally bought my 20’ center console it had a lifetime hull warranty!!! Well now they are saying that it only covers the wields and the transom. The aluminum boat and trailer was bought new from a dealership and they had carpet on the bunks well the carpet reacted with the aluminum and caused it oxidation where it ate through the aluminum! And Xpress is saying that they aren’t covering it!!! I’m passed pissed off what can I do to fix my boat?

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Looks like the treated wood in the bunk reacted with the aluminum.

Probably gonna pass it off as worn out carpet and that you should of replaced it. Definitely a dealership phone call. They should at least work with you on this problem!

I only wish they would right now they’re saying no to everything

I would assume you’re using the boat in salt water judging by the extent of the damage? If so it’s a pretty common issue with treated bunks covered in carpet. Between the carpet holding saltwater against the hull, and the reaction with the treating chemicals in the lumber it’s tough to avoid. I don’t care how well you rinse after getting out of salt water it’s tough to get it all. I would also assume that’s why Xpress offers the “saltwater trailer package” which includes composite bunks.

On a side not what model are you running. I have always been very intrigued by these boats especially the Xbay.

I run it in both salt and fresh water and for the last three years when I run it in salt water when I get home I go and run it in fresh water for at least 15 minutes to clear all the salt out of the engine. When I bought this boat they didn’t have the salt water edition out so I could not buy that. my question is how can I fix it?

Thats far to bad. But tin and salt don’t mix well. I hope you find a cure. Until then that Xpress utility boat looks pretty sweet

Jason Noel wrote:

my question is how can I fix it?

Get an aluminum epoxy coating.

Sandblast all corrosion to bare metal, may also need to use a Dremel tool with a burr bit to get some of the deeper areas(like a dentist removes a cavity). Make sure there is zero corrosion remaining and youre down to bare metal. Prep area and coat as recommended in instructions.

they have some pits that go all the way through what should I do with these?

Jason Noel wrote:

they have some pits that go all the way through what should I do with these?

After corrosion removal but before epoxy coating. Fill through and deep holes with a metal epoxy like JB Weld.

Take it to a welder and have them replace the bad sections. Does it have a floor above it? If so that makes it a bigger job as it should be taken out. Replacing the bad with new isn’t all that hard.

Jason Noel wrote:

I run it in both salt and fresh water and for the last three years when I run it in salt water when I get home I go and run it in fresh water for at least 15 minutes to clear all the salt out of the engine. When I bought this boat they didn’t have the salt water edition out so I could not buy that. my question is how can I fix it?

First thing is come to a midwestern fishing forum, register and rip into a boat company. That accomplished, sit back and read the responses then go fix it.

I’d try calling your insurance company.

Given the extent of damage in the pics I would guess it needs to be cut out and replaced.

I cant find that forum can you post a link to It?

Which aluminum expoxy have you used? do you like it or which one do you recommend?

Which aluminum expoxy have you used? do you like it or which one do you recommend?

sorry for the duplicate posts my computer is acting up!

Jason Noel wrote:

I run it in both salt and fresh water and for the last three years when I run it in salt water when I get home I go and run it in fresh water for at least 15 minutes to clear all the salt out of the engine.

It appears you should have been just as diligent in the care of your trailer and boat, as you were in caring for the engine. It is difficult to understand how this was not discovered way before the damage got to where it is today. Have you never looked at or washed/waxed these areas of the hull during your 15 years of ownership?

Jason Noel wrote:

Which aluminum expoxy have you used? do you like it or which one do you recommend?

I have not personally used any. I was researching to help someone else repair similar damage to their boat and that was what was recommended by experienced boat repair places. The guy decided he wanted to sell it instead of repair so never got to the point of actual product research.

I also found out that welding a repair of that size on a hull will likely warp the hull. And especially on a finished interior boat like I’m guessing you have the fire potential is extremely high with that much heat. And the gas tank is likely in that area as well. Unless you want to remove the entire deck, floatation foam, gas tank, and whatever else is in the area. Cold repairs are much safer.

Huntindave wrote:

It appears you should have been just as diligent in the care of your trailer and boat

I can’t knock the guy. It’s in an area of the boat 99.9% of owners will never look at or see, underneath the bunks. Do you lift your boat regularly to inspect under them?

No sir I have never taken my 20 foot boat off the trailer except in the water and we do t have crystal clear water down here. And my boat weighs a lot for an aluminum boat

The gas tank I put in and I can take it out, the insulation was tacked to the inside of the hull so it really can’t be removed without really Messing it up

munchy wrote:

Do you lift your boat regularly to inspect under them?

I check the ENTIRE bottom on a regular basis. How else would I know if any damage was occurring?

Huntindave wrote:

I check the ENTIRE bottom on a regular basis. How else would I know if any damage was occurring?

Good for you! You’re one of the 0.1%ers!

Huntindave wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>munchy wrote:</div>
Do you lift your boat regularly to inspect under them?

I check the ENTIRE bottom on a regular basis. How else would I know if any damage was occurring?

How do you do that?

B-man wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>munchy wrote:</div>
Do you lift your boat regularly to inspect under them?

I check the ENTIRE bottom on a regular basis. How else would I know if any damage was occurring?

How do you do that?

When the hull is off the trailer. Check both visually and by feel if visibility is limited. I’ll also inspect the trailer bunks themselves. Again, how do you check to see if there is any wear or damage occurring?
Not that much different than checking wheel bearings. Some folks never check them and get by just fine.

Dave, I don’t check other than just when regular washing on the trailer, but obviously the rollers/bunks block my view of what I’d really like to see.

I didn’t know if you got out the scuba gear every time you launched your boat and did a swim-around inspection?

A Go-Pro on a long adjustable stick would probably do a decent job?

B-man wrote:

Dave, I don’t check other than just when regular washing on the trailer, but obviously the rollers/bunks block my view of what I’d really like to see.

I didn’t know if you got out the scuba gear every time you launched your boat and did a swim-around inspection?
That’s the thing we don’t have clear enough water to see the bottom of our boat so the go pro would work and for me to lift my boat I need a 50 hp tractor with a front end loader! I do t have that at my house I have to find someone who can pick it up for me to look under the bunks!

A Go-Pro on a long adjustable stick would probably do a decent job?

Huntindave wrote:

When the hull is off the trailer. Check both visually and by feel if visibility is limited. I’ll also inspect the trailer bunks themselves. Again, how do you check to see if there is any wear or damage occurring?

I’m interested to know how you visually inspect the part of the hull rests on the bunks when the boat is off the trailer and presumably the hull is in the water?

Grouse

TheFamousGrouse wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Huntindave wrote:</div>
When the hull is off the trailer. Check both visually and by feel if visibility is limited. I’ll also inspect the trailer bunks themselves. Again, how do you check to see if there is any wear or damage occurring?

I’m interested to know how you visually inspect the part of the hull rests on the bunks when the boat is off the trailer and presumably the hull is in the water?

Grouse

I personally have visually looked at the hull while under water. I have also personally used a cradle along with a hydraulic jack to raise the hull to inspect these areas. Someone mentioned using a camera while the hull is in the water.
I don’t inspect every time I launch. I do inspect usually once if not twice a year. How often do you inspect your entire hull, how often do you inspect the entire roof of your house? If you are unable to do this yourself do you pay someone to do these inspections? Or do you wait until water is coming thru the hull of your boat or thru the roof of your house?
I’m interested to know how you determine that no damage is occurring to these areas, if you never check them.

If nothing else good comes from this thread, at least people may be more aware that “out of sight–out of mind” is not always the best policy.