Centurion Ski Boats Poor Hull Design

[whitetail]

Has anyone experienced problems with Centurion ski boats and the hull cracking? I have the elite vdrive and this is the second time we've experienced cracks in the hull without hitting anything. The first time, the manufacture acknowledged it but not the second time around.

[Bglad]

If it was built with a ballast system to pull wakeboarders then the hull should be up to the task. However, ballasting a hull down with water when it already has a V-drive challenges any type construction. Most wakeboard boats have enough power to break or damage their hulls if operated aggressively into large wakes/waves. Builder may feel you have not been operating the vessel prudently. Watersports towboats are tractors not really made to take serious pounding...

[whitetail]

We dont have a balast system in the boat. We dont even wakeboard, just ski. No tower or fancy bells and whistles. I have never heard of this type of thing happening to a master craft, nautique, supra or any other boat for that matter.

[tunnels]

Centurion Ski Boats Poor Hull Design
Hull design or hull manufacture ?? If its cracked has nothing to do with design but the manufacture !! needs better glassing !!!! where has it cracked same place as before or differant place ??

[whitetail]

Thank you. That was our initial thought. Hull design failure or manufacture failure, to the consumer they are one in the same but, yes you are right. The cracking is in a different area than the previous cracks. We are pretty conservative boaters when not pulling a skiier it is an expensive float for relaxing. Appreciate the feedback.

[tunnels]

Originally Posted by whitetail

Thank you. That was our initial thought. Hull design failure or manufacture failure, to the consumer they are one in the same but, yes you are right. The cracking is in a different area than the previous cracks. We are pretty conservative boaters when not pulling a skiier it is an expensive float for relaxing. Appreciate the feedback.

Its simple to fix just tear up the floor and reglass the inside with some decent glass !! is it broken on strakes ?? Can you post some pictures ?

[m3mm0s rib]

If we have cracks in the gels then surely we also break the glass underneath. attention Well

[tunnels]

Originally Posted by m3mm0s rib

If we have cracks in the gels then surely we also break the glass underneath. attention Well

Cracks are the tell tail sign of weakness and a panel flexing and bending Yes if the movement is not taken care of it will eventually fail !!!

[michael pierzga]

And WHAT IS A CRACK ? A Structural failure ? or gelcoat fracture due to panel flex .

[Lister]

Originally Posted by tunnels

Centurion Ski Boats Poor Hull Design
Hull design or hull manufacture ?? If its cracked has nothing to do with design but the manufacture !! needs better glassing !!!! where has it cracked same place as before or differant place ??

A poor design and poor engineering plan can lead to a craked hull.
No need to be confused.
Lister

[FMS]

If it was a design issue with a mass-production boat, a google search should turn up other similar cases.

Can you post some photos of the problem?

[cyclops2]

Problem.

1st crack Leads to higher stresses in the rest of the boat.
The repair & then another crack somewhere else is a VERY VERY bad sign of insufficient CORRECT hull design & or assembly.

Get in touch with the safety division of the USCG. They love problems like this. Send them photos & copies of the repair bills.

[FMS]

I don't see it already asked - how many years old is the boat?

http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/ does not include many structural defects - mostly mechanical, fuel, and electrical safety issues - but it is worth a check.

Originally Posted by whitetail

The cracking is in a different area than the previous cracks.

Where exactly did both cracks start? Better yet, post a few photos of the cracks showing the detail and location of each on the boat online.

[cyclops2]

This summer we had 3 old small Boston Whalers split underneath. All in the same area.

[m3mm0s rib]

I do not think from engineering view is correct