Left: The meter reading of the sidedeck of a 40-foot Sedan Bridge (1999) shows a high level of moisture. The dealer agreed to cut the skin off the sidedeck to get a first-hand look. Right: This photo shows what was found below the gelcoat - black, rotting balsa core.û

A group of respected marine surveyors and frustrated large-yacht Sea Ray owners have recently come forward to describe serious water intrusion issues leading to rot of the end-grain balsa coring used in their boats' composite laminate hull structures. The repairs - the bill in one case is $30,000 - involve stripping away the exterior gelcoat, fiberglass and core (to the core's interface with the innerskin) and rebuilding the hull from that point out.

This grisly scenario is bad enough, but it's Powerboat Reports opinion that Sea Ray is compounding the difficulties faced by owners with its less-than-affirmative response. …