Gregory Mulvanyadded3 photos and a video.
June 24 at 4:55pm·
WARNING AB Inflatable defects.
*******UPDATE 6/27/2017********
I have received confirmation from AB that my post is in error and that my claim for warranty coverage of the failure of the seam between the aluminum hull and inflatable tubes is not covered under their warranty. Reasons being:
1) According to AB the Warranty on the aluminum hull was not for 5 years until 2015 and my boat is a 2013 model. See page 47 in Owner's Manual at AB also indicated that corrosion after a 4 year period does not qualify as a defect in any way. Apparently I was in error considering this a defect.
2) AB also indicates that the 10 year limited warranty is for porosity and delamination of the fabric. They indicated that this is not the case in my situation. I do not know how the water got under the fabric to corrode the aluminum if not thru the fabric, but that may not be due to porosity..
This is AB INFLATABLES position and I have to accept it as such, not that I like it or want to pay $1,650 to repair a 4 year old dinghy.
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Additionally, AB has indicated that they do not see this as a widespread problem as they are not hearing about this type of failure. Maybe I over estimated the problem. Maybe word on our problems is not getting to the right people. Hmmm, if folks don't mind please let me know if your AB inflatable had a problem where the bond between the aluminum hull and tubes failed so I can share that information with AB management.
=+======
I apologize for any possible misleading information which may have been in my post regarding their not honoring the warranty. I honestly believed that the wattanty information on their web page was applicable to my 2013 Model Inflatable.
Greg
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INITIAL POST
I wanted to let people know about the problems that we are having with our 4 year old AB aluminum hull inflatable and the lack of support from the manufacturer.
The seam between the tubes and the hull came apart allowing water to flow into the boat. The problem is not localized to a small area, but rather to almost all the seams attaching the hypalon tubes to the hull. According to AB and a reputable repair facility in Grenada the problem is caused by corrosion of the aluminum under the attaching strips. From what we have been hearing from other cruisers, on the nets and from repair facilities this is a fairly common problem on inflatables manufactured by AB.
Even though AB advertises that they have a limited 10 year warranty on the tubes and 5 year warranty on the aluminum hull they refuse to authorize a repair or replacement under warranty. Their justification for rejecting the warranty claim is that the seam failure is due to corrosion under the attachment strip and they say that corrosion-related problems are not covered under warranty. Having read the warranty in the Owner's Manual I am unable to find any exception or exclusions related to corrosion.
Why are all these AB boats having similar corrosion issues? Is it poor preparation of the surfaces during fabrication, porosity of the attaching strips which allows water to get trapped between the hull and tubes? Is there a metallurgy issue where the aluminum alloy being used is not adequate for seawater service? In following up with AB I was told that I should consider installing anodes on the hull to prevent corrosion. I've not heard of other manufacturers making that recommendation. If anodes were needed to prevent corrosion why would AB not have installed them at the factory, or at least made it possible for the owners to retrofit them? They are well aware of the ongoing problem associated with the corrosion under the attachment strips but WILL NOT accept responsibility.
One may wonder why I am so upset about this….. It is because after paying several thousand dollars for this inflatable 4 years ago I am told by AB that they will not pay for the repair and that I need to handle the repairs myself at a cost of about $1,650 USD. That is about half the cost of a replacement inflatable. To top it off, after I pointed out the problem should be covered under their warranty AB had the nerve to blame me for their failure, implying that I had not taken proper precautions to prevent corrosion. Let me make it clear that I lift the dinghy out of the water each night, clean the hull whenever it begins to get any growth, keep it covered with chaps when in use and covered when upside down on my deck for any more than a couple of days. It has never been over-powered nor overloaded. The ONLY corrosion present is where the tubes are glued to the hull.
We are live-aboard cruisers and are dependent on our dinghy for transportation much like a family car. This is not an insignificant issue for us.
Anyone considering buying a new inflatable should think twice before spending their money on an AB when there are too many other aluminum inflatables on the market without these problems.
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Susan ListerIs this the inflatable that Vic, Derek and I admired in Marathon
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·Reply·June 24 at 5:01pm
Gregory MulvanyThe one and the same. Remember how we had chaps on it to protect it and lifted it out every night? Now the bottom is falling out of it and AB is blowing us off.
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·Reply·June 24 at 5:30pm
Susan ListerThat is not right to be blown off by them. You have taken meticulous care of that boat
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·June 24 at 5:46pm
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Lori YureckoHasselfeldtWow!!
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·Reply·June 24 at 5:11pm
Bob Anita WillettSorry your having these issues, I would be sure to get this to AB and make them aware of the bad pub they will continue to get
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·Reply·June 24 at 5:16pm
John MoirWow Greg, that stinks ! I was really impressed with that boat when I first saw it in Annapolis. So much for warranty promises. Everyone needs to share this so AB gets the negative publicity deserved here.
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·June 24 at 5:54pm
Penny FullerSorry to hear this. You should post on some sailing sights.....
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·Reply·June 24 at 6:09pm
Gail Vasterling StrackeSo sorry! That is awful that they won't honor the warranty!
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·Reply·June 24 at 6:11pm
Cathy ForstallEmpty promises--shame on them
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·June 24 at 7:50pm
Iain MacNaughtonTreating customers in the manner described is a sure fire way to lose your customer base and you are right to point out flawed design issue, you gave them a chance to correct problem. Small claims court or just trash their company name by media and mouth Greg.
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·June 24 at 10:11pm
Lea ObermeyerShame on them.?Anyone who has met you knows how meticulous you are Greg. One of the cruisers in Grenada (can't remember who) also had a warranty issue with AB on a less than 1 year old dinghy. Hearing them describe the horrible experience they had with...See More
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·Reply·June 25 at 3:34am·Edited
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Steve CundyCudos to AB for powder coating the aluminum hull, but it looks like they didn't do their homework on these aluminum hulls
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·Reply·June 25 at 5:56am
Pete Dubler replied·1 Reply
John Petersonsad to hear... I bought one from Budget in SXM last year- did AB give you any advice on the anode type, size, and location to mount it?
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·Reply·June 25 at 6:06am·Edited
Gregory Mulvany replied·4 Replies
Reg BatesJustin Smithsound familiar ?
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·June 25 at 6:57am·Edited
JpMaybruWe had the exact same problem also not covered under warranty
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·Reply·June 25 at 6:19am
JpMaybru replied·4 Replies
Will RobinsonPerhaps the adhesive used is responsible for initiating the corrosion on the aluminum. If that is the only place where the corrosion is occurring, it is a fabrication issue and not something that occurred from neglect.
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·June 25 at 6:37am
Donal Kavanagh replied·2 Replies
David HochThank you for posting this, Gregory. We have had the AB Lammina 10 for a year now and may encounter this problem as it ages. Is the problem with the powder-coated aluminum or the uncoated or both? Shame on AB for not providing warranty coverage. Would be expensive to take the lawsuit path.
Has anyone proposed preventive measures?
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·Reply·June 25 at 6:46am·Edited
David Hoch replied·5 Replies
Anne-Dick AndersonOur AB had the same issue. Got it covered under warranty and was told that it was lousy prep and gluing at the factory, hence their attempt to deflect blame. Sad that the best can fall so easily!
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·Reply·June 25 at 7:07am
JpMaybru replied·6 Replies
Prue PrestonWe love our AB but it is only 1 year old. We would be willing to add the anode if we had more details on the process. Is this a problem exclusively with the powder coated hulls?
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·Reply·June 25 at 7:18am
Justin SmithI have the same issues call me asap! I sent you a PM on Facebook. I have a way to help you.
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·June 25 at 7:19am
Pete Dubler replied·2 Replies
Karen OttonWhat model do you have? I just bought one a couple of weeks ago and I'm a bit worried now.
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·Reply·June 25 at 7:59am
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Thomas MillerI have the 81/2 AB aluminum
Should I put a "zinc" on the hull?
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·Reply·June 25 at 8:16am
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Mike LaughlinWe have the exact same problem
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·Reply·June 25 at 8:23am
Mike Laughlin replied·2 Replies
Dan StadtlanderThanks for the heads up! I will steer clear of AB on my next inflatable purchase. Pretty amazing that with the power of the internet companies still crap on their customers. Good way for a company to put itself out of business.
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·June 25 at 8:55am
Pete DublerFollowing. I have the same problem on our 2014 9.5AL. I contacted AB through their website to ask how I should properly repair this. Juan Carlos Mendoza replied from Columbia saying someone would contact me. Nothing so far... We are on the Rio Dulce now, the dinghy so hauled right after we use it each day but the leak is steadily getting worse.
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·June 25 at 9:01am
Pete Dubler
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·Reply·June 25 at 9:02am
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Karen OttonHas anyone had this problem with any other aluminium hulled brands?
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·Reply·June 25 at 9:05am
Dan Bult replied·2 Replies
Warren McCrorySounds like a issue ripe for a class action suit against AB.
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·June 25 at 9:15am
Anne-Dick AndersonIt's a very big project. Tubes 100% off the floor. Don't know the gluing process but sequence and timing is very important.
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·Reply·June 25 at 10:03am
Peter LoveridgeI was going to buy this very boat, It was just about the most expensive boat in our market. Got an Achilles instead, $1.5k cheaper, not so good for hauling up a rocky beach but I'm glad \I didn't buy the AB
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·Reply·June 25 at 10:05am
David MacDonaldSorry to hear thisGregory. We have one of the earlier 9AL's with a painted hull. Luckily 6yrs no issues with the hull yet. AB stopped painting the hulls a year later, and I wondered how the hull joint may hold up to surface corrosion. I now know!:(Idid hear from someone though that they have started painting the hills again? Not sure? If that's the case, they knew they had a problem, they should repair all these bare aluminum hulled models. I hope folks can get the company on the same page! Disappointing.
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·Reply·June 25 at 10:31am
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Jennifer JohnsonWill be looking at new dingy in the next year or two, and glad to know this. AB is usually the priciest choice, and I won't have any heartburn looking elsewhere. Obviously not an isolated problem.
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·Reply·June 25 at 10:59am
Denise SimpsonSusie Stanhope on Spirited Lady had exactly the same problem!
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·Reply·June 25 at 11:14am
Greg ButlerJust bought an AB. any product can have troubles. Spend a fair bit of time in the Caribbean and all I see are ABs. Maybe greater than 75%. All those people can't be wrong. Class action comment not coming from any rational thought
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·Reply·June 25 at 1:01pm
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Narelle N Simon HaydokWe have aAquapro rib. It is now 12 years old. No problems with seal from inflatable tubes to aluminum. It is worth investigating the type of glue that was originally used by the factory. Not all glues are suitable for aluminum. Whatever is used must be a neutral i.e. not alkaline or acidic cure. If the incorrect glue is used on aluminum there will be a reaction over a period of time where the acid starts eating the aluminum. The aluminum where the incorrect glue or sealant has been applied may become powdery. That would be worth investigating in your case. If other people with the same brand are having the same problem then there is a good chance an acidic or non-neutral cure glue/sealant has been used. If in manufacture the wrong sealant was used, you may have a chance fighting to get compensation.
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·Reply·June 25 at 1:32pm
Narelle N Simon Haydok replied·2 Replies
Justin HickeyWill not buy an now
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·Reply·June 25 at 2:21pm
Jeff AlbersonIt doesn't matter how much you spend on a dinghy. I am having a problem with west marine honoring the five year warranty that came with our inflatable. Our boat is 11/2 years old. Its literally melting.
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·Reply·June 25 at 2:25pm
Gregory Mulvany replied·1 Reply
Vivienne L-RWe have had AB Alx for years absolutely pristine still
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·Reply·June 25 at 2:33pm
Vivienne L-R replied·3 Replies
Bill WrightI have a highfield Al hull boat 10 months old with no problems so far.
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·Reply·June 25 at 4:51pm
Patrick AguillardCaribe.....
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·Reply·June 25 at 4:51pm
Denis BruninYou are obviously not the only one with this problem. Check this out:
Thanks for sharing. I was considering buying another AB, not anymore...
AB Dinghy Seam Issue
Issue with dinghy seam between aluminum bottom and tubes
YOUTUBE.COM
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·June 25 at 5:33pm
Denis Brunin replied·2 Replies
Kenneth L CoxI also have an AB 9.5. While my first problem was after 2 years...I am sure it had more to do with what I used to clean the bottom with than it being amfg problem. Before I pulled the boat for storage 2 years ago we used an aluminium cleaner recommended by several people and a marine supply store. This appears to have cleaned away some of the attachment Glue at the rear where it had the highest exposure time. I had Budget Marine remove and reattach the tubes and have not used the more caustic cleaners. So far everything is great.
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·Reply·June 25 at 7:27pm
Wally MoranThis post now has 35 shares and we are one of the largest sailing and cruising groups on the Internet… I would contact A.B., and let them know just how much damage their reputation is taking from this… Take screenshots, make it clear to them that this is costing them money. I see two people on this site who are not buying an ABis as a result of this thread…
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·June 25 at 8:12pm·Edited
Wally Moran replied·2 Replies
Mark StanleyI have a 13 year old AB Aluminum dinghy, and had planned to buy a new AB next year until I heard about this problem and the warranty.
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·Reply·June 25 at 8:38pm
Paula SullivanOur AB is fiberglass and we have the same problem
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·Reply·June 26 at 3:28am
Paula Sullivan replied·2 Replies
Kim DevlinThanks for sharing this. I have a 15 year old AB aluminum bottom and we do not have this issue. We will be buying a new dinghy eventually, definitely not going with AB.
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·Reply·June 26 at 6:25am
Kevin SpellmanWe have an old Brig that came with our boat...was considering a new dinghy but It looks like AB will not be in consideration based on what I see here.
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