Boston Whaler Montauk 170 (2011)

[9-R]

After a long drive down the highway from our boating destination, just after having parked the boat at storage, I discovered that our galvanized steel frame had cracked on the tongue! My stomach turned at the thought of this having snapped on the highway while driving 70 mph. It would have been catastrophic with a major accident and potentially death to those traveling around us. I was thanking God that nothing had happened and that He brought it to my attention before heading out again.

My 35 year old rusty Jeep, which has seen saltwater and abuse, doesn't have a cracked or even twisted frame. This should be a major embarrassment to the designer or manufacturer. No abuse and no rust on this frame.

Trying to get a response from the manufacturer, Karavan, but no luck. After posting on the Montauk Facebook Group, I have found out that there are others who have experienced something similar but not as fortunate.

[ChrisParish]

It’s very good you spotted that now; as you said the accident could have been catastrophic if it had failed on the highway.

You almost expect blown bearings and the like on a trailer, but not a cracked frame! What could cause it to do that? Do your winters get cold enough that water ingress could result in expansion damage?

[9-R]

Not sure if you can tell in the photo but our trailer tongue is a swing away type. You can pull the pin on the left and swing the hitch in towards the boat trailer so that it can fit in tighter spaces like a garage.

The right/starboard side of the hinge is clamped by a bolt whereas the left has a semi-loose pin. Crack is on the same side as the pin. No crack on the bolted side. We think the play in the hinge on the pin side made it act as a hammer and pry bar when the trailer would bounce during travel. Assuming over time this action and pounding weakened the steel. This crack is also in the HAZ (heat affected zone) of a weld which can be more brittle and weak.

Most of the crack is clean meaning it happened all at once. No rust or corrosion.

More people have seen my postings and reported that their hinges were the weakest link as well. Still hoping insurance covers something and looking for a repair shop to eliminate the hinge and crack. I don't need the swing away so I'll be glad to get rid of it. If it can't be repaired, I'll be forced to buy a new trailer which is not cheap in our area.

[9-R]

Update for the Trailer Crack - A huge thank you to Whaler for making Karavan replace the trailer as a warranty item even though it was 9 years old!

Coordination with Karavan was stressful and not easy. After 6 weeks, the new trailer arrived. Had tow truck meet us at storage to haul it to the closest ramp to make the exchange. Delivery was to meet us at the ramp.

Tow service was very late and the delivery arrived earlier than they thought but all was well in the end. We had hoped to swap in the cooler morning but instead I had to wait two hours in 100+ degree evening sun for the tow truck to show up even though we had scheduled them a week in advance.

Could not believe how busy the ramp was on a weekday evening but we finally found a window to make the swap. Wind across the lake increased and was about 20 mph. Family had a hard time holding the boat in the water at the ramp so we could test fit the new trailer bunks to it to make sure everything alright before fully loading it.

The new trailer is much more robust with a taller beam. Design is slightly different and I'm going to have to adjust the bunks some on the next outing. Boat also seemed to ride much better than before with the heavier frame.
Karavan took the old one back for investigation.

[9-R]

Told her to swing out wide into the main channel as it gets shallow but I guess she didn't understand how far out I meant. Result is hitting a large limestone rock with your nice stainless steel blade. New one has apparently been delivered.

Checked the shaft, bearings and overall lower unit and appears to be fine. Think the pressed rubber hub saved additional damage.

[ChrisParish]

Ouch! That’s almost enough to make a grown man weep.

[Limecc]

Came across an impressive demonstration of how a Montauk handles difficult conditions. It goes airborne
I thought I'd post the link here in this BW thread:

[9-R]

Came across an impressive demonstration of how a Montauk handles difficult conditions. It goes airborne
I thought I'd post the link here in this BW thread:

Ah yes, thanks! I've actually done that several times now but only once was intentional.

Was passing a barge along the Intracoastal Waterway clipping along really well. It was cloudy in the evening and I forgot about the front wake. Unexpectedly standing alongside the console, my knees flew up with the boat and about hit my chest as I clung to the helm. Engine whined as the prop left the water and I came down smoothly on the backside of the next large wave having cleared the trough. It was so much fun...I did it again. Glad I was alone as I would have launched a passenger overboard.