Telephone Numbers for Rinker

[2Lynches]

Does anyone have a telephone number for Rinker Boats (not dealers but the Rinker company)?  We have called 574-457-5731, customer service, for two weeks now.  The person who answers the number (probably an answering service) transfers us to Customer Service and we get a recording by Randy Rinker that we should leave a message and he will call back.  Unfortunately, on my first call I stated my problems (the boat leaks in the V berth, starbird side and none of the recommended fixes have alleviated the problem).  Guess that was mistake #1.  I have discovered there are construction defects in the 2004 Fiesta Vees and just about all of them leak.  Can anyone help me contact Rinker - I am looking for instructions on how to fix the leak. 

[sailor]

May I suggest you get to Rinker on the webb and send
an e-mail via "contact"

[Firemedic724]

ALL 2004 RINKERS LEAK?????? 

[cableguygreg]

Try 1-888-463-3739. That's the number that I called and I got through to them. I asked for whoever I needed to talk to and they transferred me to that person. Good luck.

[Tony Walker]

My opinion about one of the reasons for all the leaky Rinkers that are out there-------

I think the Rinker factory fooled themselves into thinking that the post production rainwater test they did demonstrated that each boat had no leaks.

This simple rainwater simulator spray booth does not prove much about a boat being water tight.  It can not simulate in any real way the effects of rough seas or the effects of a prolonged heavy rain.  But since they went to the trouble to devise the test, I think they used and relied on the results and because of this, they may not have looked too hard for root causes.

My 2006 342 has been on my list of favorite things since it was new even though it was received with some big time leaks.

The forward port hole frames were not sealed properly and once this was corrected, the forward bunk no longer got soaked with each rain.

There was also a big time leak that allowed water into the storage compartment under the aft bunk and if there was a lot of rain, the teak cabin sole also got wet and therefore stained.

I finally took the bull by the horns and had the rub rail removed, inspected and resealed.  It turns out there are screw holes under the rub rail that are there for temporary screws to hold the deck and the hull together to allow the bonding agent to cure.  Then the screws were removed and the rub rail was smounted and screwed on.  The rub rail fastening screws made their own fresh set of holes.  The inspection revealed that the empty set of holes were not properly sealed by the factory.  These holes were finally properly sealed, the rub rail was replaced and I think I finally have a dry boat.

When we get another soaker or two I will be sure but in the meantime here is the evidence that it is fixed.

After the fix, there was one soaker followed by a lighter rain a few days later.  these rains produced no water in the cabin.  In the meantime, the storage compartment has completely dried out, the stains on the teak are receding and the dehumidifier I keep in the cabin when we are away from the boat is soaking up far less water than before.  And one more thing, I think the aft bilge does not seem to be picking up water during rains since the fix.

The other area that I am told has allowed water into some of these boats was poorly sealed bow rail stanchions where they mount to the deck.  I do not know whether I had this problem or not because this might have been one of the fixes that was done under warranty.

Yes, there are a few leakers out there.  But once the causes are found and fixed, you will soon forget these problems and enjoy an otherwise great boat.

Tony
Salt Shaker 342.

[frodo13056]

Tony's description is EXACTLY what happened on my 08 320. It was leaking along the forward starboard side and getting the V Berth wet. The dealer pulled the rub rail and found that the hull to deck joint had several holes from previous screws that were pulled to allow the rub rail to be installed.
Not good. It's not leaking anymore, but I fully expect that I will have to pull the rub rail completely off at some point in the future and re-seal everything.