Sea Ray

My life was recently put at risk by the Sea Ray Boat Company. My boat is a 2017 310 SLX, purchased new. It was the third time I have used the boat since purchasing it. It has approximately 30 hours on it. I was running the boat on a routine basis from my home dock to refuel it, about a 45 minute trip. Suddenly the boat began to handle sluggishly, lost RPM’s and controlling it from the helm became almost impossible. It soon began to founder. The auto bilge pump alarm sounded intermittently, then went constant. Looking to the stern I noticed that the swim platform was actually underwater. Upon opening the engine hatch I noticed sea water accumulating in the bilge at a dangerous level surrounding the lower parts of the motors. I immediately  donned my life jacket, contacted the Coast Guard on a mayday call, and fortunately a Boat US tow boat, with two auxiliary pumps to prevent the boat from sinking, was dispatched in short order for a salvage call. Upon being towed into the dealer (who was great and responded quickly and efficiently) the boat was hauled, drained and examined for the cause of the sinking. To my dismay I was told by the techs that the reason for the problem was due to a defective manufacturing process of joining the raked deck with the hull. It had separated at the rub rail at the stern, allowing the boat to take on water. Have any others experienced this same issue who own the same boat? If so, I wonder why has there not been a recall? Even if the boat is “fixed” I will always have doubt in the back of my mind as to its seaworthiness. I was fortunate that at the time of the incident, I was alone and not physically harmed.  But now and always I will have serious concerns about having the people that mean the most to me – my family and friends – on this boat. Exposure of the motors to salt water only increases my concern.  I trust that Sea Ray – a most respected name in the marine industry – will step up to the plate.