“This is a safety issue,” according to Marcia Kull, vice president of Genmar Operations. “The boats are unpredictable in turns when the engines are running at 5000 rpm.” Owners of 2000 Stratos 19SS and 20SS models will receive recall notices.

Kull said OMC knew of the safety problem, “replaced tons of hulls,” and spent “incredible sums of money in warranty work on these boats” — but they did not go public with a recall. Kull said she is not aware of any injuries caused by the hull problems.

OMC replaced about 100 hulls on 20SS Stratos boats, leaving another 72 in need of replacement. Kull says boats with replacement hulls are perfectly safe.

About 125 Stratos 19SS models are also being recalled, but not all are unsafe, said Kull. The boats were built in six different molds, five of which produced defective hulls.

“Some are fine, some aren’t,” Kull said, “We can’t tell until we test them.” Owners should bring their boats to dealers for testing. If the dealer isn’t able to test the boat, Genmar technicians will do so.

In addition to the recall, Genmar also announced that it will provide a five-year structural, one-year component parts and trailer warranty on 2000 and 2001 Stratos models already owned by consumers or awaiting sale in dealers’ inventories.

Genmar took this step as a means to gain consumer confidence and assure boat owners’ safety, said Kull, even though bankruptcy laws do not require new owners to assume liability for defective products made by the predecessor company. By initiating a recall campaign, Genmar must adhere to federal guidelines administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.

"Notifying the U.S. Coast Guard of a voluntary recall is a more extreme step than might be required," said Kull, "but our ultimate concern is for the safety and satisfaction of the consumer … even if Genmar did not build or sell these boats."

Owners of Stratos 19SS and 20SS models can call Stratos, 615-895-5190, or the Coast Guard, 800-368-5647, for more information.

(c) Copyright BoatUS Magazine, May 2001