Dolphinite News Release - Moderated Discussion Areas

  ContinuousWave
  Whaler
  Moderated Discussion Areas
  ContinuousWave: Whaler Repairs/Mods
  Dolphinite News Release

search | FAQ | profile | register | author help

Author Topic:   Dolphinite News Release

alkar posted 06-25-2003 02:51 PM ET (US)
Here's the latest from the Dolphinite site. I wish they had made this information available three weeks ago. (This is a cut and past from their page.)
Ipswich, MA (June 23, 2003) - Dolphinite, Inc. has recently received reports alleging that hulls on some boats treated with Go Fast Bottom Paint or Inflatable Bottom Coat have experienced adhesion problems or marine growth. As a result of these reports, we are undertaking an investigation to determine whether a problem exists. Until that time, we advise consumers NOT to apply Go Fast Bottom Paint or Inflatable Bottom Coat to their boat. If you have already applied these products and are experiencing a problem with adhesion or marine growth, please send us an email to sales@dolphinite.com or a letter (address below) with a brief description of the problem along with photos if possible. We ask that if you have any inquiries or concerns, please be patient as we will not be able to respond to individual inquiries. We will provide information on our web site after our investigation is complete. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
tomroe posted 06-25-2003 04:02 PM ET (US)
My boat has been in the water for three weeks and it's still sticking, hope it lasts.
Sal DiMercurio posted 06-25-2003 10:02 PM ET (US)
Mine has been painted for a month, i'v run the hell out of her & it looks great.
Sal
alkar posted 06-25-2003 11:00 PM ET (US)
Mine has been painted less than a month and I have lost a lot. Most of the paint has been lost during loading and unloading (trailer). Unfortunately, even the small amount of friction that results from pulling the boat the last foot to the stop seems to be enough to peel it back.
The yard that painted my boat said they would never use the stuff again. They do a lot of painting, and they said the stuff didn't cure properly. Two days after it was supposed to be hard it was still tacky. I'm pretty confident it wasn't operator error as these guys did a wonderful job with my Awlgrip - and they paint a lot of boats.
tomroe posted 06-28-2003 02:08 PM ET (US)
I take that back, I pulled the boat today and found that it was flaking off the bottom. Checked with my fingernail and there seems to be little adhesion. The hull was sanded, and cleaned thouroughly with Zxylene. Paint was rolled and tipped in a low humidity shop with a constant temperature and allowed to cure for two weeks before it saw water.
alkar posted 06-28-2003 06:30 PM ET (US)
If you are having Dolphinite adhesion problems you should go to the Dolphinite web sit and follow the link to register your problem.
I'm hoping that they'll refund our money - voluntarily.
Alex
tomroe posted 07-11-2003 03:22 PM ET (US)
On Dolphinite's web site there is a new press release and submission form for problems with their 'Go Fast Bottom Paint'.
alkar posted 07-11-2003 04:42 PM ET (US)
I get it. The products that Dolphinite advertises as "Our superior products" quickly become "third party products" as soon as they are shown to be defective.
The latest press release tells the injured consumers to look to the manufacturer, not Dolphinite, for redress. Apparently Dolphinite has no intention of making this right - which would explain why they have not responded to my e-mails.
alkar posted 09-21-2003 11:25 AM ET (US)
Here's the latest quote from Dolphinite.
"As part of the investigation into complaints relating to Go Fast Bottom Paint, Dolphinite engaged a recognized independent laboratory to test samples of this product. Results revealed that the chemical composition of a sample of the paint delivered by the designer/manufacturer, Clean Seas Company, to Dolphinite for pre-market testing differed from a sample of paint delivered by the designer/manufacturer, Clean Seas Company, to Dolphinite for commercial resale. The testing showed, among other things, that the pre-market test sample has significantly less water content (indicating the commercial sample had been drastically diluted), as well as differences in proportions of various metallic elements than the commercial sample. In addition, the test sample had significantly more enzyme activity (approximately 90% more) than the commercial sample. Basically, the paint formula that Dolphinite originally received from Clean Seas Company functioned properly and contained the correct amounts of each ingredient, however, when Clean Seas Company mass produced the product, they neglected to use the same formula."
Anybody who has experienced adhesion problems should complete the NEW form on the Dolphinite site.
tomroe posted 10-09-2003 08:37 AM ET (US)
It looks like Dolphinite isn't responding very well to complaints.
PRESS RELEASE
NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST DOLPHINITE, INC. & THE CLEAN SEAS COMPANY
http://www.buzzplus.com/tender.html
tomroe posted 10-09-2003 08:39 AM ET (US)
Sorry, it should be in quotes.

quote:
PRESS RELEASE
NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST DOLPHINITE, INC. & THE CLEAN SEAS COMPANY

alkar posted 10-10-2003 12:24 AM ET (US)
I have completed all the forms and I've written Dolphinite several times over the last few months. They are not responding.
I looks like they are hunkering down to fight the lawsuits - which seems odd given the fact that they have now acknowledged that the product they sold was defective.
tchowes posted 10-13-2003 11:38 PM ET (US)
Too bad about Dolphinite, because I love their cleaner wax and T-Wax. Just brought back the original finish on a 1967 13' whaler. Nice, nice job. I'm thinking of buying some gallon jugs to stock up (also have a 22' Outrage Cuddy that needs waxing 2x+ per year).
The local West Marine told be about their problems. Ironically, they were the same store that turned me onto their waxes.
Glad I never tried the bottom paint. Not great for their reputation to just make things right.
If anyone has some suggestions for other waxes.....
Sal DiMercurio posted 10-14-2003 01:33 AM ET (US)
My white Dolphinit has been on for 6 months now & believe me, I run her pretty hard at times in the ocean.
I'v put over 160 hours on her since painting the bottom & not even a nick in the bottom pain, looks like it did the day I painted it.
Sal
Knockerjoe posted 10-14-2003 05:25 PM ET (US)
Thats because the water is so cold there nothing will grow on the bottom! LOL
alkar posted 10-14-2003 11:10 PM ET (US)
Sal, If the paint you applied is still in good shape, you must have gotten a good batch - especially if your paint is tolerating regular launching and recovery, as the friction on trailer bunks has been very hard on my paint.
My paint was professionally applied, under controlled conditions, when it was warm and dry. It was supposed to dry in a few hours, but it remained tacky to the touch into the third day. When we finally loaded it on the trailer it was still pretty "soft" (a finger nail could easily crease it). The boat probably didn't see the water for at least another ten days.
The paint started coming off almost immediately after the boat was put in the water.
I have heard other stories like mine, but I have also heard other stories like yours, so I have to assume that the problems are either batch related, or pigment related (my Dolphinite is black). I don't recall hearing any horror stories involving white paint (but I have read about problems with the clear?!).
I have sent for information on the class action lawsuit that was filed in New York. I'll let you know what I learn.
TJR posted 10-16-2003 09:50 PM ET (US)
I had the same problems with their white paint.
tomroe posted 11-22-2003 10:12 PM ET (US)
After getting no response from Dolphinite, I talked to West Marine where I bought the paint. They said to send in the receipts for the paint and an estimate to repaint the bottom and their insurance company would contact me.
I asked if they were actually paying out money and she said 'yes'.
I'll let you know the outcome.
tomroe posted 02-19-2004 12:05 PM ET (US)
I got the check today from West Marine's insurance company covering both the paint and the cost of stripping and repainting the boat. Pretty impressive customer service.

Hop to:

Contact Us | RETURN to ContinuousWave Top Page

Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Freeware Version 2000
Purchase our Licensed Version- which adds many more features!
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.

Author	Topic: Dolphinite News Release
alkar	posted 06-25-2003 02:51 PM ET (US) Here's the latest from the Dolphinite site. I wish they had made this information available three weeks ago. (This is a cut and past from their page.) Ipswich, MA (June 23, 2003) - Dolphinite, Inc. has recently received reports alleging that hulls on some boats treated with Go Fast Bottom Paint or Inflatable Bottom Coat have experienced adhesion problems or marine growth. As a result of these reports, we are undertaking an investigation to determine whether a problem exists. Until that time, we advise consumers NOT to apply Go Fast Bottom Paint or Inflatable Bottom Coat to their boat. If you have already applied these products and are experiencing a problem with adhesion or marine growth, please send us an email to sales@dolphinite.com or a letter (address below) with a brief description of the problem along with photos if possible. We ask that if you have any inquiries or concerns, please be patient as we will not be able to respond to individual inquiries. We will provide information on our web site after our investigation is complete. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
tomroe	posted 06-25-2003 04:02 PM ET (US) My boat has been in the water for three weeks and it's still sticking, hope it lasts.
Sal DiMercurio	posted 06-25-2003 10:02 PM ET (US) Mine has been painted for a month, i'v run the hell out of her & it looks great. Sal
alkar	posted 06-25-2003 11:00 PM ET (US) Mine has been painted less than a month and I have lost a lot. Most of the paint has been lost during loading and unloading (trailer). Unfortunately, even the small amount of friction that results from pulling the boat the last foot to the stop seems to be enough to peel it back. The yard that painted my boat said they would never use the stuff again. They do a lot of painting, and they said the stuff didn't cure properly. Two days after it was supposed to be hard it was still tacky. I'm pretty confident it wasn't operator error as these guys did a wonderful job with my Awlgrip - and they paint a lot of boats.
tomroe	posted 06-28-2003 02:08 PM ET (US) I take that back, I pulled the boat today and found that it was flaking off the bottom. Checked with my fingernail and there seems to be little adhesion. The hull was sanded, and cleaned thouroughly with Zxylene. Paint was rolled and tipped in a low humidity shop with a constant temperature and allowed to cure for two weeks before it saw water.
alkar	posted 06-28-2003 06:30 PM ET (US) If you are having Dolphinite adhesion problems you should go to the Dolphinite web sit and follow the link to register your problem. I'm hoping that they'll refund our money - voluntarily. Alex
tomroe	posted 07-11-2003 03:22 PM ET (US) On Dolphinite's web site there is a new press release and submission form for problems with their 'Go Fast Bottom Paint'.
alkar	posted 07-11-2003 04:42 PM ET (US) I get it. The products that Dolphinite advertises as "Our superior products" quickly become "third party products" as soon as they are shown to be defective. The latest press release tells the injured consumers to look to the manufacturer, not Dolphinite, for redress. Apparently Dolphinite has no intention of making this right - which would explain why they have not responded to my e-mails.
alkar	posted 09-21-2003 11:25 AM ET (US) Here's the latest quote from Dolphinite. "As part of the investigation into complaints relating to Go Fast Bottom Paint, Dolphinite engaged a recognized independent laboratory to test samples of this product. Results revealed that the chemical composition of a sample of the paint delivered by the designer/manufacturer, Clean Seas Company, to Dolphinite for pre-market testing differed from a sample of paint delivered by the designer/manufacturer, Clean Seas Company, to Dolphinite for commercial resale. The testing showed, among other things, that the pre-market test sample has significantly less water content (indicating the commercial sample had been drastically diluted), as well as differences in proportions of various metallic elements than the commercial sample. In addition, the test sample had significantly more enzyme activity (approximately 90% more) than the commercial sample. Basically, the paint formula that Dolphinite originally received from Clean Seas Company functioned properly and contained the correct amounts of each ingredient, however, when Clean Seas Company mass produced the product, they neglected to use the same formula." Anybody who has experienced adhesion problems should complete the NEW form on the Dolphinite site.
tomroe	posted 10-09-2003 08:37 AM ET (US) It looks like Dolphinite isn't responding very well to complaints. PRESS RELEASE NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST DOLPHINITE, INC. & THE CLEAN SEAS COMPANY http://www.buzzplus.com/tender.html
tomroe	posted 10-09-2003 08:39 AM ET (US) Sorry, it should be in quotes. quote: PRESS RELEASE NATIONWIDE CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED AGAINST DOLPHINITE, INC. & THE CLEAN SEAS COMPANY
alkar	posted 10-10-2003 12:24 AM ET (US) I have completed all the forms and I've written Dolphinite several times over the last few months. They are not responding. I looks like they are hunkering down to fight the lawsuits - which seems odd given the fact that they have now acknowledged that the product they sold was defective.
tchowes	posted 10-13-2003 11:38 PM ET (US) Too bad about Dolphinite, because I love their cleaner wax and T-Wax. Just brought back the original finish on a 1967 13' whaler. Nice, nice job. I'm thinking of buying some gallon jugs to stock up (also have a 22' Outrage Cuddy that needs waxing 2x+ per year). The local West Marine told be about their problems. Ironically, they were the same store that turned me onto their waxes. Glad I never tried the bottom paint. Not great for their reputation to just make things right. If anyone has some suggestions for other waxes.....
Sal DiMercurio	posted 10-14-2003 01:33 AM ET (US) My white Dolphinit has been on for 6 months now & believe me, I run her pretty hard at times in the ocean. I'v put over 160 hours on her since painting the bottom & not even a nick in the bottom pain, looks like it did the day I painted it. Sal
Knockerjoe	posted 10-14-2003 05:25 PM ET (US) Thats because the water is so cold there nothing will grow on the bottom! LOL
alkar	posted 10-14-2003 11:10 PM ET (US) Sal, If the paint you applied is still in good shape, you must have gotten a good batch - especially if your paint is tolerating regular launching and recovery, as the friction on trailer bunks has been very hard on my paint. My paint was professionally applied, under controlled conditions, when it was warm and dry. It was supposed to dry in a few hours, but it remained tacky to the touch into the third day. When we finally loaded it on the trailer it was still pretty "soft" (a finger nail could easily crease it). The boat probably didn't see the water for at least another ten days. The paint started coming off almost immediately after the boat was put in the water. I have heard other stories like mine, but I have also heard other stories like yours, so I have to assume that the problems are either batch related, or pigment related (my Dolphinite is black). I don't recall hearing any horror stories involving white paint (but I have read about problems with the clear?!). I have sent for information on the class action lawsuit that was filed in New York. I'll let you know what I learn.
TJR	posted 10-16-2003 09:50 PM ET (US) I had the same problems with their white paint.
tomroe	posted 11-22-2003 10:12 PM ET (US) After getting no response from Dolphinite, I talked to West Marine where I bought the paint. They said to send in the receipts for the paint and an estimate to repaint the bottom and their insurance company would contact me. I asked if they were actually paying out money and she said 'yes'. I'll let you know the outcome.
tomroe	posted 02-19-2004 12:05 PM ET (US) I got the check today from West Marine's insurance company covering both the paint and the cost of stripping and repainting the boat. Pretty impressive customer service.