Parts process slow?

[Scotto97]

We have a friendly Sea Ray dealer here, but it seems like the process for obtaining OEM boats parts are stuck in the 50's. The same was true when I had a Bayliner - the process seems VERY slow and somewhat unorganized. It this pretty much the case throughtout the industry?

As an example, I went into the dealer to order the plastic "track" the helps secure my front binimi top about 3 weeks ago. A week after my visit I called the service desk and they were waiting on an email response as to the parts availability. Another week has gone by with no additional word from then.

Do parts orders typically take several weeks? Is this something I should just get used to as a boat owner?

I'd love to here members experiences.

Thanks

 

[Arizona240DA]

Slow here as well. I had to wait 4 weeks for a simple hatch actuator. The MM service manager told me that SR was shut down for most of the summer and the folks answering the phone were actually filling parts orders themselves.

I don’t know how much of that is true, false, or other, but I do know that it has taken me a long time to get parts…have a few friends with similar stories too.

 

[sbw1]

Upholstery skins take about two weeks from Tiara as they make them to order. Props 6 weeks or you buy direct from Michigan Wheel, still about 6 weeks. Other mundane stuff in inventory they will ship right away or tell you who the vendor is for various items so you can deal direct. That can vary by item but I've not had much break. Coffee makers are never available so I always buy a brand new one on ebay whenever I get a new boat. Filters and miscellaneous machainical stuff is usually available locally at boat stores. We can even get a spare prop shaft overnighted. Any canvas items that are small, I wait on and they sew it while I wait. Bigger projects are done in the winter when time is not an issue.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Plus, some of the suppliers of various items have gone out of business. Sometimes you just physically can't get a certain part until Sea Ray can source another supplier.

 

[Alex F]

I had the same problem during the past season. I was able to get some parts and some never came through. The staff were trying to keep things friendly, but if SR doesn't provide there's not much local MM guys can do.

 

[Mr Salt]

I can get parts for my German cars overnight but I can't get a boat part, nor can I find out who manufactured the part so I could go straight to that manufacturer. Sad state of affairs.

 

[Arizona240DA]

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