Teach me - Extended Warranty

Steve in Minneapolis

Steve in Minneapolis

Active Member
Jul 20, 2020
248
Minnetonka
Boat Info
2021 290 SDX
350 HP Mercruiser
Metallic blue with Sand (bar) interior
Engines
350 Mercruiser with Bravo III
I am closing on my new SR in a few weeks. I know they will be offering these "great deals" on extended warranty coverage. I know there is Vantage and an Extended Warranty... and is there something called "Passport"? What else are they going to offer.

Is there any value in these? I got the last boat new, and wish I got the seat protection warranty, but didn't because it was $4k. And, we have a few spots we can't get out. I'm still not convinced that's worth $4k. But, what's your experience with these things? Did you get it if you got a new boat? If not, why not?

Thanks, y'all!
 
The 5 year SR warranty is fairly inclusive, so make sure you read and understand that before you buy coverage you might already have. The Merc warranty is a little misleading. It is 5 yr, but it is not the same for all 5 years. The first 3 years are platinum, the last 2 are gold. Gold does not include electronic items like the engine computer, sensors, etc. That is likely worth adding, I did. My selling dealer did not want to discount it, so I purchased it after the fact from another dealer at a reduced price.
 
Steve in Minneapolis said:
I am closing on my new SR in a few weeks. I know they will be offering these "great deals" on extended warranty coverage. I know there is Vantage and an Extended Warranty... and is there something called "Passport"? What else are they going to offer.

Is there any value in these? I got the last boat new, and wish I got the seat protection warranty, but didn't because it was $4k. And, we have a few spots we can't get out. I'm still not convinced that's worth $4k. But, what's your experience with these things? Did you get it if you got a new boat? If not, why not?

Thanks, y'all!
Click to expand...

Read the ENTIRE contract. I doubt some spots on the seats would qualify as a defect in materials or workmanship.
 
Extended Warranties are not really warranties unless they are offered by the manufacturer (in this case it would have to come from Sea Ray). Most after market products are Extended Service Contracts (ESC) and they are HUGE profit makers for the dealership.

If you're in a financial position where you could handle most repairs from your bank accounts then save your money and don't buy the ESC. If a large repair would be difficult to handle, then buy it.

Another thing to look at is "Does your insurance cover the repair?"

My "Yacht Policy" insurance covers repairs that are deemed to be sudden and unexpected breakdowns not due to lack of maintenance or poor maintenance. They have paid for several very expensive breakdowns because they were sudden and unexepected.
 
I was under the impression that these are like "finish" warranties. In other words, protect the vinyl from stains or tears, or make sure the gelcoat retains its shine and gloss, etc. So, are you saying that the Passport plan is a maintenance or break-down kind of warranty?
 
When I bought my current boat the Merc warranty was about to expire. I bought the extended warranty from Merc for two years because Axius was fairly new back then. I had a few warranty claims on the drive train but no problems with the Axius. The warranty claims were about 2/3 the cost of the warranty so I lost money. No regrets, though.

You do not have to decide about the extended warranties when you purchase the boat. As long as you purchase the extended warranty before the manufacturer's warranty expires you are good. The dealer will throw some confusing crap at you about the benefit of buying now vs. later. Do a careful analysis of the cost differences.
 
paulswagelock said:
My selling dealer did not want to discount it, so I purchased it after the fact from another dealer at a reduced price.
Click to expand...

There's a Subaru dealer somewhere out east who sells a metric ton of Subaru factory extended warranties at barely above dealer cost. I wonder if there's a Marine Max dealership doing the same thing, or are they too corporate without enough location independence?
 
There is a dealer I used that sells them discounted. Won’t mention on here since not a sponsor but can PM the name.
 
If they are applying a treatment to the vinyl, or the exterior of the boat, how could a remote dealer do that?
 
Sorry but I’m in the camp that anyone that buys an extended warranty is a chump burning his money no matter the product. I’ve purchased one in my life on the first BMW I bought in 1991 and it did not cover a single issue that ever came up. I always tell the sales guy that if he thinks I need one so bad for the product he’s selling me, I don’t want his piece of junk product. Lots of good evidence that you will be money ahead because the items covered these days are just so reliable. I never in my life once wished I bought an extended warranty. I buy quality products usually lease return with time left on the original factory warranty and usually move out and up within five years in the way of cars anyway.
Just a few cents
Carpe Diem
 
I think I titled this thread incorrectly. I’m asking about vinyl treatments and gelcoat sealants. I think that’s what Vantage is, right?

I would not get an extended warranty. Usually, if it’s not covered, I would do the repairs myself. Or I’ll pay for it. Rarely would an extended warranty actually cover something well enough to worth its cost.
 
Extended warranties are like insurance. If you’re not covered you’ll be forking out cashola.

I rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
 
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