used boat on sea trail failed

D

demetech

New Member
Oct 10, 2010
3
miami
Boat Info
3300 Sundancer 2009
Engines
2 IO 350 Mags
Im new here. On friday i went out w/ Marine Max to sea trail a 33 Sundancer 2009 w/ 260 hours. The boat was quite impresive but when we turned it on the joy stick was not operational. Then a Captain was called in Marine Max to take us out and help and he said the Power Sterring was not working so he refused to take the boat out. Since we had this schedule Marine Max gave us a new 31' to try out and it was a beauty. Mine is a 33' so i guess it will ride even better but i am quite scared at paying $200k for a boat that on the Sea Trail it was not working properly. The Marine Max people had 48 hours to prep it. They detailed the boat and according to them they had checked all the systems but well it didnt work.

Anyone out there. Should I be concerned or accept Marine Max certification and 12 month full warranty?

I need advise URGENTLY.
 
Thanks 4 ur quick reply. I agree but Marine Max WILL bring the boat to like new condition and extend a full 12 month warranty as this is what they call a CERTIFIED BOAT. My concern is to take the boat after they have repaired and have issues although i will be covered for one year.
 
AKBASSKING said:
Welcome...................

Have them repair it to your satisfaction, then make sure the contract has language in it that would cover those repairs....
Click to expand...

Ditto, plus no funds tranfered until you have a good sea trail!
 
Edit: WHAT CHUCK SAID! (he was quicker to post than I!)

Wait. . . .wait. . .wait. . . There are two issues:

1) You are spending $200K on 33' boat, so you seatrialed a 31' boat? I suggest you go out and seatrial a 33' boat to ensure you actually like it.

2) The particular boat you are buying FAILED seatrial. But what does that mean? In this case, the boat had a specific problem and everyone promises that it will be fixed. That's good -> but because of the problem, you didn't see other potential problems. What assurance do you have that the engines don't overheat at cruise? Don't overheat at W.O.T.?

Crap happens. If I was buying. . I would insist on a full trial once the Power Steering problem is resolved. It's O.K to have punchlist items after a seatrial. It is not ok if you don't even get away from the dock 'cause the boat is broke!

The other question you could be asking is "How can I trust this dealer when they said everything was fine; when it really wasn't?". That is a different question that only you can answer.
 
Shady money said:
This can happen any day or time...................
Click to expand...

Pretty much what I would say too. It would depend on the reputation of the MM dealer. If they have a good rep, I would not worry too much about it.

I believe that others here have posted of issues on loss of steering but after a shut down and re-start of the engines cured it.
 
The trust issue is what has me going. I am sure they will repair the boat and YES we are set for a Sea Trail for next Thursday and i will take her out for at least a hour. Marine Max seems to be a National Big Dealer and at least here in Florida they are big. I have a few friends that have purchased from them and they seem to be a good company.

Any advise on what type of pressure i should place on the engines, rpm and for how long? I hope i get to have 3-5 footers on Thursday as that would be the most of my boating. Although i would like to go to Bimini from here that is another story and i am sure this 33 footer will take it well.

Thanks all of you for your inputs.
 
Don't forget to have the boat surveyed!
 
I don't care how big they are or how warm and fuzzy they make you feel. Once you pay for the boat, you lose all leveredge in this deal.

If this were me, I'd tell them to demo a fully operational boat and only then will I consider buying it or writing a check. Axiius is known to have multiple bugs and has had several software upgrades so get MM to certify that the system is working properly and if fully upgraded.
 
Agreed with the others here. Make sure every switch, button, and lightbulb works, in addition to the Axius issues, before signing on the dotted line-- we have a friend who had so many repeated failures of the Axius system that he got rid of his boat...
 
Agree with Frank - once you write the check, you'll have to spell your name twice just to get in the dealership door. Not to pick on MM (as I have had experiences with other dealers), but it seems that there is a lack of communication between the sales and service departments.
You've got an opportunity here to get sort of a feel for the service department - timely, accurate repairs, explanation of what was required to fix, etc, etc.

Maybe it's just me, but if a boat fails the sea trial, it's all over, and I keep on looking.
 
I bought my boat from MM and I had some small issues. It was very difficult to get things fixed. Don't close until 100% everything fixed - you will regret it otherwise.
 
Last edited:
demetech said:
Im new here. On friday i went out w/ Marine Max to sea trail a 33 Sundancer 2009 w/ 260 hours. The boat was quite impresive but when we turned it on the joy stick was not operational. Then a Captain was called in Marine Max to take us out and help and he said the Power Sterring was not working so he refused to take the boat out. Since we had this schedule Marine Max gave us a new 31' to try out and it was a beauty. Mine is a 33' so i guess it will ride even better but i am quite scared at paying $200k for a boat that on the Sea Trail it was not working properly. The Marine Max people had 48 hours to prep it. They detailed the boat and according to them they had checked all the systems but well it didnt work.

Anyone out there. Should I be concerned or accept Marine Max certification and 12 month full warranty?

I need advise URGENTLY.
Click to expand...

THEY DROPPED THE BALL....PERIOD:smt009
 
The other question you could be asking is "How can I trust this dealer when they said everything was fine; when it really wasn't?". That is a different question that only you can answer.


EXACTLY
 
Have a surveyor with you when you sea trial and don't accept it without all repairs made and verified.
 
Do not buy this tub unless it passes the sea trial. Beat it like it owes you money. Take it to WOT, do full power turns to watch for cavitations, maneuver it in and out of the dock, in short do everything you know you are going to do with it.

The boat may operate correctly but not fit your needs or what you except it to do. If you hold back on the sea trial operation you hold back on what you really want it to do for you.

If this will be a "certified boat" make sure all the updates both mandatory and recommended have been completed. They will not show you the documents so get a written guarantee that all service bulletins have been completed. Make sure they include computer upgrades. Many of these upgrades are chargeable to the customer so make sure they are done before purchase.
 
I have left MM opportunities to make money off of me, and they did not. I do not trust their service department to do any more than specifically instructed. they worked in my transom on the trim tab system and did not even mention taking on water or the severely deteriorated cooling hoses. I was very busy at work so if they would have called and quoted the repairs I probably would have okayed it.

If you have any doubts about trusting a dealer, you should go elsewhere.
 
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