What is actually covered under warranty?

R

rmilian340

New Member
Oct 17, 2006
39
Ft Lauderdale, Fl
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2005
Engines
twin 8.1 Horizons
Greetings,

I have a 2005 340 DA that I bought new. I also bought the extended warranty. I noticed that the welding of one of my steps going down to the cabin is breaking off. As a result, the step is very loose and ready to fall off. MM told me that it is not under warranty but they will try to talk to SeaRay about it.
SeaRay anwer was "What do you want us to do about it?"
Just wondering if you think this is a structure issue that should be covered or just forget about it and have it fixed and pay for it?
http://clubsearay.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=4312&stc=1&d=1227720325

Thank you for your opinion!
RM
 

Attachments

  • Boat steop_340DA.jpg
    Boat steop_340DA.jpg
    126.4 KB · Views: 189
  • Boat_stepA.jpg
    Boat_stepA.jpg
    5.6 KB · Views: 223
Regardless of warranty or extended coverage agreement, your position with SR should be that you expected this part to last the life of the boat, that it has not been misused or abused and that they should repair or replace it at no cost to you.

Be calm and reasonable. They like to hear things like " I love the boat, except..." and "I realize that this is probably not strictly covered but..." and of course don't lie but "I am thinking about trading up to..." goes a long way.
 
Whoa...we have the same model & yr, very surprised of your problem. I'll inspect ours this weekend & keep an eye on it in the future. Having that step fail could certainly ruin a person's day & possibly the rest of their life.
 
Sea Gull,

Thank you for your input. I agree with you. I might be wrong, but I think this should be covered. This is my second SeaRay and we do like the boat a lot and will buy another one sometime in the future.
 
Just so we are clear, the structural warranty means the hull and deck only. It does not mean that the structure of every vendor supplied item is covered.

Welds are permanent and are not expected to break. Sea Ray knows that, their vendor who supplied the steps knows that and the dealer knows that. They also know that this is not a part covered by any warranty after the one year mark. Their question to you.....i.e. "what do you expect us to do?" was not a wise-ass response, but typical in a situation like this. I suppose the customer service representitive could have chosen his words better, but what you were asked was: "Since this part of your boat is out of warranty, what would be a fair solution that would make you happy?"

Pick your own solution....new steps, repair the weld, do it for free, etc. then Sea Ray will contact the vendor (to get an estimate of the cost), and your dealer (to find out if you are a responsible owner who cares for his boat as you should) then they will get back to you with what they will do. Many times, where there may be some liability, like this, they will have the dealer do all of the repair as an accomodation to you.

But, bear in mind that your boat is 4 years old and well past the normal warranty. Sea Ray could decline to help at all or they could offer to pay for repairing the steps if you pay for the labor.

Finally, SeaGull is right. Sea Ray does not respond well to threats or unreasonable requests. A simple statement that you love your boat but are dissapointed that the quality of this component leaves you with a potential liability may get you the help you want.
 
Thank you all for all your input. I guess I will wait for MM to get back to me to see what the answer is. Then I will call SeaRay if I have to. But a broken weld is hard to consider normal wear and tear!
 
I'm no attorney, but...
I'm of the opinion that if SR was smart, they'd fix it. I don't see it as "wear and tear". It is, indeed, a structural component. Product liability extends beyond the "warranty period". If you are familiar with CGL (Commercial General Liability) insurance, this is called "completed products". You're not off the hook after 12 months...

If a weld or welds fail on the structural steel on a commercial building that's two years old, the building facade collapses and there's property damage and bodily injury/death, do you think the steel erector has no liability?
 
In this area, product liability, I think there is an implied warranty of fitness for purpose and use that is applicable. However, as I said, I think Sea Ray is going to see the injury potential here and step up. The question/concern is helping the owner handle it a way to keep it in the customer service area as oppsed to it becoming a legal quesion.
 
Frank,

Do you agree that I should let MM work it out with SeaRay since I called them for service instead of me calling SeaRay now.
 
Know anyone with a welder? i say just take the peice out and have it welded. end of story.

I doubt it would cost much to have a fab shop weld it if you don't know anyone. It seems like simple fix.

It would avoid a run-around and only cost 20-30 bucks.
 
RM,

My experience with SeaRay customer service has been very good. As Frank and SeaGull mentioned a calm, non-threating approach has the best chance of being successful. This is probably a supplied component and SR would need to get the OEM to step up and cover the repair/replacement. They (SR) are very reasonable and will usually offer a fair solution.
 
Working with the dealer always comes first. They will be the ones Sea Ray gets to fix the boat and they are your best ally in pleading a case with Sea Ray.

Only after they refuse to do the repair should you contact Sea Ray. Most Master Dealers know the program and step on thru it with Sea Ray for you. The answer you get will most likely be from Sea Ray. If you get a refusal, ask the dealer who he has talked to at Customer Service and get his contact info from th e dealer, then call him directly (so they don't have to do the research all over agian) and ask him to review your situation, stressing your potential liability for an accident due to the faulty weld. If it plays out this way, polite professionalism but being persistant about the liability risk is your leverege.
 
Beer Thirty said:
Know anyone with a welder? i say just take the peice out and have it welded. end of story.

I doubt it would cost much to have a fab shop weld it if you don't know anyone. It seems like simple fix.

It would avoid a run-around and only cost 20-30 bucks.
Click to expand...

Having it welding is the simple part of this repair Having it repowdercoated to match is another story and the costly part
 
SeaRay answer was "What do you want us to do about it?"

Typical response from Sea Ray CS... I have a 5 year extended warranty and they would not cover a defective transom shower head, mold release on bow (yellowing), defective heater hose to the engine... :smt013 :smt013 :smt021 they did cover a shift cable and gimbal bearing replacement. :smt001
 
Last edited:
dsteele1 said:
SeaRay anwer was "What do you want us to do about it?"

Typical response from Sea Ray CS... I have a 5 year extended warranty and they would not cover a defective transom shower head, mold release on bow (yellowing), defective heater hose to the engine... :smt013 :smt013 :smt021 they did cover a shift cable and gimbal bearing replacement. :smt001
Click to expand...

Who do you have your extended warranty through?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Forum statistics

Threads
113,236
Messages
1,429,050
Members
61,119
Latest member
KenBoat
Back
Top