What is actually covered under warranty?

The Brunswick Passport extended warranty is very explicit about what is covered and what is not. I haven't read it in awhile but I was surprised by some exclusions. I didn't pay for my warranty, I asked for it after we had agreed on price and the dealer added it at "no cost". So I'm not gonna bitch about what isn't covered. That said, I couldn't find a single engine component (of any consequence) that isn't covered except the exhaust manifold...
 
rmilian340 said:
I got the Passport extended warranty. But it only covers mechanical systems.
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There are vaious levels of passport ranging from "just mechanical" to "evertyhing is covered even if you broke it". My brother has the latter. He didn't have his boat tied up right and a storm smashed it against the dock and punched a hole in the glass above the rub rail. MM fixed it - $25 deductible. Ours covers all mechanical and electrical systems plus some "structural" things like the windshield and its supports.
 
We got the Brunswick Passport Premier Warranty with the Captains Class Accessory Package & Generator options added thru Marine Max when we bought the boat this past May. MM was the broker on the boat and they offered it to us when we went to close.
 
Although I would probably fix (weld) myself and attempt to paint or match the color for aesthetic purposes (because I have some REALLY REALLY large guys on the boat at times... family), I would approach your MM Dealer and SeaRay with a high degree of professionalism and ask for some help. Others can certainly chime in here, but I think that there is a reasonable argument that this can be considered part of the deck structure also. It would be a weak argument if you didn't have the warranty, but certainly having that warranty allows for at least a bit of consideration if not a "get out of jail" free card on something like this. Although this isn't considered mechanical, it is a part that is not expected to "wear" over the life of the boat and is integral for the safety and well-being of the passengers. The "wear" might/most probably was a bad/weak weld that was pre-existing during the building of the part or the boat.

Also, I would have MM take care of everything first. I also had some problems and MM really did try. I was denied some service after the 1st year. I then went to SeaRay directly with MM's permission and ended up getting my entire boat warrantied for an extra year. After some problems with our engines, Mercruiser also extended their warranty for another year. I'm not saying that they will go this far for you, but I believe that they really do wish to help and will attempt to find a way. I really found their CS second to none. (Well... Apple Computers really has a good CS too).
 
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08_240Sundeck said:
I didn't say "normal" :smt001

FWIW: I see this differently than others. I don't think the issues of "fitness for purpose" or "structural components" apply here. It's just a stair with a bad weld but it's not a safety issue and it doesn't affect the ability to operate the boat. It just makes it hard to get in/out of the cabin if it breaks off completely. It doesn't diminish the integrity of the boat as a whole or make it un-seaworthy.

It makes sense for SR to fix it in order to keep a happy customer but I think it's a stretch to find a legal angle.
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I think you're missing something. Saying that a stair with a bad weld is not a safety issue doesn't sound logical to me.
 
While you don't want to wait for the answer. Be patient - they may help. I do know first hand that outside of warranty stuff is being scrutinized a bit more. But a good solid case made by you and the dealer - usually gets an approval.
 
You apparently have yet to experience accessing the cabin area or bridge on a 30+ft. boat while it is rocking in heavy seas/weather. These aren't lake boats.........you need to be able to move about on something solid. With a wobbly footing or by taking more than one step at a time you are just begging for an injury to not just Grandma but also to experienced boaters.

This thread isn't about who is liable, although those legal principals have been discussed. It is about how to help the owner of the broken weld get his boat properly repaired with minimum worry and cost without damage to his boat.

If it were me, I'd probably snatch the stair assembly out, weld it, reinstall it and go boating......but not everyone is mechanically inclined or equipped to do this type of work.
 
I'm with those who say to fix it yourelf. You could wait on SR and the dealer but it may take weeks to get it fixed. I have done tons of welding in my past and I can tell you that the pic looks like it is about ready to fail. Saving 30 bucks to have rewelded, a can of sray paint (I dont think it powdercoated but could be wrong) and a little bit of your time is not worth the risk of injury. SB
 
I, personally, do not have the equipment nor will I be able to use it. But I can look into a welding shop to do the job. Not sure if the entire assembly has to be removed or it can be welded in place.
 
It will need to be removed to weld but it is just bolted in place, easy out, easy in. Again, I wouldn't take time getting it fixed. You could always have the dealer do the repair, while trying to get help from SR. My guess is that they will step up and cover the costs. If they dont, your bill will probably be alot higher than taking care of it yourself though. SB
 
Not a lawyer here, just had to take a few workshops on product liability... If it failed and you were injured I would think Sea Ray could have a potential cost much greater than even replacing... just makes good business sense to help you.

However, now you know about it and as such you share responsibility. Worse yet, if someone else falls from it, I would think you may find yourself in a bit of hot water.

If I were the manufacturer... I'd want the part to take a look at it and find out why the weld is failing. If it's a freak incident, no biggie... but if it turns out that they made a bunch of these and a jig was off, or they had a welder that was consistently welding over rust, these issues would require a recall to protect the company. Hiding from defects can be costly!
 
Weld it and have it chromed. That would look nice.

I bet if you ask around your marina - you can find a welder that will handle it for cheap.
 
Jim240 said:
If I were the manufacturer... I'd want the part to take a look at it and find out why the weld is failing. If it's a freak incident, no biggie... but if it turns out that they made a bunch of these and a jig was off, or they had a welder that was consistently welding over rust, these issues would require a recall to protect the company. Hiding from defects can be costly!
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My thoughts exactly. The stair manufacturer needs to see this. My response to the question "what do you want us to do about it?" would be to ask that someone contact the stair manufacturer and send them the pictures. I'm not a welder, but even I can see that the joint was not welded properly. If it can be unbolted, then offer to remove it and send it to them at their cost in return for a replacement. Everyone wins. You get new stairs, the manufacturer gets to lay their hands on one of their parts with an obvious manufacturing defect that failed under real world use.

You could push to have the dealer handle the whole thing, but I would approach it by appearing to be willing to put some "skin in the game" by helping with the removal of the out of warranty part. "I just want my boat to be safe for my passengers and I." would be every other sentence out of my mouth while negotiating things. Has SR seen the pics?

Michael
 
skibum said:
My thoughts exactly. The stair manufacturer needs to see this. My response to the question "what do you want us to do about it?" would be to ask that someone contact the stair manufacturer and send them the pictures. I'm not a welder, but even I can see that the joint was not welded properly. If it can be unbolted, then offer to remove it and send it to them at their cost in return for a replacement. Everyone wins. You get new stairs, the manufacturer gets to lay their hands on one of their parts with an obvious manufacturing defect that failed under real world use.

You could push to have the dealer handle the whole thing, but I would approach it by appearing to be willing to put some "skin in the game" by helping with the removal of the out of warranty part. "I just want my boat to be safe for my passengers and I." would be every other sentence out of my mouth while negotiating things. Has SR seen the pics?

Michael
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According to MM they e-mailed the picture to SeaRay. MM will call SeaRay on Monday as they are now closed for the holiday.
 
I am a first time SEARAY owner....yes a newbe.......call me stupid but I can't believe that a company such as SEARAY always wants to play hardball with their loyal following....I would think you would have to do some strange circus acts to crack a weld on a step such as yours......but getting back to SEARAY, I would think just for good customer relations, they would take care of an issue like yours....with the economy going ito the dumper and the price of gas where it was this past summer, I'm surprised SEARAY doesn't stand on their head to help those that keep them in busines....someday you may want to buy another....
PIPER
2006 280
 
I am going to guess that between the 3 (dealer, builder & supplier) that you will get the item repaired. That being said, it may take a little time and you may be slightly inconvienced. I suggest you take Franks advice and deal with this realistically.

Be reasonable when stating your request and you can expect a reasonable response. If not you can then move up the chain. Act disrespectful & unreasonable and I expect you will be dissapointed.

I say these things out of experience. NOT with Sea Ray, but with Ford Motor Company. My repairs would have been more expensive than the component discussed here but a reasonable, factual approach yeilded my desired results.
 
I read the first page and now I am responding so if this was already said I apologize.

That step IS structural. The steps on the 34 were made like that to support the cockpit sole. The 33 searay before that had a flaw in that area, the cockpit sole would flex and cause cracks around the cabin entryway and usually on the port side of the top of the helm at the cabin entryway in the textured finish. With some glass work the 33 could be made as good as new.

It was always my opinion that they went to such a extreme looking step to avoid glass work in the cabin.

So fight it as indeed being a structure issue and look for cracks around the cabin door. May get shot down because its seems like the step itself- but give it a try
 
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