extended warranty?

jonewby

Cadet
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
25
Well my first boat is just coming out of it's warranty and I'm trying to decide if I should spring for Mercury's Protection plan. It's a 3.0 MerCruiser w/ Alpha I. I will probably only put about 20 hours per year on it and I don't abuse my favorite toy (pay attention to the manual, dealer service, flush every time, etc). I am kind of handy but have no marine mechanical experience. Mercury's plan is not cheap but I guess a breakdown of almost any kind would make it worthwhile. Any suggestions?
 

tommays

Admiral
Joined
Jul 4, 2004
Messages
6,768
Re: extended warranty?

My 3.0 is 1995 if your haveing the correct service done it is not likely to have a big problem




It could happen

But the question is would they cover things like a seal failure( lets say from fihing line ) on the drive that lost oil and destroyed it


Or a water pump failure from running dry that caused overheat dammage



Tommays
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: extended warranty?

i just went thru that with my tow vehicle. if you do the proper maintainance in a timely manner, the cost of the warranty does not perk to me.
 

jonewby

Cadet
Joined
May 19, 2007
Messages
25
Re: extended warranty?

Thanks for your replys. I've got about 3 weeks to say yes to Mercury and I'm leaning towards "no thanks". I guess my question boils down to just how reliable my engine and drive is. Best I can figure is that it's a good set-up if not abused and serviced when called for. Thanks again!
 

ondarvr

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
11,527
Re: extended warranty?

How much does it cost up front and what does it cover? Most aren't worth much, you pay a bunch up front, then if there's a problem and "if" it's covered you still pay a portion. Some only pay about 80%, so if you pay 2 grand up front for the warranty and have a 2 grand repair bill, you will still pay another $400.00, for a total of $2,400 for the $2,000 repair.

I had a place say that I should have purchased the warranty when just a week after I bought a van it needed the fuel pump replaced for $1,000.
The warranty was around $2,000 and it would have only paid 80%. I told them if I did buy it, it would have cost me $2,200 for this repair. I went back to the salesman that I purchased it from to discussed it with him and they split the $1,000.00 repair bill with me.
 

Tail_Gunner

Admiral
Joined
Jan 13, 2006
Messages
6,237
Re: extended warranty?

Just a thought, anytime you have to pay more than 12-1500 dollars for a warranty that doesnt cover you for a least 4 year's there's a few thing's going on.....

1. your paying to much for the warrnaty
2. the warranty company is probably not well managed
3. your boat type is probably prone to break down..:eek: *
4. research warranty's as much as you do boat's, they can be a very good tool.

* warranty company's do keep record's of failure's on different configurations and rate them accordingly...;)
 
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