First Boat -- Needs Repairs; Havent Even Drove it Since Signing

[Kkthxby3]

Bought first boat, a pontoon.

After signing two guys showed me how to use the boat and the dealer was letting me use one of their slips until I find one.

One of the guys showing us how everything worked drove the boat out of sales slip to take us to the temporary slip and show us how to park.

During his attempt to park the motor/wheel stopped responding. Pontoon was drifting over to other parked boats and they were getting out to keep it from hitting everything. Seemed to be an issue with the hydraulics which I believe is related to the power steering.

So... A tow boat had to come out from dealer and take the just bought boat, never driven by myself since purchase, to take in for repairs.

Was told would be about 1.5 hours.... I'm home now and no boat. Seems they were having trouble getting under the boat which was more difficult than expected to rerun tube.

Should I keep this boat or ask to switch out for comparable was looking at?

Most upsetting part for me is the day wasted when I put off work. But long term I'm concerned if the boat could be a lemon or something. I am impressed with the dealership handling the issue though, so glad I bought from them.

 

[Grub54891]

Well... It depends on the type of steering, does this pontoon have a I/O or outboard? If it has a SeaStar helm, it somehow got low on fluid, which is no big deal to repair, as long as they fix the leak, and bleed it out properly.
If it has an I/O and the steering cable, along with a power steering pump and failed, you can still steer but rather harder. Is the toon new or used? If used as you may know they took it on trade, checked it over and thought everything was fine. Stuff happens that they can't control at times.
An example is I just bought a 2018 vehicle, got it home and not only did the battery die, but I also found a coolant leak. The dealer repaired it rather quickly, at no cost to me. Stuff happens....

 

[ahicks]

I'd be ticked off, concerned the boat wasn't checked out any better than it was prior to the sale. Then again, I do ALL of my own work, to avoid frustrating situations just like this one. I hate marinas....

Still, if the boat checks out well, and was purchased for a fair price, I'd go ahead with the deal. Did they offer you a 90 day warranty or something similar? If not, might be something to discuss prior to taking delivery again.

 

[Kkthxby3]

They actually offered for me to cancel entire sale. Or if I wanted one of the other boats on lot.

I stayed with what I bought. Was a burst hydraulics cord and it only took more than an hour to fix due to them having trouble pulling the line out to replace. But was ready to go the next day and they let me inspect bottom and everything.

Been on lake all last week without any issue.... Except for a parking incident at one of the restaurant docks. Got stuck between two boats.