New Stingray lemon?

[stephanies]

Guys;
I paid $45K for a new 2010 Stingray bowrider.

To cut a long story short the lower hull was incorrectly moulded in the factory; the engine mounts/stringers were moulded too high; meaning the engine /drive cannot be aligned correctly meaning a major vibration/worn coupler.

It has been at two different dealers for nearly half of its life now, Stingray have now picked up the boat and taken it to a dealer in Orlando for "evaluation" and then possibly back to the factory, Repairs suggested are removing the motor and "shaving the stringers" to lower the motor on its mounts to enable correct alignment. (on a brand new boat??!)

I have spent most of 2011 going backwards and forwrds from dealers, now it has just sat in a dealers yard in Orlando for the last month whist Stingray decide what to do.

I really have had enough. Any suggestions? I don't believe lemon laws apply in Florida??

 

[wifisher]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

It sounds to me like they owe you a new boat. Shaving the stringers seems like a poor repair for a new boat.

I hope they at least hurry up and get something done, so you get your boat back.

Good Luck.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

I'd go as high as I had to, saying that you want a replacement REAL FAST or a REFUND. If they don't take your threat seriously, contact your bank and see what can be done.

Then I'd lawyer up real fast just so you don't spend the summer without a boat.

 

[Bry1324]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

In Texas we have a lemon law. you should check around but you should be entitled to a replacement or a refund

 

[V153]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

I don't believe lemon laws apply in Florida??

Oh yes they do. FL most definitely has a lemon law. Considering $45K is involved I think I'd be getting in touch with an attorney?

Expensive Stingray btw. How big is it?

 

[QC]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

Most "Lemon Laws" do not apply to boats . . . double check before getting too excited.

A couple of other comments. It is highly possible Stingray could monitor this thread. I suggest that the OP needs them. Threatening legal action will close most doors, not open them. Add to that that we do not allow any bashing here, and we will be watching this thread closely. We all want to help, let's do it as civilly as possible guys and gals. Thanks.

the engine mounts/stringers were moulded too high; meaning the engine /drive cannot be aligned correctly meaning a major vibration/worn coupler.

How'd they align it for delivery? Is that a dealer thing? Or a factory thing? Seems relevant.

 

[V153]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

My lil brother bought a 19' Stingray new in '01. 4.3 litre Mercruiser. Been a great boat for him. Nice fit'n finish to this day. Very few mechanical problems. In addition other Stingrays in the area appear to be holding up too.

Having said that even the best boat builders make mistakes. Sounds to me like the OP landed a turd. Built late on a friday perhaps? It happens ...

Don't read anybody threatening legal action but it appears the op is getting pushed around by a series of dealers. He needs to talk to somebody a lil higher up?

 

[NHGuy]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

I'd let em fix it. But I sure would be mad for the lost use. Ask them to loan you a boat til yours is ready. You'd also be smart to try to get them to extend the warranty.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

Go straight to the top or as high as you can. Call Stingray directly now!!! 45G's is allot of money let alone the lost time on the water.

 

[JimS123]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

We are a Stngray family, so I might be prejudiced.

Nevertheless, my son's new $40,000 boat had a couple of minor problems when just barely out of warranty and they were fixed to 100% satisfaction at no cost.

This year, the third year and way out off warranty, he noticed some stitching coming loose on 2 of the seats. The factory sent him, new seats, no questions asked, didn't even want photos, shipped free of charge.

I might add that our dealer is listed as one of the top 100 boat dealers in the country, and they were the ones that contacted the factory and handled all the arrangements.

Moral of the story is be sure to work with and buy from a good dealer in the first place. Do your homework!

 

[wbc1957]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

A loaner boat would be a first standard service for the dealer to provide. They can get this covered by the manufacturer without too much effort. The real issue is the actual loss of value, keeping in mind the whole major cost to owning a new boat was its lack of issues being new, versus the major depreciation you would take a hit on for the first couple of years. That whole value is gone, and worse, not even considered by either the dealer or the manufacturer, if they are dragging their feet on this. If it were me, I would want an extended warranty date based on the time lost, and a special extended warranty on the out drive for its added wear and tear so early in its life. These are items they should provide without any problem, since the cost on the backside should not entail major financial cost on their part, but provide you the new boat owner with "piece of mind". Wasn't that why you bought a new boat in the first place?

 

[dramaminedragon]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

Boat US. has a mediation process for there members. They know who to contact and help work things out. They don't take anything on once it is in litigation. Go to there web page & check it out. WWW.boatus.com Hope this helps.

 

[TX H210SS]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

Your dealer needs to champion this issue for you - as a dealer they will have more pull with the manufacturer than you as a single buyer. That is a major issue in my opinion and I would want another boat. That's assuming it really is a stringer issue and not a mere alignment adjustment. Seems some adjustment could be made at the mounts unless it's so far off it can't be adjusted out.

The decking sits on the stringers - if they shave the stringers down to allow for engine alignment, then what are they going to do - shim up the decking back there??? Makes me wonder if the transem hole wasn't punched too low instead and theyre trying to makeup the difference.

Regardless of the lemon law - they have not provided a product that can be used for its intended purpose (floating and moving around on the water). I would push the issue and if they don't comply, I would go after them full steam ahead......it happens with all manufacturers....but damn - if they repair it i would mention to them that you have a boat with diminished value due to the major structural repair.

FYI - the stringers are typically encapsulated to prevent water damage to their core....not sure of the stringer construction in a stingray, but this can be an issue they will need to address.....also, if the stringer construction is calculated at a height of 12" for strength - they shave off an inch or so, what does that do to the overall strength of the stringer?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

It shouldn't take'em a month to make a decision. This should be cut and dry. This is a 31 year old medium size boat mfg. with 237 employees--owned by the original family. Just give Junior a personal phone call. The boat business is not good, and he probably wouldn't want any negative visibility--i.e. on internet websites. Reputation is everything in this business.

James A. Fink Jr. CEO
PFC Inc. D/B/A
STINGRAY BOATS
625 Railroad Ave.
Hartsville, SC 29551
Phone: 843.383.4507
Office: Monday - Thursday, 7:00 am - 5:30 pm Eastern Time

 

[jmarty10]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

I remember a recent string about the same issue on a brand new boat. I believe it was a stingray and the dealer gave hime a brand new replacement boat. If I shelled out 45 g's, I would not take that boat back a new one is the only way to go.

 

[jkust]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

Compared to many, Stingray isn't in the top end but I haven't heard of this level of trouble with them. The usual beefs I hear with SR's are lower fit and finish quality and at least on the smaller bowriders, lesser quality accessories and a few corners cut. Those things aren't suprising because you know them going in and can see them at the dealer hence the lower prices. You describe a whole other ballgame. I would really have a hard time not fighting for a new boat. As much as Stingray wouldn't be my only boat, I wouldn't mind one as a second or third boat in my lineup to go fast cheaply.

 

[QC]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

How in the heck was this thing ever aligned? I know we haven't seen the OP back, but it bears repeating I think . . .

 

[stephanies]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

How in the heck was this thing ever aligned? I know we haven't seen the OP back, but it bears repeating I think . . .

Thnaks for your replies everyone.
I am not an I/O mechanic, I can only go what the Volvo dealer whi initially investigated told me, that the motor was adjusted down to the max in the factory. It was fine for the first 50 hrs then a low rpm vibration started which got worse. This was the coupler failing because of the alignment angle/ strain on it.

The situation is difficult because:
My selling dealer is now Gone.No recourse there.
The boat was bought/kept in Florida but I live in Europe most of the time, I am not familiar with my US consumer rights.
If I start threatening legal/lemon to Stingray will it make things worse, not help? Everyone says Stingray are a great company to deal with. They have said thew will "fix" it. Nothing much seems to happen though.....I have even spoken the the VP who promised action.....

 

[sw33ttooth]

Re: New Stingray lemon?

all boat companies have flaws here and there take tiara yachts my dad use to work for them untill he told the boss of a problem that happend down the line before he got to work on it. long story short people orderd desiels in a gas hull desiels are bigger and didnt fit right, turnd out that if you have to replace the belts you would have to cut the deck to do so. well some upper management people dont care so they shipd it out any way.

if your still making payments on it i would contact your laywer you shouldnt make payments on something you cant even enjoy because the factory is behind or slow on fixing there screw up good luck hope it turns out!

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: New Stingray lemon?

first, lemon laws are for cars, and you have to comply with a lot of notice requirements for them to help you. They vary from state to state, so it's possible, but not likely, to apply to boats. Lemon laws do not solve all problems (in cars).

Second, you need to talk to a lawyer in your home state immediately. I didn't say get the lawyer to talk to Stingray. The law concerning accepting and then returning goods is complicated, and more complicated where the goods are subject to documents of title. The fact that you used it for 50 hours needs to be considered--I didn't say it necessarily hurts you, but it is an important factor. Timing and notice are two very important, yet confusing, aspects of what rights and remedies are available. Don't go to some hack on TV who promises cash cash cash. Get someone who understands commercial law. Do not research it yourself, especially on the internet--that's like doing your own knee surgery. But keep careful records of all communications. Make a diary.