To fix engine or buy used ones...

[marine4003]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

I did leave that part out of my initial post....but I can clear it up now...

I was told repeatedly that the boat was in "excellent" condition and "completely ready for blue water today".
"Boat has full electronics, fresh water washdown, salt water washdown, head, sink, hydraulic steering, etc, etc.

When we took the boat on the water they showed me all the stuff that worked. Trim tabs, tilt and trim, salt water wash, depth gauge, vhf radio.....

I was trying to learn everything and did not think to ask about the other stuff.
Head does not work, fresh washdown / sink does not work, didn't look for leaks in steering (it was washed and clean when I got there), rotten transom bracket (everything was painted and clean), gps is toast, macerator does not work, let's just say the list goes on.....

It is my belief that they took this thing on trade, washed it up, and did nothing else...relying on the "as-is" clause.

Cosmetic things don't bother me and I know it is to be expected.

To send me out with NO brakes, a disaster trailer, bad engine, and bad lower unit on the other....really ticks me off (being polite).

And the sales manager with his gold Rolex and diamond markers doesn't make their lack of concern any easier for me....at this moment.

If i didn't know better,i would wonder if this wasn't a Katrina Boat, see if you can track down the former owner,via the title,ask him what the deal was when he traded it in. PS -Nobody here is a lawyer,so take all advice w/a/grain of salt & don't let it get you down.Keep fighting!! Vince Lombardi once said :quitters never win..winners never quit.

 

[Expidia]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

I've read all the posts. From what I see it's a toss up in court if you would win! I'm not a lawyer but I've taken issues to courts more times than I wish to remember.

The problem with our court system is the jerk judges, especially in small towns.

I've been 100% in the right on several lawsuits and still lost my case not because of the law, because of the judge!

In my opinion, you and all the other posters in this case know you made big mistakes here. Wake up, most used car and most boat dealers are not Saints.

What would you expect when buying a 10 year old boat or car!

Most used car dealers in various states have 30 to 60 day warranties. I don't know about used boat dealers because I personally would only buy new from a dealer and used from a private party.

It's not the dealers fault you never used it. If you buy a boat off season, it's even more important to use a surveyor.

Next time you buy a boat take an experienced boater with you to check out the boat and see if the deal is going to be at a fair price. Then bring in as others have said, a surveyor that you hire, not one that the dealer suggests.

But all that is water over the dam now. Take the dealers offer. But as another poster said push a little more. Deals are negotiations, you don't have to accept his first offer in full. Tell him you know he's trying to work things out and you appreciate his offer. Your only stipulation is that you pay for the parts at his cost and he shows you the invoices and that you pay for the labor strictly by the books hourly rate for each part of the repairs and that he gives you a 30 day warranty on the repairs.

All this can be a good lesson for your Son depending on how old he is . . . take him with you to listen to you negotiate with the dealer . . . it's a learned art. The kid is good for playing the sympathy card on the dealer too.

You will save in stress, wasted time and money in the long run by going back to the dealer to continue to negotiations a little more. All a dealer does is negotiate deals each day!

Spend a few bucks and go rent a boat at a local lake and take your kid or kids fishing while they are repairing the boat. This small effort on your part will save face with your kid and prevent your ex wife from making you look bad in the kids eyes.

P.S. Don't even think about buying outboards off of Ebay! Who's gonna warranty them???

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

I like Expidia's suggestion -- Take the dealers offer of 1/2 the labor rate and don't pay for any mark up on the parts -- only charge you the dealer's price for the parts.

 

[erikgreen]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

Don't do anything else before you talk to a lawyer... a real one, not the armchair ones here

A local lawyer will know what the local courts are likely to do with your claim... he may know cases like it already won locally, he may even know of cases against that dealer. The local better business bureau may also know of some complaints, which might help your case against them.

But talk to someone with real legal know-how who can tell you how likely you are to win a case. As stated, the first consultation should be free, and after that if you have a winning case you may be able to cut a deal with the lawyer for costs based on a win, a percentage of the judgement or whatever.

If you agree to settle with the dealer you're changing the situation and may weaken any case you have.

As hard as it is to swallow, you are in a bad situation. Accept that this boat isn't going to be ready as fast as you'd like, and don't take shortcuts to try and get on the water with it. Get another cheap boat if you have to and get on the water, and fight this without that pressure on you.

Erik

 

[elwopo]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

"That really sucks. Was that from a dealer here locally?"

I was waiting to see how things panned out before I let it out....but yes it is.

I went there Friday to try again to get things sorted out by talking to the owner directly. Without boring you with the details, that was a complete waste of my time......and a true test of my being able to retain my composure. I don't take well to being ignored and insulted.

Castaway Marine, located just south of Pineda Causeway on US1 in lovely Melbourne, Florida.
More importantly...they are the ones almost always having the "boat show" at the Melbourne mall parking lot. They are having one right now as a matter of fact.

I'm thinking that since I can't use the truck I bought to tow the boat I bought it for.....a 4x8 sheet of plywood will fit nicely in the back and make quite the nice sign. Then I can just cruise the mall parking lot for a while.

Wonder if I'll see "Bob" the "sales manager" (owner....but no one will admit to that) then?

Off to Home Depot for wood and paint.......

 

[dimock44]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

Off to Home Depot for wood and paint.......[/quote]

Go for it You won't get anything from them anyway. At least you will get that warm fuzzy feeling from doing it.

 

[Andy in NY]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

"That really sucks. Was that from a dealer here locally?"

I was waiting to see how things panned out before I let it out....but yes it is.

I went there Friday to try again to get things sorted out by talking to the owner directly. Without boring you with the details, that was a complete waste of my time......and a true test of my being able to retain my composure. I don't take well to being ignored and insulted.

Castaway Marine, located just south of Pineda Causeway on US1 in lovely Melbourne, Florida.
More importantly...they are the ones almost always having the "boat show" at the Melbourne mall parking lot. They are having one right now as a matter of fact.

I'm thinking that since I can't use the truck I bought to tow the boat I bought it for.....a 4x8 sheet of plywood will fit nicely in the back and make quite the nice sign. Then I can just cruise the mall parking lot for a while.

Wonder if I'll see "Bob" the "sales manager" (owner....but no one will admit to that) then?

Off to Home Depot for wood and paint.......

Be careful... don't say anything that is not factually true... otherwise you could see yourself on the recieving end of a slander/libel lawsuit...

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

I had a friend once picket in front of an auto shop that did bad work on his car. After a day of standing on the sidewalk, cops showing up and telling the store owner that he was within his rights, the shop caved and actually paid for the work to be done -- at someone elses shop!

Good luck! Let us know what happens!

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: To fix engine or buy used ones...

Local Better Business Bureau could also get involved.