Used boat dealer

[Mmearl]

So I needed somthing bigger than my 16ft fish and ski 88 hp outboard. The boat ran great. But I traded it in for a bigger fish and ski that has a 4.3 merc io. Bought it in late September 2019. Ran good the 2 times I had it out. However it gets cold where I'm from so I took it back to the dealer got it winterized and put it in storage. The dealer I bought it from and got it winterized are well known in my state. Anywho spring came got the boat out and it had trouble idling and getting out of the hole so took it back to the dealer. And the replaced cap and rotor. Didnt fix the issue. Then they replaced carb kit. Didnt fix the issue. Then they found other spark issue. Still no good. I cant get the boat to the lake every weekend to check and see if their repairs work. And they wont take any money off because ei had the boat a year even though I only put 10 hours on it. Had them check compression Right away before anything and they said it was ok. I'm an ignorant boy buyer who bought a boat from a dealer who's well known and now I'm paying a boat load of money(pun) for something that should be turn key and all they can do is keep milking me and say welp you have had it a year. What's a guy to do? Is there any ethics violated with these guys or am I out of luck even if it comes to the motors toast. Any feed back appreciated. Thanks guys.

 

[Grub54891]

When you took it back the first time, was the year up yet? You said you bought it in Sept. Do they actually have a year warranty ?

 

[tpenfield]

:welcome: to iBoats . . .

You haven't told us if the boat was brand new or a used boat, or if there is a specific warranty. Sounds like you need to have a conversation with the stealer. . . oops, I mean dealer.

Otherwise, let us know where they are and we'll go rough them up a bit for ya.

 

[Chris1956]

I have heard that type of tale many times. The part that really bugs me is that your engine/drive combo is very popular and proven. Why an expert (or should be an expert) mechanic cannot fix a standard powerplant the first time is aggravating.

If they need to soak you because of the coronavirus, I can understand it (it is still fraud, IMO), but this has happened long before and I predict will happen long after this year. is it the incompetence of the mechanic or some calculating on the part of the dealer?

 

[mr 88]

Find a new shop or a car mechanic that can figure it out on muffs. Show them what has been done to "fix " the issue. Sometimes Craigslist will mechanic postings or search one out on FB looking under a local boating heading. Like Bass Island Boaters or whatever place that boaters in your area may frequent , then post ,looking for a reliable mechanic .

 

[Texasmark]

I can't help you with the dealer problem....but with your "If ya can't fix it with a hammer,ya got yourself an electrical problem.", you can solve electrical problems with a hammer when you have a dirty ground not making good contact.....we called it "Brogan (like in military boots) Maintenance and it works.....sometimes. Grin

 

[mr 88]

[QUOTE=. Sometimes Craigslist will mechanic postings

Shouldn't post before I wake up..... Sometimes mechanics will list there services on Craigslist under boats or boat parts

 

[GA_Boater]

Well said, Yoda.

If you have any boating friends, ask who they use, Mmearl

 

[82rude]

How long has the gas been in the tank?My brothers Yamaha 115 had the same issues and though it is a 2003 outboard it turned out to be water in the gas.Completely drained the system and she runs fantastic now.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Violation of ethics?? Maybe. Violation of laws? No.

I'm guessing that you bought a used boat. Most dealers have some kind of a warranty, but frankly just like a used car, they don't know what the previous owner did with the boat and don't know what you do with it after it leaves the lot. You might have had it out two times, and might have decided to monkey with the carburetor and electronics. It doesn't sound like you did but how do they know. It's a hard spot for a dealer to be in EXCEPT that people go to a used boat dealer assuming that they have done a thorough inspection. For that the offer limited warranties. Full warranties are for new rigs.

When I've had problems like yours, I have sought out the store manager and explained the situation. Usually that helps. I once wrote a letter to a snowmobile shop that did nothing but swap parts until I diagnosed the real problem for them. The owner worked with me on a solution that made us both a little unhappy but both satisfied.

Escalate the issue.

 

[Lowlysubaruguy]

As mentioned fuel could be the issue. I own an older 4.3 carbureted boat this boats fuel goes bad every winter I now pull the line at the carb and Hotwire the pump and pump it dry. It’s simple on this boat.
What’s interesting is my newer boat with 170 gallon fuel tank can sit with 50 gallons and never miss a beat. Knock on wood.

the 4.3 uses so little fuel 10 gallons of bad gas is hard to burn off.

so I’d pump the tank dry and start there. Its also got fuel Water separator after running some new fuel replace it.

lastely if this boat has a thermoquad the floats in mine arms bend in rough water it’s happened twice. Once I ran it a couple seasons one fuel bowl was being starved of fuel. It was cold natured and hesitated at times immediately after fixing it it was like new.

 

[roffey]

if the boat is a 2019 with 10 hours on it, there should be no charge. The motor is not even broken in for the first 15 hours. My boat brand new had a warranty that I took advantage of several times. That's what the warranty is for, to fix problems out of the box. Its who ever made the motor, Volvo, Mercury or maybe the boat manufacturer that foots the bill. A 2019 with 10 hours will still have a warranty on it and taking it to a garage will likely void it, I think..