Familiar With The Fine Print: The Real Deal Behind Boat & Engine Warranties

BUYING A BOAT IS AN INCREDIBLY EXCITING experience. However, the process can be understandably stressful and it’s important prospective buyers are aware of every last detail involved in the transaction. Hull, engine and equipment warranties are among the many factors of the purchase that need to be carefully scrutinized, with new owners often finding out the hard way that what once seemed like a glorious guarantee ends up being too good to be true.

 

No matter how much emphasis a salesperson places on it to peak the interests of potential buyers, a warranty is inherently nothing more than a manufacturer’s promise that a boat or engine will be free of defects for a predetermined amount of time. With that being said, dealer and manufacturer warranties can be extremely beneficial down the road if certain unfortunate situations were to arise. However, a great deal of confusion can stem from these complex agreements and buyers often don’t completely ascertain the extent of their coverage. In addition to a potentially convoluted hull warranty, one must take the engine warranty into consideration and gain a full understanding of how well a guarantee protects their precious propulsion before it’s too late.

Surprisingly, there are boaters out there who spend considerable amounts of money on a brand new vessel without even reading the terms of the warranty or researching the brand. Although manufacturers across the industry advertise their warranties proudly, prospective buyers need to dig deeper to find the true meaning of a limited warranty before they sign on the dotted line.

Additionally, it’s wise for buyers to research a company’s history and look at their Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) scores. Every year NMMA’s CSI program recognizes boat and engine manufacturers that pursue continuous improvement to better serve the customer. Is your boat builder on this list? What is their reputation?