New buyer

[carn]

Hi All
Hope you can help, New member so be gentle just bought a second hand Four Winns RX 180 and waiting for delivery. stunning looking boat, I bought it from a boat yard/dealer so paid a little more than I should but thought it was worth it for the "comfort factor" of buying from a dealer. saw the boat running etc and was very impressed with the condition, they guaranteed me that the engine was fully services etc and the trailer had been fully checked over and was in roadworthy condition (it had just done 300 miles to get to them) it was due to be delivered today but the delivery driver has just rang to say he got 2 miles down the road and one of the brakes seized and he had to bring it back. OK this might have just been one of those things (or should it have been picked up by them?) but it's got me thinking, what exactly are my rights when buying from a dealer? is it like a car where it has to be fit for purpose and I think you have a 3 month warranty period?
Apologies if this is in the wrong section......

 

[Momac]

You don't get a warranty unless you discussed and agreed that as part of the deal when you bought the boat.
In the same way if you buy a used car from a dealer you don't automatically get a warranty.

 

[longjohnsilver]

You don't get a warranty unless you discussed and agreed that as part of the deal when you bought the boat.
In the same way if you buy a used car from a dealer you don't automatically get a warranty.

Agreed about there being no boat warranty. I could be wrong, but I thought that cars bought from a trader did now have to have some sort of warranty?

Back to the OPs question, trailers are notoriously unreliable and it may be that you were jut unlucky. Presumably the dealer is putting it right for you?
Hope you enjoy your new boat.

 

[GrahamHR]

I had Four Winns boats ( a Sundowner 225 and a 245) on trailers for around 13 years; never any brake problems. The trailers were never immersed in water though. Budget based on new brakes; with a 180 it more than likely had been launched using the trailer (probably a 2 wheel one, cost not expensive if it's a UK trailer : Four Winns n the UK usually seem to have SBS trailers.)

 

[Tranona]

If the boat was indeed owned by the dealer and he was selling it by way of trade then the purchase is covered by consumer law in just the same way as any other purchase. This is different from a purchase from a private owner, even if it is through a broker where you will not be covered. So check who your contract was with.

 

[Greg2]

Yep, if bought from a dealer as a stock boat then consumer law applies and in effect there is a six month 'warranty'. Many will say they are 'giving' you a three month warranty but be aware that the obligation is for six months.

 

[Spi D]

If the boat was indeed owned by the dealer and he was selling it by way of trade then the purchase is covered by consumer law in just the same way as any other purchase. This is different from a purchase from a private owner, even if it is through a broker where you will not be covered. So check who your contract was with.

And the key is that a dealer is the selling party. If selling as a broker the actual seller normally is a private person, hence no protection by consumer law.
Remember: "..guaranteed me that the engine was fully services etc and the trailer had been fully checked.." really should be put in writing on the papers. Dealers' memory seem to be quite short and selective if not.

 

[BruceK]

Quite aside to what your warranty rights are you may take some comfort from knowing boat trailer's and brakes are the bane of every trailored boat owner. If I can add anything here it would be get the flushable hubs and then after every salt water dip rince the hubs and brakes off, and never park up and store the trailer with the brakes on. Chock the wheels up instead. Even then, expect annual maintenance.

example
https://www.tamartrailercentre.co.uk/graphics/cms/Al-Ko Flushing Kit.pdf

 

[henryf]

You don't automatically get a "warranty" when buying from a dealer - and yes, your purchase will be covered by the law because the boat was a stock boat, owned by the dealer. A very significant difference from when buying through a broker who offers no peace of mind or protection at all.

If something goes wrong soon after purchase the onus is on the dealer to prove the fault wasn't there at time of purchase. For something like corroded trailer parts they haven't suddenly rusted over night so it's fair to assume any repair is down to the dealer. As time passes the onus is on to the buyer to prove the fault was there. If you've had the boat a year and something fails it's almost certain the problem wasn't there at time of purchase otherwise how could it have worked properly in all the time you've owned the boat.

There are of course grey areas and any dealer worth their salt will err on the side of the customer to ensure a good reputation.

Something we see a lot in the motor trade is dealers putting a 3rd party warranty on their cars then assuming they are off the hook. If the warranty company won't pay out it isn't their problem. Of course it is still their problem. They still have to honour their responsibilities, they just tried to lay off the bet with the warranty company who actually aren't liable if the fault was present at time of sale (when the warranty was put on).

Our first boat was a Four Winns 195 Sundowner and we had great fun in it. I also lost a wheel reversing into a lake once which we never did find !

The one problem you will face buying the boat now is that it could be some time before you use it in anger. 6 or 7 months down the line the dealer might argue too much time has passed for them to be liable even though you haven't used the boat much if at all.

Is it worth paying for the boat but leaving it with the dealer until next season. Alternatively get something in writing along the lines that they are happy your "warranty" period starts from when you use the boat next year.

Just to add I'm a little concerned that the brakes failed 2 miles into a journey after supposedly being serviced.

Henry

 

[carn]

Ok, had a call yesterday off the dealer, he has replaced the 4 bearings (twin axle) new brake cables and fitted a new ball mount, he has also paid for the delivery driver to come back the next day to collect, and offered me a full refund if I wanted it (I didn't) the boat turned up this morning and it seems it was a brokerage deal going by the receipt ( I didn't know that as it wasn't mentioned) but it seems the engine has had a full service (receipts to prove) connected it to the tap, jumped in and it started on the first turn of the key, so quite happy just need to get it wet now....

 

[henryf]

Ok, had a call yesterday off the dealer, he has replaced the 4 bearings (twin axle) new brake cables and fitted a new ball mount, he has also paid for the delivery driver to come back the next day to collect, and offered me a full refund if I wanted it (I didn't) the boat turned up this morning and it seems it was a brokerage deal going by the receipt ( I didn't know that as it wasn't mentioned) but it seems the engine has had a full service (receipts to prove) connected it to the tap, jumped in and it started on the first turn of the key, so quite happy just need to get it wet now....

I little bit naughty springing the brokerage bit on you at the last minute. On the few occasions we sell cars on Sale or Return we don't differentiate in terms of how we look after the customer and support the car afterwards. Maybe they will be the same.

Anyway, I bet you can't wait to get the old girl in the water!

How exciting.

Henry

 

[BruceK]

:encouragement: May you have many hours of fun on her

 

[Seastoke]

still time her in the water and enjoy for a while