Outboard Guarantee

[Jim@sea]

A friend was about to buy a new small outboard from a dealer 300 miles away, he asked about the warranty and they said that the engine would have to be returned to them.
But there is a dealer in these outboards 20 miles away (who has not got one)
Surely though if you buy a new outboard you should be able to go to any dealer who stocks that particular range of engines.

 

[TernVI]

Is the warranty with the retailer or the importer?
Are we talking about returning it under warranty, or for regular servicing?

 

[Graham376]

Most outboard guarantees don't tie the purchaser to a particular dealer. Is it one of the cheap Chinese imports?

 

[Jim@sea]

Most outboard guarantees don't tie the purchaser to a particular dealer. Is it one of the cheap Chinese imports?

No its a well known make from Japan. They charge £37.50 for postage (even if you buy new) so if you have to send it back for a service, paying carriage going down, plus the service charge, plus postage back. its a dear do.
Although there is a range of Chinese outboards coming in called Vector which gives a 5 year guarantee and aparrently is a copy of a Yamaha Outboard.
This is the sort of Outboard which PBO should test.

 

[Caraway]

What make outboard is it? Different conditions may apply amongst different manufacturers. The selling dealer makes his profit. Warranty work may eat into that. Some manufacturers only pay for actual repairs, not investigative work. Why would a dealer who made no profit on the sale entertain a warranty repair that may cost him?

 

[Graham376]

I think they're taking the p*ss. Have a look at the importer/distributor's web site for guarantee terms or, phone them to ask the question. Here's what Yamaha say -

• Subject to complying with the recommended service schedule
• Servicing must be carried out by an authorised Yamaha outboard dealer during Year 4 & 5

Outboard Five Year Warranty (yamaha-motor.eu)

 

[C08]

I think scheduled servicing and warranty work implications are often not appreciated by buyers of new outboards at the upper end of the "portable" range. Self servicing is not accepted by some of the major brands even with photos and parts receipts. Also buying an outboard new and then not presenting it for the 3months/20 hours service on time, perhaps not even having installed it yet can be problematic.
A modern 25hp engine weighing 200Lb + is not exactly portable to put into a car boot to take to service and if bolted to a transom, outboard agents require the boat lifted to do a service so an already substantial cost for the parts and service becomes compounded with travel and lift out costs.
I was warned by the dealer I bought a Yamaha from (after I had bought the engine) that Yamaha would not entertain any work under warranty if the maintenance schedule was not done by the book and perfectly recorded regarding dates, hours running etc.

 

[ashtead]

Who might service a Yam on south coast and how much should I pay? 20hour service -had thought of Trafalgar at Fareham but thoughts on others?

 

[C08]

Who might service a Yam on south coast and how much should I pay? 20hour service -had thought of Trafalgar at Fareham but thoughts on others?

Fairweather Marine at Fareham have a good rep and I have had good dealings with them. I think now Trafalgar Marine is the Chandlery side of Fairweather.

 

[ashtead]

Thank you C08 -they seemed convenient so will probably be my choice provided they can do the work in a reasonable timescale which is always my concern with marine suppliers.