Outboard Motor Warrantys For 2014

[Bill Babler]

From what I am hearing the big 3, which is really the big two Yamaha and Mercury are doing away with the 5 yr. warranty. It is out there, but only at the discresion of the dealership. This being said, and I know this is the way Mercury is doing it the dealer is awarded warranty points by the number of engines they sell. The more engines the more warranty points they are awarded.

After they accumulate X number of points, they are able to buy extended 2 yr. warranties to sell. You read that right, they must themselves buy and then resell the warranties.

These will be offered most often to frequent boat buyers and persons that do business on a regular basis with the dealership. The 3 yr. warranty will be in effect and that is really a great warranty. The 5 was insane and still is, but it is going to be almost impossible to get and If it is offered, it will be for the most part by a dealer that will sell it for a profit. Why not?

What I am hearing is the 3+2 extended will be offered for $1,200.00 minimum. or 2 years extended at $600.00 per year. If it is available. Again it is all on the dealer. He or She must sell units to be able to have a chance to obtain point in order to be able to purchase these 2 yr. extended warranty to sell to their new boat buying clients.

Interesting

[gitnby]

Sounds like Obamacare for outboards?

[Quillback]

Could make it tougher for the smaller dealers, I don't like that new policy, I guess it will be buyer beware, if you want the 5 year you'll have to ask your dealer if they can offer it, if not you may have to go to another dealer if I understand this correctly.

I got a 5 year from Merc when I bought my boat, they had a deal where if you bought your boat in the 1st quarter you got the extra 2 years at a reduced price (I forget what it was, but it was a no-brainer).

[fishinwrench]

What motor are you running now, Bill?

[Bill Babler]

Quill when you bought your boat it was a different deal. You probably paid $300.00 for the extra 2 yrs. Yes to some it was a no-brainer. To others, and I mean more did not than did purchase it. I know several guides that did not spend the extra 3 hundred at the time and are now going to be really sorry. They just assumed they or to whom ever they sold their boats could buy the extended warranty.

I was also fortunate on my 2012 and purchased the extra 2 yrs. for the $300.00 figure. I believe they either called it 5 and drive or 3+2.

Fish, of course I drive a Mercury. I don't know how they are really able to extend those out to the 5 yrs. Man that is a long time, but they must have uber confidence in their products not having problems for that period.

You can also tell when the economy starts to improve by the boating industry. When they start to sell boats and motors things start to change. When you can finance boats for 2.25 percent either new or pre-owned it keeps them moving out of the stores.

[Champ188]

Glad we bought our new one in December. We were actually able to extend our Mercury coverage out to 7 years. Since we tend to hang onto a boat for a good while, it was the way to go for us.

[Quillback]

Bill, you're right it was $300 for the additional 2 years.

[fishinwrench]

I would expect "guilty conscious" moreso than "tremendous confidence". If you bought new and they had to replace your complete motor twice.....they'd still make money.

[denjac]

Since boat dealers don't dicker much on price warranty might be a bargaining tool for the buyer. Give me the 3 or 5 year warranty or I walk.

[huntest]

Fishinwrench you made a very good point about the price of outboards. When you stop to think that a new 250 hp outboard carries basically the same price tag as a compact car it is a bit of head scratcher.....not an apples to apples comparison but the car has A/C, radio, heater, 4 tires and wheels, brakes, interior, etc etc etc.

outboards are more than "pricey"