What would you do?

[dhightower3]

So I took my boat in to my Tige dealership on December 15th to be winterized. After a month or so of not hearing anything I called and was told the boat was drained but they hadn’t finished because they were so backed up. I was told it would be another month due to the boat shows. At that point it had already started warming back up so I told them to disregard the winterization and prep it for the summer. So 3 months and a handful of days later I got my boat back... and this is what I uncover to find (keep in mind my boat was SPOTLESS when it was taken in). It’s blatantly obvious that the boat was kept outside the entire 3 months and was never uncovered and allowed to dry after the countless storms that came through. I would expect a dealership to understand the value of these boats and take better care of them while they’re in their possession. I’m so pissed that I can’t even think straight and don’t know what route to go with this. Anyone else ever experience anything like this? 741B2592-C6A0-471C-A846-67EB7F9C9A61.jpgFD379DBE-9E92-460B-9972-EE203DA9F951.jpg1D370CCF-F2A3-471B-992E-65A32932B13D.jpg

[Bakes5]

Totally sucks. I would bring it back, talk with the owner and ask them what they are going to do to make things right. If not satisfied, report them to Tige and move on.

This is why it’s so hard to leave a boat anywhere to get “fixed” and why I do all my own winterization, oil change, impeller, fluids, etc. The reality is that unless you have a boat valet to drive your boat back and forth to the dealer, it’s still faster to do this stuff yourself.

[JTs-rz2]

Speak with the owner and provide all communication with the dealership. See what they do.

Make it clear you will leave detailed review on every online outlet possible.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

[UNSTUCK]

More importantly, it they didn’t finish the winterization, is your engine ok?

[boardman74]

Those are all good thoughts, but honestly you will likely get no where and just get your blood pressure up. What is it that you are wanting them to do? Clean your boat? Dealerships store boats outside. Go read the stories on some of the other forums about boats getting damaged or broken into while at the dealer. Then being told to look at the "we are not responsible for your boat while its in our care" sign. I'm not saying it doesn't suck and that you weren't done a disservice, just that in the grand scheme a dirty boat is pretty minor.

Here is what I would do. Wash your boat and get it back to how you want it. Next...FIND A NEW DEALER!! You're out of the warranty period and clearly this dealer is so backed up that they are of little use. Pretty clear they don't need or want your business.

[LTWellman]

I agree with Boardman, clean it up and move on. Leave online reviews for the dealership and find yourself a new place to get repairs, it's not worth your energy and negitive vibes.

[dhightower3]

You're out of the warranty period and clearly this dealer is so backed up that they are of little use. Pretty clear they don't need or want your business.

I kinda viewed it as I wouldn’t get anywhere also. Thing is I purchased an extended warranty so I still have 2 years and some change left on it. That’s another thing. They’ve had it for 3 months and didn’t even finish everything. I have to go back to have a new pad put on my swim platform. You’re telling me 3 month ago you couldn’t have ordered that and had it put on before it was “done.”

[chpthril]

Is the dealer aware of the condition of the boat? Have you spoke with them and they have blown you off? Its not directly the dealer's fault the boat is wet inside, unless they took the cover off and left it off. Its just the down side of the time the boat spent on the their lot. Unless this is another instance in a long line of bad deals, id give them an opportunity to make it right. The management deserves the chance to know. This could be a simple personnel or procedural change to correct. if they never know, they cant fix and be a better dealer.

Next season, make your winter time appointment in maybe august. Tell them that you expect the boat back in a week or two. Discuss the expectations of both parties.

[dhightower3]

I haven’t been able to inform the he dealer yet because I picked the boat up 10 mins before they closed yesterday. I intend on calling them on Tuesday when they open.

[dhightower3]

In all reality I probably would have done the winterizing on my own but I needed warranty stuff done so I took it in. Terrible decision.

[boardman74]

Who is the aftermarket extended warranty thru? Likely other dealers in the area offer the same extended warranty. There are not many companies that offer extended marine warranty. So likely someone else in the area can honor your extended warranty.

[Jetdriver]

I agree that it sucks but you’ve got to be aware of how dealers store your boat. They typically aren’t out there making sure water or snow doesn’t pool on your cover, etc... throw some humidity into the mix and you’ve got the perfect recipe for mold to start. I cringe when I go to my local dealer and see all the sweet boats sitting there with giant pools of water on the covers.
I agree with Bakes regarding the servicing but if you were getting warranty stuff done at the same time then I get it.
Mine sleeps in my garage dry and safe and although it takes a ton of space the piece of mind is worth it to me. I pull all my ballast bags, vacuum out the bilge, and open all the compartments for a couple weeks. If I was to leave it on a dealers lot it’d be dry before I brought it up and I’d have it wrapped. Even the best covers will let some water in after a big storm. Obviously if they’re supposed to be in and out of your boat to do work on it that makes it so wrapping it isn’t an option. Next year try to get all that stuff done before it’s to be stored so it can be correctly taken care of. Good luck with your dealer.

[dhightower3]

I mean I get the fact that it was stored outside but the least they could do is clean it up before they send it out.

[freeheel4life]

Im with chpthrll on this one. I would contact whoever is running their service dept and politely let him know about the mold situation. If they offer on site details I would request a detail to be done AFTER your other warranty work is complete. Only thing is, the fuzzy mold is pervasive and if not dealt with correctly it will just keep coming back when boat gets wet and starts to dry.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/ZEP-1-Ga...W128/100011298
If you are like Bakes and are totally soured by your dealer then you will have to do yourself. The method we use is a bit counterintuitive but it seems to work.
We remove amps and bags and mix up a bucket of mold and mildew. Jack up bow and pull the bilge plug. Scrub ALL seat backs and ALL carpets. Then lightly pressure wash it all from front to back. Then use as many fans as you can get your hands on to rapidly dry it. Also remove all gear and give it the same treatment.
Unfortunately most factory covers lose their ability to repel water after a couple years, especially if not treated with Nikwax or other DWR tyoe product. Even the best tenting of your cover will usully end up with some water pooling. We made a hand truck with a 12v, a refurbished reversible, switch, and hose with a handle. After storms it goes around the lot and sucks out the pools of water off of covers. May be an idea to pass along if this is a problem for boat on your dealers lot.
Good luck!! Would love to hear how it ends up.

[Bakes5]

I'm not soured with my current dealer (WWS Tige...they are AWESOME). I'm just soured on dealers in general as they never take care of it like you would and take a long time. Even the best dealer is going to leave it out though. Your dealer on the other hand sounds sucky keeping it that long and not doing their job. It's super easy to summerize if you never winterized. Out of curiosity, are they a dedicated boat dealer with a good pro shop or are they one of those "motor sports" places that have motor cycles, snowmobiles and like 1-2 generic boats.

Good dealer like WWS Tige and ROMOBOCO suffer from the actions of the crappy ones.