I just talked to the new company that bough c-dory a few weeks ago and I was told that they are not honoring the five year warranty on c-dory hulls. It seems Sea Sport boats out of Bellingham now owns c-dory. I think this should be a major concern for all c-dory owners and future owners. Any thoughts?????
c-dory warrenties worthless?
- Thread starter bcarli
- Start date
bcarli":26yrm8ia said:
Hello Bill & Chris Carli,
Lack or loss of manufacturer's warranty on boats, cars, trucks, & other big ticket items is a common occurrence in today's economic world.
My thoughts:
(1) Buy a quality product from the start. That way, when the company is sold or fails and your "warranty" is lost, you've not really lost anything in practical terms. In the case of C-Dory/s, hull failure is an extremely UNlikey occurrence. Recall that the engine, windlass, hydraulic steering, etc are all covered by their own warranties independent of C-Dory, Fluid Marine, Seasport, etc.
(2) If buying from a dealer today, add an aftermarket warranty to the sale. This type of contract basically takes the place of the manufacturer's warranty that Seasport no longer honors. There are currently many 'new' boats on dealer lots at fair prices to which a 'warranty' could be added at the time of purchase.
(3)Understand that even if you buy a product, not just a boat, the manufacturers warranty may disappear without warning. See (1) above. Personally, I'd rather have a quality product without a warranty rather than a...'lesser' quality product with a warranty.
Just my $0.02
/david
Not to divert the thread, but I notice the C-Dory Factory website of the defunct Fluid Marine is still up and running (link on our Homepage).
This is good, for promotional purposes, but my guess is that emails to them probably go unanswered, though the links to dealers probably still work, which is good, of course.
Is this because the contract to their server is still in effect, or what?
Is there anything we can or should do in regard to this?
What do the C-Dory dealers think, etc?
Joe. :teeth :thup
This is good, for promotional purposes, but my guess is that emails to them probably go unanswered, though the links to dealers probably still work, which is good, of course.
Is this because the contract to their server is still in effect, or what?
Is there anything we can or should do in regard to this?
What do the C-Dory dealers think, etc?
Joe. :teeth :thup
I certainly agree with David about buying a quality product. Unfortunately there is on company (except the dealer) to intervene on your behalf (ie installation issues) if a component fails.
Is there a good after market hull warantee? Most I have seen are for engines or mechanical drive train parts--and even they have some limitations.
Is there a good after market hull warantee? Most I have seen are for engines or mechanical drive train parts--and even they have some limitations.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Joe,
I'd seen the Fluid Marine site, but found that someone has changed information on the contact page to reflect SeaSport contacts. There are way too many reasons why the rest of the Web site doesn't reflect current ownership. From a technical perspective the updates are easy and fairly cheap, so I doubt it's that.
Some companies don't consider their Web presence to be that big a deal; they'll keep the showroom spotless but let the Web site be rough around the edges. In this day and age, a company's Web site says as much about them as the professionalism of the person who answers the phone and routes your call to the right person the first time.
Off the soapbox now.
Tom Herrick
I'd seen the Fluid Marine site, but found that someone has changed information on the contact page to reflect SeaSport contacts. There are way too many reasons why the rest of the Web site doesn't reflect current ownership. From a technical perspective the updates are easy and fairly cheap, so I doubt it's that.
Some companies don't consider their Web presence to be that big a deal; they'll keep the showroom spotless but let the Web site be rough around the edges. In this day and age, a company's Web site says as much about them as the professionalism of the person who answers the phone and routes your call to the right person the first time.
Off the soapbox now.
Tom Herrick
Tom-
Thanks for the reply!
I hadn't noticed the the dealers that one was routed to were the SeaSport ones.
I guess that means SeaSport is in charge now, but if so, why not change the manufacturer's name, address, etc.?
You're certainly right about the importance of keeping the website updated and fully functional to the reputation and functioning of the manufacturer.
Joe. :teeth :thup
Thanks for the reply!
I hadn't noticed the the dealers that one was routed to were the SeaSport ones.
I guess that means SeaSport is in charge now, but if so, why not change the manufacturer's name, address, etc.?You're certainly right about the importance of keeping the website updated and fully functional to the reputation and functioning of the manufacturer.
Joe. :teeth :thup
Have any of you seen much change in the price of boats from Fluid to SeaSport? How has it affected the 22 cruiser? As an aside to this, I recently spoke with dealer in Long Island, he said C Dory had stopped production of the 23 Venture due to the downturn. I found this curious, as I was speaking with a dealer in BC who was offering me a 23 Venture. Can anyone enlighten me on what is and isn't going on?
Pat Anderson
New member
Roger - straight from the horse's mouth (Jeff Lindhout) at the Bellingham gathering - they are NOT dropping any boats from the C-Dory lineup, which would include the Ventures. They may change that after they sort things out and see what dealers are ordering (my speculation, not what Jeff said). But for now, I am giving them the benefit of all the doubt in the world, after the nightmare of Tom Laytham and then the unfortunate turn of events that befell Fluid Marine...believe me, warranty issues and all, having the Lindhouts and Sea Sport building C-Dorys is good for us all, and I am once again proud to be a cheerleader!
Pat I agree 100%. My only point is that a 23 Venture that is on a lot right now was probably not made by SeaSport. While it's clear (for very good reason that was hashed to death in the earlier thread) that SeaSport couldn't warranty boats they didn't make, it wasn't clear to me if there might be some exception for boats that have not sold yet. Hence, my advice to check on the warranty situation for boats currently on a dealer's lot. If they were made by SeaSport, the situation is clear, SeaSport will warranty them. For other boats on dealer lots right now, I don't know the answer.
Westfield 11
New member
Pat Anderson":1e50gnxn said:
I have a question about this "nightmare" and "cheerleading". I am not a C-dory owner and if this is out of line please tell me as I assure you all that my feelings are not easily hurt.
Anyway, here goes: When this "nightmare" was occurring, why didn't anyone tell people? Was this many years ago and I missed it or was this recently and no one wanted to come out and say it? If that was the case did "support for the brand/boats" become a situation of speak no evil. And did this truly serve the community especially prospective buyers? If the manufacturer is so deficient that it is a "nightmare" isn't this the place to hear about it? If not here then where?
I know that I have read of individual owners having various issues, but I never read about systemic problems due to poor ownership. Nowhere did I read anything that clearly said that the current (at that time) owners were so deficient.
I guess that what I am asking is this: does a website such as this have an obligation or duty to the truth not matter that it offends the "powers that be". Or is it's role to be just an information site and unofficial booster of the product no matter what insiders may really feel or know?
The question was asked "Is there a good after market hull warranty?" The answer is apparently that there is some aftermarket warranty coverage available for purchase.
I would do some research on aftermarket warranty policies in general before I bought one. They often do not turn out to be the consumer's best friend.
And I guess I would want to know if the entity selling the warranty is more reliable and stable than the entity making or selling the hull. And if not, is it at least too big to fail so that next time there's a bail out . . .
I would do some research on aftermarket warranty policies in general before I bought one. They often do not turn out to be the consumer's best friend.
And I guess I would want to know if the entity selling the warranty is more reliable and stable than the entity making or selling the hull. And if not, is it at least too big to fail so that next time there's a bail out . . .
I think that if there were any big warranty issues out there, that this thread would have some real basis.
Without any issues though it becomes conjecture. Something for us to ponder and think out loud about. Many of us (my bride and I included) may just have to hope that no problems arise with our boats. I expect none with Osprey.
Considering the times and the boat business climate I think we should rejoyce in the fact that SS has decided to continue to build these great boats. Lets give em a chance to be successful without them worrying and trying to budget for the unforseen.
I'll bet that they are smart enough to know that while they technically only bought assets, They also bought into a name with a rich tradition, AND this cult of crazy zealots that have created and continue to sustain the mystique.
Sure hope they can get back their N.W. Outlet dealership in Superior WI, though.
It'll be time to give this subject a rest when the last brat pipes up.
Dan
Without any issues though it becomes conjecture. Something for us to ponder and think out loud about. Many of us (my bride and I included) may just have to hope that no problems arise with our boats. I expect none with Osprey.
Considering the times and the boat business climate I think we should rejoyce in the fact that SS has decided to continue to build these great boats. Lets give em a chance to be successful without them worrying and trying to budget for the unforseen.
I'll bet that they are smart enough to know that while they technically only bought assets, They also bought into a name with a rich tradition, AND this cult of crazy zealots that have created and continue to sustain the mystique.
Sure hope they can get back their N.W. Outlet dealership in Superior WI, though.
It'll be time to give this subject a rest when the last brat pipes up.
Dan
The change in ownership that was the "nightmare" to which Pat is referring is two owners ago and you can bet that there was a lot of chatter on the site about disappointment in the direction the company was taking.Westfield 11":1xsaen5r said:
That's because this was before your time here.Westfield 11":1xsaen5r said:
There are no "powers that be" and take my word for it, many of us have no problem offending people or the factory. Some of us (like me) seem to do it without even trying :lol:Westfield 11":1xsaen5r said:
That said, we all still love our boats and we all still have MANY reasons for recommending them over other brands. Since I know the SeaSport brand well, I'm confident that things will only get better in the coming years (as long as SeaSport remains financially viable and I have no reason to believe they won't).
Pat Anderson
New member
This website has no duty to anybody for anything! Anybody can say whatever they want to as long as they follow the single rule "Just be nice." As noted, there are no "powers that be" (well, Tyboo and Da Nag do have some powers but they exercise them judiciously). As to the "rest of the story" on Latham and the old C-Dory, here you go.
:noteWestfield 11":1ia7x57b said:
Captains Cat
New member
Paddy, click on the link in the second post on the first page of this thread and you can read the whole history!
Charlie
Charlie
Levitation
New member
Well, let's see: Hull Warranty?
OK, all you C-Dory owners who have had a hull failure, such as delamination, severe blistering, the hull splitting in two, the cabin blowing off, the windows exploding, etc. hold up your hands and let me count...
Hmmm, yup about what I expected...
Now if you are talking about the chartplotter going black, or the radar not radiating, or the sounder not sounding, all those issue would go back to the equipment maker anyway, so you do have whatever warranty Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, etc. offer...
IF it is an engine problem, ditto...
If it is a wiring or plumbing problem, you are mostly on your own - though if it is less than 5 years old the selling dealer is likely to give you a break on repairs - or maybe not, it is not a perfect world...
As far as leaks or gel coat cracks, you will have to solve those on your own... Not exactly a life changing event...
I have noted that the majority of owners on this forum are a capable bunch who don't hyperventilate if they have to change out a fitting or clean some electrical connections... Those who are not, will likely become so, simply through necessity...
And lastly, though the new factory may not warranty an old hull, they are likely to give advice and moral support, which is far better than the HUNDREDS of boat builders who have just shut their doors in the past 3 years and walked away, never to be heard from again... It was on The Hull Truth (I think) that there is a listing of the known boat builders that have gone dark... It is a breath taking list...
OK, all you C-Dory owners who have had a hull failure, such as delamination, severe blistering, the hull splitting in two, the cabin blowing off, the windows exploding, etc. hold up your hands and let me count...
Hmmm, yup about what I expected...
Now if you are talking about the chartplotter going black, or the radar not radiating, or the sounder not sounding, all those issue would go back to the equipment maker anyway, so you do have whatever warranty Garmin, Lowrance, Raymarine, etc. offer...
IF it is an engine problem, ditto...
If it is a wiring or plumbing problem, you are mostly on your own - though if it is less than 5 years old the selling dealer is likely to give you a break on repairs - or maybe not, it is not a perfect world...
As far as leaks or gel coat cracks, you will have to solve those on your own... Not exactly a life changing event...
I have noted that the majority of owners on this forum are a capable bunch who don't hyperventilate if they have to change out a fitting or clean some electrical connections... Those who are not, will likely become so, simply through necessity...
And lastly, though the new factory may not warranty an old hull, they are likely to give advice and moral support, which is far better than the HUNDREDS of boat builders who have just shut their doors in the past 3 years and walked away, never to be heard from again... It was on The Hull Truth (I think) that there is a listing of the known boat builders that have gone dark... It is a breath taking list...