Used Boat service records?? Am I wrong?

[HavasuHog32]

I am looking at purchasing a used boat from a reputable performance boat manufacturer. The used boat was custom made by this manufacturer.

I am told it is a 1 owner boat and they sold back to the factory because they are no longer using it. The boat itself is very clean and appears well maintained. I don't want to name the boat manufacturer because I am not sure I how other feel about this.

The manufacture will not provide ANY service records from the previous owner. There reasoning is they do not want to expose the previous owners information. I totally understand that logic. However, I asked them to black out or cover the info so for my peace of mind I know the boat was well maintained. The refused to show me anything but assured the boat was well maintained and I needed to trust them.

Curious how other feel about this

 

[RiverDave]

I’d get an inspection and if it’s good I’d buy it..

That said I have never kept the service records of any boat I have ever owned.. I could call the shops and get them but I never kept them.

 

[C-Ya]

I am looking at purchasing a used boat from a reputable performance boat manufacturer. The used boat was custom made by this manufacturer.

I am told it is a 1 owner boat and they sold back to the factory because they are no longer using it. The boat itself is very clean and appears well maintained. I don't want to name the boat manufacturer because I am not sure I how other feel about this.

The manufacture will not provide ANY service records from the previous owner. There reasoning is they do not want to expose the previous owners information. I totally understand that logic. However, I asked them to black out or cover the info so for my peace of mind I know the boat was well maintained. The refused to show me anything but assured the boat was well maintained and I needed to trust them.

Curious how other feel about this

Hire a surveyor.

Having the boat professionally surveyed is going to tell you more about the boat than the service records will. It’s the prudent thing to do.

 

[DWC]

Kinda weird, you’d think there wouldn’t be harm in releasing service records unless…. They’re bad.
Post a picture asking if anyone knows the boat
Take it to a good shop and have them go through it.

 

[Thunderhead1]

What motor or Motors are you talking about on this mystery boat.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

So they are scared of you contacting the owner and cutting them out of a commission?

Simply ask them to ask the owner to allow them to release the records, redacted or otherwise.

 

[Cole Trickle]

I would want to see records if we are talking a pricey boat.

They should have zero issue releasing records especially if the name is blacked out

 

[Thunderhead1]

I am looking at purchasing a used boat from a reputable performance boat manufacturer. The used boat was custom made by this manufacturer.

I am told it is a 1 owner boat and they sold back to the factory because they are no longer using it. The boat itself is very clean and appears well maintained. I don't want to name the boat manufacturer because I am not sure I how other feel about this.

The manufacture will not provide ANY service records from the previous owner. There reasoning is they do not want to expose the previous owners information. I totally understand that logic. However, I asked them to black out or cover the info so for my peace of mind I know the boat was well maintained. The refused to show me anything but assured the boat was well maintained and I needed to trust them.

Curious how other feel about this

Why protect the boat company .... they obviously don't have your best interests in mind... Protect yourself. your the only one that will.

 

[RiverDave]

So they are scared of you contacting the owner and cutting them out of a commission?

Simply ask them to ask the owner to allow them to release the records, redacted or otherwise.

I think they probably just don’t have or want to show the service records on the boat..

It might show a five year gap where it wasn’t being used and they don’t want to explain it.. that’s why I’d do an engine inspection and a survey

 

[RiverDave]

Why protect the boat company .... they obviously don't have your best interests in mind... Protect yourself. your the only one that will.

Why bash a boat company for something they might not even have?

 

[HavasuHog32]

What motor or Motors are you talking about on this mystery boat.

What motor or Motors are you talking about on this mystery boat.

496HO

 

[n2otoofast4u]

496HO

Have motor and drive inspection done by someone qualified.

 

[HavasuHog32]

I agree I do not see an issue with showing me the service invoices with the customer info redacted. Supposedly serviced its entire life at Teague Marine however they can't look up anything without the customer name.

This is a small community I am not trying to bash the company because I have never purchased a boat from a dealer so I wasn't sure if I am right or wrong on this.

 

[traquer]

Maybe not serviced by the dealer? Especially if it's a socal builder and boat was used and maintained at the river?

I always kept every single record for my last boat, and added to what the previous owner sent me.

Just get a good inspection, or better yet, drive the boat! If the dealer won't let you, then that's fine if they will honor a return if something is seriously wrong. I've only ever bought private party, and never without a test drive. Have no clue how dealer boats work.

 

[pixrthis]

If it bothers you don’t buy it, I’d probably not waste my time gathering records to sell something. I’d expect the buyer to do a leak down and send the oil out for analysis if they chose to do so. A sea trial and looking at the condition of the boat should tell you 90% of what you need to know.

 

[Smitty7]

Bullshit. If the dealer is the one who serviced the boat they would have no problem showing maintenance records if they had them. Somethings up.

 

[Outdrive1]

This scenario doesn’t make sense, if there are any records why not release them redacted? Obviously it would help with the sale, isn’t that the objective? I would guess the owner would want the dealer to do whatever possible to sell the boat.

 

[t&y]

If they do not agree to a independent survey of the boat then run away as fast as you can. I can see both sides as to why they don't just want to hand over service records. But if you are talking about a stock 496, this really shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

[CoolCruzin]

I do 50 % of my maintenance.
And the shop do the other.
And I know it’s done right when I do it .
I don’t keep records well.
No need for records
But dose it run excellent is the better thought of question to have .

 

[CoolCruzin]

How old is the boat ? And hours ?

 

[707dog]

496HO

have that cool fuel system looked at too, a lot of years known for the powder coating coming apart inside the fuel pump housing and sending through the system. just did mine(05 496) beginning of the year not a cheap fix to get it right.

 

[Shlbyntro]

Sounds fishy to me. Assume no maintenance whatsoever unless they show proof of otherwise and factor it into the deal.

Surveys will tell you basic condition of the boat and systems. but if you want to know anything about the mechanical like the engine or the drive, you will have to pay for a separate "mechanics inspection"

depending on the price of the boat, you should absolutely have an in depth mechanics inspection and have it done by somebody reputable that is not the selling dealer followed by a successful sea trial, I place more weight on this than I do a survey in anything that doesn't normally live in the water as you can flip the switches yourself on the other stuff. Surveys absolutely have a place though. My 2 cents

Fwiw, no place I have ever worked for has ever refused to provide service docs on something they're selling if they had them. My opinion is they either don't have them/there isn't any, or there is something damning in them that would hurt a sale/perceived value.

 

[Thunderhead1]

Why bash a boat company for something they might not even have?

The Op indicated they did and didn't want to share.

Why bash a boat company for something they might not even have?

 

[Fun Times]

While it’s going to be a bit doubtful the following website will be of any true help in this case as most Mercruiser dealers don’t bother filling in the updated information after working on a Mercruiser engine but it could help with the curing of some curiosity of what a buyer might be able to check out on their own when it comes to buying a Merc product as far as past service history done.

If you could obtain the engine serial number, you could input it in the following link and see if any service history shows up.

https://merclink.mercurymarine.com.au/ep_merclink_pd_easycommerce/servicehistoryinquiry.aspx

Also using the serial number then at the very least you could try sending Merc customer service an email within their website asking for general past warranty service history and see how they’d respond to the request.

Mercury Marine - A Worldwide Leader in Marine Propulsion | Mercury Marine

Manufacturers of outboard motors and MerCruiser inboard engines, with over 4000 dealers in the United States.

www.mercurymarine.com

 

[lbhsbz]

If they’re so confident, tell them to give you a 2 year warranty.

I’d walk. Lotsa boats out there and no time for shenanigans.

 

[gqchris]

Im the idiot that always saves every receipt and records and keep it in a folder all nicely laid out and labeled for the next owner.

When I buy a boat, there are usually NO records and if they are, its something written on a napkin or its like pulling teeth to get them. Lol

 

[McKay]

Seams very strange. I’d walk.

 

[Ace in the Hole]

Im the idiot that always saves every receipt and records and keep it in a folder all nicely laid out and labeled for the next owner.

When I buy a boat, there are usually NO records and if they are, its something written on a napkin or its like pulling teeth to get them. Lol

Boat, car, truck, snowmobiles, utility trailers etc all have folders with every record down to a light bulb from the parts store… I hand that to my buyer.

My mom is/was a meticulous record keeper so it’s engrained into me…

If refused to be given there’s enough on the market find another deal

 

[mjc]

I do 50 % of my maintenance.
And the shop do the other.
And I know it’s done right when I do it .
I don’t keep records well.
No need for records
But dose it run excellent is the better thought of question to have .

I do all my maintenance, I don't trust anybody else. My first boat I did pay someone to do part of the work and had to redo to much to ever trust anybody after that.

 

[Cole Trickle]

This scenario doesn’t make sense, if there are any records why not release them redacted? Obviously it would help with the sale, isn’t that the objective? I would guess the owner would want the dealer to do whatever possible to sell the boat.

I would feel much better about long term maintenance records vs a one time marine survey.

 

[rivermobster]

I’d get an inspection and if it’s good I’d buy it..

That said I have never kept the service records of any boat I have ever owned.. I could call the shops and get them but I never kept them.

I think they probably just don’t have or want to show the service records on the boat..

It might show a five year gap where it wasn’t being used and they don’t want to explain it.. that’s why I’d do an engine inspection and a survey

 

[Bajastu]

When I own a boat I keep all records, even when I perform the maintenance. I’m always happy to give them to the person buying it. I think it helps sell the boat. I even provide oil samples.

I just bought a 2009 Nordic. It came with all of the service records. Even thought it only has 145 hours, it still showed routine and annual maintenance. It was almost like buying a boat from myself.

But the Schiada I bought in January had no records, questionable service, and maintenance. I should have walked away after seeing it. The motor was toast and now I’m stuck with a motor rebuild. It had major fuel delusion with enough glitter in the oil to make a kindergarten class craft day.

 

[Desert Whaler]

Never ceases to amaze me the diff. nature of boats vs cars. You can buy an old beater Toyota w/ 200+K miles on it, put a tank of gas in it , check the oil, (or not), & go on a road trip w/ zero worries.
Then on the flip side, … buy the cleanest used boat known to man & have it be nothing but a complete nightmare of constant headaches.

Every used boat I / We have ever bought, we go in with the mindset of , “This motor may last 5-minutes, or 5-years” …. Sorta trick myself into low expectations, then hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

 

[HBCraig]

I am looking at purchasing a used boat from a reputable performance boat manufacturer. The used boat was custom made by this manufacturer.

I am told it is a 1 owner boat and they sold back to the factory because they are no longer using it. The boat itself is very clean and appears well maintained. I don't want to name the boat manufacturer because I am not sure I how other feel about this.

The manufacture will not provide ANY service records from the previous owner. There reasoning is they do not want to expose the previous owners information. I totally understand that logic. However, I asked them to black out or cover the info so for my peace of mind I know the boat was well maintained. The refused to show me anything but assured the boat was well maintained and I needed to trust them.

Curious how other feel about this

I don't keep my records. Mine is a 2004. It was serviced by Stoker annually for the first 10 years then Pfaff for the remainder. Had the keel re- gelled but OC repair. If the next owner wants to hit them up feel free. I'm not lying.

 

[gqchris]

Never ceases to amaze me the diff. nature of boats vs cars. You can buy an old beater Toyota w/ 200+K miles on it, put a tank of gas in it , check the oil, (or not), & go on a road trip w/ zero worries.
Then on the flip side, … buy the cleanest used boat known to man & have it be nothing but a complete nightmare of constant headaches.

Every used boat I / We have ever bought, we go in with the mindset of , “This motor may last 5-minutes, or 5-years” …. Sorta trick myself into low expectations, then hopefully be pleasantly surprised.

I think alot of it has to do with most of us on here are passionate boaters and love the hobby and our floats.

The other 90% of boat owners could care less and iust consider it a boat and dont wrench or coddle them. Put em away wet, and follow the deferred maintenance program!

 

[Bajastu]

Plus boats all run at 100% load. Cars cruise and coast.

 

[boatnam2]

One thing for sure, if it was serviced at TCM there is records of it, everything i have ever done there comes up when i give them my last name, i doubt i would get that info if i gave them what boat looked like.

 

[RIVERBORN]

Just call Teague, or if you’re close bye, go in and ask about this questionable boat.They are pretty good about remembering boats and people.

 

[dribble]

My service records are in a log book. Nobody has done maintenance or repairs but me. I have no receipts. I don’t know who this builder is but if the boat is clean and solid I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

[CoolCruzin]

My service records are in a log book. Nobody has done maintenance or repairs but me. I have no receipts. I don’t know who this builder is but if the boat is clean and solid I wouldn’t worry about it.

Yep if the boat overall conditions are good motor likely to be serviced.
Pay for a engine test

A beater boat walk away

 

[steamin rice]

I'm the original owner of my boat, and have most (if not all) of my service records available to show what has been done for maintenance and repairs since new. I don't really plan to sell unless someone really wants my boat, but if/when I sell I'd be happy to provide the records and encourage any potential buyers to call the service shops who have worked on my boat.

If I was buying a boat and the shop who worked on it wouldn't provide a reference on the boat, I would want to understand why.

 

[f12517]

I am looking at purchasing a used boat from a reputable performance boat manufacturer. The used boat was custom made by this manufacturer.

I am told it is a 1 owner boat and they sold back to the factory because they are no longer using it. The boat itself is very clean and appears well maintained. I don't want to name the boat manufacturer because I am not sure I how other feel about this.

The manufacture will not provide ANY service records from the previous owner. There reasoning is they do not want to expose the previous owners information. I totally understand that logic. However, I asked them to black out or cover the info so for my peace of mind I know the boat was well maintained. The refused to show me anything but assured the boat was well maintained and I needed to trust them.

Curious how other feel about this

Nope...I'd want the service records. They can redact the owners information. Or they can provide a nice long warranty with the purchase. Otherwise the price to me would reflect the total lack of maintenance records. My offer would be based on it having been maintained poorly or not at all.

Get the HIN and engine serial numbers. I bet Teague could find it by those numbers....

 

[GETBOATS]

How old is the boat ? And hours ?

Was this ever answered?

 

[Shlbyntro]

Was this ever answered?

at least 10 if not 15 or more years old. it's a 496

 

[sirbob]

BS story from dealer.

FWIW - I have every receipt of everything done to my boat and trailer. I expect when the time comes for me to sell to get more for my boat by showing the history and the fact that it was regularly maintained and well cared for.

Each of my cars have a dedicated 3 ring binder also showing every registration / oil change / touch up paint / service / upgrade / etc.

 

[GETBOATS]

In the market we've just been through, I fail to see why previous owner didn't have someone broker it for him, manufactures don't make it a habit of buying back unless is a steal. that sends me back to "Why" did the manufacture buy it?

 

[Singleton]

My service records are all digital.
I would never expect records from a dealer (private party maybe).
Full inspections, plus oil test depending on price of boat.

Filks purchase used cars all time without records, why do you expect different on a boat.

 

[HavasuHog32]

Was this ever answered?

2005 with 190 hours

 

[HavasuHog32]

Nope...I'd want the service records. They can redact the owners information. Or they can provide a nice long warranty with the purchase. Otherwise the price to me would reflect the total lack of maintenance records. My offer would be based on it having been maintained poorly or not at all.

Get the HIN and engine serial numbers. I bet Teague could find it by those numbers....

I spoke to Teague they offered to help but needed the previous owners name and would have no problem telling me about all the service done. I am going to call back and see if I can send them a photo and maybe one of the mechanics will remember the boat.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I spoke to Teague they offered to help but needed the previous owners name and would have no problem telling me about all the service done. I am going to call back and see if I can send them a photo and maybe one of the mechanics will remember the boat.

If they don't remember the boat that's usually a good thing