MRAA unveils certified used-boat program

[LuckyLady]

MRAA unveils certified used-boat program

Posted on February 23, 2011

The Marine Retailers Association of America, in conjunction with Titan Certified, developed a certified program that guarantees the condition of the engine, transmission, outdrive and generator to all buyers and sellers of used boats.


With the association's program, buyers are guaranteed that the boat they buy will be trouble-free for any issues relating to the boat's drivetrain. If anything happens within the guarantee's time period, the problem will be fixed without a deductible or cost to the buyer.

"This is an exciting opportunity for our dealers to bring added value, profits, customer loyalty and new business to their locations," MRAA president Phil Keeter said in a statement. "We are excited to be working with Titan and offering this exclusive program to our members."

Through its laboratory testing Titan analyzes 108 variables within engine oil and transmission fluid and can tell the exact working condition of any motor, transmission or outdrive, based on ASTM and OEM standards.

After testing is complete and the components meet specifications, Titan guarantees the boat's drivetrain against any internal failure for three months or 55 hours, the association said.

The MRAA's program works for any age of boat, make, model or number of hours. If it passes, it is certified.

"We believe MRAA's CPO Program will enable our members to participate in an even larger share of the pre-owned boat market. The Titan Certified Guarantee will be attractive to buyers, sellers and owners. Creative service managers will be able to turn this program into a money maker for their departments," MRAA director Joe Lewis said in a statement.

For information, contact Joel Stebbins at (952) 473-6978 or e-mail joel@titancertified.com This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

[frankypettolina]

This has been getting alot of discussion on a surveyor forum I belong to today. MOst think it will have a ton of fine print.

I for one can't see how it will work- I would be curious to hear what some of the mechanic types on this site think of it.

To say I am skeptical is putting it mildly.

[JD5652]

MRAA unveils certified used-boat program

Through its laboratory testing Titan analyzes 108 variables within engine oil and transmission fluid and can tell the exact working condition of any motor, transmission or outdrive, based on ASTM and OEM standards.

I'm no expert....but that's a pretty strong statement about engine and tranny fluid analysis......a single data point doesn't really mean much.......it's the trending of the data over time that's really important.....

[LuckyLady]

I'm no expert....but that's a pretty strong statement about engine and tranny fluid analysis......a single data point doesn't really mean much.......it's the trending of the data over time that's really important.....

To me it has DISASTER written all over it.... It will be impossible to implement and the consumers will in a round about way get abusive towards the program. I can see a 20 page excerpt of what is not covered like the warranty that you get aftermarket on used boats and engines. Even some new boats now have a extensive warranty exclusion. For the fiberglass parts of the boat, any amount of stress can cause stress cracking and such. Just the way it rolls.

[Lovetoboat]

To me it has DISASTER written all over it.... It will be impossible to implement and the consumers will in a round about way get abusive towards the program. I can see a 20 page excerpt of what is not covered like the warranty that you get aftermarket on used boats and engines. Even some new boats now have a extensive warranty exclusion. For the fiberglass parts of the boat, any amount of stress can cause stress cracking and such. Just the way it rolls.

LuckyLady:

I don’t know why you are so down on a program that you have absolutely no knowledge or understanding. You don’t know it’s costs, or coverage, but you freely tear it apart saying it has no value, beware of the fine print, and then go on to talk about stress cracks in fiberglass. Keep in mind, this program deals with a boat’s drive train or genset.

I am involved with the program and can’t say anything but positive comments on how the program works and the value it will bring to anyone’s business.

The MRAA program uses Spectra Analysis to identify trace materials down to the parts per million. The labs have been in business for 14 years testing and certifying over 200,000 cars and trucks. To respond to another blogger, yes annual tests will create trend analysis and that is very beneficial, but a single test will display the real time condition of any component’s condition, and that is backed by a guarantee.

I urge all of you to look into this program, you’ll be impressed.

B Rgds

Lovetoboat

[suenosazules]

I am a marine surveyor and a delivery captain and own my own marine surveying and consulting company in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

I have seen alot of these "Boat-Check" type programs and even have surveyed these used "Pre-Certified" type boats. Some of these programs are even endorsed and done by marine surveyors.

In short let me tell every boat owner or prospective buyer from my own training and experieince that nothing beats an actual survey. To properly go over everything on an average 35 foot boat will be an all day affair. The last survey I did was the other day and it was on a 1966 Cheoy Lee Offshore 36 foot sloop. The survey took almost 10 hours. That included the sea trial, complete inspection of the hull, wiring, tankage, hoses, and equipment, and powering up all of the systems. The final survey report was 52 pages long. The report itself took me 8 hours to write.

These pre-certified programs in my opinion are sales techniques to sell boats. That is it.. I have caught several things that were priority one findings on these "Pre-Certified" used boats when I was hired for the insurance survey.

Your best bet is to use an independent marine surveyor for the most reliable word on the true condition of any vessel. No pre-certifying technician will go over the vessel as thoroughly as a marine surveyor or will take the time to report everything in detail.

To me it is like a used car salesman telling you that everything is "good to go" without test driving the vehicle yourself or having a trusted mechanic check it out for himself.

Capt. John Banister
Suenos Azules Marine Surveying and Consulting
Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

[seapower]

Has to be true, right? One oil test tell's the whole story? Amazing! Frank