Back to the main site

Pontoon damaged by non Bennington dealer

B

BobSmith8958

New Member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
I have a 2024 LX24 with a 200HP Yamaha. I take the boat to a local shop which is Yamaha certified. They had a worker hit the port pontoon and put a decent gouge in it and tried to fix it with a weld (see picture). Question to the forum, would you feel OK with the small shop replacing the new tube and vantage guard vs an authorized Bennington dealer? The small shop does not want to pay for the labor, my concern is that how do I know they will do it correctly to Bennington standards.
 

Attachments

  • boat pontoon damage.jpg
    boat pontoon damage.jpg
    137.5 KB · Views: 30
I would not accept that on any pontoon especially a new one .To get the correct replacement, the toon would need to be ordered from Bennington. Also there is a lifetime structural warranty on your pontoon, not replacing it with OEM parts and using a Non Authorized Bennington dealer could void that warranty
I would ask the small shop for their insurance info and file a claim . If they refuse to give it to you ,call your insurance agent and let them deal with it .
Warranty Statement

Lifetime Structural & 10-Year Bow-To-Stern Warranty | Bennington

Bennington customers are offered an industry-leading 10-year bow-to-stern warranty in addition to our lifetime structural warranty, giving you and your family the protection and assurance you deserve.
www.benningtonmarine.com www.benningtonmarine.com
Warranty Details .
 
If I interpreted you correctly, the want to replace it with a "Bennington" tube? I'd be fine with that. As Jack said...absolutely not on a non-Bennington tube. I would not accept a welded tube in this instance.
 
How can they claim to avoid paying labor? Fix it right or don't fix it at all. Involving insurance is a last resort, as is involving an attorney/court but don't be afraid to protect your rights.

If you haven't already I'd have a conversation with the owner of the shop, sometimes the service managers try to cover their oopsies without involving the boss. If he/she stonewalls you, you know your next move.
 
"They don't want to pay labor"?!? They caused the damage they have to make it right! I agree with Jack and Bill about replacing it with a genuine Bennington pontoon! The question is what dealer is going to perform the replacement?!? Is the smaller shop capable of this task?!? You mentioned that they were a Yamaha certified dealer. Are they a Bennington authorized dealer?!?
 
Just piling on. A OEM Bennington replacement pontoon is 100% essential for the reasons cited by others. If they have the capability of replacing the pontoon to spec, that part wouldn’t worry me vs an authorized Bennington dealer. However, if by doing so you void the structural warranty, then that would be a no-go as well. It’s on them to make it right, and not compromise your warranty.

I can appreciate they don’t want to pay “someone else labor” to do it. Tough luck. You didn’t want a hole in a nearly brand new expensive Bennington pontoon. I would try to work with them to get it cleanly taken care of. I like the idea of reaching out to the owner too, as they are often detached from these sorts of details.

Personally, I would insist it get done at an authorized Bennington dealership. If they refuse to do it in a straightforward manner, I’d ask for their insurance company info and proceed with the hassle of a claim that way (it will be a hassle). If they don’t provide that, then go to my own insurance, and let them go after the dealership to make it right - including trying to get deductible reimbursement. Again, a bit of a hassle.
 
Another thing is Bennington will not sell a replacement to a Non Authorized dealer . They only sell parts to Authorized Dealers.
 
Interesting that the OP has not been back since the post .
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top