What’s 2016 Hull warranty?

[Khalid]

Forum,
My brother bought my 2016 Limited SE and has had it for a 1.5 years. Recently, the tower broke for no apparent reason. The hull shows some cracks (I haven’t seen the boat myself so, I don’t know how severe those are as I haven’t seen the boat myself but there must be enough flexing to break the steel tower).

Q1: I know that current models hull warranty is only 5 years. But, does anyone know what was the hull warranty on 2016 models (I.e 10 years, lifetime, etc)?

Q2: Any recommendations on how to deal with this issue? (contact Yamaha, file an insurance claim, etc?)


Thanks in advance!

 

[HustlerByNS]

the break seems to be at where Yamaha solar panels wiring is going into the tower!

Forum,
My brother bought my 2016 Limited SE and has had it for a 1.5 years. Recently, the tower broke for no apparent reason. The hull shows some cracks (I haven’t seen the boat myself so, I don’t know how severe those are as I haven’t seen the boat myself but there must be enough flexing to break the steel tower).

Q1: I know that current models hull warranty is only 5 years. But, does anyone know what was the hull warranty on 2016 models (I.e 10 years, lifetime, etc)?

Q2: Any recommendations on how to deal with this issue? (contact Yamaha, file an insurance claim, etc?) - he tells me that his local dealer wasn’t very helpful


Thanks in advance!

 

[Bluewater272]

For Pre-2018 boats, the structural warranty is lifetime for original owner, and can be transferred (but there is a process to do so).

PERIOD OF STRUCTURAL LIMITED WARRANTY. The hull and deck on any new Yamaha Boat shall be warranted against major structural defects in material or workmanship: (i) for the duration of ownership of the first retail owner for personal, family or household use (“Pleasure Use”); or (ii) for one (1) year from Date of Original Purchase for Yamaha Boats engaged in commercial trade or that carry passengers for hire (“Commercial Use”).

Not sure if Yamaha will consider the tower as part of this, as its not explicitly part of the hull or deck, but its an argument worth having. He may lose out on not being the original owner though, unless he bought from a Yamaha dealer and the warranty transfers.

Curious question: This is an unusual failure, does your brother tow tubes from the tower?

 

[Khalid]

So my brother did some research and found out that 2016 is the only year where the tower wiring is drilled at that corner location. Yamaha changed the design after that year due to tower integrity issues (the corner has a lot of stress on it.. so, duh)

We’re going to try to get Yamaha to address since it’s a known design issue with severe safety hazard (Goodwill claim). They might refuse since we didn’t transfer the hull warranty from the original owner

 

[Khalid]

For Pre-2018 boats, the structural warranty is lifetime for original owner, and can be transferred (but there is a process to do so).



Not sure if Yamaha will consider the tower as part of this, as its not explicitly part of the hull or deck, but its an argument worth having. He may lose out on not being the original owner though, unless he bought from a Yamaha dealer and the warranty transfers.

Curious question: This is an unusual failure, does your brother tow tubes from the tower?

my brother doesn’t tow (I did some wakeboarding when I owned the boat.. however, the tower should be designed for that..

The holes in the tower as they came from Yamaha. (Poor selection of wiring holes on Yamaha’s part).

 

[HangOutdoors]

Almost looks like it is stress from hitting something with the tower, either on or off the water. Since the hole is drilled there that is most likely where it would give.

 

[Bluewater272]

my brother doesn’t tow (I did some wakeboarding when I owned the boat.. however, the tower should be designed for that..

Cool, was just curious as I've not seen that type of failure posted here ever before but the manual says not to tow tubes, and some swear its fine. Some cracked towers due to freezing water, but never like what you posted. I'll be curious to see what Yamaha says, these seems to be an obvious thing to goodwill, and a lawyer could probably make the argument that this is a structural component of the boat.

 

[Julian]

the break seems to be at where Yamaha solar panels wiring is going into the tower!

Holy crap batman! How did that occur? Meaning did he just come out one morning and notice it broken? Was it after towing it home? More info please! Especially as I own a 2016 with this tower, and I've been in some pretty rough water going to Bimini and had no issue - yet.

 

[HustlerByNS]

I would love to take the credit for this i would make some stories to go with it but it was normal riding and for an ex-military i don’t do water sports hurt myself enough over the years!! So this is just for cruising not even in rough waters since i live in New Orleans and only boat around lakes and rivers but i will add that i just recently installed 4 tower speakers nothing mad just 2 8” and 2 6.5

 

[Julian]

I would love to take the credit for this i would make some stories to go with it but it was normal riding and for an ex-military i don’t do water sports hurt myself enough over the years!! So this is just for cruising not even in rough waters since i live in New Orleans and only boat around lakes and rivers but i will add that i just recently installed 4 tower speakers nothing mad just 2 8” and 2 6.5

My tower came stock with 2 Polks and the Wetsounds Soundbar.....so similar extra weight. Gonna take a close look at mine when I'm out next! But this is the first I've seen of this...so I don't think this is a widespread problem - one incident.