Has your dream yacht turned into a nightmare? Repeated trips to the marina for the same problems. Thousands spent on unreasonable repairs that fall apart. Engine failures that leave you stranded in the water. Sound familiar? If so, California’s boat lemon law could be your rescue.
California consumer warranty laws like the Song-Beverly (consumer goods) and Magnuson-Moss Act provide protections for consumer goods like boats, watercraft, yachts, and jet skis. To qualify as a lemon, your boat must be used primarily for personal, business, or household reasons and have:
- Significant yacht defects that affect its safety, use, or value.
- Days out of service totaling 30 working days or more.
- Safety defects that could not be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts.
- Coverage under the manufacturer’s warranty.
If your boat qualifies as a lemon, you could be entitled to a full buyback/refund, rescission of the purchase contract, attorney’s fees, and even civil penalties. You may also have grounds for additional CLRA claims and actions under the UCL §17200 for unfair business practices.
What counts as a “Lemon” boat in California?
Generally speaking, a lemon boat is any watercraft sold with a valid warranty that has serious, persistent defects. This includes personal or recreational vessels like:
- Sail boats
- Pontoon boats
- Motor boats
- Speed boats
- Fishing boats
- Catamarans
- Jet skis
- Yachts
For lemon law protection to apply, the defects must happen within the warranty claim timeline. However, some warranties include specific usage limits, such as a maximum number of operational hours. Boat owners must also follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidelines.
Serious defects that put you at risk
Because boats operate on the open water, even minor problems can quickly become serious safety hazards. Unlike cars, you can’t simply pull over to the side of the road when something goes wrong. A mechanical or electrical issue at sea can put you, your passengers, and even nearby vessels in danger. The most common issues are:
- Propulsion/steering failures which can leave you stranded far from shore.
- Dangerous electrical or fuel issues that pose a fire risk.
- Navigation or communication problems that prevent storm updates.
More advanced issues include:
- Hull/gelcoat defects that indicate structural integrity issues or osmotic blistering.
- HVAC/hydronic problems that lead to mold and corrosion.
- Bilge pump or drainage malfunctions that make it impossible to clear water from the hull, leading to flooding or capsizing.
- Missing or mis-installed equipment that makes traveling aboard difficult.
Any of these hazards can be exceedingly dangerous on open water, where circumstances change in an instant. But defective boats don’t just jeopardize your safety; they also ruin your enjoyment and the boat’s resale value.
How to build your claim
If you suspect your boat is a lemon, it’s important to act quickly and document everything. Start by notifying in writing the dealer or manufacturer as soon as problems happen. Always save repair orders from each shop visit, and if possible, obtain a marine surveyor report for an independent evaluation.
Keep track of your repair history, including the number of reasonable attempts/out-of-service days needed to fix the issue, and preserve photos/videos for visual proof. This paper trail demonstrates you’ve given the manufacturer a fair chance to fix the problem.
Repairs often drag on because the dealer or manufacturer refuses to cooperate or keeps pushing back. When this happens, your attorney may send a CLRA notice & demand letter to fight for resolution. If you can prove you have a lemon boat, you’re entitled to settlement options like a replacement vessel, buyback, or cash compensation.
Ready to work with an experienced Los Angeles Lemon Law Attorney like Brennan Law who understands maritime issues and lemon law? Our legal team can explain your rights, your warranty, your legal options, and steps to take to get the compensation you deserve.
Call us today and get back to those sun-drenched days on the water.