Monday, May 5, 2008

California Boat Lemon Law

If you purchased a defective boat that is covered by a warranty, you are protected by the same laws that cover cars, bikes, RVs, computers and many other items in California – the California Boat Lemon Law. This means that sellers are discouraged from selling boats that will break down soon after purchase. the California Boat Lemon Law is considered a form of fraud protection.

It is important to retain the bill of sale from a seller when buying a boat. This holds true even if the boat is secondhand. If the boat is used, you should also obtain an evaluation statement by a qualified expert. A good mechanic should check out the engine, the hull’s integrity and other aspects important to a boat.

The statement the mechanic gives you after this ‘diagnosis’ should outline the condition of the boat at the time of purchase. The owner owner should give you a written assurance that the boat is seaworthy and will not develop serious problems within a certain period of time. This period can be mutually agreed upon.

You cannot exercise ‘lemon’ rights for a boat if you bought it without having its defects highlighted. This will release the seller from any responsibility by what is legally called ‘caveat emptor’ – you have bought the boat with all present and future defects.

If the boat is new, it should come with a warranty that includes a money-back option. If it is a replacement/repair-only warranty, you may have no recourse but to settle for another lemon.

California Lemon Law provides detailed information on California Lemon Law, California Computer Lemon Law, California Boat Lemon Law, California Lemon Law Attorneys and more. California Lemon Law is affiliated with Boat Lemon Laws.

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