Boats, Watercraft, and the Lemon Law

Watercraft in the middle of the ocean.

CCA’s expert lemon law attorneys are often asked if California’s lemon laws also apply to boats and various types of watercraft.  While consumers typically think of lemon laws as applying to cars and trucks, in truth, the lemon law covers all consumer goods, which includes boats and watercraft.  In short, yes – boats and watercraft are also covered by our State’s lemon laws. Like cars and trucks, for boats, watercraft, and other vessels to be covered by the lemon law, they must have been sold with their original manufacturer’s warranty. Thus, the lemon law covers watercrafts that suffered a manufacturing defect covered by warranty, that are not repaired after a reasonable number of repair attempts.  If your boat, yacht, or other watercraft has not been conformed to warranty by the manufacturer, we invite you to call us today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM.  

One California case, which discusses the applicability of the lemon laws to watercraft is Schulz v. Volvo Penta of the Americas, Inc. (Cal. Ct. App., Sept. 30, 2005) 59 UCC Rep.Serv.2d 990.  In the Schulz matter, the plaintiff purchased a new boat manufactured by Sea–Pro, Inc. of Newberry, South Carolina. The boat was equipped with an inboard/outboard engine manufactured by appellant Volvo Penta of the Americas of Chesapeake, Virginia (“VP”). About a year and a half later, Schulz demanded that VP reimburse him for the cost of repairing the engine under VP’s express written warranty because the engine failed to start on two occasions.  After VP denied Schulz’s warranty claim, Schulz sued VP and Sea–Pro for failure to fulfill their obligations under the Song–Beverly Consumer Warranty Act (Civ.Code § 1790 et seq.). After a two-week trial, the jury found for Schulz, awarding damages and a civil penalty against VP for its willful failure to comply with California’s lemon law.  

An expert lemon law attorney can assist you if your watercraft’s manufacturer has been unable to confirm the watercraft to warranty.  CCA’s attorneys can assist with defects in all types of watercraft, including:

  • Fishing boats;
  • Deck boats;
  • Sailboats;
  • Yachts;
  • Cruisers;
  • Flybridge boats;
  • Personal watercraft;
  • And other types of watercraft.

If the manufacturer of your boat has been unable to conform it to warranty after a reasonable number of attempts, we invite you to call the expert attorneys at CCA today for a free consultation: (833) LEMON-FIRM. 

CCA services consumers throughout the State of California and persons that purchased their vehicles in California, only