MRAA Launches Pre-Owned Boat Certification Program

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced the launch the MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program, backed by industry partners Boat History Report and Titan Certified.

Over the past two years, the MRAA consulted with marine industry dealers, manufacturers and suppliers across the United States and Canada to create the program and help dealers capitalize on the $10 billion pre-owned boat market. The program’s criteria and deliverables offer marine dealers across North America proven processes and tools to help them overcome the obstacles in the pre-owned market. The MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program seeks to help dealers grow their pre-owned boat business and increase sales while providing greater confidence in their boat-buying and selling processes.

The MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program outlines, for dealers, a five-part analysis of each boat. It begins with age and manufacturing certification eligibility — the boat must be less than 10 years old and must have been originally Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association. Then, MRAA produced an all-new, comprehensive 130-point inspection form, offered in both hard copy and digital format. The inspection must demonstrate that the boat does not have any required repairs necessary.

If the boat passes those checkpoints, MRAA engages its two partners — Boat History Report and Titan Certified — to offer third-party validation of the quality and condition of the boat. Boat History Report provides an in-depth review of the history of the vessel, and in order to qualify for MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat status, the boat’s history must show “no negative incidences.” And the core of the program engages Titan Certified, which conducts a thorough fluid analysis, or DNA “blood test,” analyzing fluid samples from the engine and transmission to determine if they each independently achieve the “pass,” “fail,” or “pass with fluid change” designation. By achieving a “pass” or “pass with fluid change” designation, the boat becomes an MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Boat and is awarded a 55-hour or three-month, Limited Guarantee.

The new program has an initial start-up fee of $215 for enrollees, which includes fluid testing materials and supplies. MRAA Certified Dealers and members receive reduced rates for per boat/engine testing costs, but even non-members can participate for less than $300 per boat and one engine.

For more detailed information, complete pricing, warranty options and to enroll in the program, visit www.CPOBoats.com, or contact Jason Walz at 315-256-2878 or jason@mraa.com.