Damage to boat and Marine store not wanting to take responsibility

[tgvenom69]

I purchased a Nautique 211 from Alabama and was told by a local marine store that they could shrink wrap it for transport to protect the hull for the 2500 mile haul. When I got the boat yesterday, I removed the shrink wrap and all along the bottom, there was rub marks that go pretty deep into the gel coat! The shrink wrap was supposed to got really low on the hull or to the trailer frame but they only wrapped it to the water line. I called the marine store and the owner is saying that he isn't responsible! I'm not sure what to do next as this is crap, the owner had assured me that they do this all the time for transport and that he knew what he was doing, now he is saying that it wasn't meant for going long distance and that he is not responsible. I'm pretty bummed. Thanks for any help. FYI I'm in Northern California and the wrap was done in Sylacauga Alabama.

[ScooterMcgavin]

That is a bummer no doubt, my first thought is post some pics so we can see what happened.
Second thing is was there anything signed by anyone saying who is or is not responsible for damages?
I would think it would be the transporters responsibility to safely load the boat so it doesn't get damaged. Especially if the damage was from HIS trailer rubbing on your boat during transport . They have insurance for that reason.

[markj]

Been there. It sucks. Fat chance collecting on it. There is a 6" wide roll of tape they're supposed to use to put on the hull to prevent scuffing. Problem is, it can still scuff. In my case, they used it, but when they applied the heat to shrink everything, they melted the tape and it left a ton of marks. I had to buff the whole thing out. Still doesn't look perfect.

[tgvenom69]

The wrap is what caused the damage to the gel coat, not the trailer. I purchased the boat and trailer; boat was already on trailer. The wrap wasn't flapping much, it was tight but they did not apply tape to the hull before the shrink wrap, might have helped.

[OKWAKEBDR]

This happened to a couple of my boats when I had them transported for long distances. The first time I didn't expect it to happen obviously, and the second time, the dealership was supposed to use a different type of wrapping, but they didn't...

With that said, with a light compound and a lot of buffing and "elbow grease" it will come out.

[lucky7t]

I agree with okwakebdr,
Take it to a body shop . Color sand and buff . It probably needs it anyways


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Waterhawg]

I have shipped several boats. I think the shrink wrapping is a liability. I never shrink wrapped and never had an issue. At this point the $$$ I saved by not shrink wrapping would pay if I did have damage.


Sent from my iPhone using PLT Nautique

[tgvenom69]

Lesson learned

[scottb7]

Still confused...somebody is liable for the damage...Who paid the shrink wrapper? You or the "local marine" store? You certainly can let it go if you want...But if you hired and paid the shrink wrapper then go after the shrink wrapper. If the local marine store hired and paid the shrink wrapper then go after the local marine store. You should be reimbursed the cost to repair the damage.

[tgvenom69]

The marine store did the work and I paid them via credit card. The owner is telling me that he is not going to take responsibility because they did what they were supposed to do? The marine shop is in Alabama and I'm in California, I've got my hands tied as far as I can see. I don't think it's worth me pursuing the issue in court as I'd have to go to Alabama and file there.

[Kmayotte]

Buff it out. A lot less work and more rewarding than trying to collect from someone who doesn't feel they're at fault.

Wrink wrap always rubs (more noticeably on colored hulls). Even on a boat that doesn't move an inch all winter. Winter weather is undefeated.

[markj]

The marine store did the work and I paid them via credit card. The owner is telling me that he is not going to take responsibility because they did what they were supposed to do? The marine shop is in Alabama and I'm in California, I've got my hands tied as far as I can see. I don't think it's worth me pursuing the issue in court as I'd have to go to Alabama and file there.

Key words: "the marine shop is in Alabama and I'm in California." Just drop it. Let it go. Buff it out in November when the season is over. Otherwise, you'll just make yourself miserable fretting over it. Since you're in NorCal, there are tons of local glass shops who can make that boat look new again for a reasonable cost if you don't feel like doing it yourself. That's what I did when mine made a rough trip in winter from Fargo, ND to NorCal. Cost me $480 to do a 23 footer. Your 211 will be cheaper to do.

[Fgroce]

Paid with credit card DENY the charge.

[scottb7]

Agree, perfect. Deny the charge or contest the charge. It should not have had damage. Pretty simple. Or tell them you want $200 to buff it out as credit.

[GMLIII]

I would agree with Scottb7 & Fgroce. On a personal note, I was sucessful on returning a $2000.00 Goode ski
and in getting a $300 extra hotel room night charge reversed in my favor recently. Most all major credit cards
companies side with their customers vs retailers even if the customer is in the wrong.
Even better generally you can deny the charge online within your account without
having to talking to anyone; simply click the mouse button to deny the charge and you should be Golden!