Bic Sportyak, new, falling apart

[wavelet]

In 2004 I bought a brand new Bic Sportyak expecting the same quality as my other ones, but after a year it was cracking around the top gunnel with fragments of plastic dropping out. I contacted the supplier, Hurrican Nautic, Barcelona and emailed photographs when the problem began, in the crevice of a moulding. After several months they replied saying it looked as if an impact had occured and so were not interested in replacing the boat. Now the whole top is splitting and disintegrating. It is obviously a manufacturing fault - the plastic is not the same as the two other Bic Sportyaks I have had long term use out of.
I began my sailing career in a Bic Sportyak, on the Grand Union canal, when I was pushed away from the bank and told to try to reach the other side. I was only four.
I bought a second hand Bic Sportyak and towed it behind my first yacht in 1990, and after ten years sold it with that boat. So, I bought this one expecting the same durability. I wonder if a marine surveyors report would interest the supplier and the manufacturers. Meanwhile I offer this cautionary tale to anyone considering Bic products. They should stick to yellow biros.

 

[Guest]

A marine surveyor report will probably not help.

Best advise is to contact Trading Standards and they have access to materials testing and quality controls.
Second they may advise a case to the Small Claims Court to claim compensation....

As a Marine Surveyor I would be reluctant to report based on a materials base as I am unaware of use and suitability of product for what you have used it for ... if you understand my gist ... Marine Surveyors report on generalities to be honest and this sounds like a poor construction or material break-down outside of normal marine circumstances.