Boatyard Frustration

[Toutvabien]

I have just got back from the boat, we went down for a sail as the weather was so good, when we arrived at the boatyard I discovered that despite two assurances from the office staff that the boat was going to be launched in the week commencing 31/3 it is still high and dry. They had said that they would phone me if there was any unforseen problem with launching. The yard manager claimed to know nothing about the booking.

Then on checking the boat I discovered that the yard has done a job that I did not ask them to do, potentially £400 worth of cosmetic GRP repair that I had already done myself(admittedly not to the same professional standard) has been undertaken without my say so. I got a quote from the yard for them to do the job and when I saw the size of it decided to do the work myself, and spend the £400 on getting the electrics sorted out. I am sure that the ensuing negotiations about who pays for this work are not going to be straightforward.

Any suggestions??

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[peasea]

Tell us which yard then we can all avoid it.

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[Jools_of_Top_Cat]

I think I can guess

does it begin with D

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=blue> Julian </font color=blue>

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[colvic]

Ask to see the written request you sent for the work to be done, as, in line with the manager and your boat being lifted, you have no recoolection of requesting the work be done after the estimate was received.

However, over a barrel comes to mind if you want to stay there next year.

Phil

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[StephenSails]

I would start mentioning trading standards if they start getting arsy about it.

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[oldharry]

The yard is not going to let you sail the boat away leaving debts behind. As long as it is in their yard their money is secure - and they can charge for storeage too. They can seize and sell the boat to cover their costs if you refuse to pay, so it is clearly not in their interests to let it go yet. Obviously they have simply 'forgotten' about your launch until they have their money. A common enough practice, sadly, but the easiest way of ensuring bills are paid on time in an industry where non or late payment is endemic.

Its really no different to the garage expecting payment before they give you your car keys back.

So you can probably forget about going sailing until its been sorted.

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[StephenSails]

I agree, in fact I have a "No Cash, No Splash" policy myself, except this poor chap is being billed for something he didnt request - which in my mind is outrageous.

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[johnt]

COUNTERSUE...

if you didnt ask them to do the work, and from what you say your own repair should have been visible to them ....you have a case for "loss of enjoyment".........its your property ..and you have a right to enjoy it!....and your claim should be bigger than his claim !

I think the threat of counter action should be enough to make him stop his actions

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[oldharry]

Yes - thats the rub. he is being billed for work he had already done himself - but the yard still has the boat, and will hang on to it until agreement is reached about who pays for what.

He certainly should not have to pay for unauthorised work, but as long as the boat is still in the yard they have the whip hand. So no sailing till sorted -- sad with the weather shaping up so well at the moment!

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