Headlining Disaster

[Sea Devil]

Like many of 'us' Paw Paw started to suffer from permanent droop and sagging and we decided that professionals were needed to totally replace the headlining.

Having searched the net we contracted Spencer Marine Ltd for £9,000 to travel to Gibraltar and replace all the Vinyl.

We did not see the finished job until after it was completed and both Louise and I were distraught. So horrified and disappointed. Have a look, if you like, at the pictures of the finished work - http://www.michaelbriant.com/new_page_68.htm

It maybe that I am becoming a grumpy old git and expect too much but having done the replacement headlining job once myself on a Prout 33 I did expect 'professionals', for lots of money, to have done at least as good a job as I had done.

Have others had similar experiences with Spencer Marine or other companies? Can you recommend anyone as I am 100% certain it is all going to sag again in a year or so as automotive headlining adhesive has been used rather than marine contact glue like SAF111 which should be applied to the GRP and marine spray like Trade Track or similar to the foam backing.

Have others used automotive aerosols successfully on their boat headlining?

Michael

 

[prv]

Ouch. Those edges look like the sort of job I'd do in a rarely-seen corner, if I was in a hurry. And even then I wouldn't be pushing screws through waterproof liners or pounding bolts up through the deck! Not a professional job at all

You paid them?

Pete

 

[Sea Devil]

Yep - I feel so stupid! They came across as really nice people....
c

 

[Phoenix of Hamble]

I'd be properly angry to have a job done to that standard for £9k!!!!!

 

[dylanwinter]

that looks worse than my KTL hot glue gun job

what a bumma

D

 

[Iliade]

I'd be looking at small claims court to get that mess remedied (i.e., ripped out and done professionally)

 

[Poignard]

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1982/29/section/13

 

[dylanwinter]

I'd be looking at small claims court to get that mess remedied (i.e., ripped out and done professionally)

I assume that you have contacted the head honcho

my guess is that he sent a couple of the lads down there

send him the snaps and ask if he thinks it is acceptable

I am assuming that he will not and will get a real expert down to sort it out

such a shame!

 

[sarabande]

this is a bit odd; there is no Spencer Marine Ltd registered at Companies House, but a Spencer Marine Consulting, whose principal business seems to be well away from any boat maintenance services.


I'll do a bit more ferreting....



EDIT

I am pretty sure that Spencer Marine Ltd does not exist in the UK.


Is it this business ?

http://spencermarine.com/

 

[Sandyman]

Michael you have my sympathies. What an awful job. I replaced my headlining last summer & I'm no expert in that field, but its far better than what those so called professionals have done for you. Maybe they treated a trip to Gib as an excuse for a jolly !!! hence the poor work standards.

 

[sarabande]

did the workers stay on board while they were dealing with the lining? Is that why they wanted you to stay away ?

 

[roblpm]

this is a bit odd; there is no Spencer Marine Ltd registered at Companies House, but a Spencer Marine Consulting, whose principal business seems to be well away from any boat maintenance services.


I'll do a bit more ferreting....



EDIT

I am pretty sure that Spencer Marine Ltd does not exist in the UK.


Is it this business ?

http://spencermarine.com/

If it is they are probably just trading as a sole trader.

Funny url on main website.

However their address is on there and if it is a sole trader a small claims claim might be effective.

Important to write and state the problem etc before amy redress is sought. Im no lawyer though!

 

[nimbusgb]

I'd be bloody furious if I'd paid £900 for that lot. At £9000 I'd be in a solicitors office! Sod negotiating and asking nicely.

I did my own headlinings including cutting new backing panels and redesigning all the fixture methods to hide it all.

If mine had turned out like that I'd have gone and drowned myself I reckon!

 

[dom]

At £9000 I'd be in a solicitors office!

+1

 

[Elessar]

I'd be looking at small claims court to get that mess remedied (i.e., ripped out and done professionally)

Yep me too.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

Definitely, this is a court case job. The small claims court will not cover the cost. A solicitor will be required and recover costs and damages. ie £9k plus.

 

[dylanwinter]

you guys jump straight into the legal big guns

I am so glad I am a humble hack

D

 

[dom]

Small claims is probably the right way to go. Though you must first work out exactly what you are claiming for, after which you must try and settle your claim before taking court action. You should only apply to the court for compensation if you cannot solve the problem by negotiation with [Frank] Spencer Marine Headlining Ltd.

But speaking of legal big guns, and since there is a decent amount of money at stake, why not pm the exceptionally helpful "jfm" on the Mobo Forum; I think he is a big-deal legal eagle in real life and will no doubt help steer you in the right direction.

 

[Aardee]

I'd start with the business owner before resorting to the law - If he values his reputation he'll appreciate the opportunity to put things right and make sure you're a satisfied customer.

 

[macd]

Appalling. It looks like the 'before' photo on their web page.
If I came onto your boat, butchered the gel coat and drilled holes through the coachroof, I'm fairly sure you'd report me for criminal damage. But I'd need some cojones to charge you for the privilege. It beggars belief.

P.S. Oh, I get it. That's obviously Frank Spencer Marine.