Ravenquille
Recruit
- Joined
- Sep 3, 2004
- Messages
- 1
Hi everyone,<br /> I need some opinions on a real mess. On 8/27/04 ( for my birthday ), we made a purchase from a supposedly reputable Dealer, here in PA. We bought a 1980 Godfrey Sanpan Catalina ( 20ft pontoons/18ft deck ). It came with a 1985 Johnson 50hp, and a 1984 single-axle EZLoader trailer, 2,000lb capacity. <br />The deck/carpeting, sides/railing, seats/upholstery, console, aluminum bimini-top frame and canvas cover all in excellent condition.<br />Engine is ok. The trailer has been greatly modified from the original small-roller type which was built for a 16ft boat; although the capacity is ok. Rails with covering have been adapted to it; rollers all removed. <br />They were going to sell this with NO straping of any kind to secure the boat to the trailer ( we brought our own ratchet straps; 2 for each pontoon ). They were going to sell it with 'noisy bearings'; we insisted that they do new bearings and replace a missing cap ( which they did ).<br />We asked many questions about the overall condition, seaworthiness/readiness, of the boat, the engine; as well as the safety/condition of the trailer. We were told that everything had been gone over/checked out and was fine and ready to use. We were told that a comprehensive checkover would be done on boat, engine and trailer before we actually removed it from the lot. We paid cash for it on 8/27/04.<br />( I am a Paralegal, and did much research on the boat, engine and trailer; contacted Godfrey and EZLoader, and had a general manual sent from Godfrey, and the trailer specs/schematics faxed from EZLoader. We bought a manual for the Engine. We do all our own work on anything and everything; my husband is skilled in all forms of mechanical, electrical, as well as all types of construction/installation....no problem for any repair or refurbishing project. )<br />Here is where it gets disgusting:<br />We picked it up on 9/3/04. They did an engine test with a hose setup, for us to see. ( Said it had been tank tested as well. ) They demonstrated the usual operative stuff and tried to sell engine oil/spare gas tank/and just about everything else ( a bit annoying: very pushy ). They made a big deal of telling us that they went out of their way to put 2 new hinges on the Console compartment. <br />1) We wound up having to buy a 6ft section to add into the trailer wiring harnass ( in submersible light kit they sold us, and pre-measured for the day we bought the boat ). They waved this all off as just a mistake in measurement: no big deal.<br />( This annoyed my husband.)<br />We left; transporting about 25 miles or so. )<br />2) The safety chain ( they checked and assured to be just perfect ) snapped off just as we backed into our driveway. ( We have a new heavy duty one on hand ).<br /> ( We got up on it to check things over )<br />3) The Trim Gauge had been removed from the Console! ...and a sloppy job of it too. ( My husband and I both saw it on the day we bought the boat. )<br />4) While leveling the boat/trailer for stability in the driveway, my husband discovered that there is ALOT of water in both pontoon tubes ( heavy aluminum 19"/20ft ). There is no drainage plug. There is SO much that it could not be from condensation. ( This was never mentioned; and we didn't think to shake the boat wildly when we were looking at it, or when we picked it up! )<br />5) I went over our copies of the PA Applications for Boat Registration/Title, and Trailer Title/Registration ( and the sales slip ) and compared them. There are alot of discrepancies and errors. Illegal/modified trailer for one thing ( which would mean that we would have an illegal PA Trailer Title and an illegal PA Trailer Registration; technically. ) PA does not require inspections of a trailer under 30ft/3,000lb capacity; however.<br /><br />I called the Dealer today ( Saturday 9/4/04 ).<br />I told him that the Trim Gauge was removed and asked him why they removed it.<br />He told me that there had never been one on the boat; that they had not removed anything.<br />I told him that both my husband and I had seen it; and that it was there after we paid for the boat on 8/27/04. ( Which means that it came with the boat, and I paid for it. ) He continued to deny this.<br />I told him that there was water in both Pontoon tubes.<br />He told me that it is normal; is from Condensation, which builds up over time, and I should open the drain plug to drain them. <br />I told him that there is no drain plug.<br />He proceeded to launch into instructions of how I can install them, and drain the pontoons; and then test them. <br />I told him that it could not be from normal Condensation, as it is ALOT of water.<br />He said that he was not aware of any water being in the Pontoon tubes.<br />I said that it would have been impossible for anyone who moved, or checked the boat, to not be aware of this fact; as it can be both felt and heard!<br />I told him that since he told me that there were no problems with the boat; he would have to check and correct this situation, and replace the Trim Gauge/wiring which was removed.<br />He told me that, as he was not aware of either situation, he was not responsible to do either.<br />I said that I would be willing to work with him:<br />he could either do what I requested, OR he could refund my money in full.<br />He said: "Nope. It's never gonna happen."<br />I made the request politely one more time.<br />He repeated his remarks; with more cockiness this time.<br />I told him that he had until Tuesday to make up his mind which he wanted to do; or deal directly with my Attorney.<br />He laughed and told me to 'just forget that, and just have your Attorney contact us".<br />( Now furious, I said: "Fine. I guess your're done then! )<br /><br />This purchase was not listed on sales slip as 'as is'. All was assured to be 100% checked, in perfect working order; safe, and ready to transport and use.<br />I don't really think I would trust them to do any further checking, or repairing.<br /><br /><br />Besides 'venting'; I need some opinions on what you would do in this situation.<br />Would you check, drain, and repair the pontoons yourselves?<br />Would you have the pontoons, engine and trailer checked out by another Dealer/Service Center?<br />Would you just get new Pontoons?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Ravenquille
