help with leaking boat

[deeg 1000]

I bought a new 17 ft. deep v aluminum princecraft from a dealer this year. As part of the deal they said they would install a swim platform on the boat because we were looking for one that had one. They did a terrible job installing the aftermarket platform. It was crooked and some of the screws were not in the transom all the way. They tried to caulk it and make it look a little better, but I took it back. They then tried to seat it better and messed with the screws but i noticed that water was seeping out of the screw lowest on the transom near the bottom of the boat (they already had to trim the edges off of this bracket because it stuck out lower than the hull. I just brought it in again complaining about the leaking water and they resealed the bottom screw again and put more caulk around it but I am still afraid of the water that was coming out. Also the bilge pump seemed to be running alot when we had it in the water for a week but no water was coming out. Should I be worried about the transom rotting from the water? What would my options be from here, am I stuck with the problem? any suggestions would be great. At the end of my rope!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: help with leaking boat

Take it back. Explain very clearly what the problem is and that water is coming out. This was a new boat, and they have to fix it properly. Write down what the problems are. Keep a copy for yourself and give them one. There is no excuse for water entering or leaving the transom on a brand new boat. Eventually, it will cause rot in the transom.

Put it in writing. Say you are not satisfied and explain every detail of the problem and what you have noticed regarding the water. Explain that the bilge pump is running. All in writing.

Tell them you expect your new boat to be a new boat and that anything they installed must work properly and not cause damage to your new boat. Then, when you get it back again, make sure it is not doing the same thing. If it is, then take it to small claims court. They'll have had three chances to fix the problem. If they don't fix it in three chances, it's time to escalate.

In the paper you give them, explain that you are highly dissatisfied with your new boat and the work they have done to it. Explain that if they do not fix it properly this time, you will seek legal advice and contact the boat manufacturer. They'll fix it right. If they don't, then follow up on the legal advice and contact the boat manufacturer.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: help with leaking boat

Pictures, names, dates, times, issues, action, and responses all need to be documented. My daughter successfully had a dealer buy her boat back because of the multitude of issues and their inability to fix them. The got back every dime of the purchase price. Give them opportunity to make things right but after three or four visits, it is time to get serious.