Bottom Paint Big Problem

[Black Snow Slide]

I paid my dealer $900.00 to bottom paint my 2007 Monterey 250cr for her first time as I have always trailered in the past few years. My bottom has been heavily waxed over the past two years because I like my boat pristine. The dealer was well aware of this.
After 4 weeks in the slip I went to pull my boat for some TLC and for going on a trip. When I saw the bottom of the boat and about 2/3 of the paint is gone. The fiberglass and gell coat underneith completely exposed.
I took it to the dealer and was told, " What a mess. Your boat was never sanded but that shouldnt matter because the primer we use does not require sanding. But now we need to sand the entire bottom and reaply the primmer and paint. Its going to take 3 weeks or so."
We hear in New England have had a terrable summer due to weather keeping us land locked for many weeks at a time. Now he is wanting it for 3 weeks. Also, the dealer is laying off almost everyone is down to a very skeliton crew. I am very concerned about there finnancial stability and still being open in 3 weeks let alone the end of the year.
Is there a reletivly easy way to remove the rest of the paint and how would it be done best? I am going to ask, or sue, for my $900.00 back so I can pay someone I feel comfortable in doing a proper job and when I go to pick up my boat I wont find a chain around the doors and a bank holding the keys.
My Boat's bottom is very smooth, (never sanded) and the primer is comeing off with the ablative paint. Please help me with this.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

If 2/3's of the paint is already off, then a pressure washer should make short work of the rest.

 

[seven up]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

Exactly.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

If I were you I would get the boat back and use it as is until you can find a shop to repaint in a resonable amount of time. (get references, check the BBB) If you have the time, bottom painting is not terribly complicated. You may want to tackle it yourself. Good luck getting you money back. Sounds like they skipped the prep work.

BTW- Sanding is likely not the issue. The wax needs to be removed BEFORE any sanding is done. Simply sanding it can drive it into the surface rather than remove it.

 

[Black Snow Slide]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

I brought my boat to two diffrent boat yards that come highly recomended. Bolth shoot writen estimates at $3800.00ish. They were flabergasted as to the lack of prep work and stated they have never seen anything like this.

I took the estimates to the dealer and the owner would not even look at my boat or the estimates. He says," Ill see it when we fix it." Doesnt even give a crap. He couldnt even tell me how he would fix it.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

Is there an easy small claims court process in your state? Like somewhat informal, $50 for damages up to like $5k? If they're being buts, i'd just do that if it's available... and then think about painting it yourself.

 

[drewpster]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

Is there an easy small claims court process in your state? Like somewhat informal, $50 for damages up to like $5k? If they're being buts, i'd just do that if it's available... and then think about painting it yourself.

I agree here. You may want to seek a legal means of collecting your money. I would not give any kind of shop (dealer or otherwise) the time of day if they are unwilling to stand behind thier work. Thats just not good practice for any business. You may also be able to hold them liable for the repair cost if you have it fixed at another shop.
Doing it yourself is an option. I would not do that until you make up your mind about getting back the $900.
A real shame. Go boating, you will feel better.

 

[seven up]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

The primer that was applied possibly did not require sanding but the fiberglass surface obviously did.

Are you going to paint it yourself this time ??

 

[StevNimrod]

Re: Bottom Paint Big Problem

Power washing should put you in good shape with removal of the remaining 1/3 of the "paint job", to the extent we can call it that.

Am I misreading that you got two separate quote for $3800 to prep and paint a 250CR? That seems a bit outrageous to me since the bottom job on my 28' was $478 (admittedly my mechanic charges $45/hr).

I'm not sure how up-to-date this is, but here is a guide to small claims limits by state.

On the legal front:

If the bank shuts down the business the bank has the keys to the business, its inventory, outstanding receivables, etc., not your boat or anything else the business didn't own. As far as getting your $900 by suing, good luck. The $900 is comprised of labor and materials. Since the primer and paint was applied and the boat was used thereafter, you're starting to get into debate over how much deterioration is acceptable and possibly prorating the difference between what is acceptable and what you have. With the labor, be prepared for them to argue that they applied the paint using standard procedures. We all know the situation reeks of laziness on the prep side, but this is the type of defense most companies make in these situations. The problem with suing the yard is that you may find you have no legal standing for a lawsuit since bottom jobs usually aren't warrantied. That's why most yards would be willing to redo the work without getting lawyers involved - they know you'll have an uphill legal battle but it's usually worth it in the long-term for them to keep you coming back if at all possible (even if they have to fix shoddy work).

Perhaps another option to consider is sending a letter to the primer manufacturer. If the installer followed the directions of the primer manufacturer, then they are the most logical people to engage. They also likely have the deepest pockets and may be inclined to make the situation go away rather than fight back too hard. If it were me I'd probably find a corporate contact number (or complaint line), get an address, and mail them copies of the bill and date stamped pictures. From there they can deal with the yard directly.

That said, be prepared to at some point explain why what you paid is less than 25% of the estimates you're now getting. I don't know how the market is where you are, but that's a pretty big price gap and if you spend a little time now figuring out why (and explaining it up front) you'll save yourself from it being haggled over later.