sadcatowner
regular
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 39
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We have lots of sea miles under our belts, but we hadn't dipped our toe in the boat ownership experience until recently.
Now we are sorry we did.
We viewed a Powercat 525 at Margam boat show in Summer 2007 and then read their website. I did look to see if there were any negative reviews about them online - but nothing.
They made all the right noises and the demonstrator boat we trialled was great - stable, responsive and smart.
We told them we needed a boat for the Ionian as that was where we were going to live and they said it would be suitable.
In Feb 2008 we picked the boat up from Powercats of Redruth, Cornwall, having paid our life savings of £37,000 + for it.
Cutting a long story short ( you can read it in full if you can bear it on my blog which is linked to from my signature) we had to employ a marine surveyor to check out why we had suffered a total electrical failure in the dark, in a busy traffic area and close crossing with huge bulk carrier, only just avoiding a collision!
The report condemned the 'craft' as being 'unfit for purpose' and having numerous dangerous defects and flaws and design, material, and safety defects.
The report is now with Cornwall Trading Standards as we await further developments.
If you have time to look at my blog it would be appreciated. The experience has shaken us badly and we are left without a usable boat and with a village of Greek fishermen who think we are idiots for having bought a British boat in the first place.
Have to say we do feel like fools and much poorer ones as well.
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Powercat 525 - a new powerboat owner's experience - http://powercats.blog.co.uk/
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deisel
regular
Reged: 30/01/2008
Posts: 70
Loc: rye, sussex
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WOW!!. Looks Like A Second Hand Boat Several Years Old.
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Lawsy
regular
Reged: 22/02/2008
Posts: 315
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I won't bore you with the tales of my new boat & a dealer now thankfully (not withstanding the effect on employees & customers) in liquidation, but you have my total sympathy.
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mikef
regular
Reged: 16/05/2001
Posts: 8572
Loc: chesham, bucks
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Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear about your problems. Sadly this is all too typical of the boating industry. However, I would say that a good proportion of the items you have listed as faults are found on many other boats but some of the faults like the keel banding, steering gear and electrical problems are not acceptable on any boat
We have a forumite hereabouts, gludy, who has some experience of litigating against boat dealers so maybe worth sending him a PM (private message) and asking for his advice. Otherwise I suggest that you contact a good marine lawyor like Ward & McKenzie . Good luck and keep the forum posted on developments
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Hurricane
regular
Reged: 11/11/2005
Posts: 1437
Loc: Torquay
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I'd second Ward and McKenzie - very professional.
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Sundays_Child
regular
Reged: 14/06/2007
Posts: 734
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37K sounds a lot!
Sorry to hear your sad tale.
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"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present. In this limitless nation, this nation of wind, light, and peace, there is no other ruler besides the sea."-Bernard Moitessier
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sadcatowner
regular
Reged: 16/05/2008
Posts: 39
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Thanks guys for the supportive messages. I will definitely keep you updated on developments.
As newby owners we expected a certain amount of getting it wrong, and the aesthetic things we could have lived with - but when it comes to life threatening situations, that goes too far.
Bit disheartening to hear that it isn't all that unusual in the industry in general.
Hopefully as more and more disatisfied owners take action, the boat builders will learn that a good profitable long term business depends on getting it right first time and dealing properly with problems if they occur.
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Powercat 525 - a new powerboat owner's experience - http://powercats.blog.co.uk/
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Pete_Cooper
regular
Reged: 16/01/2005
Posts: 1016
Loc: West of Scotland
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I would suggest contacting a forumite called 'Gludy' - he has considerable experience in this field.
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Alcohol is a very necessary article... It makes life bearable to millions of people who could not endure their existence if they were quite sober.
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affinite
regular
Reged: 02/02/2005
Posts: 182
Loc: Me - Derby Boat - Greece
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Sorry to read of your experience. Sounds to me like you have strong case for a claim. Im going to check the fuse rating on my accessory socket when Im next on the boat. Best of luck from a fellow Ionian boater (albeit a "raggie")
Steve (Affinite II - Lefkas)
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Neddie_Seagoon
regular
Reged: 02/04/2006
Posts: 2404
Loc: IoM
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Thanks for that. I had thought seriously about buying one of these!
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Those words came from a small ball of fat that sprang from behind a piano stool.
Ameera's Log Carraghyn's Blog
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