Our swing mooring was booked in for it's three yearly service in April. Unfortunately the company that was contracted to carry out the service didn't turn up. The date of the service slipped our minds as we were preparing to bring the boat out for it's yearly paint and spruce up so we didn't notice that this company hadn't turned up in time.
In June a short storm came through. We weren't concerned as the boat had sat on the mooring in far worse weather. Unfortunately, because the service hadn't been carried out, a simple shackle failed and the Arline ended up on the beach.
We salvaged the old girl but the damage was sufficient for the insurance company to write her off. I almost didn't get insurance because of the failure to service the mooring but for some reason the insurance company paid out about 70% of what I was insured for.
I had two weeks to find another boat and there were only three boats that fit my requirements in the whole country. I checked out the first and cheapest boat but it didn't feel right so it was discarded.
The second boat appeared to be ideal. The boat broker assured me it was an incredibly strong boat and would easily be put back into survey. The owner assured me the same. The owner also produced a hull survey from a local boat builder that stated that the hull was good and sound.
Thanks to all my past customers for your patronage. I've had a blast and loved every minute of running this hugely successful charter business. It's ironic that within a week of receiving a certificate of Excellence from tripadvisor the Arline was washed up on a beach and the business was about to come unraveled.
Closed For Business
- Offering 6 reviews of Arline Fishing Charters in Paihia
What Happened?
Quick Updates
Based on all these claims, plus a further verbal assurance from the boat builder, we agreed to buy the new boat "Awatea"
I flew down to Christchurch to finalise the sale and then sailed her from Christchurch to the Bay of Islands. During our four days and nights of continuous cruising, the Awatea proved to be a great sea boat and I knew that Arline Fishing Charters was about to improved immensely.
Unfortunately we were conned. We have now found that the boat is riddled with dry rot and that there is ample evidence of it being covered up.
The boat broker says that he is horribly embarrassed but he's still taken his commission and has done nothing to resolve the matter.
The owner isn't talking and obviously doesn't intend recitifying the situation.
The boat builder .... well what can I say? Would I ask them to build a boat for me if they couldn't spot this dry rot? As they say in the Tui's Adverts ..... "Yeah Right!"
Apparently, I'm not covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act because I bought her for commercial use. So I have to take them to court ..... The process seems to be taking forever but I'm not giving up. In the meantime, I've had to close the business down. I have a lot of great memories from my five years building the business up, and have enjoyed nearly every minute of it. So Long and Thanks for all the
I enjoyed my time as the number one activity in the Bay of Islands according to tripadvisor.
Now that I've been out of action for six months, I've finally been overtaken.
Sad Days ......
Now that I've been out of action for six months, I've finally been overtaken.
Sad Days ......