1981 Bertram 42 delivery dilemma need help !!!!!!

[Dnnsmrgn]

Has anyone on the Florida coast lines east or west heard of A.R.C. Marine towing or Angel Rescue corporation?
I purchased the boat thru a Broker and paid a lifetime membership for towing.The deal was they (Angel/ ARC )would deliver the boat to Charleston from Pompano Beach.To begin with it was to be picked up on the 29th of May .A haul out was scheduled and paid for by me. It was suppose to be there for *am Monday.Didnt happen they said they (ARC) would pay for missing haulout.Then was scheduled for Wednesday ( yesterday ) that didnt happen. Boat is in Pompano at a private dock, broker is raising hell for boat to be moved because it was leased out as of the 1st.
The port engine runs, but starboard engine was in process of being put back together when wife UNEPECTEDLY died ,the reason husband sold boat before completeing repairs.
I was starting to feel scammed so I called Florida ATTY General and consumer Affairs they are legite with no complaints. Then I contacted the USCG, the documentation has been done and mailed to me. I went on the USCG website and sure enough it had my doc # and hull ID with the name we changed the boat to. So, now, I am legally liable for said boat.
If I was 30 and still stupid , I would drive boat up on one engine. But at 68 not AS stupid. It would be fool hardy considering I am NOT qualified on a boat this large to attempt this. Nor would I wish to be out in a boat that is unknown to me mechanically.
At this time I and my wife are at a total loss as what to do next. ANY advice, thoughts , or suggestions would be appreciated. And yse, I can take some ribbing as long as it is not down right mean and demeaning.

 

[Gdavid]

I'm afraid I may be misunderstanding this, was the boat to be towed to a boat yard in Pompano Beach for haul out or towed all the way to Charleston for the haul out?, I don't see how the latter is even a remote possibility.

 

[Comodave]

I agree that you should not try to cruise the boat on one engine. If something did go wrong I suspect your insurance company might try to deny a claim since the boat may not be seaworthy. No ideas to suggest to you but hope you can find a solution.

 

[mvweebles]

Did you read the fine print for ARC? Florida home-port boats only, up to 60 nms towing, and some other gotchas including if you ask for a tow within 15-days of joining, you're automatically cancelled. Did you really think you'd get a 500 mile tow (125-hrs) for a $600 lifetime membership?

VESSEL LIFETIME MEMBERSHIP SIGNUP | ARC Marine Towing

www.arcmarinefl.org

You'll have to find a transient berth at a marina and buy some time to figure it out. Good news is snowbirds have mostly gone north so finding space shouldn't be too bad.

What's wrong with the engine? Why not have it repaired locally?

Peter

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

I'm afraid I may be misunderstanding this, was the boat to be towed to a boat yard in Pompano Beach for haul out or towed all the way to Charleston for the haul out?, I don't see how the latter is even a remote possibility.

towed to Charleston

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

Mvweebles, Yes I had read the fine print. I was offered this deal by the Director/Founder if I bought the boat. The boat was sold/donated? to Angel Rescue/ARC. So, essentially I bought it from them witth the understanding they would deliver to Charleston.

 

[psneeld]

I'm afraid I may be misunderstanding this, was the boat to be towed to a boat yard in Pompano Beach for haul out or towed all the way to Charleston for the haul out?, I don't see how the latter is even a remote possibility.

Why couldn't a boat be towed to Charleston from S. Florida?

Long tow but certainly doable. Economically sound? Probably not and I know of no assistance tower that would without extra ($$$$$) costs.

I would find a hungry delivery skipper, get it approved by your insurance company and have him deliver it to Charleston. First I would send a registered, signed for letter to the towing company, telling them of my plans and they are on the hook for the breach of contact....assuming you have one. See if they respond. If not, you are in for some costs one way or another. Add them up and see if hiring a maritime oriented attorney is feasible.

I have moved boats long distances as a delivery captain on one engine, not necessarily a lot of fun, but it's done all the time.

 

[mvweebles]

Mvweebles, Yes I had read the fine print. I was offered this deal by the Director/Founder if I bought the boat. The boat was sold/donated? to Angel Rescue/ARC. So, essentially I bought it from them witth the understanding they would deliver to Charleston.

Understood. Thanks - that makes sense (sorta). Out of curiosity, why is she being hauled?

Per chance do you have that offer from the owner/founder in writing? It's a crazy offer that I don't really see how it could be honored.

@psneeld makes decent points about delivering on one engine. If the boat is in otherwise decent condition and you have a special setup in Charleston to make repairs, might make sense. Downside risk is a breakdown along the way that is difficult or expensive to repair. And the expense of delivery of course.

Or you could have the engine repaired locally and bring the boat home conventionally. I would think there are decent mechanics near you. Downside is there is effectively no warranty once you leave the dock; and you have transient fees on the interim.

Or you can try to recind the transaction (assuming you have the offer to tow to Charleston in writing) and just cut your losses and let ARC deal with the issues.

Maybe someone has a magic idea but I don't see a cheap way out of this one unfortunately.

Best of luck

Peter

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

A TF member (TowLou) actually went down from Del Ray beach last
Saturday to look at starboard enginge and adjust valve and injectors. Unfortunately I had the remaned blower and inter cooler and gasket set with me in SC. Broker had them in office ,said he was afraid they would get stolen. And didnt hear from Lou until after I had gone . He is going to call me this evening , my thoughts is he may know where we can move boat to and I drive down with parts and we bust knuckles to get engine up and running .Then do as some said find a hungry Captain.
The problem with the engine was that it overheated, the head that is on there is not original to engine he states by serial number but is compatible. Broker said that $ 5k was spent on head resurfaced and other work.
ARC seems genuine but I have a scam monkey on my shoulder chewing on my ear. Our society has created this skepticism in us do to all the scams. As far as a lawyer goes I am the type to just go fix it and be gone. My boat ,my cost, my lesson. Hey life is still good . I am 6 feet above ground still sucking air LOL

 

[ben2go]

How did this turn out? I had the idea of finding a boat heading north and taking her up on one engine with the other boat there to assist in the event of engine failure. They could aide in towing off to the side and anchoring. Then a tow company could bring the boat to a transient slip for repairs.

 

[Dnnsmrgn]

How did this turn out? I had the idea of finding a boat heading north and taking her up on one engine with the other boat there to assist in the event of engine failure. They could aide in towing off to the side and anchoring. Then a tow company could bring the boat to a transient slip for repairs.

Saga is still ongoing. ARC suxs wind . Having boat towed by Tow Boat US to Playboy Marina in Dania Beach area to have hauled out , bottom painted . I will be changinng ouy all seacocks and checking running gear and rudder post bearings and seals and repacking shaft packing glands . Lord help me and have mercy on my old self LOL. planning on 2 weeks but budgeted for 4 weeks . Also will be working on the starboard engine. I leave Tomorrow May 27th to get ready for haul out.

 

[ben2go]

Saga is still ongoing. ARC suxs wind . Having boat towed by Tow Boat US to Playboy Marina in Dania Beach area to have hauled out , bottom painted . I will be changinng ouy all seacocks and checking running gear and rudder post bearings and seals and repacking shaft packing glands . Lord help me and have mercy on my old self LOL. planning on 2 weeks but budgeted for 4 weeks . Also will be working on the starboard engine. I leave Tomorrow May 27th to get ready for haul out.

I have heard some bad things about that company but I also know how touchy people can be when it comes to their boats, so I write off some bad reviews to that. I know I'm crazy sensitive about my boat, when I have a boat.

 

[mpeatfish]

Has anyone on the Florida coast lines east or west heard of A.R.C. Marine towing or Angel Rescue corporation?
I purchased the boat thru a Broker and paid a lifetime membership for towing.The deal was they (Angel/ ARC )would deliver the boat to Charleston from Pompano Beach.To begin with it was to be picked up on the 29th of May .A haul out was scheduled and paid for by me. It was suppose to be there for *am Monday.Didnt happen they said they (ARC) would pay for missing haulout.Then was scheduled for Wednesday ( yesterday ) that didnt happen. Boat is in Pompano at a private dock, broker is raising hell for boat to be moved because it was leased out as of the 1st.
The port engine runs, but starboard engine was in process of being put back together when wife UNEPECTEDLY died ,the reason husband sold boat before completeing repairs.
I was starting to feel scammed so I called Florida ATTY General and consumer Affairs they are legite with no complaints. Then I contacted the USCG, the documentation has been done and mailed to me. I went on the USCG website and sure enough it had my doc # and hull ID with the name we changed the boat to. So, now, I am legally liable for said boat.
If I was 30 and still stupid , I would drive boat up on one engine. But at 68 not AS stupid. It would be fool hardy considering I am NOT qualified on a boat this large to attempt this. Nor would I wish to be out in a boat that is unknown to me mechanically.
At this time I and my wife are at a total loss as what to do next. ANY advice, thoughts , or suggestions would be appreciated. And yse, I can take some ribbing as long as it is not down right mean and demeaning.

I recommend fixing the other engine,change fuel filters,make sure your comfortable with the electronics,run it around for a week or so,watch the weather and go when there is a good stretch of good weather.Make and take calculated risk not emotionally driven ones or sell it once the other engine is operational.