Abandon Boat in Marina in Florida

[NoShoes]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

Or it was used to bring something or someone under the radar and has outlived it's utility to the "owner". Especially considering he was not the registered owner and that "bill of sale" may have been a ruse to ward off the authorities or to explain the lack of proper paperwork.

Personally, I was sorta wishing for something more sinister to this story to emerge. Its the hopeless romantic in me. Something like a Dead Calm scenario.

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by zboss

This is completely insane. Why would you walk away from a perfectly saleable asset you did not want unless you had more money than Bill Gates?

All they would have had to do is call a broker.

There comes a time in the life of every boat when it is not worth the cost of repairs and not worth the cost of disposal. That's when people walk away from them.

Brokers don't typically deal with junk boats. They are not worth the time and effort.

[valhalla360]

Originally Posted by nautical62

This seems the one very relevant point that I have not yet seen mentioned. What does the dockage contract state? I've used a few Florida Marians and the contact at all spelled out the consequence of non payment.

Of course, you have to be careful trusting a standardized one sided contract. Lawyers often put unenforcable language into contracts knowing most people will accept it at face value.

As others have said and it sounds like you are following, use a lawyer and follow the rules. It will be a pain and it will likely cost you money in the end.

Untie it, sink it, have some steal it, etc... and if the owner ever does show up, it's quite possible you will pay many times over and possibly add criminal charges (not likely but a possibility). Especially with this thread discussing options for such activities, they can show you had motive and had contemplated the option.

[Rocketman]

Major Update:
The so called crew member who bought the boat, called the guy who sold the boat to him and told him that he had never registered the boat, and that he could have the boat back if he paid the dock fee's at my marina.

The previous owner, who is still the registered owner, called me today and is coming next week to get the boat. He thinks someone on this forum clued the guy in to what was happening. I told the registered owner that as long as he could get the boat out of the marina next week, I wouldn't charge back fee's.

Now everyone is happy, expecially me. Thank you Cruisers Forum.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Rocketman

Major Update:
The so called crew member who bought the boat, called the guy who sold the boat to him and told him that he had never registered the boat, and that he could have the boat back if he paid the dock fee's at my marina.

The previous owner, who is still the registered owner, called me today and is coming next week to get the boat. He thinks someone on this forum clued the guy in to what was happening. I told the registered owner that as long as he could get the boat out of the marina next week, I wouldn't charge back fee's.

Now everyone is happy, expecially me. Thank you Cruisers Forum.

What a good outcome, RM! And what an endorsement for the power of the internet and of CF.

Jim

[WindwardPrinces]

Probably the best outcome for everyone involved.

[Cormorant]

Well done, Rocketman!

[Scout 30]

Congratulations! I hope one jerk doesn't mean we lose transient dock space at your marina.

[St. Elsewhere]

I propose this for the CF Best Thread Award.

[hellosailor]

Rocketman, did I miss something?


First it was a done deal and the (previous) owner was going to come get it. Now it is back to proceedings & no one is coming?


Incidentally, what is the make and age & condition, etc. of the boat? Might as well get the bidding started now.<G>


Might be an interesting exercise for ICE to bring a drug dog and check the boat out on a slow day. Just in case it wasn't such an innocent illegal entry & abandonment in the US and there was a reason for not having a proper owner and clearance. Might be.

[fjwiley1]

Agree on good outcome but I think there was some anticipation for a good "boat Auction/ Sale" in the near future...


Woulda been a lot of Fun.......

[offline]

Congratulations. It only took 7 pages of posts to get there.

[St. Elsewhere]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Rocketman, did I miss something?

Did you see Post 94?

[WindwardPrinces]

Originally Posted by St. Elsewhere

I propose this for the CF Best Thread Award.

I think it would only be eligible if it grappled with the concept of bluewater vs non-bluewater boats.

[Rocketman]

Originally Posted by Scout 30

Congratulations! I hope one jerk doesn't mean we lose transient dock space at your marina.

Thank you everyone, I really didn't know if it was the right thing to do, to start this post, but I thought something good could come from it, and it seems it has.

We are still taking transients at our marina, and I love the transients as they are almost always fun.

We do have a policy that non-functional boat are not allowed in the marina, but my assistant, who had only started a few weeks before, did not know that policy, and since the boat came into the marina at 3am without anyones knowledge, it wouln't have made a differance.

I will be a little more careful when questioning transient boaters, and always try to be helpful to those in need.