Complaint Review: Atlantic Boat Company - Brooklin MD

In 1982 my father and I bought the 25’ fiberglass shell of a sailing boat which we named SPARROW After working on it for two years we sailed it around Cape Horn without any damage. It was surveyed years later: “This vessel was finished off to surpass any and all sea conditions.” When ATLANTIC BOAT COMPANY completed their work, Sparrow looked great. I went below a couple of times to clean up before showing her.

The first guy came, hand rail coming off as he grabbed it to go below. He began finding what looked to me like vandalism. Much of the work my father and I had completed and had now been UNDONE! It wasn't even seaworthy. The stanchion bolts had been sawed through level with the deck. After painting, the hardware was then mounted with one and one eighth-inch screws, barely long enough to get through the deck. Leaning on the stanchions tore them out. One fell over during transport to new owner.

This absurd incompetence was methodically repeated on all cabin top fittings, not a single ceiling plank had been removed to gain access. There are about 30 fittings on deck and cabin top, and now with no integrity. This includes winches, fairleads, cleats, roller blocks and now EVERY fitting unsafe.

The Awlgrip already separating from the rudder (so - their application lasts at least six months, good to know). In addition, things had been removed and put back incorrectly. Parts had been lost, including some expensive and meticulously installed. 

The DECEPTION came when I was not contacted and told that they were unable to remove anything bolted. One phone call would’ve made all the difference and I would have immediately stopped them. Oh, - the pulpit: The screws they used to put it back were smaller and thinner than the originals. As no bedding compound was used anywhere, the pulpit can now be lifted by two people - no tools required.

They did however disclose one thing; the price was now half again as much as the estimate. For $32,000 Sparrow had been transformed from a military grade Humvee into a three wheeled shopping cart. She was now unseaworthy and potentially life-threatening, the owner possibly held criminally negligent knowing of the horrifically poor and thoughtless quality of Atlantic Boat Company’s - do I call it work? Lack of skill, ability, experience, taking pride in their work? The damages carried out by Atlantic Boat Company were dangerous especially if one were to depend on a lifeline, a cleat or a winch.

It is fair to say that my asking price was substantially lowered and I did not recover any of the $32,000. I emailed them describing the above, including the pictures (which I hope can be included in this review). These pictures so clearly depict all of this. I also requested a full refund and would not even consider allowing them to make "repairs' as they do not recognize that they did anything which might require repairing. 

In response came a letter from the president and COO. After a meaning less paragraph confirming that Sparrow had indeed been there, reviewing invoices and costs, including winter storage “where you have had unlimited access,” there was a single sentence relating in any way to all of this – one short sentence; 

“I believe the work done (painting) on Sparrow was executed properly and with professional results.” 

Alex Loer, President & COO Tern, Inc. - Atlantic Boat Company

NOTE: This review is not exaggerated. I’ve had it reviewed by the new owner and all is accurate to the best of our knowledge. His comment was “I think your review sums it up, shoddy work and no integrity.”

On the bright side, the office staff and yard workers were terrific. They got things done on time, were informative, and a pleasure to deal with.

Daniel Hays