Stay Away From Godfrey Marine aka The Nautical Group
We purchased a 2009 Aqua Patio Pontoon boat. A 240 tri-toon Aqua Patio Elite. We ordered it loaded and from the literature it looked like a very nice product. Like they say looks can be deceiving. When the Boat arrived at VS Marine in Atascadero, CA it was loaded with problems.
First the painted sides were bent and an extra hole in the bow painted aluminum. On the inside none of the doors were straight and the hinges were all crooked. The storage doors had huge gaps in the tops and they were covering the bottom of the speakers. The rear seats did not line up and the interior was graphite not the wood grain as shown in the sales literature.
The brackets on the fold up bimini top were digging into the seats and leaving marks. The ski locker was taking in water. The stereo system, upgraded, did not work and two speakers were blown and 3 were never hooked up. The rear simulated upgraded teak swim step material was buckled and the door catches on the floor had sharp square corners.
The engine compartment lift did not work. The trailer was built wrong and had 1500 lbs on the tow vehicle tongue. Basically the boat was tossed together and was sent out in very, very poor condition.
We left the boat with the selling dealer and two weeks later they brought it to us. Still the same problems, and some worse. The kid that brought it down told us that VS Marine had to send a few boats back to Godfrey because they had too many issues.
Anyway after owning the boat for 12 months and it spending 7 of those at VS Marine for repairs we had enough. The dealer said the manufacturer was buying the boat back and issuing a refund. Well they still owe us over $15,000.00 and the selling dealer actually had it listed as a demo on his web page. When I emailed the dealer to ask I thought the boat was going back to the manufacturer they took the ad down real fast.
So my advice is to avoid not only Godfrey Marine but VS Marine in Atascadero, CA as well. For what they charge for these boats, $59,000.00 you can buy a real boat that is solid and has a local dealer network to help you out.
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like to see some documents or photos.
Almost forgot. Godfrey had the selling dealer email me a confidentiality agreement that I would not do what I am doing now. Well you guessed it I never signed it. I wonder how many of those they get people to sign.
0 comments