I was the owner of a 2004 Cruisers Yacht 320 (cabin cruiser). The purchase price of the boat was 173K. I purchased the boat in March.in August of the boat was placed at Hidden Mill Marine Center for storage. We had contact with the marina in 8/04,9/04,11/04,12/04 4/05 and 6/05. When we went to move the boat from the Marina to Florida in June, we were informed that the marina had taken title to the vessel under the New Jersey Abandoned Vessel Act.
This law was put in place so that land owners could dispose of derilict boats on their property. The law states that you the boat must be on the property without consent of the property owner for a period of more than 6 months and that the property owner knows that the vessel owner will not be returning for the boat.
Since we have proof of contact, invoices and correspondence during the storage period, the marine center took title illegally. We have been in contact with Sherri Thenos, who owns the marina, and she refuses to speak about the issue. She referred us to her attorney who claims that she was 100% right but that he knows nothing about it.
We do owe a balance of 2K to the marina. The Attorney said that maybe if we pay the owners of the marina 10K, they may consider giving back the boat. This is extortion and totally illegal. Use caution when dealing with Hidden Mill. The attorney is George Miller of Atlantic City. He is a half baked real estate attorney who is very cocky and a total jacka*.
We have placed complaints with the New Jersey State Attorney General and the BBB as well as BoatUS and the Division of Consumer Affairs. We are also going to file criminal charges this week for Theft by Deception and Theft by Unlawful Taking. Does anyone have any other suggestions. This has been going on for two months and each month I have to keep making payments to the bank on a boat that I no longer hold title to.
Thanks
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