UPDATE -HULL CRACKS-2018 RANGER R27

[davecook]

THIS IS AN UPDATE ON A PREVIOUS POST ''A RANGER TUG PURCHASE STORY ''
ON SEPT 15 TH 2020 ( AFTER GIVING A 1 WEEK'' GOOD WILL'' EXTENSION ) ,A RESPONSE FROM THE ONTARIO RANGER DEALER .
THE EMAIL STATED THAT THEY WHERE IN NO WAY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DAMAGE AND THAT THE DEALERSHIP COULD REPAIR THE BOAT FOR ME , IF ''I PAID '' FOR THE RETAIL REPAIR COST ! ----- I WILL TRY TO GIVE YOU THE FACTS THAT WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND THE CHAIN OF EVENTS .
FIRST OF ALL , MY WIFE AND I HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND PLANT ( AS WE OWNED A PREVIOUS R27 RANGER FROM 2014 ON ) .WE ATTENDED MANY RENDEZVOUS , WE SOCIALIZED WITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AND SALESPEOPLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH EMPLOYEES OF RANGER TUGS .
THIS LEADS TO DOING BUSINESS WITH THE ONTARIO RANGER DEALERSHIP, AS YOU TRUST THEM , AS RANGER TUGS SAYS '' YOUR PART OF THE FAMILY '' . SO YES ...... I LET MY GUARD DOWN ..... AFTER ALL ..... I WAS DEALING WITH ''FAMILY '' .......
SO IF WE CAN GO FROM THE START --- THE USED 2018 R27 I BOUGHT(NO TRAILER ) HAD APPROX. 25 HOURS ON IT . IT WAS ADVERTISED AS ''LIKE NEW , BOW TO STERN '' . THE ONTARIO DEALER DOESN'T USE THE RANGER PLANT TRUCKING COMPANY .I HAVE AN EMAIL STATING THEY SET UP THEIR OWN FREIGHT .IS IT A ''BACK HAUL '' ? A TRUCK/TRAILER THAT IS IN THE PLANT AREA THAT NEEDS A LOAD HOME TO PAY FOR THE FUEL ? COMPANIES USE BACK HAULS BECAUSE THEY ARE CHEAPER , BUT YOU DON'T ALWAYS HAVE CONTROL OF HOW YOUR FREIGHT IS HANDLED .
HOW WAS THE BOAT SUPPORTED ? IS IT BLOCKED UNDER THE KEEL ? I HAVE NOT HAD THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED OR THE NAME OF THE FREIGHT COMPANY .
IN MY PERSONAL OPINION , AND THE PERSONAL OPINIONS BY OTHERS , THAT THE CRACKS ARE FROM THE BOAT COMING DOWN HARD ON A BLOCK .WHERE WOULD A BOAT BE ''BLOCKED '' ? ------AT THE PLANT ? ----- IN TRANSPORT ? ----- AT THE ONTARIO DEALERSHIP ?
HOW ARE BOATS LOADED AND UNLOADED ? I HAVE NOT HAD THESE QUESTIONS ANSWERED . WHAT I DO KNOW IS ....THE BOAT WAS DELIVERED TO THE FIRST OWNER , ''BY WATER '' WITH THE SALESMAN RUNNING THE BOAT UP FROM LAKE SIMCOE TO MIDLAND , ON GEORGIAN BAY . THE 1 ST OWNER HAD A $ 15000 NEW MARINE RAILROAD INSTALLED BY A LEADING COMPANY IN THE FIELD SINCE THE 1970 'S . THE OWNER SUPERVISED THE RAILROAD SUPPORT ADJUSTMENTS ( WHICH WAS DONE IN OVER 1 FT OF WATER ) UNTIL HE SAID '' IT WAS PERFECT ''
THE BOAT SAT ON THE MARINE RAILROAD ,IN THE BOAT HOUSE FOR ALL 4 SEASONS UNTIL WE BOUGHT THE BOAT , THE BOAT WAS NEVER ON BLOCKS AFTER IT LEFT THE DEALERSHIP .AS I SAID BEFORE , I BOUGHT THE BOAT WITH APPROX. 25 HRS ON IT .IT STILL HAD THE PLASTIC WRAP ON THE STAINLESS FRONT PANEL OF THE FRIDGE ,IT STILL HAD THE NEW BOAT SMELL .
I HAVE EMAILS AND PHONE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE RANGER TUG PLANT ASKING ME ''IF I HAVE CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY YET ? ''MY ETHICS WOULD NOT ALLOW MYSELF TO MAKE UP A FICTITIOUS STORY TO DO AN INSURANCE CLAIM ON SOMETHING I DIDN'T DO .
ON RALF AND ANDREW'S REQUEST ( WARRANTY & GENERAL MANAGER OF RANGER TUGS) WE MEASURED CRACK LOCATIONS AND LENGTHS .WE MARKED VISUAL LOCATIONS WITH MASKING TAPE , WE ZOOMED IN , WE ZOOMED OUT WITH PICTURES REQUESTED . ALL THIS .... I WAS TOLD .... WAS FOR THE PLANT ENGINEERS TO DEVELOP ''A PLAN '' FOR A FACTORY RECOMMENDED REPAIR PROCEDURE .
WITH DELAYS AND PROMISES , I HAVE NEVER SEEN A COPY OF THIS PROCEDURE WHICH WAS PROMISED TO BE EMAILED TO ME . THE DEALERSHIP HAS ONE , BUT NOT ME , THE OWNER .

I HAVE LEARNED A FEW THINGS ALONG THE WAY FROM OWNING A SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS FOR ALMOST 25 YEARS .... THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO RETAIN CUSTOMERS ------ IF YOU ARE NEW TO THIS STORY , THE ORIGINAL POST '' A RANGER TUG PURCHASE STORY '' , A RELATED POST '' CENSURE ? '' IS ALSO INTERESTING . ----- CLICK ON THE CAMERA ICON ON THE RIGHT , GO TO THE LAST PAGE FOR PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE -----.

 

[Red-27]

I would think that the best way to detimine if it was damaged in shipping or not would be to see what your initial marine survey says. If its not listed then it was most likely damaged in transit or while it was being loaded or unloaded. If it was somehow damaged and your surveyor missed it in his inspection prior to you buying it then the surveyor probably has insurance to cover it.

Other then that you would need a lawyer to give you your legal options because I think most US sales for boats/cars/RVs are sold as is unless otherwise stated and I have no clue how it works in Canada.

Talking with your insurance would probably be a good idea at this point. I am not advocating lying to them or making up a story, in the us that's insurance fraud. insurance covers you if someone crashes into you. If your insurance covers it then your insurance company themselves will most likely look at what action they can take to recoup their losses.

This seems like an unfortunate situation. I wish you luck.

 

[vertigo]

Hi, Dave.
I'm sorry to read of your deeply-dissatisfying experience with this purchase so far. Your frustration is palpable, but it's unclear from your posts from whom you purchased the vessel. Did the dealer represent the condition of the boat on behalf of the prior owner, or on their own behalf as a reseller? Did they get a survey to support their statement of vessel condition?

Also, where did you take possession of the vessel, at the prior owner's location, at the dealer's location, at the point of delivery to you, or at some other point?

Based on what I've read so far in this odyssey, I'm having trouble imagining why the factory should be viewed with disapprobation.

Jim
(toiled in litigation in a former life)

 

[bob daily]

Dave, sorry to hear that you are no further into a solution than you were a month ago! As I noted in a post that was deleted I would focus on the shipping company and the way it was hauled to final destination. I hope you the best and hopefully one day you will have a happy ending to this story, but until then hang in there and remember that a lot of the ranger family is cheering for you! Bob

 

[Chimo]

Correct me if I’m wrong.

You bought a used boat from a dealer you respected. They were selling the boat on behalf of the original owner. The boat was well beyond any warranty period. Years have passed since the boat was shipped from the factory to the original owner who then installed it on a new railway and left it there until you bought it. No survey was done before purchase. (I have typically had a survey done at my expense on a new boat).

If the above is true then I have to ask why anyone other than the original owner and the dealer are even being discussed. If RT are giving you and the dealer guidance on how to repair the boat I applaud them for not charging for it.

What am I missing please?

Replace the word boat with “car” and railway with “garage”. What do you see? Think of it as lesson learned or sue the dealer.

 

[davecook]

when I said 4 seasons , I mean spring , summer , fall , winter . Replace the word boat with car - buy a car with 25 hrs from a dealer ( My invoice is from the dealer ) . After 13 days you have no recourse with the car dealership ? water Flooding the v birth at the dock when the salesman ships the boat to you ? those details are on the first “ a Ranger tug purchase story “

 

[BradOwens]

Still don't see how the Ranger Tug factory can be deemed to be at fault here. The dealer maybe, the prior owner maybe, the shipper maybe. But without a survey before purchase it's difficult to determine when and where the damage occurred.

 

[Chimo]

when I said 4 seasons , I mean spring , summer , fall , winter . Replace the word boat with car - buy a car with 25 hrs from a dealer ( My invoice is from the dealer ) . After 13 days you have no recourse with the car dealership ? water Flooding the v birth at the dock when the salesman ships the boat to you ? those details are on the first “ a Ranger tug purchase story “

Sorry but I still don’t see how RT should be involved. You have no contract with them.Their warranty against defects in materials and workmanship is clear. You possibly have a claim of misrepresentation against the dealer with whom you have a contract. I’m not an expert and have not read the terms and conditions of that contract. Was a warranty included? Was it limited? Was the vessel sold ‘as is’? Those are the terms your lawyer should be looking at. Yes, it would be the same for a car unless Ontario has some special legislation.

I really am sorry You bought a damaged boat but I don’t know what you expect RT to do beyond the repair advice they have given the dealer FOC and so I don’t know what you expect from TugNuts. Get a lawyer but remember the top two lessons of business. Don’t do business with friends or family. If you love me, put it in writing.

 

[Red-27]

After 13 days you have no recourse with the car dealership ?

In the us when you buy any used car no matter how lightly used they are sold as is. it could blow up the same day you bought it and you would have no recourse. once money has changed hands or the paper work has been signed its your car. that's why when buying a used car its smart to have it inspected first. you also wouldn't buy a house without an inspection i would hope.

 

[bob daily]

Mr Dave, On your original post (I thought) you said you arranged for shipping with a hydrologic trailer hauler, on this post it sounds like it was shipped by a flatbed or lowboy trailer, I was just wondering was the cost of shipping included in the sale and who arranged the shipping? Usually when something is purchased and damage was incurred in shipping the item is returned and a replacement item is provided by the seller. These boats are advertised as trailor-trollers but must have a proper trailer to keep from damaging the boat. It sounds like no one is stepping up and taking responsibility for the damage, maybe a little finger pointing! So sad to here someone having this problem. Bob

 

[davecook]

Thanks Bob for the comments. After I bought the boat I hired a boat moving company with a hydraulic trailer to move the boat to Lake Huron ( about 200 miles ) . The boat never had a trailer with it from the plant or supplied at the dealership . I am told the dealer sets up their own freight ( not factory delivery ) in my opinion, this means any freight company, probably a drop deck highway trailer . No one will give me freight from the factory details . I have a conversation with Andrew and a email from the dealers service manager stating “ they set up their own freight “ If it’s a non issue , show me pictures of the load . Most freight companies take pictures of their loads to cover themselves, if something goes wrong . I have pictures of the hydraulic trailer that I hired , with the boat on it .

 

[johnbenj]

I am sorry that you are having this experience. I am confused on the timeline of key events but i keep thinking that the seller or dealership will need to help make you whole here for damage if it was done after the sale. But I don't know if you did a pre-buy inspection? It sounds like you are having a very difficult time determining when the damage happened - pre-purchase or after-purchase.

Why are you asking about the factory delivery details and logistics?

After I bought the boat I hired a boat moving company with a hydraulic trailer to move the boat to Lake Huron ( about 200 miles ) .

Did you do a survey or pre-buy inspection of the boat ?
Did the dealer transport the boat from the seller to their dealership?
You hired a hydraulic transport from dealership to you?
Did you buy the boat from a dealer? Or, was the dealer a broker in the sale for a private seller?

Best of luck to you.

 

[davecook]

All those questions are answered above and in the original post “a Ranger Tug Purchase Story “ . Note some comments where deleted by a moderator. My questions have not been answered by the dealership , I was extremely patient with them , missed the summer boating . It has been over 2 months now ( and I never did get the plant’s recommended repair procedure which , they told me they where doing of me , the owner )

 

[vertigo]

All those questions are answered above and in the original post “a Ranger Tug Purchase Story “ . Note some comments where deleted by a moderator. My questions have not been answered by the dealership , I was extremely patient with them , missed the summer boating . It has been over 2 months now ( and I never did get the plant’s recommended repair procedure which , they told me they where doing of me , the owner )

I’ve gotta say that none of those key details seem clear from my reading. All of the prior commenter’s questions are cogent. Can you enlighten us here?

 

[Red-27]

All those questions are answered above and in the original post “a Ranger Tug Purchase Story “ . Note some comments where deleted by a moderator. My questions have not been answered by the dealership , I was extremely patient with them , missed the summer boating . It has been over 2 months now ( and I never did get the plant’s recommended repair procedure which , they told me they where doing of me , the owner )

I’ve gotta say that none of those key details seem clear from my reading. All of the prior commenter’s questions are cogent. Can you enlighten us here?

Agreed. IT would be nice to know all of this in one thread instead of spread out over 3.

 

[Brian98133]

Exactly! The 3 different threads make it difficult to follow without making physical notes as we're reading.

While I completely understand the frustration you must feel purchasing a boat that has this extreme of a hull issue, given the 'facts' that I have gathered from the 3 threads, I fail to understand why someone in this predicament would want anything but some advice from RT?

I may have missed (and hopefully DID) the part where a surveyor was hired pre-purchase? If not... caveat emptor. A surveyor, in all likelihood, would have spotted such a problem and advised you against purchasing

Moreover, I don't know what posting on TugNuts would accomplish, other than the fact that this is a great outlet and amazing place for input/feedback. It seems clear that all posts on this situation agree that RT would be held harmless. I highly doubt that anyone would be swayed from purchasing their own RT/CW if all facts are understood here.

What should be garnered from sharing this is simple:
1) Hire a reputable surveyor prior to purchase and keep all documentation.
2) Do your due diligence in picking your dealer.
3) If a purchase is made, and shipping/transport is required - Take video and picture evidence of every movement of the transport, and reinspect at the destination. This may seem overkill... but you more than likely spent MANY thousands on your purchase! IMO, it's worth the 'hassle'.

Without video or pictures before and after, there can truly be no recourse when damage is discovered. Period.

The only thing that is suspect that I remember through ALL the posts is that you found someone from the dealership wet-vacuuming water from inside the boat at the destination? But, was this before or after the sale was completed? If before... as long as you have hard evidence (video? pics?)... you may have a case against the dealership. If after? Again... caveat emptor.

I don't intend for any of this to seem harsh. On the contrary... It sucks that you have this situation! However, I do believe - again, based on whatever 'facts' can be discerned here - that RT should be held harmless, and your attention would be better served looking at the dealer and/or transport service.

I do wish much luck to you sir!

 

[davecook]

QUESTIONS ANSWERED 1- NO SURVEY ( YES , TOO MUCH TRUST , LET MY GUARD DOWN , RUSHED DEAL , ETC ETC . )
2 - LOOKED AT BOAT IN BOAT HOUSE , THEN BOAT MOVED TO MARINA 1 MILE AWAY ( DEALERSHIP OWNED ) FOR A QUICK SEA TRIAL , THEN HOURS LATER , FINALIZING THE SALE ON MY TRADE ( 2013 RANGER R27 ) . THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE BOAT I BOUGHT LISTED ON CONSIGNMENT , THEY FLIPPED IT BACK INTO THEIR NAME ( THEY SOLD IT NEW TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER ) THE INVOICE I HAVE IS FROM THE DEALERSHIP , SHOWING THE NEW BOAT , MINUS MY OLD BOAT TRADE .
3 -- I HIRED AND DISPATCHED A BOAT MOVING COMPANY TO PICK THE BOAT UP ON A HYDRAULIC BOAT TRAILER ON JULY 9 TH 2020 , AT 9 AM ( I WAS NOT THERE ) . THE SALESMAN WAS TO HAVE THE BOAT AT THE DOCK . BOAT NOT AT DOCK FOR 9 AM , THE TWO BOAT MOVERS GO AROUND THE BUILDING AND SEE THE SALESMAN WITH A MOP AND PAIL , GETTING THE WATER OUT OF THE V BIRTH . QUESTIONED ON THIS .... SALESMAN SAYS HE WILL CALL ME . I TELL HIM TO HAVE TECHS LOOK AT RIGHT NOW ! SALESMAN SAYS IT'S '' JUST FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN '' . HE THEN TAKES THE BOAT OUT FOR A QUICK HI SPEED SPIN TO WHAT HE SAID '' WAS TO WASH THE ALGEE OFF THE BOTTOM '' . THEN THE SALESMAN LOADS THE BOAT . I DON'T HEAR FROM THE SALESMAN FOR 20-30 MINUTES ( THINKING TECH IS LOOKING AT IT ) BUT BOAT IS ON THE ROAD TO ME .
4 --SALESMAN SAYS DEALERSHIP WILL PAY FOR AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR , BUT THAT IS NOT PROBLEM , I WORK WITH PLANT AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER TO FIND WATER PROBLEM . WITH ALL POSSIBILITIES RULED OUT , I HIRE ANOTHER HYDRAULIC TRAILER TO PULL BOAT OUT ( ON THE 13 TH DAY WITH BOAT AT DOCK ) . LAYING ON MY BACK , IN THE SLIME AT BOAT RAMP , I SEE THE 2 CRACKS . THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE KNOW , IS THAT THE BOAT WAS PUT DOWN HARD ON A BLOCK . I HAVE A FULL SURVEY , MOISTURE READINGS , ETC ETC .
5 -- ORIGINAL OWNER ( #1 ) PUT VERY FEW HOURS ON THE BOAT , ALWAYS STORED ON THE MARINE RAILROAD . SOME OF THE APROX. 25 HRS RUN TIME WAS THE DEALERSHIP DELIVERING THE BOAT , BY WATER , FROM LAKE SIMCOE TO GEORGIAN BAY .
6- THIS WAS LIKE BUYING A NEW BOAT WITH A FEW DEMO HOURS ON IT ( I THOUGHT .... ) IN MY PERSONAL OPINION , THE BOAT HULL WAS COMPROMISED BEFORE THE ORIGINAL OWNER ( # 1 ) TOOK DELIVERY . THE ORIGINAL OWNER JUST NEVER HAD IT IN THE WATER LONG ENOUGH , AND WATER RUNS OUT OF CRACKS ON A MARINE RAILROAD , OUT OF THE WATER . THE DEALERSHIP IS VERY QUIET AND WON'T ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

 

[vertigo]

QUESTIONS ANSWERED 1- NO SURVEY ( YES , TOO MUCH TRUST , LET MY GUARD DOWN , RUSHED DEAL , ETC ETC . )
2 - LOOKED AT BOAT IN BOAT HOUSE , THEN BOAT MOVED TO MARINA 1 MILE AWAY ( DEALERSHIP OWNED ) FOR A QUICK SEA TRIAL , THEN HOURS LATER , FINALIZING THE SALE ON MY TRADE ( 2013 RANGER R27 ) . THE DEALERSHIP HAD THE BOAT I BOUGHT LISTED ON CONSIGNMENT , THEY FLIPPED IT BACK INTO THEIR NAME ( THEY SOLD IT NEW TO THE ORIGINAL OWNER ) THE INVOICE I HAVE IS FROM THE DEALERSHIP , SHOWING THE NEW BOAT , MINUS MY OLD BOAT TRADE .
3 -- I HIRED AND DISPATCHED A BOAT MOVING COMPANY TO PICK THE BOAT UP ON A HYDRAULIC BOAT TRAILER ON JULY 9 TH 2020 , AT 9 AM ( I WAS NOT THERE ) . THE SALESMAN WAS TO HAVE THE BOAT AT THE DOCK . BOAT NOT AT DOCK FOR 9 AM , THE TWO BOAT MOVERS GO AROUND THE BUILDING AND SEE THE SALESMAN WITH A MOP AND PAIL , GETTING THE WATER OUT OF THE V BIRTH . QUESTIONED ON THIS .... SALESMAN SAYS HE WILL CALL ME . I TELL HIM TO HAVE TECHS LOOK AT RIGHT NOW ! SALESMAN SAYS IT'S '' JUST FROM THE AIR CONDITIONING DRAIN '' . HE THEN TAKES THE BOAT OUT FOR A QUICK HI SPEED SPIN TO WHAT HE SAID '' WAS TO WASH THE ALGEE OFF THE BOTTOM '' . THEN THE SALESMAN LOADS THE BOAT . I DON'T HEAR FROM THE SALESMAN FOR 20-30 MINUTES ( THINKING TECH IS LOOKING AT IT ) BUT BOAT IS ON THE ROAD TO ME .
4 --SALESMAN SAYS DEALERSHIP WILL PAY FOR AIR CONDITIONING REPAIR , BUT THAT IS NOT PROBLEM , I WORK WITH PLANT AND DEALERSHIP SERVICE MANAGER TO FIND WATER PROBLEM . WITH ALL POSSIBILITIES RULED OUT , I HIRE ANOTHER HYDRAULIC TRAILER TO PULL BOAT OUT ( ON THE 13 TH DAY WITH BOAT AT DOCK ) . LAYING ON MY BACK , IN THE SLIME AT BOAT RAMP , I SEE THE 2 CRACKS . THE PERSONAL OPINIONS OF PEOPLE IN THE KNOW , IS THAT THE BOAT WAS PUT DOWN HARD ON A BLOCK . I HAVE A FULL SURVEY , MOISTURE READINGS , ETC ETC .
5 -- ORIGINAL OWNER ( #1 ) PUT VERY FEW HOURS ON THE BOAT , ALWAYS STORED ON THE MARINE RAILROAD . SOME OF THE APROX. 25 HRS RUN TIME WAS THE DEALERSHIP DELIVERING THE BOAT , BY WATER , FROM LAKE SIMCOE TO GEORGIAN BAY .
6- THIS WAS LIKE BUYING A NEW BOAT WITH A FEW DEMO HOURS ON IT ( I THOUGHT .... ) IN MY PERSONAL OPINION , THE BOAT HULL WAS COMPROMISED BEFORE THE ORIGINAL OWNER ( # 1 ) TOOK DELIVERY . THE ORIGINAL OWNER JUST NEVER HAD IT IN THE WATER LONG ENOUGH , AND WATER RUNS OUT OF CRACKS ON A MARINE RAILROAD , OUT OF THE WATER . THE DEALERSHIP IS VERY QUIET AND WON'T ANSWER MY QUESTIONS

On these facts I see an actionable claim against the dealer for delivery of nonconforming goods after your conditional rejection. If Ontario follows any reasonable variation of the Uniform Commercial Code, you'll prevail.
Get thee to counsel before you contribute to your losses.

The dealer owes you a boat matching his promises. That one ain't it.

 

[davecook]

Thanks Vertigo for the comment . I have bought many boats , and accept that after purchase there are lots of little things to fix , ( even when I bought the 2013 R27 new ) but I did not sign on to do a complete rebuild either .

 

[BB marine]

Dave, I believe you have a legitimate complaint. You had a relationship with the dealer. You trusted the dealer that represents Fluid Motion industries. You didn't get a full survey of the lightly used Ranger. Putting the trust in a friendly dealership seems like something you should be able to do. Honestly you can't. As you know now.

The dealer in my opinion should be responsible to repair the leak. They told you to have it fixed at your marina. Find a reputable shop that will dismantle the boat's interior, pulling the fuel tank and what ever else needs to be removed to dry the hull and make the proper repairs. Get the estimate and submit it to the dealer. He told you to get it fixed and send them the bill. The salesman thought it was the shower sump because he also did not do his part in a full inspection of the boat. Where is his inspection sheet that he filled out when he contracted with the owner to brokerage his boat. A reputable dealership will do a full inspection of a used boat before they will ever take on the responsibility of selling the boat. Ask the dealer for the inspection report of the boat when he contracted to sell the boat for the owner. If the dealer doesn't have that he had no idea he was selling you a boat that could be a total loss. He had no idea that it had a cracked hull. He did know it had a leak. He failed to troubleshoot the leak properly and sold you the boat saying take it to your marina and send us the bill. That is what I would do. Fluid Motions responsibility will only come into play if the repair shop determines that the failure is due to a manufactures defect and the hull delaminated. Cross that bridge when you come to it. For now I would hold the dealer to his agreement get it fixed and send us the bill. My opinion !