Problem with boat....

[wish4fish]

I was just wondering if anyone has had this type of "boat problem", and what you may have done to resolve it.
On 7-21-00, I went to Stevens Marine,Inc. in Tigard with my boyfriend to look around. we were looking at fishing boats so we would have an idea of the type and size we would buy in the near future.
On this day, we also were able to find a 1978; 14' Lowe silvercraft with a trailer.
It just so happened that I purchased the boat for him as a surprise (so he would have a boat untill we got a better one).
I paid for everything (boat; trailer; registration; title and 2 yr. tags) then had it imediatly put in his name (because I bought it for him).
Now comes the problem....
The people at Stevens said that we would recieve the paperwork in a couple of weeks. We waited and waited until we called to ask where the paperwork was...again"it will be a few more weeks"... Finally on 9-24, we recieved another temp. and a letter stating "there is a problem w/past owners"...Again...wait; wait; wait...
We keep calling and going in to Stevens to get things straightened out...Finally on 10-3-00 we recieved the title and a registration that expired on 12-31-00. Funny, I didn't realize that there was a 2 yr. period of time from July-Dec...did you??
Again, since recieving the title in Nov. we have recieved nothing but "the run around" from Stevens Marine.
We call and go in to see them, we are told "we will get this straightened out and get back to you in a few days"...
Sure makes me wonder where they learned to tell time and where they learned customer non-service!!
Now, having said all of this, what would or did you do to resolve this problem???
Bought the boat to use...not to see it sitting in my driveway.
Can you help??? Thanks.

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look out for that....

[Pete]

It sounds like boat was consigned to Stevens. If this is true, Stevens does not have the title or registration, but acts as the intermediary with the prior owner. If this is true the title would have been transferred with remaining time on the registration accounting for the short expiration time. The delays could easily have been caused by the prior owner. I don't know who you're working with at Stevens, but if you haven't been dealing with the store manager you should give that a try. Stevens certainly has nothing to gain by causing you a head ache.

[Pilar]

That sounds like the usual deal. The Oregon state marine board is pretty slow. As long as you have some documents that show your attempt to register the boat, you should be OK. Another 2 years is only $25. Such a deal.

Just realize that every law enforcement official on the river will come by to give you a once over when they spot your expired tag. They glass all of the boats they pass and check all of the ones with registration problems. You can expect the life jacket and safety equipment fire drill every time.

Whatever you do don't wait to reregister the boat. After 30 days, they charge extra for you allowing the tags to expire. There is an out for this too. Just write a letter stating that the boat was out of commission (blown motor, whatever) during the time in question and the extra charges are dropped.

The bend is your friend!

[zipper]

Nothing but top notch dealings with this particular marina in the past. they have gone out of their way to do things right. how 'bout those "Wooldridge" boats? Sport 2000 20 footer, 130 Honda OB - almost orgasmic! http://www.ifish.net/forum/images/graemlins/smile.gif