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Class action lawsuit against Ocean Yachts?

Discussion in 'Ocean Yacht' started by Capt Fred, Jul 13, 2017.

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  1. Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    Has anybody heard or know anything regarding a class action lawsuit against Ocean Yachts deal with teak getting into the hull during construction. This issue from what I'm told deals with Ocean Super Sport boats in the 40' range. The thought was there was a loss of hull integrity due to the oil in the teak. I'm trying to help a friend who has an offer on a 40 Ocean SS.
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Haven't heard of such but with Ocean Yachts out of business, wouldn't expect such to be very beneficial. Would seem like something very difficult to win even if they were in business and would have to be proof of actual damages and proof of cause. Plus, as if that's not enough, would have to be special circumstances to overcome the statute of limitations, although there are situations in which that is possible.
  3. Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    There was no interest in joining the suit but more about how this suit would effect the value and integrity of the boat. More along the line of how hull blistering effected Uniflite.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, I don't know that there is a suit and, if there is one, it's not widely known, but now that you're publicizing the problem that could lower value if enough people jumped on the bandwagon with you. I have no idea where you're getting your information. The concept of a class action suit against a company that isn't in business any longer just doesn't sound credible.
  5. PacBlue

    PacBlue Senior Member

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    We fixed the b
    We fixed the bottom blisters on our 1978 42' Uniflite SF and had no problem selling it in 1991 for more than we bought it used. It was just a cosmetic issue.

    Now delamination and structural issues are a whole different animal.
  6. Just Cruisin

    Just Cruisin Member

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    "I'm trying to help a friend(possibly Capt Fred) who has an offer on a 40 Ocean SS."
    Have to admit his statement sounds fishy. No details on age of boat, current condition, location, hours, etc. A google search on lawsuit turned up nothing. As well, anyone would know that their are no assets for Ocean. The Name only and molds were sold, nothing else. A lawsuit would have no merit and most likely be thrown out. A class action suit would have been published. Know some owners of 40 foot something oceans, not a peep on a class action suit.
    My guess someone is trying to drive down price of boat. Not a good way to do it and other owners will not be happy with it if it effects resale on their boat.
  7. Beau

    Beau Senior Member

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    I'm always curious when someone writes " I'm helping a friend", also. Why doesn't the "friend" make the inquiry?
  8. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Well, when someone posts unsubstantiated rumors under the guise "has anybody heard" and "from what I'm told" it just can be damaging to a brand with no substantiation at all. I could post about any brand, "Have you heard anything about a class action suit against them?" If you have information please just say it, but don't put out innuendos and hearsay. If you know of a specific incident then share it. But oil in the teak damaging the hull integrity?

    When I know of actual litigation against a builder or issues that I have 100% confirmed to be the case, then I'm the first one to want to inform others. I go read the court documents and post based on them. If such a suit as he suggests has been made then it would have been filed in a court somewhere. If so, then let's discuss based on what has been filed and alleged.
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    Now, to Capt Fred. On April 7, you said, "I recently got a Ocean 44". On June 18, you said you'd just gotten your Ocean insignia and couldn't wait to install it. On June 21 you said you'd sold your boat. On June 23, you said, "I have a cockpit freezer in my ocean". On July 10, you said "On my Ocean 44, it is located" referring to the water tank location and you said "My fill is in the cockpit at the sink" still in the same thread as you also said "my holding tank is under the sole." So, do you have an Ocean or did you sell it? And as an Ocean owner or one who just sold one, what is this really about? Or did you have multiple Oceans? I'm very confused in trying to follow your posts.
  10. JEG

    JEG New Member

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    To Olderboater,

    Fred was just trying to help us a "Friend" like he said. We have put in a offer on a 1978 40 Ocean but was told by a boat broker about this Class Action Lawsuit, but also haven't found anything on it. Fred was just reaching out to the boating community to see if anyone else has heard of this lawsuit. It also could be this boat broker is butt hurt that we didn't buy a boat from her and making up things. I know Fred and he not trying to start any rumors and work the price down.

    Wouldn't you want to make sure you done all you research before purchasing something this big?

    Thanks, Chuck, Janece, and Justin
  11. JEG

    JEG New Member

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    Also to Olderboater,

    If you think Fred made a new account to back his story he didn't. I have no problem giving you my number and talking to you. Anyways up for a nice conversation. I'm looking forward to joining the ocean community.


    Thanks Justin
  12. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    I'm not saying anything about what Fred is doing is with malicious intent, but the impact is the same. We're talking unfounded and likely untrue rumors. Had he given the circumstances as to who was saying this we might have been able to respond better. Doesn't matter whether he's trying to start a rumor, he could be starting one if we didn't respond as we have. Ask the broker where the suit has been filed and to pull up the case for you. Until shown differently, I think it's total hogwash. I'd ask the broker for proof.

    This obviously doesn't hurt the company but could hurt owners of Ocean boats.

    I'd do my research but I wouldn't come on a forum suggesting there's a suit unless I was very sure of it.

    I do appreciate you speaking up and explaining the circumstance. Hope you get your Ocean. You can suggest you've heard of this problem to your surveyor.
  13. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    So does Fred have an Ocean now or did he sell it?
  14. JEG

    JEG New Member

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    Yes, Fred does owns a Ocean, I was on it a couple weekends ago and Fred was nice enough to take us out on it. It's a very good looking boat. We wish there was a 44 for sale near us, in our price range.

    Justin
    Aaron McCann likes this.
  15. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    This is for Fred then, did you not sell your boat on June 21 or was that a different boat or what?
  16. Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    Yes I sold a Tollycraft 37 (read my earlier post), I was a two boat owner for a short time. I'm currently a proud owner of a 44 Ocean SS. Two different boat brokers said they knew of the lawsuit and it was concerning 1978 and 1979 40' Ocean SS and the suit goes back to the 1980 time frame, way before Google. Nothing malicious meant by my post, truly trying to help a friend. I'm satisfied that nobody on this forum has heard of such a suit.
  17. Just Cruisin

    Just Cruisin Member

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    Fred, I am also the owner of a 94 53 Ocean Super Sport and very pleased with her. A little advice, next time why don't you try starting with Boat US and asking them if they are aware of any pending litigation or problems with a certain boat. They have very good resources.
    I am sure most other Ocean owners do not appreciate a thread that starts with Class Action Lawsuit Against Ocean. Much better to ask of info on a certain boat and hear the pro's and con's.
  18. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

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    So a 35-40 year old lawsuit. Given the additional information I did find some criticism of 40' Ocean SS's of that time period only and a reference to the lawsuit attributable to Fisherman magazine. If there were issues they were apparently not of the later reintroduced 40.

    Whether the lawsuit ever happened or was just talked about or whatever the case, it would seem wise that your friend mention these problems to the surveyor and make sure the surveyor considers them.
  19. Capt Fred

    Capt Fred Senior Member

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    Thanks!
  20. Donzi 54

    Donzi 54 Member

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    I do remember that there was a lawsuit that was brought against Ocean yachts. But it was a very long time ago and it went know where. Nothing ever came of it and from what I remember it was dropped.