The 'Harp' experience

IN THIS time of recession in the boating industry it really is essential that anyone having a narrowboat built takes great precautions.

Alas, one couple, Tom and Jan Jones were somewhat unable, living in Australia at the time of building, only spending a few days with their boat builder Ben Harp Narrowboats.

To hell and back

The whole experience is described by Tom in his Blog as 'Ben Harp—to hell and back again'.  For not only has he lost a great deal of money when the company went bust, but his unfinished boat was actually sabotaged!  His various photographs show what was done to the boat, and from the burn marks on the spilt tins on roof, believes an attempt was made to set fire to it!

Over the past few days Tom and Jan, now in this country, have received, what they hope is the final legal account for their narrowboat Waiouru, adding up to £108,500, including boat stage payments of  £81,000; Legal and associated expenses £25,000; Boat recovery expenses £2,500.

[Though Tom has related much of this in his Blog, and there is a thread on our Forum, we feel that we should give it a much wider airing, as a warning to others.]

Value halved

But what makes it so much worse, is that the estimated value of Waiouru before it was maliciously stripped and damaged was £50,000, but its value on recovery was just  £25,000.  Altogether the couple lost £83,500, but this could all have been avoided, for Tom tells:

"If Ben Harp had been honest enough to admit he was in financial trouble and couldn't finish Waiouru; and told us to take her; then he would probably still have a reputation and be in business. Our loss would have been £31,000 rather than £83,500. I guess this is what is called a 'lose—lose' result!

Canal magazines

It was obvious that living in Australia and trying to have a boat built in England was going to be complicated, but believes he did a reasonable job of reference checking but like many others before them they took notice of 'two positive reviews from canal magazines and a glowing referral from a previous customer'.

However the build quality was very poor, with various things wrong, including the floor, pictured, that will have to be replaced, being of such inferior material.

There was a quick timetable for the build of just four months, which meant payments had to be made quickly to keep pace, and little time to view progress.

Surveyor employed

However a surveyor was employed as their representative, who was  able to inspect the boat whilst under construction at the shell builders. However there were two subsequent failed attempts within the following two months, that started alarm bells about the build schedule.

The fourth payment was due on the same date as the surveyor's scheduled visit, and as there was an element of not wanting to disbelieve the very positive news being received from the builder, the payment was made, though only half due to a banking error.

Help the builder

Tom admits he should have issued a notice of dispute to the builder earlier. Probably immediately after the failed visit by the surveyor in late March, which would give further legal protection. However wanting to help the builder continue in business and complete the boat, he held back, being under, what he remarks was a false impression he built high quality boats.

But eventually action had to be taken, then it all turned nasty, with Tom reporting:

"We didn't realise that Ben Harp Narrowboats was going to be so belligerent, ignore High Court orders, lie, modify our boat, and attempt to sell it to another unsuspecting buyer. In the end this wasn't just another failed business.

"At the end of the day we have lost a considerable amount of money to a belligerent, dishonest, scurrilous and contemptible company. Our legal expenses are also substantial. But we can consider ourselves to be honest people.

"Our thanks go to all who have posted comments or emailed encouragement and support. There have been so many; and we have been very busy; that it has not been possible to reply to everyone."

At present Waiouru is in the hands of her new builder, and eventually Tom and Jan will have the pleasure of cruising our waterways, and so perhaps be able to put the  terrible experience with Ben Harp Narrowboats behind them.