Aksano F-18
GALVESTON -- Ironically, a man named Hull is suing over alleged defects in the hull of his new boat.
Edgar Hull of Tyler purchased an 18-foot Aksano F-18 water craft on Sept. 17, 2007.
On Jan. 25, 2008, the boat was delivered in shrink wrap by truck from the manufacturer to South Coast Cats & Yachts in Kemah, Galveston County, for installation of an outboard engine.
Plaintiff says that South Coast Cats & Yachts "never bothered" to remove all the shrink wrap to inspect the condition of the boat.
According to the complaint, when a contract truck driver went to pick up the boat to deliver it to Hull in Tyler on Feb. 13, the driver notified Hull that the boat appeared to be in faulty condition.
The next day the shrink wrap was removed and a third party told Hull there was inadequate fiberglass underneath the gelcoat on the top deck, the suit states. Hull claims a fiberglass technician showed him that he could push his finger through the gelcoat on the brand new boat where the fiberglass should be holding the water out.
Hull then contacted Aksano Manufacturing about the boat's condition.
On Feb. 15, Hull provided written notification to Aksano and South Coast that he was rejecting delivery or acceptance of the boat.
According to the plaintiff's complaint, a marine surveyor inspected the boat on Feb. 20, and reported several problems with the craft:
On March 4, Hull filed suit in Galveston County against Aksano Boats, Oguz Aksan, South Coast Catamarans doing business as South Coast Cats & Yachts and James Babcock of Galveston County for action under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act.
Hull is claiming fraud, negligent misrepresentation, breach of contract, breach of warranty and negligence in duty of reasonable and ordinary care. He is seeking damages and interest.
Chris D. Collings of Houston is representing the plaintiff.
The case has been assigned to 212th District Judge Susan Criss.
Case No. 08CV0236