MacShorty
Cadet
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2014
- Messages
- 18
Apologies if this is in the wrong category.
A friend of mine owns her boat slip. This is in Missouri on the Mississippi River. Her boat had blown engines, so she sold it. Gave the new owner the title and a signed contract stating that he could stay in the slip for $100 a month or until they purchased a new boat, in which he would then have 2 weeks to move the boat. Now he is squatting in the slip and won't move his boat, nor has he paid a dime for the slip use.
He was sent a certified letter reminding him of the contract, stating he had 30 days to move the boat, or it would be towed/put on the hard at his own expense. He was also informed that she has purchased a new boat. He received the letter and return receipt as proof. It is now past that 30 days. He still has not moved the boat, he will not answer the phone, will not respond to texts. He left the engine hatch open and with all the rain we have had the boat almost sunk, she had to spend a day pumping the boat out, so the boat is also becoming a liability due his neglect.
The marina will not help, nor will the board of directors. The service provider located at the marina does not want to pull the boat and get involved (can't blame them). The county sheriff was contacted and he passed jurisdiction to the Missouri water patrol and they will not help either since the boat is in a marina and not blocking the channel. The squatting boat owner lives in Illinois if that matters.
My friend has purchased another boat and is now paying fees on two slips since he refuses to move his boat. He also has NOT titled the boat in his name (but she has copy of bill of sale showing she is no longer the owner.)
Any suggestions on how to handle this outside of hiring a lawyer or a civil lawsuit, which will incur more expenses to my friend?
Thanks all!
MacS
A friend of mine owns her boat slip. This is in Missouri on the Mississippi River. Her boat had blown engines, so she sold it. Gave the new owner the title and a signed contract stating that he could stay in the slip for $100 a month or until they purchased a new boat, in which he would then have 2 weeks to move the boat. Now he is squatting in the slip and won't move his boat, nor has he paid a dime for the slip use.
He was sent a certified letter reminding him of the contract, stating he had 30 days to move the boat, or it would be towed/put on the hard at his own expense. He was also informed that she has purchased a new boat. He received the letter and return receipt as proof. It is now past that 30 days. He still has not moved the boat, he will not answer the phone, will not respond to texts. He left the engine hatch open and with all the rain we have had the boat almost sunk, she had to spend a day pumping the boat out, so the boat is also becoming a liability due his neglect.
The marina will not help, nor will the board of directors. The service provider located at the marina does not want to pull the boat and get involved (can't blame them). The county sheriff was contacted and he passed jurisdiction to the Missouri water patrol and they will not help either since the boat is in a marina and not blocking the channel. The squatting boat owner lives in Illinois if that matters.
My friend has purchased another boat and is now paying fees on two slips since he refuses to move his boat. He also has NOT titled the boat in his name (but she has copy of bill of sale showing she is no longer the owner.)
Any suggestions on how to handle this outside of hiring a lawyer or a civil lawsuit, which will incur more expenses to my friend?
Thanks all!
MacS