This is a group dedicated to West Wight Potter owners and enthusiasts to share information and collaborate. As a summary to our several hours of discussion we have recently had concerning the delivered condition of my new boat (1-West Wight Potter Sailboat, Model #HMSA1981C292), the following details, to date, all the varied defects and faults in materials and workmanship which I have found to present on my West Wight Potter 15 from HMS Marine, Inc.

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HMS WEST WIGHT POTTER 15 West wight potter 15 owners manual

Way back... In the Spring of 1992, I had the experience of mail ordering, receiving, trying to return, waiting to have repaired, and ultimately; fixing much myself - of what could only have been called a 'Friday Boat' from the good folks at HMS MARINE: once producers of the West Wight Potter 15 sailboat in the early 1990s.
NOTE: The new Potter manufacturer is: International Marine. Hopefully - the only thing International Marine will ever have in common with it's predecessor is that they also produce a boat called:
the West Wight Potter 15.

Below is the actual painful text from the letter, (which I found on an old - 5.25' floppy; who says they don't last) which I wrote to the boss man at HMS Marine... once my new boat arrived damaged and after days of long distance phone calls to little avail! Ugh. Please, review the full letter and look beyond for the surprisingly: Happy Ending!

April 17th, 1992
Joseph Edwards, President
HMS Marine, Inc.
904 West Hyde Park Boulevard
Inglewood, California 90302-3308
1-800-433-4080
Dear Mr Edwards,
As a summary to our several hours of discussion we have recently had concerning the delivered condition of my new boat (1-West Wight Potter Sailboat, Model #HMSA1981C292), the following details, to date, all the varied defects and faults in materials and workmanship which I have found to present on my West Wight Potter 15 from HMS Marine, Inc.
Please note that I have not assembled or carefully inspected any of the sails, rigging, mast, motor, boom, or other accessory materials ordered and received and that an omission to address any of these items does not endorse their correctness or my satisfaction with them.
This communication centers itself on the basic boat in general, that is; there have been so many defects and problems observed in the primary item ordered, there seemed little need to proceed further to supplementary materials at this time.
Therefore, with the above in mind, below you will find a detailed listing of currently observed problems, please note that a diagram is also provided.
I. CRACKS IN GEL COAT
1. Keel Slot Area.
The entire perimeter around the keep slot on the bottom of the boat is devoid of the gel coat material. It is clearly cracked off, it appears as a result of the pressure of the trailer roller as the boat was loaded on the trailer. Where the gel coat has cracked off, the under surface is covered by wide paper masking tape which is actually under the remaining gel coat and extends for a some considerable length forward and aft of the slot. This appears quite improper since the gel coat cannot properly adhere to masking tape, and the tape itself is quite porous to water.
The keel slot also is in a very 'rough' condition. A small attempt to fix various mold and slot defects, by the application of additional epoxy materials is clearly evident. Also, much of the remaining gel coat around this area is bubbled and flakes off easily when even the slightest pressure is applied. One must assume that the rough and lifted edge of the remaining gel coat around the keel slot opening would continue to degrade and chip, whenever the boat is beach, even in the most sandiest of areas. This would allow even larger areas of the sub-surface to become exposed and further work loose remaining gel coat material on the exterior hull.
The general appearance of this areas is entirely unsatisfactory and appears quite substandard for any competent producer within the boat building industry.
2. Cracks in Right Stern Corner.
A cluster of 4, line type cracks can be found in this area radiating about 3-4 inches around the corner of the boat. They appear to be of an impact nature and are quite unacceptable. Perhaps this occurred during transit.
3. Crack at Left Mid-Ship Deck Area.
A single deep 4 inch fine fissure is observable here on the deck, running fore and aft. It appears to be of a stress nature and is very unacceptable.
II. FAULTY HULL AND DECK JOINT CONNECTION
The hull and deck joint is not constructed as stated in the mailed advertisement brochure you forward to me on Feb. 6th, 1992, prior to the purchasing of my boat. Your advertisement brings special attention to this aspect of the craft's man

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West Wight Potter 15 Owners Manual