I got out of the boat business a year or so later, but remained very active
in sailing. I heard that Herb sold out to Joe Edwards, and it wasn't long
before I started hearing sad tales of how the quality of the Potters was
really going to hell. When I bought my HMS 18, I was immediately taken
with the construction, really solid . . . . no balsa/wood coring in the
decks/cabintop, it is solid laminate. The hull has no liner, the whole
interior is wood/fiberglas construction, and it was built with a backstay.
My only complaint is that the exposed wood in the interior was coated with
a very thick coat of clear epoxy that is now looking a little ratty.
Here in the marina where I live/work, I have seen many owners of NEW boats,
Catalinas, Beneteaus, Hans Christians, and a Passport that had about 6
months of factory warranty work to go through after buying thier boats, so
this isn't anything exclusive to International Marine. Manufacturing
pretty sailboats is a business, not a service provided for us sailors . . .
mistakes do slip by at times and if the manufacturer has any desire to
remain in business over the long haul, they are taken care of to everybodys
satisfaction.
Dik Richardson "I'd rather be in Baja"
HMS 18 #11 "Hamada"
Ranger 29 #60 "los Barbas"
Islander 33 #326 "Vas Kora"
Hidden Harbor Marina, Rio Vista, CA