BANGOR – A Massachusetts man has filed a federal lawsuit against a Mount Desert Island boat builder alleging breach of contract and asking for $350,000 in damages.

Benjamin H. Gannet of Manchester, Mass., alleges that Malcolm Pettegrow and his company, Malcolm Pettegrow Inc. of Southwest Harbor, delivered a poorly designed and constructed yacht that no longer is usable because of “hidden structural defects.”

Also named as a defendant is Geoff Dickes, address unknown, who designed the 65-foot vessel, according to Gannet’s four-page court complaint.

Pettegrow could not be reached Thursday for comment.

Gannet contracted with Pettegrow in October 1995, in which Pettegrow promised to supervise and inspect the design, manufacture and construction of the boat, according to the complaint, and that the work would be performed in “a good and workmanlike manner.”

The boat was delivered to Gannet in February 1999.

The complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor does not say how much Gannet paid for the boat.

Gannet’s attorney, Michael Savasuk of Portland, could not be reached Thursday for comment.

According to the complaint, Gannet alleges that the boat incurred significant vibration problems because of improper alignment between the engine, transmission and other mechanical parts, sometime after it was delivered.

In October 2002, Gannet found cracks in the hull of the boat that he alleges was caused by improper design and construction of the vessel.

He said the chine area of the boat, which supports the entire vessel, was not designed or built strong enough to withstand the stresses it would experience.

Gannet alleges that in places where structurally strengthening materials should have been used on the vessel, he found air spaces and newspapers stuffed into the hull, “clearly indicating a gross breach of good workmanlike standards,” the complaint states.