Titanic
19-04-2008, 11:53 AM
I have now owned three boats over a period of twelve years. I am a moderate fair weather sailor who just likes the freedom that boating gives me to get away from suburbia for a few hours. It has been a progression from an old hull and motor to then a new motor . I then bought a Stacer ready to go but then have just returned to what is in my opinion for my use the ideal boat.
Right from day one my experiences with the Industry have been somewhat mixed.
I have come to the opinion that boatyards are basically no different to car yards in their operation in both sales and servicing.. It is also apparent that there are boatyards that you should patronize and others that you should totally avoid. The problem of course is knowing which is which.
Some things I have learned
If you have paid $300 for a major service and the plugs have not been replaced or even removed for checking then you have been taken. This is a boatyard to avoid. This was on my first boat and I now know a lot more than I did then.
If you can always buy a hull that is built locally (not easy in the west) as warranty work can be carried out by the builder and not by someone who could have never worked on your hull before.
If the dealer has to use a subcontractor to effect a repair ( such as I had with screens that had crazed ) ask whether the repairer has ever made the screens before. If not get on to the manufacturer to supply new screens. If you do not you will get to see how little your dealer cares about your problem and it will take months to resolve . I was at one stage accused of cleaning perspex screens with acetone by the dealer.
Warranty is only as good as the repairers ability to do the job and with this in mind before taking it to any dealer ring the manufacturer and ask them who they feel is best suited to fix the problem.
If a dealer tells you he gets paid far more for private work than he does for warranty work find another dealer as his priorities are not with your boat.
Always pick a dealer who can tank test the motor to the revs where a motor fault is appearing or is close to a water source to water test the boat.
Never believe because someone is a dealer and they say they have the equipment and expertise to fix the fault that they can.
I still have an ongoing problem with my motor and it is still in the repair shop .
It has sat there for a week now waiting on plugs . I was told they were on backorder and it was not known when they would be available .
It is apparent that the dealer and manufacturer do not see this as a priority . I contacted another dealer myself who had plenty on the shelf, I went and bought them and delivered them to the repairer. I am now being told next wednesday is when he can schedule my boat in to fit the plugs remap it and water test.
My motor is obviously not a priority
Choose your dealer/repairer very carefully
Right from day one my experiences with the Industry have been somewhat mixed.
I have come to the opinion that boatyards are basically no different to car yards in their operation in both sales and servicing.. It is also apparent that there are boatyards that you should patronize and others that you should totally avoid. The problem of course is knowing which is which.
Some things I have learned
If you have paid $300 for a major service and the plugs have not been replaced or even removed for checking then you have been taken. This is a boatyard to avoid. This was on my first boat and I now know a lot more than I did then.
If you can always buy a hull that is built locally (not easy in the west) as warranty work can be carried out by the builder and not by someone who could have never worked on your hull before.
If the dealer has to use a subcontractor to effect a repair ( such as I had with screens that had crazed ) ask whether the repairer has ever made the screens before. If not get on to the manufacturer to supply new screens. If you do not you will get to see how little your dealer cares about your problem and it will take months to resolve . I was at one stage accused of cleaning perspex screens with acetone by the dealer.
Warranty is only as good as the repairers ability to do the job and with this in mind before taking it to any dealer ring the manufacturer and ask them who they feel is best suited to fix the problem.
If a dealer tells you he gets paid far more for private work than he does for warranty work find another dealer as his priorities are not with your boat.
Always pick a dealer who can tank test the motor to the revs where a motor fault is appearing or is close to a water source to water test the boat.
Never believe because someone is a dealer and they say they have the equipment and expertise to fix the fault that they can.
I still have an ongoing problem with my motor and it is still in the repair shop .
It has sat there for a week now waiting on plugs . I was told they were on backorder and it was not known when they would be available .
It is apparent that the dealer and manufacturer do not see this as a priority . I contacted another dealer myself who had plenty on the shelf, I went and bought them and delivered them to the repairer. I am now being told next wednesday is when he can schedule my boat in to fit the plugs remap it and water test.
My motor is obviously not a priority
Choose your dealer/repairer very carefully