Hi everyone, I just bought an o'day 322 for me & my family. It is really nice. It is our first boat, so I am trying to find good people who can work on the things that I can't do, or just don't have time to do. I can't find anyone who has any kind of follow through. It is really sad. I need all new running rigging... I call this place (I won't say where). The guy tells me "No problem, I will have you set in a week or two". Well that was over 3 weeks ago, and he was annoyed when I called to see how he was making out. So... I am calling layline and I will figure it out myself. The guy who compounded my hull in April HAS STILL NOT GOTTEN TO THE TEAK YET. That was part of the JOB. If he had just been honest, I would have made time to do it when my business wasn't so busy. The sad thing is I don't even ask what it is going to cost. I just say "Treat it is if it is your boat and do what you think is needed, and tell me what I owe you". It's June & I do 20% of my whole years revinue in June. If I had known that he was going to screw me like that I would have just taken the time (when I had time) to figure it out. I know it's a short season. I know that they are busy too. I just don't like being told "I will get on it tomorrow" and then they don't even return my phone calls. Just say "Hey I am really busy... I can fit you in in a week... 2 weeks"... whatever, as long as they are honest with me. Then I can make a decision wether to use them or try it myself. With this BS that I get, it puts me into serious time compression. So, does anyone know any good people in this industry that can do things whem promised??? Any help would be great. Thanks
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Ed S.
Expectations
Been there, am there, will be there for a while longer. Took my boat in last August, hope to have it back by Labor Day. Thought it would be done by the first of Jan. Now I don't think about it too much. Kind of like the exwife. They leave a message on the answering machine and I mail a check. It will all get done someday, it'll be nice. The yard where my boat is has different demands being put on them by all kinds of boat owners. Some have deadlines to leave the area, or for racing. They speak louder and get a response. They know the owners, have a history, and get better service. I see all this going on, see how much I'm paying, the time involved, and for a while, I was getting kind of tense. Then I figured I didn't want to associate my boating with all the bad feelings, so I had to let go. Someday I'll be one of those getting service while some new guy has to wait. I have a lot of work this year, so I'm redirecting my energies to upgrading the shop and getting my clients work done. The story of my boat could be how much money those lazy s.o.b.'s charged me, and how I lost a whole season of sailing. Instead, I have decided it will be, "Yea, it took a while, but it turned out real nice, they did everything I asked for, the quality is as good or better than I had hoped for, and now I have a brand new boat that has all the features I want, ready for the next several years." Ed
Been there, am there, will be there for a while longer. Took my boat in last August, hope to have it back by Labor Day. Thought it would be done by the first of Jan. Now I don't think about it too much. Kind of like the exwife. They leave a message on the answering machine and I mail a check. It will all get done someday, it'll be nice. The yard where my boat is has different demands being put on them by all kinds of boat owners. Some have deadlines to leave the area, or for racing. They speak louder and get a response. They know the owners, have a history, and get better service. I see all this going on, see how much I'm paying, the time involved, and for a while, I was getting kind of tense. Then I figured I didn't want to associate my boating with all the bad feelings, so I had to let go. Someday I'll be one of those getting service while some new guy has to wait. I have a lot of work this year, so I'm redirecting my energies to upgrading the shop and getting my clients work done. The story of my boat could be how much money those lazy s.o.b.'s charged me, and how I lost a whole season of sailing. Instead, I have decided it will be, "Yea, it took a while, but it turned out real nice, they did everything I asked for, the quality is as good or better than I had hoped for, and now I have a brand new boat that has all the features I want, ready for the next several years." Ed
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Warren
most yards work at their own pace
I agree with the first response to your posting. Folks who are regular customers get better treatment. I recently purchased a used boat from a private owner, so I was at the mercy of where it had been stored from the previous winter. I wanted to throw some work to the yard, however I knew that would not be possible after waiting over a month just for an estimate. I was lucky in that this yard allowed owners to do any work they wanted themselves. Many yards have strict rules on what owners can and cannot do. I did my own sanding and painting, cleaning and waxing. I took my motor home and tuned it up and placed it back on the boat prior to launching. The only work that I could not perform was going up the mast to fix a roller furling problem, and that is when the fighting, yelling and screaming started. I watched boats come into the yard and go right in. In a few cases the owners showed up on a Saturday sanded and painted, and the next day they were in the water. After I was ready to go in, I kept asking when? Everyday I received a different answer, I have to check the schedule, or the tides are not right; every answer except the one I wanted to hear. This is part of the game. The only advise I can offer is find a yard, stick with it and over time you will become one of the regulars who receive the special treatment. And I purchased a boat to help me relax....
I agree with the first response to your posting. Folks who are regular customers get better treatment. I recently purchased a used boat from a private owner, so I was at the mercy of where it had been stored from the previous winter. I wanted to throw some work to the yard, however I knew that would not be possible after waiting over a month just for an estimate. I was lucky in that this yard allowed owners to do any work they wanted themselves. Many yards have strict rules on what owners can and cannot do. I did my own sanding and painting, cleaning and waxing. I took my motor home and tuned it up and placed it back on the boat prior to launching. The only work that I could not perform was going up the mast to fix a roller furling problem, and that is when the fighting, yelling and screaming started. I watched boats come into the yard and go right in. In a few cases the owners showed up on a Saturday sanded and painted, and the next day they were in the water. After I was ready to go in, I kept asking when? Everyday I received a different answer, I have to check the schedule, or the tides are not right; every answer except the one I wanted to hear. This is part of the game. The only advise I can offer is find a yard, stick with it and over time you will become one of the regulars who receive the special treatment. And I purchased a boat to help me relax....
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Warren Trunz
I kind of knew I wasn't alone
Thanks, I kind of knwe that I wasn't alone in this. I like the attitude that it took a while but I have a great boat now. I am going to learn what I have to learn and do most of the work in the off season on my own. There are people who are nice enough to have offered their help. I guess I will take them up on it. I guess that is the way it goes. Thanks for the reality check. Warren
Thanks, I kind of knwe that I wasn't alone in this. I like the attitude that it took a while but I have a great boat now. I am going to learn what I have to learn and do most of the work in the off season on my own. There are people who are nice enough to have offered their help. I guess I will take them up on it. I guess that is the way it goes. Thanks for the reality check. Warren
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Chris Coutu
Bad service
I've found that the whole marine services industry (for pleasure boating) is crappy in general. It's a seasonal business and I guess they must have a problem getting quality people. I can't count how many times I was let down. I have since decided to do all of my own work. They can also tell you that they waxed the hull when they didn't. Be sure to ask around and get recommendations for workers before letting them touch your boat. Always inspect/test work that was done before paying. Chris
I've found that the whole marine services industry (for pleasure boating) is crappy in general. It's a seasonal business and I guess they must have a problem getting quality people. I can't count how many times I was let down. I have since decided to do all of my own work. They can also tell you that they waxed the hull when they didn't. Be sure to ask around and get recommendations for workers before letting them touch your boat. Always inspect/test work that was done before paying. Chris
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Darren
Chris
Chris - since you are in Mass - give Long Point Marine in Duxbury a try. The staff at Long Point are freindly and very professional. I have had a wonderfull experience there the last two years. Long Point Marine - 781-934-5302 ask for Steve and tell em Darren sent you.
Chris - since you are in Mass - give Long Point Marine in Duxbury a try. The staff at Long Point are freindly and very professional. I have had a wonderfull experience there the last two years. Long Point Marine - 781-934-5302 ask for Steve and tell em Darren sent you.
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