I went to vist my new C36 as she's being comissioned, to see the progress made. What a shock to see light blue canvas instead of the Navy. I can't express how much I hate it! It appears that I have paid 140K for a boat that will look 10 years old the day it's delivered, as every other new boat has navy blue canvas. I feel like Catalina has screwed me on this! I'm not saying the quality is poor. If you payed to build a house with grey shingles and the builder put pink ones on because they were on sale thay day, you'd be pissed too! Profoundly disappointed, Chris
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It wasCatalina and my dealer
When I bought the boat they told me the canvas was all blue. I looked around and saw navy blue and assumed that's what I would get, foolish me. The dealer ordered blue and that's what Catalina sent. This boat came out of CA and they use different vendors than FL so everything is different. Dealers, show people colors so you don't have to live through the kind of phone calls my deaaler just got! I can assure you it was unpleasant! Still flaming mad, Chris
When I bought the boat they told me the canvas was all blue. I looked around and saw navy blue and assumed that's what I would get, foolish me. The dealer ordered blue and that's what Catalina sent. This boat came out of CA and they use different vendors than FL so everything is different. Dealers, show people colors so you don't have to live through the kind of phone calls my deaaler just got! I can assure you it was unpleasant! Still flaming mad, Chris
Bummer, but...
...the Pacific blue you're referring to is the most popular canvas color on Catalinas of all ages. Yeah, your dealer should have shown you a sample, but (I'll duck when I say this) you should have spec'd the precise color you wanted, too. Seems to me Catalina's just doing their job here and the communication lapse was between you and the dealership. Was the canvas supplied by Catalina or the dealer? Perhaps if it's from catalina you can swap it out for another color?
...the Pacific blue you're referring to is the most popular canvas color on Catalinas of all ages. Yeah, your dealer should have shown you a sample, but (I'll duck when I say this) you should have spec'd the precise color you wanted, too. Seems to me Catalina's just doing their job here and the communication lapse was between you and the dealership. Was the canvas supplied by Catalina or the dealer? Perhaps if it's from catalina you can swap it out for another color?
correct color
I had pretty good luck with Catalina. Just tell the dealer what you want. If he does not respond take it to Catalina. The whole canvass package is replaceable. I had a problem that I was not happy with and Frank Butler called me twice to personally make sure that I was made whole. I agree with you on the choice of colors as my wife chose the wrong "Blue" color on our 36....but she is not as nice as Frank Butler and I have learned to love it....
I had pretty good luck with Catalina. Just tell the dealer what you want. If he does not respond take it to Catalina. The whole canvass package is replaceable. I had a problem that I was not happy with and Frank Butler called me twice to personally make sure that I was made whole. I agree with you on the choice of colors as my wife chose the wrong "Blue" color on our 36....but she is not as nice as Frank Butler and I have learned to love it....
Cushion Blues
Chris, I would be upset also if my new boat turned out to be something other than what I dreamed about. What you hav'ent told us about is what the dealer or Catalina have said or done about your complaint? I am assuming that there is some kind of dialog between you at this time? I have had a Catalina 30 and a Catalina 36. In the past I have had to contact Catalina and my Dealer about minor problems and just to get more information about my boats. I found that Catalina is pretty good about owener complaints and getting back to you with the information that you need! I have even had Frank Butler call me personally and try to help me with my request! I have had a very good experiance with Catalina and I hope that you are able to work out this matter with them before you get too turned off with your New boat experiance! Please keep us informed about what happens and what kind of help you get from both your dealer and Catalina! Good Luck!
Chris, I would be upset also if my new boat turned out to be something other than what I dreamed about. What you hav'ent told us about is what the dealer or Catalina have said or done about your complaint? I am assuming that there is some kind of dialog between you at this time? I have had a Catalina 30 and a Catalina 36. In the past I have had to contact Catalina and my Dealer about minor problems and just to get more information about my boats. I found that Catalina is pretty good about owener complaints and getting back to you with the information that you need! I have even had Frank Butler call me personally and try to help me with my request! I have had a very good experiance with Catalina and I hope that you are able to work out this matter with them before you get too turned off with your New boat experiance! Please keep us informed about what happens and what kind of help you get from both your dealer and Catalina! Good Luck!
Give Catalina a chance.
My experience has been the same as previously expressed by others about Catalina's committment to customer service, especially from the top. I had a mast damaged during truck transport through no fault of Catalina (I bought the boat used in a different part of the country and had it shipped). Frank Butler called me to inquire about the damage and inform me about the cost of a replacement and followed it up in writing. I'd say give Catalina and the dealer a chance to work through the problem. Let us know how it works out. By the way, don't you think someone at Catalina monitors this site from time-to-time to find out what its customers and potential/future customers are writing and reading?
My experience has been the same as previously expressed by others about Catalina's committment to customer service, especially from the top. I had a mast damaged during truck transport through no fault of Catalina (I bought the boat used in a different part of the country and had it shipped). Frank Butler called me to inquire about the damage and inform me about the cost of a replacement and followed it up in writing. I'd say give Catalina and the dealer a chance to work through the problem. Let us know how it works out. By the way, don't you think someone at Catalina monitors this site from time-to-time to find out what its customers and potential/future customers are writing and reading?
Good advice but remember...
honey attracts more flies than vinegar! A pleasant but firm attitude will probably net you more help than yelling. Good luck! LaDonna
honey attracts more flies than vinegar! A pleasant but firm attitude will probably net you more help than yelling. Good luck! LaDonna
Thanks for your replys
I didn't yell, scream or grumble, well maybe a little grumbling, but an acceptable amount. I was at the boat Saturday and the sales rep came down to see me. He said this is the pacific blue and that dark blue is the navy. He said he would make some calls around and see if they could find a dealer with a navy canvas package that was willing to swap. He said he wanted us to be happy. One of the service guys mentioned that it gets real hot under the navy in the summer... he likes white/natural canvas. My wife is ok with the pacific blue so if he can't find navy I guess I'll learn to live with it. My guess is in the end I'll have to learn to like the pacific blue... Thanks, Chris
I didn't yell, scream or grumble, well maybe a little grumbling, but an acceptable amount. I was at the boat Saturday and the sales rep came down to see me. He said this is the pacific blue and that dark blue is the navy. He said he would make some calls around and see if they could find a dealer with a navy canvas package that was willing to swap. He said he wanted us to be happy. One of the service guys mentioned that it gets real hot under the navy in the summer... he likes white/natural canvas. My wife is ok with the pacific blue so if he can't find navy I guess I'll learn to live with it. My guess is in the end I'll have to learn to like the pacific blue... Thanks, Chris
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