Mast Up and Damage

CharlieCobra · May 19, 2009

It looks like ya need a new windex ($30) and to clip that slip ring back on. Do ya really wanna go toe to toe for $30?

sailaway78 · May 19, 2009

I feel your pain

I feel your pain, and make every possible effort to not let anyone work on my boat. Had the mast off a few months ago, and I was right there. The idea of paying some idiot 100 bucks an hour, who can't find his a*^, really ticks me off. Sure wish I could have charged that kind a money before I retired. I would certainly do some bitchin, and at least try to make them fix it. Don't think you can justify legal action, unless just for the personal satisfaction, and can afford to do so. Lawyer will cost much more than the damage.

caguy · May 19, 2009

I think I would give them the opportunity to fix it for free and if they refuse they can pay for someone else to fix it plus attorney fees. At $400/hr for atty fees I have a feeling they will be happy to fix it.
This is why I like to do things myself.

higgs · May 19, 2009

This is a no brainer. They not only screwed the job up, but are charging you for their error AND asking you to pay for the damage they did to your boat. Do you have another yard you can go to after you burn your bridges at this one? If you do, I would start thinking small claims court. I would not pay any bills.

CharlieCobra · May 20, 2009

JoeD said:
Think you are missing the point. The workers didn't tell owner they did damage and he wanted to charge me and extra $100.00 for labor. Now should they repair the damage they have done? My thinking is they should. The ring on the light was broken because other side of globe is broken. $60.00 Led bulb also broken. Windex is about $60.00. So not the $30.00 as you atate. How about the time for someone to go up the mast and replace? Shody workmanship is not acceptable, At $75.00 pollars per hour.

Is there anyone out there that still does good work?

I understand what you're saying. $60 for a Windex? Must've been a helluva price increase since my last one. No, I do agree that if they're gonna charge Pro rates, they oughta be held accountable for Pro results and not get away with damage. Stuff like this is why I do my own work, just don't trust others to do it right...

Witzend · May 20, 2009

Do most things myself, except I don't own a crane. Try to be there when someone has control over your property.

jhiggs · May 20, 2009

You are saying the marina owner is not aware of the damage?

Capn Dave · May 20, 2009

Well this ain't what you wanna hear

When we step or unstep a mast, we warn the customer, ahead of time to remove all the stuff that could be ripped off. As much as one tries to be careful with a mast, It's gonna happen. A gust of wind, the operator jerks the crane just a little, and that windex (cheap) gets tagged. Imagine if it were a TacTick or some other wind instrument. Your looking at over $1000.00 to replace it.
It's allot easier to remove it before you play with the mast. You had to send somebody up anyway.

Fair Winds

Dave

Ctskip · May 21, 2009

You are not alone

I understand where you are coming from. You pay professional prices and get amateurish work at best. I just hired (for the third time)(not the same one) a local marine electrician from the other side of the pond and I stated to them how I was tired of having the same problem, could they please just fix it and do it correctly. I told them that I was willing to pay professional prices for professional results. I don't have to tell you what the results were. I had a charging problem and what I got was 6 little red and black plastic terminal protectors zip tied to the battery cables covering the battery posts. Of course I had to pick up the snipped off pieces of zip tie from the bilge. I must say I am fortunate enough so that I am able to be leaning over their shoulder observing their every move.To do otherwise would not be prudent.
So I hear your cry for quality and professional services. Maybe with the economy being as it is we might stand a good chance of becoming a quality service orientated society once again, with quality being first and foremost.
I feel your pain.

Keep it up,
Ctskip

Ctskip · May 21, 2009

Re: You are not alone

Do you think if we started placing their names and details, maybe even pictures of the "quality" of craftsmanship work we receive, they will kick it up a notch? Maybe if there were something like a listing agency where one could list in detail the work asked for and the work received from businesses. The Better business bureau is a joke . It's much to complicated. I want quick up to the minute details from the people themselves. We could give the business a spot where they could respond and have a back and forth discussion open to the public. Like on the back page of the newspaper. Maybe even start up a Internet site for how to build a better business. Or call it "Gotta Gripe".com. A local forum for customers and businesses to openly talk about each other with out burning bridges. Something like a go between. I know being inland on a lake there are zero choices as compared to the ocean shoreline. Count your blessings those of you who are along the what I call the real shoreline. I wish I knew the answer. Is there one?

Keep it up,
Ctskip

Nereussailor · May 21, 2009

Capn Dave said:
When we step or unstep a mast, we warn the customer, ahead of time to remove all the stuff that could be ripped off. As much as one tries to be careful with a mast, It's gonna happen. A gust of wind, the operator jerks the crane just a little, and that windex (cheap) gets tagged. Imagine if it were a TacTick or some other wind instrument. Your looking at over $1000.00 to replace it.
It's allot easier to remove it before you play with the mast. You had to send somebody up anyway.

Fair Winds

Dave

I don't get it, If you're putting your stick up, you have to take the Windex and the light off? Never in my life have I heard a line of crap like that. Remind me never to have you put up my mast. By the way, What marina do you run?
I've worked with many yards that put masts up, and never had problems. If they cant get that right, they shouldn't be in business.

tommays · May 21, 2009

ITS JUST AMAZING that we can launch are J24s set up a gin pole ON THE DECK and then step a 35' keel steped mast and take the gin pole back down ALL without breaking the windex or lights

Never mind that the J24 is NOT at ALL stable

Rick Webb · May 21, 2009

At our Yacht Club We do Our Own

These are guys who barely know what they are doing and do one every other year and we never well rarely break anything I actually can't remember ever breaking anything. Profesionals who do them all of the time should be proficient enough that they do it without causing that sort of damage. The marina should fix it and buy you lunch while you watch them do it. A Windex I'd leave on even a couple of hundred dollar light I would not worry about but a several hundred dollar wind instrument yeah, take it off and make a trip up when the mast is up.

BobM · May 21, 2009

It seems like the attitude of most marinas is that sailboaters are a necessary evil. Few really seem to have any expertise.

higgs · May 21, 2009

We step and unstep a lot of masts each season at OYC. Leaving masthead instruments on is standard procedure. i think these yards should be named so the rest of us know where not to go.

Capn Dave · May 21, 2009

I can't believe you guys

Anyone who uses a crane to step or unstep a mast has to be aware of the potential problems. You strap the mast below the spreaders. When the mast is picked up if all go's right the mast will come out of the boat vertical. Now you have a mast hanging from the hook block of the crane the windex or what ever is sticking out to one side. If just a little bit of wind catches the mast it can turn catching the windex or what ever.
As for a J24 hell you don't even need a gin pole you just pick the thing up and stick it on the step. I can pick up a J24 mast by myself. I am not talking 30 foot masts either I am talking 45 feet on up. with a weight of at least 500 lbs.

Fair Winds

Dave

tommays · May 21, 2009

Capn Dave

You have been drinking to much cool aid

I really want to see you pick up a 35' J24 mast solo on the water and then stand it up and drop it 3' down to the mast step

Yea i have seen 3 idiots do it at a race and almost kill a few people when they lost control on the way down

sailingdog · May 25, 2009

If the yard broke the windex and anchor light, IMHO they really should pay to have a professional fix it... and pay for the loss of use of the boat. It sounds like the yard is pretty unethical...and I'd really worry about what happens if they do the work themselves—they've already proven their incompetence.

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