Shaft log woes

[Bonzai]

As I wrote previously I am having a leaky shaft log repaired. The work was initially estimated at 10-12 hrs by the mech doing the job. After haul-out and closer inspection the mech determined that it was going to be a slightly tougher job due to the fact that my shaft log is unusually long and difficult to access. A good bit of time was spent on removing the prop shaft, getting a coupling loose was apparently quite a hard job, but the 2 piece 8 ft long shaft is finally out. I am told that a stainless steel liner must be cut/hole-sawed out but due to the length of the tube (again) this has become extremely problematic for the yard. I have been told that the mech has worked on the boat a few times but the boat still sits after 3 wks plus on the hard with the shaft out and nothing more. I discover that I am being charged a daily storage fee while it sits waiting on them to do something. I last offered to contact and get info on this particular problem fron S&S (desighner) or Chris Craft (builder). Don't know why they didn't do that as soon as they figured they were on alien ground anyways...... I was sent to voice mails on both and left problem description and contact info so hoping to hear from them.... I am beginning to feel not so nice about the situation, and plan to drive the 400 plus miles to the boat, rent a room there I guess since they have mine inaccessible, and see what I can "cause" to happen. Any suggestions from anyone on how to handle them? They gave me an initial estimated repair time of 3-5 days. It has been nearly 4 wks so far. Brunswick Landing Marina is doing the work. Thanks for any input.

 

[Merlin Clark]

Hey Joe/Bob!
You might try to connect with other Sail Yacht owners through http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chriscraftsail/ or http://www.djerickson.com/ccsail/
I'm pretty sure the hull is the same as that of the Caribbean so those owners may be able to help.
It seems like any liner or log would be sealed from the outside. It they are saying the liner itself is leaking, you could probably get a plumber with a long bore scope (camera) to see what is going on inside the tube.
Good luck. Miss y'all.

 

[tommays]

Its pretty unlikely S&S (desighner) or Chris Craft (builder)is gonna be much help on a boat they built in 1964


Without some pictures it is hard to offer any advise other than now that the boat is apart your in a real bad position

i would think the best you could hope for is for them to lay off on the storage fee while they thing about the repair





Having done the repair on my boat and a LOT of machines i dont see were they came UP with 12 hours leat alone any parts would have to be custom machined

 

[Bonzai]

Hey Joe/Bob!
You might try to connect with other Sail Yacht owners through http://groups.yahoo.com/group/chriscraftsail/ or http://www.djerickson.com/ccsail/
I'm pretty sure the hull is the same as that of the Caribbean so those owners may be able to help.
It seems like any liner or log would be sealed from the outside. It they are saying the liner itself is leaking, you could probably get a plumber with a long bore scope (camera) to see what is going on inside the tube.
Good luck. Miss y'all.

Hey Merlin! Great to hear from you! I have posted there also.We will be in touch when we get anywhere near your area. Call anytime!

 

[Bonzai]

Its pretty unlikely S&S (desighner) or Chris Craft (builder)is gonna be much help on a boat they built in 1964


Without some pictures it is hard to offer any advise other than now that the boat is apart your in a real bad position

i would think the best you could hope for is for them to lay off on the storage fee while they thing about the repair





Having done the repair on my boat and a LOT of machines i dont see were they came UP with 12 hours leat alone any parts would have to be custom machined

Hey Tommays. Thanks for your response. I am going down in a few days to see whats up. I would be fine with them if they forget the daily storage fee that was never mentioned to me. Then they are welcome to take a little time. But nearly 4 wks is really starting to get to me. They did tell me that the new liner would have to be machined. I was expecting that. The 10-12 hr estimate was for removing and replacing after parts are received from machine shop. The old liner has to come out first so the measurements for the new one can be determined, I was told. I am just beginning to feel that they aren't taking the necessary steps to get this calf licked over and out of the barn! I may have them just glass over the tube while out of water and dry, then replace my shaft so I can take her to a yard near St Marys that will let me and my guys do the work. That means I will prolly lose about 1000 to 1200 bucks in haul out and resplash plus whatever else they will wind up trying to charge. But it has to be done somehow and I feel enough effort needs to be applied to make things happen. I have already talked with one of our attorneys and he says to wait and see.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Storage fees? Do you have anything in writing? What's the "deal?" I'm sorry to hear about your difficulites, but I'm really surprised that YOU were surprised with these charges. Especially since it's their lack of due diligence that is creating the delay. The yard I use doesn't charge me for storage fees when they're working on my boat. This sounds really strange to me. Good luck, I hope things work out for you.

 

[shemandr]

It sounds like they aren't up to the job and they're trying to figure out how to do it. If that's the case spend the money to take it to a yard that can do the job. In the end you will be happier.

 

[Bonzai]

It sounds like they aren't up to the job and they're trying to figure out how to do it. If that's the case spend the money to take it to a yard that can do the job. In the end you will be happier.

Agreed.

 

[redhead78]

Rent a room?? climb up and sleep in YOUR BOAT, and stand there tapping your foot at 8 am,politely, lite a fire under their ass, tell them you are stayin till its done....Going there is a good idea. When I was contracting same **** happened every june, I had so much work, I try to maintain a schedule, however sometimes its easier to go with the one that was in your face, and you tend to take the easiest path.Call them a let them know you will be coming... Red

 

[Bonzai]

Rent a room?? climb up and sleep in YOUR BOAT, and stand there tapping your foot at 8 am,politely, lite a fire under their ass, tell them you are stayin till its done....Going there is a good idea. When I was contracting same **** happened every june, I had so much work, I try to maintain a schedule, however sometimes its easier to go with the one that was in your face, and you tend to take the easiest path.Call them a let them know you will be coming... Red

LOL...I like the way you think! I am anything but easy to push off.. Heading down in a few days..gotta postpone some back surgery first then am on the way!

 

[Bonzai]

Update.....Had a nice conversation with Cindy at the Marina. She has assured me that we can forgo any storage fees while my boat sits there on the hard awaiting repairs. This was my main concern at the moment, and they couldn't have been nicer about it. By their own admission the delays are the fault of having only one marine mech working right now. Hope the rest of it goes as smoothly as I would really like to see a yard here with a good reputation for repairs etc.

 

[tommays]

That would see very reasonable as I cant get two upset with anybody willing to undertake a large repair on and older boat

 

[Bonzai]

That would see very reasonable as I cant get two upset with anybody willing to undertake a large repair on and older boat

My being "upset" came from the simple fact that this mech examined my boat in my slip before I moved it to his yard for work. He was already familiar with my boat as he has done other work on her. Don't know what the age of the boat has to do with that.