When you have a problem with a piece of equipment on your boat be sure to note down what it is doing or not doing, then write down the make, model and serial number of the piece of equipment. Write down as much information as possible about it - right there on the spot - when you're actually having the problem. Calling (or writing) in to say that it isn't "working right" simply isn't enough information for the person to try and figure out what's wrong.
Don't wait until Monday when you're back at your office, 400 miles away, to call or write in, complaining about the equipment not working properly - without any of the necessary information for someone to try and troubleshoot it. Also, the approximate age of the piece of equipment will also be helpful to someone who is trying to troubleshoot it.
Simply saying it is a "Jabsco" (as an example) is not enough information. That's like saying it's a Chevy. But is it an Impala, a Cobalt, an Aveo, or what? They all have the Chevrolet nameplate on them, but they're all different, both in functionality and common problem areas. A lot of time gets wasted in simply trying to figure out just what the boater has, then trying to figure out what's wrong with it.
And keep in mind that something that's "new" is a relative term. When you buy a new boat or a new car or truck - in your mind it is still "new" even though it may actually be several years old... So keep these things in mind when a problem arises. Makes no difference if it's an engine, an air conditioner, a toilet, a depth finder, a hailer or whatever. Get the necessary information right there, on the spot, when you're onboard and experiencing the problem.
I get calls all the time about someone having a problem with an Atlantes "Freedom" head (as an example) that came with the boat when it was new, and the boat is a 1996 model.
Can't be!
The Atlantes "Freedom" didn't come on the market until 2005, 9 years later! A 1996 model boat may seem new, but it's actually 14 years old! Right away, I know that the person was looking on our website for the model of his head, because he doesn't know what it is, and the one on the website "sorta looks like it." Get the information from the actual item in question, not from the accompanying paperwork, or from a website. The paperwork is often generic, pertaining to several models that the company produces, and may not contain the actual information you need.
The Raritan website, for example, only covers equipment that is CURRENTLY in production, not something that is many years old! If your unit is more than 5 years old, chances are you won't find any good information on it, on the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers' websites are similar; they stay up to date on the newest products, but rarely cover the older products on their website.
Don't wait until Monday when you're back at your office, 400 miles away, to call or write in, complaining about the equipment not working properly - without any of the necessary information for someone to try and troubleshoot it. Also, the approximate age of the piece of equipment will also be helpful to someone who is trying to troubleshoot it.
Simply saying it is a "Jabsco" (as an example) is not enough information. That's like saying it's a Chevy. But is it an Impala, a Cobalt, an Aveo, or what? They all have the Chevrolet nameplate on them, but they're all different, both in functionality and common problem areas. A lot of time gets wasted in simply trying to figure out just what the boater has, then trying to figure out what's wrong with it.
And keep in mind that something that's "new" is a relative term. When you buy a new boat or a new car or truck - in your mind it is still "new" even though it may actually be several years old... So keep these things in mind when a problem arises. Makes no difference if it's an engine, an air conditioner, a toilet, a depth finder, a hailer or whatever. Get the necessary information right there, on the spot, when you're onboard and experiencing the problem.
I get calls all the time about someone having a problem with an Atlantes "Freedom" head (as an example) that came with the boat when it was new, and the boat is a 1996 model.
Can't be!
The Atlantes "Freedom" didn't come on the market until 2005, 9 years later! A 1996 model boat may seem new, but it's actually 14 years old! Right away, I know that the person was looking on our website for the model of his head, because he doesn't know what it is, and the one on the website "sorta looks like it." Get the information from the actual item in question, not from the accompanying paperwork, or from a website. The paperwork is often generic, pertaining to several models that the company produces, and may not contain the actual information you need.
The Raritan website, for example, only covers equipment that is CURRENTLY in production, not something that is many years old! If your unit is more than 5 years old, chances are you won't find any good information on it, on the manufacturer's website. Most manufacturers' websites are similar; they stay up to date on the newest products, but rarely cover the older products on their website.