Would you let your new 356 be used for demo sails?

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Colin Cheetham

My new UK built 356 is the show boat at the current Southampton Boat Show - and she looks great :)!! The boat is hull no 3 over here and was about a month late so I agreed to her being in the show andI had decided to wait till the spring to splash her. Now the dealers want to use her for sailing demos for about a month till their next 356 is available. Its my call and I will get some goodies in return. What would you do?? Bear in mind this is my first big boat and I wanted a 'new' one?? Would 6 or so trial sails of a couple of hours put you off?? I am torn both ways and am interested in hearing your thoughts. I will post a pic soon as she is a 'bilge keel' boat ie has twin keels either side of midline so can dry out on her own 'legs', which I dont think they build in the States.Thanks in advance. Colin
 
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Paul Akers

Get something for it.

They are using YOUR property for potential sales. You should get some incentives for letting them use it for demos. Such as, before you take delivery, let them store it this winter at their cost. Also, sign the papers in the spring so you will inspect it before then. Make sure the warranty starts in the spring not during the lay-up. Get some special things that you must otherwise pay for (e.g. extended warranty, radar, autohelm, refrigeration, etc.) She's a beauty = good luck.
 
John Nantz

John Nantz

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Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
Ask to be on her

I'd say you want to be on her. You could hear what other people have to say and may learn something in the process. On the other hand, the dealer may want total control and nothing to queer the deal; however, this can be discussed. Is the dealer going to be "showing" her while it's being commissioned? My boat has several "owies" from when the dealer had her in his control and the batteries were run totally dead several times (they can be easily replaced)
 
John Nantz

John Nantz

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Jul 1, 1998
3,062
Hunter Legend 35 Poulsbo/Semiahmoo WA
P.S. Rudder Length?

By the way, is the rudder the same length - or less - as the keel depth?
 
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Colin Cheetham

rudder length

John...yes the rudder is the same length, she has a 5' draught like the shoal keel but stands level on the 2 keels and rudder so she can dry out (or stand on the hard during lay-up) all on her own...pics will follow at w/end
 
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Steve Dion

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Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
Compensation for use.

Colin: You should get compensated for the use of the boat. People are going to be walking, sitting and touching her. This is like a demo automobile. They are discounted for this use/abuse. If they want to use it for test sails, I'd charge them a day use fee for every day they have the boat tied up without your use. If they are not going to compensate you, why would you let them use it?
 
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Toni

Insurance question

If someone goes out for a demo sail and gets hurt, who will he sue? In the US, it would be the dealer, you (the owner), and anyone else they could think of connected with the boat. Are people in the UK as litigious? If so, I'd make sure that the dealer owns the boat until the demo sails are done. You want to limit your liability.
 
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Ralph Johnstone

Don't Do It ....................................

............. or you may regret it. We found ourselves in exactly the same position with our "99 H310. The dealer wanted to use it as a demo in a boat show and offered to have the boat "detailed" in repayment. This really ticked me off as we had quite a number of problems in the commissioning of the boat, one of them being that the boat was dirty when it was handed over. It was far easier to clean the boat ourselves than continue to hound the dealer. He was now willing to clean the boat as he had not done before. Big deal. Anyway, I decided not to let him use the boat and I was glad of it. While at the boat show, I took a look at a few of the Hunters that were on dispaly and saw the damage that can be inflicted on display boats. On one, someone had tracked through with what had to be stiletto heels .......... the sole was punctured in several places. Other damage included an overhead light switch which was broken off, a below the sink cupboard door which had been opened beyond its hinge range damging the hinge, and a broken handle on the door to the head on another. All minor damage to be sure but the last thing you want on your "mint" boat is a lot of people who have little interest in how well your boat is treated. Unless you are on it and you are looking at MAJOR compensation, I don't think it's worth it. It's your baby. Regards, s/v Island Hunter
 
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Mark

I agree don't do it.

Can we please have some photos of the keels when you get a moment.
 
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Pete

Demo Boats

Just my 2 cents for what it is worth, Don't let them use it! It will be used/demo and you need to to compasated for use however what about posssible damage? It is your boat and your choice but why do it,what is in it for you? If you want a new boat (and you don't plan to splash it until spring) why not just let the dealer keep this one and order you a new (never used or not a boat show boat) boat It will save you storage coat and you will have your "new" boat.
 
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Colin Cheetham

OK a bit more info..

My boat will not 'officially' be mine till the spring when papers are signed and the warranty will run from then. The dealers demo boat 'should ' be ready late Oct early Nov when mine would be layed-up till spring. The dealers would antifoul again for free at re-launch in spring + I get approx $3000 worth of gear for letting them use my boat this fall. eg windlass,sprayhood etc If I do agree to the idea, I would limit either the number of times they could use her or make sure she was layed-up at the end of October. They have already said she will be in 'as-new' condition on handover + there is the thought that as I am berthing her 120 miles from the dealer the testsails might act as a shakedown cruise and highlight any serious problems before I take delivery. Thanks for all your input...I am off to see her now and pics will follow in a couple of days.
 
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Ron

Sounds like a Deal

What do you have to lose?? If they screw it up, just don't sign the papers... Ron
 
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