BicBoats... Grrrrrr

[Praxinoscope]

I have been wanting to place an order for 2 rowlock brackets for my Bic 245 for days now, which according to the website are in stock, however when I try to order I get a message that Bic are not accepting orders at present please try later.
I could of corse order them from another supplier but they don’t have them in stock and they would have to go to BicBoats to order them so we would no better off.
This is not the first time that I have found Bic a bit odd, I wanted a couple of fittings that allow the thwart to moved to an alternative position for a two person balance, Bic only supply two of these with a new boat, but there are tapped holes to accept a second set, so I thought fine I’ll order a couple and fit them then I can shift the thart to the optimum position depending upon how many people in the boat, ‘But’ apparently Bic don’t supply these items seperately. So why not supply 4 in the first place. Or do I have to go and buy a second 245 just to get two buts of plastic? Hows that for stupid?
As it is I have just made a couple of fixings myself out of Delring and bungy cord, but why expect your customer to go to that extent?
Next tender will NOT be a Bic.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I have been wanting to place an order for 2 rowlock brackets for my Bic 245 for days now, which according to the website are in stock, however when I try to order I get a message that Bic are not accepting orders at present please try later.

Tell me about it. Rowlocks themselves haven't been available for around two years - they dropped the old white/black plastic and metal ones but don't sell the replacement transparent plastic ones. I think I'll modify my Sportyak to use normal rowlocks.

 

[Aeolus]

An Italian ebay seller is offering Bic parts -
http://www.ebaystores.it/PARACHINI-Shop/Bic-accessories-/

 

[JumbleDuck]

An Italian ebay seller is offering Bic parts -
http://www.ebaystores.it/PARACHINI-Shop/Bic-accessories-/

Yes, they seem to be the only suppliers. At €11 each plus €20 postage for one and another €4 for the second, making a grand total of €46 for two small plastic rowlocks,

 

[Praxinoscope]

I think I might just try and manufacture soemthing myself, can’t be that difficult.

 

[Praxinoscope]

I think this is a rowlock and rowlock bracket for Bic Sportyak?
It is 140mm long and 17mm dia.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think this is a rowlock and rowlock bracket for Bic Sportyak?
It is 140mm long and 17mm dia.

Definitely the rowlock and I think it's the bracket.

 

[simonfraser]

i busted one of those a winters afternoon rowing back, finished up calling the RNLI as i could not get back to the slip and could not get the broken bit out yes i did have a spare one, fat lot of use !
metal ones fit, slightly loose, but at least they won't break.

 

[Praxinoscope]

i busted one of those a winters afternoon rowing back, finished up calling the RNLI as i could not get back to the slip and could not get the broken bit out yes i did have a spare one, fat lot of use !
metal ones fit, slightly loose, but at least they won't break.

Yup, I broke one last year and ended up flat on my back in the bottom of the boat, the bruises took a week to disapear.
fortunately managed to paddle ashore with one oar then spent 3 weeks trying to get hold of a replacement rowlock.
Might try a mod’ and adopt your solution of using metal rowlocks.

 

[SAMYL]

Try Bosunbobs.com

 

[Praxinoscope]

Try Bosunbobs.com

Thanks, I’ll try but his website only shows RWY plastic rowlocks which are slightly different to the Bic and don’t quite fit.