DISASTER!! HELP, Dented hull

Hi Steve, I will get them to set up the trailer, I have a trolley jack and could have done it but I had better leave something for them to do, I just spend two days polishing it, they were meant to do that but it seems they didn't bother. I keep the boat in a marina normally but also have atrailer for the very, very odd excursion. I now have the hang of the trailer, but it is difficult as I have my wife and a 16mth old baby. The slipway is a mile or so from the marina, so somebody has to drive and somebody take the boat, that needs two. The slip is a pain as it is very shallow, it needs a good 30' of rope to get the bunks wet, when the boat is on it needs someone to hook on the winch, that means getting wet!! unless you have a good hint! I noticed the little anti slip thing is missing off my trailer hook (another load of nonsense delivered by the dealer!). Anyway as I have a mooring and can walk on and off the boat when I want, i have no intention of pi..ing about with a trailer, I will just get it lifted on and off, that will save the sea water getting into the sealed hubs and all the bother with that. I think the £80 fee for a lift out sounds steep, but when you add up the time and aggravation of two people it is a bargain. The only thing is you then have to pay about the same to put it back in, so a weekend at an MDL marina and then returning to your own could cost a pretty packet. I just cannot see the joy in trailering a boat, it is obviousley for the same type of people that go camping, I can't stand that either, BUT this next week I am doing a bit of both so at least I am giving it a try. I have been lucky and had the help of forum members with the trailer, it went very well but I still think it stinks.

With regards to driving the boat, all the family have done at least level 2, my youngest son did his advanced last year and is very good. We have been out the river Medway and up the first part of the Thames, it does not concern me as we have all the emergency proceedures planned.

With regards to the Volvo agent I was dissapointed but that is the situation, I contacted Volvo Penta UK, they said they had discussed the problem in the office and just told me to pull some wires out and keep using the boat! They are probably right but I will err on the edge of caution. This is the busiest time of the year as you know, seems that I am just a bit unlucky.

With regards to the dent, I think it is the mould, I will see what they say tomorrow.

As for reading too many books, I don't think you can, I have learned so much in such a short time, I must say this forum is fantastic and has helped me no end. I need to have the books in order that I can prepare for my yachtmasters exam, I think there is no harm in being ready early.

I think the whole marine industry stinks from thieving chandelry's to dealers and anything else with the word marine on, but as long as mugs go along with it they will keep laughing and ripping us off. I just can't be bothered with the paddy's as it makes no difference to them. I will just import my next bigger boat and do it all myself.

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
The thing is my boat has never been polished, it was delivered straight into the sea. I have taken it out for a trip to Poole so have taken advantage of having it at home to do what the dealer should have done. It is a luxury to have it on the driveway to potter about. I flushed the engine out with my muffs, examined all the wiring and fuses, checked through the engine, thoroughly washed down the trailer and cleaned and polished the boat, a busy weekend!! As for the polisher it is great, the boat is sparkling and smooth, I will just have to see how long it lasts, but I would intend to do that a couple of times a year.

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
Re: Pistonbroke nonsense

You are very quiet pistonbroke, we are all waiting in anticipation of you corroborating your allegations, I think it will be a very long wait, don't you /forums/images/icons/wink.gif Perhaps now you will not make similar claims without first checking your facts. An apology may go some way towards getting some credibility back /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
I had a serious go at the dealer this morning as I have had enough. He is picking the boat up in an hour to rectify all the faults. I guess you have to shout to get anything done. It has been a nightmare really though /forums/images/icons/shocked.gif

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
better check that when you used the ear muffs As with your luck you will have filled the engine with water and have a serious hydraulic lock just as you are launching causing imediate engine failure allowing the boat to driftout and be run down by a passing tug.

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Dent in mould, agree with Oldgit

If there is no cracking in the outside gelcoat (Byron, gelcoat is the white smooth outside skin of the hull laminate just inside the antifouling- only kidding mate!) then it is a mould defect as Oldgit said. In other words, a dent in the mould. You should therefore not get it repaired, as that will weaken the hull.

The other possible cause is that the boat was taken out of the mould before it was cured enough, and say a piece of wood (eg bulkhead) was fitted too tight. But I would hope Glastron would have production controlled well enough for that not to happen - a boatbuilder would need to be exceptionally bad to do this.

Whether you have a fair complaint depends on degree. It is common for boat hulls to have imperfections, for example ripples as you look along the side in sunlight. The finish is never as good as say a new car, where you would expect 100% perfect if you look along the side. So if it's a small ripple, put up with it. But if very big, you might have a complaint worth pursuing. You need to understand however that it simply cannot be fixed from an engineering perspective. All that Glastron/dealer can do is give you some shut-up money. In fact that gives me an idea ..... no never mind

Re the muffles, etc, both exhaust and cooling raw water discharge come out of the centre of the prop, so best to remove the bag

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Update 14.4.03

Thank you all for your kind advice. I had a go at the dealer as I was going to get an independent examination done of the boat, three minutes later I was told they wopuld be coming to pick it up which they did. The boat is now with the dealer, it is being examined by the principle of a boat glassfibre repair centre tomorrow. They are still waiting for parts that should have been on the boat to come from America e.g. Camper Canvas, front screen which they damaged prior to delivery! but other parts are being flown in and should be fitted this week. The trailer is totally illegal the way it is set up, the weight at the front of the trailer almost caused my car to lift up in the air, it was hard to steer as it looked like a bucking bronko, I had to have my wide side mirrors facing forward to see round the bonnet where I was going!!. The guy who picked up the boat could not believe it, apparently there should be 50 - 60kg at the hitch NOT 1 ton!!

So you all got a result for me, guess I will have to now become Angry1 (could hide my number of posts then /forums/images/icons/wink.gif). Honestly you have all been so kind, I am sure by the time I get to the Hamble meet my kit boat should be completed /forums/images/icons/wink.gif

A good thing that has come out of all this is the fact that I have been told my mercury 3.3hp will fit on the boat, I have ordered a nice white plastic adjustable Plastimo outboard motor bracket, which the dealer says he can fit in under three hours. The bracket was £82.60 but looks nicer than the wooden one for my boat. I guess it could have been cheaper to buy the wooden one and then take off the wood and put plastic on!! I bet Barry could have nocked me one up at the weekend for a fiver and LongJohn found one at an auction for £3. Anyway at least it is done and I have a spare safety boat now /forums/images/icons/wink.gif I can always use that with the oars I guess. The spare engine fits neatly in the port side of the engine bay, it is being fitted to the deck, at the right angle! with a holding bracket and LARGE padlock.

I will keep you posted on developments.

Cheers,

<hr width=100% size=1><font color=purple> "You only see what you recognise, and you only recognise what you know" <font color=purple>
 
What they gonna do for the rest of the time?

3 hours!! Jeeze!! Offer up, drill 4 holes, bit of silicone sealant, 4 bolts, job done. 30mins would be plenty.

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Re: What they gonna do for the rest of the time?

Hmmm. I think you're right. Happy1 is mebbe paying for the training of this dealership.....

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