Fab service from Sea Fether

[BlackPig]

Hi All, I noticed a crack in one of the aluminium brackets on my Sea Fether steering system. I contacted them and they asked me to send the part to them, I did, they reckoned it was corrosion not stress. They made a new part and sent it back, cost nil. Well done to the new owners fab service.

 

[Pye_End]

Good to hear Paul found someone to take it on, and that spares are therefore still available.

 

[jerrytug]

Good to hear Paul found someone to take it on, and that spares are therefore still available.

Has Pail jacked it in then? I've just bought a Sea Feather from this forum, haven't had a chance to use it yet.
One reason I wanted one is, made in England by a person who I can talk to.
Any chance of filling me in, thanks Jerry

 

[BlackPig]

They are still made in England you can still talk to them. Paul is working there, I assume as part of a hand over deal.

 

[jerrytug]

They are still made in England you can still talk to them. Paul is working there, I assume as part of a hand over deal.

I see thanks Black Pig

 

[Athene V30]

I have had a couple of emails from Hans at the 'new' company

e: info@sea-feather.co.uk

w: www.sea-feather.co.uk

I can supply a mobile number and direct email address by pm

 

[oldbilbo]

I have had a couple of emails from Hans at the 'new' company

e: info@sea-feather.co.uk

w: www.sea-feather.co.uk

I can supply a mobile number and direct email address by pm

I spoke with Hans at the Beaulieu BJ, and an obliging sort he sounded. Perhaps you might forward a phone number to me, too, please?

 

[SteveSarabande]

Why don't they give prices...

How much does a sea feather cost?

 

[jerrytug]

Why don't they give prices...

How much does a sea feather cost?

They make each one to fit a particular yacht apparently. But about £1800, very roughly.

 

[SteveSarabande]

They make each one to fit a particular yacht apparently. But about £1800, very roughly.

Thanks

 

[Gargleblaster]

Have a look at the Windpilot from Germany as well. About the same price as a Sea Feather with delivery, lathough subject to vagaries in the FX between stg and euro.
More robust than the Sea Feather and has an excellent record of finishing with JCs. Peter Forthmann has a database on most boats that will ensure that it is designed to fit yours. Very easy to fit. I have done 30,000Nm with a Pacific Light on a UFO27 and 23,000Nm with a Pacific on a Rival 34.

 

[jerrytug]

Just out of interest and not wishing to start an argument John, why do you say it's more robust than a Sea Feather?
Or what I am really asking I suppose is, which bit of my Sea Feather will break
cheers Jerry

 

[Gargleblaster]

Just out of interest and not wishing to start an argument John, why do you say it's more robust than a Sea Feather?
Or what I am really asking I suppose is, which bit of my Sea Feather will break
cheers Jerry

Sorry it is a subjective judgement based on the way it is built. Also I had a very nasty knockdown in 2007 in which everything that went under the water was damaged save my Windpilot, which was operational at the time. I believe because of the way it is attached to the boat no damage occurred, although I was surprised that the vane and paddle came out completely unscathed. My windpilot was also hit hard in Bembridge Harbour by another yacht tying up behind me, I did a visual check it seemed OK and went on to complete the JC2010. I have never broken a Sea Feather, but I have used a very loose Aries and suffered quite bad damage to a Monitor both of which use similar attachment systems to the Sea Feather. Statistically the Windpilot has the record for the most Jester Challengers to complete their challenge.
So my _subjective_ judgement is that if the Sea Feather is to break it is most likely to be in the supporting arms or framework.

 

[jerrytug]

That's very interesting , I will bear it in mind, thanks Jerry

 

[snorkmaiden]

Would appreciate new contact number by PM. Thanks.

 

[zikzik]

I spoke with Hans at the Beaulieu BJ, and an obliging sort he sounded. Perhaps you might forward a phone number to me, too, please?

I am not too sure, but I think Hans is a relative. Son in Law perhaps?

I bought mine from Paul in 2011 or 12 for my Contessa 26 and am very happy with.

 

[petersc]

Hans Mobile: 07790 933998

Paul Mobile: 07891 465511

As advertised on their website!

 

[billybiltong]

I spoke to Paul and Hans at this years start of the "Jester challenge" very helpful and keen to speak and help people. Give either Paul or Hans a ring. Just for the record I don't have any connections to the business in fact I have a" Navik" as I cant afford the feather which in my opinion is the best on the market for small boats. If anyone has any spares they want to move on for the "Navik" please contact me?
Happy Sailing & Fair winds
Bob

Sea Feather - Contact Details:-

http://www.sea-feather.co.uk/index.html

Hans Mobile: 07790 933998

Paul Mobile: 07891 465511

E: info@sea-feather.co.uk

W: www.sea-feather.co.uk

Sea Feather Workshop

Unit 3 Furzeham Net Store
Higher Furzeham Road
Brixham
TQ5 8QP

 

[Gargleblaster]

Just out of interest and not wishing to start an argument John, why do you say it's more robust than a Sea Feather?
Or what I am really asking I suppose is, which bit of my Sea Feather will break
cheers Jerry

I've just been reading Clare Francis 'Come Hell or High Water' and was interested in the problems she had with her wind vane steering and the bends in the frame she had to straighten out twice. Certainly not a SeaFeather but any windvane steering system that uses struts to hold it off the stern of the boat is subject to frame bending movements as they waves pass through in a gale. She only had one spare strut but initially wished she had two and later when it bent again probably felt she needed 4.
I was interested in looking at the SeaFeather site that they do a version that bolts directly onto the transom but seem to use it only on transoms that are perfectly vertical. Jerry if your version is one of the ones that is bolted straight onto the transom that should remove one area of concern. The SeaFeathers I have seen on Jester Challenge boats all seem to be strutted out however.

 

[jerrytug]

I've just been reading Clare Francis 'Come Hell or High Water' and was interested in the problems she had with her wind vane steering and the bends in the frame she had to straighten out twice. Certainly not a SeaFeather but any windvane steering system that uses struts to hold it off the stern of the boat is subject to frame bending movements as they waves pass through in a gale. She only had one spare strut but initially wished she had two and later when it bent again probably felt she needed 4.
I was interested in looking at the SeaFeather site that they do a version that bolts directly onto the transom but seem to use it only on transoms that are perfectly vertical. Jerry if your version is one of the ones that is bolted straight onto the transom that should remove one area of concern. The SeaFeathers I have seen on Jester Challenge boats all seem to be strutted out however.

Thanks for the reply, no mine is a strut one and I will be adding extra diagonal bracing to it.
Somewhere in the SeaFeather website, I think I remember reading that the actual loads on the wind vane attachment to the transom are 'amazingly small' or some such.
However that does not include being bashed in harbour, or me taking a turn round it for something or other, or clingin on to it for dear life etc etc!