Fox's: a job well done.

[Koeketiene]

They have come in for more than just a bit of stick on here lately.
And from what I can tell somewhat deservedly so.
Have fought battles of my own when it came to cost/quotes and completion times. Sometimes it felt like trying to nail jelly to a plate.
However, they always came through for us.

End of September Guapa went in for some jobs (repair of a ding to the gelcoat) and some upgrades.
Again, after some negotiating we settled on price and completion time.
All jobs were completed on time, on spec and pretty much on budget (minor additional expenses always cleared beforehand).

When launch day came it became apparent we had a crack in our rudder.
Water could be heard sloshing inside. I decided there and then to have the rudder dropped and the problem investigated.

Water had made its way into the rudder via the rudder stock. A wooden beam inside the rudder had started to expand.
This had caused the crack which let in more water...

Now, for the repair:

We decided to use a piece of stainless box instead of a grp web. This had the advantage that it could be welded to the other webs. In order to get it in we had to cut the web so you can see this has been welded back up and a doubler added for strength. The new stainless has been bonded in with epoxy paste and the hole by the stock also filled with epoxy paste. The cut out is now being bonded back in and will be laminated tomorrow.

They spotted a potentially serious problem and dealt with it in a very professional fashion.
At all times they were open to discuss options and the way forward.

When the chips were down, they did not let me down.
Well pleased.

 

[chinita]

God, thanks for that. I am glad I don't have a plastic boat!

 

[MikeBz]

Ironically it was the bit of wood which caused the problem. I guess it just wanted to be a clinker plank.

 

[Koeketiene]

God, thanks for that. I am glad I don't have a plastic boat!

All the 'big' problems we've had (the deck and now the rudder) were due to bits of wood.

IMHO classic, wooden boat are true things of beauty but I would never want to own one.
I like sailing too much to own a wooden boat.

 

[photodog]

Will, who did you get to do your coppercoat??

 

[sailorman]

Will, who did you get to do your coppercoat??

Same as rudder

 

[xyachtdave]

I've booked in a two month window during Feb/March to get some stuff done that's above my skill levels.

Boats are very personal items, getting work done is not unlike a medical operation to a loved one, just more expensive and prone to complications.....

 

[Koeketiene]

Boats are very personal items, getting work done is not unlike a medical operation to a loved one, just more expensive and prone to complications.....

So true

 

[sailorman]

What ever happened to Hamma & those beers he still owes us, coz we saved him loadsa £s

 

[Koeketiene]

What ever happened to Hamma & those beers he still owes us, coz we saved him loadsa £s

Guess he did a runner

Hamma:
Last Activity
07-08-13 20:37

He must have figured out we would have drunk his savings - and then some.

 

[sailorman]

Guess he did a runner

Hamma:
Last Activity
07-08-13 20:37

He must have figured out we would have drunk his savings - and then some.

How dishonourable of him
I guess he could send a cheque to Suze to cover a pint or 3 + interest

 

[Otter]

Recent upturn in UK GDP and Guapa back in Fox's for some "upgrades" - surely some connection between these two events...

 

[sailorman]

Recent upturn in UK GDP and Guapa back in Fox's for some "upgrades" - surely some connection between these two events...

It was fix the rudder or have a bow thruster fitted

 

[Koeketiene]

Recent upturn in UK GDP and Guapa back in Fox's for some "upgrades" - surely some connection between these two events...

"If a man is to be obsessed by something, I suppose a boat is as good as anything, perhaps a bit better than most".
E. B. White

 

[Koeketiene]

It was fix the rudder or have a bow thruster fitted

Never having a bow thruster fitted.
Don't like the things.
One more hole in the hull than strictly necessary.

 

[FullCircle]

Never having a bow thruster fitted.
Don't like the things.
One more hole in the hull than strictly necessary.

I am thinking of replacing the rudder with a bow thruster.

 

[Koeketiene]

I am thinking of replacing the rudder with a bow thruster.

Well Jim, you know best - you're the engineer after all

Me, as a Luddite, I prefer my boat simple - with as few electric/electronic gizmos as possible.

 

[wingdiver]

Well Jim, you know best - you're the engineer after all

Me, as a Luddite, I prefer my boat simple - with as few electric/electronic gizmos as possible.

You could always have a hydraulic thruster fitted. No fancy electronics or extra batteries and you have power all the time the engine is running rather than running out of juice just as you need to use it. We had Foxs fit our tube and Side Power thruster unit but put in the power take off/clutch/cables, tank, solenoids etc ourselves and Pirtek came with their mobile unit to measure, make and fit the hydraulic pipework.

Made a huge difference to us when in close quarters especially as there are only ever two of us aboard. You can even reverse a long keeler

 

[Koeketiene]

Made a huge difference to us when in close quarters especially as there are only ever two of us aboard.

Duncan,
I'm sure these things make a lot of sense when you do a lot of close quarter maneuvering (like in marinas).
However, marinas do not feature large in our future.
We're moving back on a mooring this Summer. When the boat moves to France, she'll be on a mooring all year round and once we're off I expect to spend 95% of our time on the hook.
The situations where one would have been useful to us over the last years have been few and far between.
I can live without a bow thruster.

Still on the shopping list are:
1. Electric windlass
2. Removable bowsprit
3. Keel-cooled fridge/freezer
4. Steps on the mast
5. Fit the SSB
6. Replace the Eber
Here endeth the list.
Plan is to finish the project NLT this time next year

 

[FullCircle]

Duncan,
I'm sure these things make a lot of sense when you do a lot of close quarter maneuvering (like in marinas).
However, marinas do not feature large in our future.
We're moving back on a mooring this Summer. When the boat moves to France, she'll be on a mooring all year round and once we're off I expect to spend 95% of our time on the hook.
The situations where one would have been useful to us over the last years have been few and far between.
I can live without a bow thruster.

Still on the shopping list are:
1. Electric windlass
2. Removable bowsprit
3. Keel-cooled fridge/freezer
4. Steps on the mast
5. Fit the SSB
6. Replace the Eber
Here endeth the list.
Plan is to finish the project NLT this time next year

Wot no Rocna?