Spuddy
Well-Known Member
A chum has just had some work done by them and sent me this email
I thought it was worth posting here as we've had some very discouraging experiences down here on the Medway
"I first contacted Trevor (Halls) in January 2019 to see if I could arrange for some stainless steel work on my boat Latitudes. My request to run steel from my existing radar post to form a gantry to mount additional solar panels was met with a can do attitude. I requested that Latitudes be with the boatyard for a week or two while the steel and other work was carried out. I contacted a number of individuals at Halls to confirm my plans to sail from Rochester to Walton-on-the-Naze when the weather improved and I had the time. We agreed sometime between mid-March and mid-April was likely. Once dates were confirmed I sailed to the boat yard and work commenced much as arranged. Neap tides caused a little delay but soon Latitudes was in the comfortable and well served Walton Yacht Basin. Just 50 yards away was the Walton & Frinton Yacht club where I met a friendly, helpful community, good beer and hot food (amply sampled). I meet with many individuals at Halls boat yard and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were they all very knowledgeable but were also friendly and approachable.
The work was to build and brace a Gantry for solar panels, to run hot air ducting 5 metres from in the depths of the cockpit locker to the V berth, to fit mid cleats, and to extend the bow roller steel plates and build a brace to the stem to support a new second furling system.
I was asked by a friend (and it will be the topic of conversation with many more as I will make the point of recommending Halls) was the work done well, on time and on budget? In general I would say yes. It is very hard to find marine services that really care about workmanship, customer service, commitment to the expectations of timescales and keeping within budgets. Halls were refreshing on all these points, they were not perfect and I'm not sure that "Perfection exists" however, when compared to many boat yards that I have used they are a cut above the rest and a delight to work with.
Frank Halls & Son Ltd
29-32 Mill Lane
Walton-on-the-Naze
Essex
CO14 8PF
So if Halls should need a happy customer to refer other prospective customers to, then I would certainly be willing, Howard Kember"
I thought it was worth posting here as we've had some very discouraging experiences down here on the Medway
"I first contacted Trevor (Halls) in January 2019 to see if I could arrange for some stainless steel work on my boat Latitudes. My request to run steel from my existing radar post to form a gantry to mount additional solar panels was met with a can do attitude. I requested that Latitudes be with the boatyard for a week or two while the steel and other work was carried out. I contacted a number of individuals at Halls to confirm my plans to sail from Rochester to Walton-on-the-Naze when the weather improved and I had the time. We agreed sometime between mid-March and mid-April was likely. Once dates were confirmed I sailed to the boat yard and work commenced much as arranged. Neap tides caused a little delay but soon Latitudes was in the comfortable and well served Walton Yacht Basin. Just 50 yards away was the Walton & Frinton Yacht club where I met a friendly, helpful community, good beer and hot food (amply sampled). I meet with many individuals at Halls boat yard and was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were they all very knowledgeable but were also friendly and approachable.
The work was to build and brace a Gantry for solar panels, to run hot air ducting 5 metres from in the depths of the cockpit locker to the V berth, to fit mid cleats, and to extend the bow roller steel plates and build a brace to the stem to support a new second furling system.
I was asked by a friend (and it will be the topic of conversation with many more as I will make the point of recommending Halls) was the work done well, on time and on budget? In general I would say yes. It is very hard to find marine services that really care about workmanship, customer service, commitment to the expectations of timescales and keeping within budgets. Halls were refreshing on all these points, they were not perfect and I'm not sure that "Perfection exists" however, when compared to many boat yards that I have used they are a cut above the rest and a delight to work with.
Frank Halls & Son Ltd
29-32 Mill Lane
Walton-on-the-Naze
Essex
CO14 8PF
So if Halls should need a happy customer to refer other prospective customers to, then I would certainly be willing, Howard Kember"
My winter storage, with The Walton Yacht Haven (‘ The Pond’) my summer home port for the past decade. A really nice, genuine guy, Trevor Hall is the cox of the Walton Lifeboat.