HAT-TRICK for Essex Boatyards

[RogerRat]

And three Firsts for me!

Just bought and took delivery of my third boat from Essex Boatyards, on Saturday, although this one was through Fairline Port Solent, Essex's south coast division.

2004 - Boat No.1, Sealine Statesman 305, Late eighties. First Twin Petrol.

Had loads of stupid problems with this brokerage boat from Essex, but they stood by it on the basis of long term satisfied customers etc. By the time we got it up together, Swmbo and I had lost all confidence in her and pooped ourselves when coming in, always expecting the engines to stall. Also, I couldn't get past the fuel berth as she was a very very thirsty lady.

So, 2005 - First Twin Diesel boat for me, Essex gave me my money back on the the 305 against the Bavaria 330 Sport, 'Raz Ma Taz' often seen Blitzing the solent and adjacent waters through the winter, even featured in a Winter post by Jez Banks.

'Raz' has been a great boat, runs like hell upto 37 knots on her sleek silicone antifouling but really economical at her normal cruising of 24-5 knots. Very roomy stable quality sportscruiser. (Jez liked her so much he went to Greece to buy one!) I'd just had her serviced last month, everything sorted for the new season, fitted with Radar and Colour GPS and new screens etc, when I received the call...

James at Essex and Trevor at Fairline Port Solent; 'The very last production 2003 Phantom38 was available!' and 'Would I like to view her?'


Well of course I would, 'but I can't afford her!' says I, but they say, 'of course you can, just come and see her, we'll work out a deal!'

Strange feeling, going off to view a boat that you probably can't afford but someone's telling you that might be able to. Also, doubting if there's a way to chip at the price.

I knew 'Panache' would fit the bill now and for sometime and that it would be in good condition, fully serviced, guaranteed and completely sorted and prepared before delivery. But what about my boat, nothing wrong with it, nothing to do, just drive her, just spent a fistfull of dollars on service and anodes etc. No problem they said, 'We'll give you your money back!'

And I wasn't diasappointed:

Panache was just the ticket and I'd looked at them all, good size roomy boat but not a ship.

and inside...

Trevor and Graeme at Port Solent had her lifted and serviced at RK Marine of Swanick then 'Panache' was, 'gone through' and sorted prior to my collection and handover by Ian of Marine Matters, (trainer skipper) where time was not an issue, Ian was able to answer all my questions, daft or not and I became the grinning skipper /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifof another ' First ' Twin shafted Flybridge cruiser.

Very different but I'm sure that when I've had some practice (about 100 hours) /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif She'll be super easy to control and there'll be less calls of, 'Incoming!' when I return to Sparkes at Hayling Island.

Finally, I don't think I really need to voice my opinion about Essex Boatyards or Fairline Port Solent, just simply that I've gone back for another boat, TWICE and if I need another one at sometime, I think you can guess where I'll go First /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Thanks Guys. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[GC1]

Fantastic looking boat Roger /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif Seems you have the same disease as me /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Safe boating to you, nice to see people getting out and about /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

 

[cliffdale]

Essex were and still are brilliant for aftersales service. My Targa has an embarrasing amount of snags to clear up. Each problem has been resolved. EBY have been outstanding and certainly would recommend that they are the people to buy from.

Cliff

 

[[2068]]

As well as being in fab condition, what the photos don't really show is the SIZE of the thing. It might be "only" a 38, but the reality is that it all goes dark when I trundle up the fairway past it in my itsy bitsy 28.

Again, congrats on buying a proper boat !

dv.

 

[duncan]

great story - with a happy ending too and pictures..............ooooh

enjoy

 

[LeytonC]

Now thats one hell of a boat! well done - also a nice bit of feedback for the marine industry, treat your customers right and they will come back!! (a lesson i try so hard to practice!)

 

[mjkinch1]

Hi Roger

Great Story - I have a Phantom 38, and its a really nice boat, my first flybridge, and very happy with it. All we have had to replace was the cutlass bearings, there were a few minor problems with the bowthruster and plotter not getting along, but they were fixed easily. Have some great cruising.

 

[peterandjeanette]

Nice one. Glad it all turned out OK. Look forward to seeing you around the Solent during the year.

 

[Nautorius]

Well done Roger,

Great boat and glad Essex continue to serve you well. Got to say I would struggle to go elsewhere to buy a secondhand boat as they are great!

Phantom 38 is gorgeous and that one looks a cracker, go and enjoy.
Cheers

Paul

 

[Whitelighter]

Well done mate,

She really does look magnificent. I can't wait to see her in the flesh. It's well known on here what my feelings are about Nick and James at EBY - It is nice to see a company in the marine industry making such a fantastic effort.

I will certainly go back when Whitelighter needs changing (again! Hope SWMBO doesn't read this!)

Jez

 

[Hurricane]

Well done Roger
She looks great.

I had a look through my pics of the Volvo Ocean races and found a shot of her in amoungst the VX40s as a committee/start boat.
Here

Slightly bigger than the Tornados - dont you think?



And then out in the rough stuff at the (so called) "in port" race near the Nabb Tower.

Have fun with her
Mike

 

[benjenbav]

Super looking boat. I hope you enjoy her.

I'm also a fan of Essex Boatyards, without whom I would be waiting to sell my rag and stick rather than getting on with enjoying myself in my new toy, having told myself that - irrespective of what I ended up buying - I was not going to start accumulating boats for sale. Andy Whitmore and James Barke did me a great deal and followed up by doing what they said they would. Even down to the day my boat was delivered and the main cabin cushions were missing. One call to Andy, sorry about that, and someone was sent over from Essex to Chichester in a van with the cushions. Guess where I will look first when I next want to change?

 

[RogerRat]

Thanks for posting the pictures Mike, Great stuff.

I saw the Ocean 40's in Gunwharf, the day I had my sea trial. You could guess I was itching to get my hands on one, aren't they fantasic bits offf kit! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I ripped off your pictures for my files /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Thanks again,

Roger.

 

[Nuvalec]

Gotta say - If I could afford a newer boat (don't start - even James couldn't pull that kind of deal) I'd go there like a shot. I remember when they really first started gunning for it in this business back in '98 - I was the guy who wrote their websites up until beginning of last year - I couldn't cope on my own anymore as they had grown so big.

I have to say this was down to customer reputation and basically a bunch of nice guys - they never stiffed me, they were always friendly and always delivered info and stuff to me on time, so this kind of professionalism runs right through their business, not just in boat sales and service.

I'm glad to see James and his brothers (and the rest of the company) are held in high esteem by other people and it wasn't just me /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Now about that 38 foot flybridge... Naaah - I'll stick to my 40 foot Carver. I can afford that. Just. Maybe.

Tony.