Hunting for a expert in a foreign country

[miha90]

My question is simple. When in a foreign country or just marina on the other side of the country where do you usually go to in order to find a suitable mechanic, detailer or whatever service your vessel requires at that moment? Be it a quick oil change or winter refit, how do you find somebody reliable who knows what they are doing without totally emptying your wallet in the process? Or even more importantly do you ask for multiple quotes before starting something or just go with whoever you find first?

 

[Poignard]

I'd usually start at the marina office. I also ask other local yachtsmen.

Whether I would get multiple quotes depends on the circumstances. EG; is it a big job, does the recommendation of others seem plausible, can I find more than one firm to quote?

For example, I once had to put into L'Abervrac'h in France with a broken boom. I knew nobody there, all the yachts I could see were en route somewhere, and my insurer wanted three quotes for the repair/replacement. This was before the internet and mobile phones, tablets etc

The marina office referred me to two firms. The first was an aluminium fabricator who said he could weld it together, the second was a local rigger who worked with a mast maker in Brest.

I contacted my insurer and told them what I had done. I pointed out that my location was fairly remote and, given my lack of facility in French, it was difficult to come up with three quotes. I said I had met the riggerpersonally and had confidence in him. My insurer agreed to my using him.

The rigger arranged everything: collection of the broken remains and taking them to Brest, instructing the spar maker, having the new boom made, delivery of the new boom , alterations to reefing pendants etc. All for a very reasonable price within the estimate. Everyone was happy with the outcome.

 

[Motor_Sailor]

That I believe, was one of the founding ideas behind the Cruising Association.
Francis B Cooke in his book 'Cruising Hints' talks about the perils of leaving one's boat in a strange port at the end of a cruise without knowing who to trust.
When the CA established a network of Honorary Local Representatives, there was then someone local who's recommendation could be trusted.
I assume the network is still a source of reliable local knowledge.

 

[Poignard]

That I believe, was one of the founding ideas behind the Cruising Association.
Francis B Cooke in his book 'Cruising Hints' talks about the perils of leaving one's boat in a strange port at the end of a cruise without knowing who to trust.
When the CA established a network of Honorary Local Representatives, there was then someone local who's recommendation could be trusted.
I assume the network is still a source of reliable local knowledge.

Good point. I only joined the CA a year ago but wish I had joined years ago.