PhilipF
New member
Potentially quite a good idea of MBM's to get readers to describe their boat purchase and learning experiences. I do though consider they ought to try and tidy up the editorial to a better standard than that in the latest issue. Is it not part of the job of an editor to ensure that copy is laid out in a clear and readable manner?
In the preamble to the story in the August issue is this: "Alice B was bought *as* new in November 2005". But later the article states "Alice B was built in Sweden and delivered some months later to the UK" So, why the "as"?
Likewise this: "Chris Harridge .......was *pleased* to sell us a new Nimbus 320" I very much doubt he would in any way be displeased!
The couple were perhaps to blame for this: "The basic package included few features". I feel this to be pretty unfair to these dealers. They do issue a price list which clearly states what is included as standard on the boat, and to be honest I reckon it does include all that is needed for a perfectly acceptable standard of boating. Certainly it includes a chart-plotter, also a bow-thruster. These items are part of the package price which is published in the MBM Buyers Guide.
A reason why I consider this to be specially unfair, is that when our boat was purchased from the same dealer some months later, I was impressed at just how many items were included. Adequate set of mooring lines for example. No less than eight fenders - I've never used any more than five at a time! Not a thing did we need to add in fact. I do agree that it is always best that the stated price is in fact the final price. Essential add-ons are never nice.
Hand-overs are of course very important. Specially so when one is taking over such a pricey item as a boat. Surely the best place to do this is at the dealers yard? Not easy to 'take it all in in' one session. Do it there, and they can repeat any items the customer is unclear on.
One important point not included in the article was the performance of the boat - did it live up to the buyers expectations, and/or the stated figures? Not so important, though to me it would be, is the name to be given to a new boat. I do get the impression the name a boat is given does not exercise the minds of some owners. They should pay more attention to it. Likewise, to the fonts used to display that name on the boat. I'm not a fan of fancy fonts on a boat!
In the preamble to the story in the August issue is this: "Alice B was bought *as* new in November 2005". But later the article states "Alice B was built in Sweden and delivered some months later to the UK" So, why the "as"?
Likewise this: "Chris Harridge .......was *pleased* to sell us a new Nimbus 320" I very much doubt he would in any way be displeased!
The couple were perhaps to blame for this: "The basic package included few features". I feel this to be pretty unfair to these dealers. They do issue a price list which clearly states what is included as standard on the boat, and to be honest I reckon it does include all that is needed for a perfectly acceptable standard of boating. Certainly it includes a chart-plotter, also a bow-thruster. These items are part of the package price which is published in the MBM Buyers Guide.
A reason why I consider this to be specially unfair, is that when our boat was purchased from the same dealer some months later, I was impressed at just how many items were included. Adequate set of mooring lines for example. No less than eight fenders - I've never used any more than five at a time! Not a thing did we need to add in fact. I do agree that it is always best that the stated price is in fact the final price. Essential add-ons are never nice.
Hand-overs are of course very important. Specially so when one is taking over such a pricey item as a boat. Surely the best place to do this is at the dealers yard? Not easy to 'take it all in in' one session. Do it there, and they can repeat any items the customer is unclear on.
One important point not included in the article was the performance of the boat - did it live up to the buyers expectations, and/or the stated figures? Not so important, though to me it would be, is the name to be given to a new boat. I do get the impression the name a boat is given does not exercise the minds of some owners. They should pay more attention to it. Likewise, to the fonts used to display that name on the boat. I'm not a fan of fancy fonts on a boat!