Recommendation Please

[Flossdog]

Am considering cutting a bluddy big hole in my boat and would rather a professional did it! Has anyone had grp work done by Dale Sailing and can you recommend them? Ta very much.

 

[Richard10002]

Why? What are you fitting?

 

[Flossdog]

A bow thruster - so I can get into tight continental marinas - single handed!
Hope all is well with you Richard. Remember we met in Malta.

 

[Coaster]

You might like to ask Windjammer Marine, in Milford Haven. Its premises is in the Milford Marina boatyard. The phone number is 01646 699070.

We've been consistently pleased with the work done by Windjammer.

Is your boat in the water or out?

 

[Flossdog]

Boat is in the water so there is the cost of lift out & in. Want to get the job done in summer (?) as the temperatures are better for GRP/epoxy work. I did consider Windjammer but not sure how many bow thrusters they have fitted. I thought that Dale Sailing might have had more experience.

 

[Richard10002]

A bow thruster - so I can get into tight continental marinas - single handed!
Hope all is well with you Richard. Remember we met in Malta.

I'm fine now... 5 years on Of course I remember, sitting in the sun drinking strong coffee. I recall offering to help with your trip across Biscay but, having spent a couple of leisurely years on the canal a couple of miles from home, and not going far, I'm not so enthusiastic I think I've found my place in life.

I'm not decrying a bow thruster - I found the one on Rogue very useful. However, having been on a narrow boat without a bow thruster for a while, I have discovered that if you are going slow enough to use a bow thruster, putting the wheel/tiller hard over and giving a quick powerful burst ahead, the bow will swing quite dramatically if you wish. Works when going astern aswell.

 

[tico]

Suggest that you discuss it with John Reynolds first rather than just let the workshop at it.

 

[Matt341]

We had a very small gel coat void that was noticed when we were lifted out last Winter, just below the rubbing strake, we were only out for a couple of weeks and even though under warranty the broker would have needed more notice to carry out a visit/repair etc. I spoke to John Reynolds about the issue and within an hour there was someone working on it. Hardly the same as the work required to fit a thruster but we were very happy with the job. Even though it was smaller than a 1p piece the attention to detail was fantastic.

Ian

 

[Flossdog]

Thanks Guys, yes, I'll have a word with John first. Richard, I am full of admiration for narrow boaters, the good ones that is! How you can steer something that long is quite a skill I think! Glad life is good for you again. All the very best.