Seahope
Well-Known Member
I was just wondering how common my experience is when it comes to getting something fixed on your boat. I have had to go for glacial. Looks like another season missed 
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Speed of repairs?
- Thread starter Seahope
- Start date
volvopaul
Well-Known Member
Steve, I think your case was an isolated incident, you were just very unlucky and if I might say falsely led by someone who was a dealer in your boats make that they would effect the repairs in a certain time.
I hope your not being messed about already by your new repairer, if you are then I'd let us know.
All I can say about myself is , I book customers in , turn up on the day and do the job, simple. Repairs can take longer as companies often rely on other companies, example engineering shop for a cylinder head repair.
I hope your not being messed about already by your new repairer, if you are then I'd let us know.
All I can say about myself is , I book customers in , turn up on the day and do the job, simple. Repairs can take longer as companies often rely on other companies, example engineering shop for a cylinder head repair.
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landlockedpirate
Well-Known Member
Sorry, I have no experience of repairs on your scale, but I do feel really sorry for you.
The only repair I needed was a little Gel Coat work, I didnt push and it took nearly 3 months to complete.
Have the new yard given you a time scale ?
The only repair I needed was a little Gel Coat work, I didnt push and it took nearly 3 months to complete.
Have the new yard given you a time scale ?
Seahope
Well-Known Member
Paul, no I would not say I was being messed about by my new repairer. They are just being very thorough and wanted to dyna test the engines before doing anything else. One passed with flying colours the other has a problem which requires investigating this requires Insurer approval. All this adds delay. I am guessing that with some luck all will done by August given the internal work now recommended. Just in time for us to be abroad on holiday for the back end of August I expect.
I should say that it took 3 weeks for the other company to actually get around to testing the engines.
Apart from your good self and other independent engineers I have found marine companies to be pretty poor in their customer service. My last relaunch was delayed because a company left it to the last minute and if they hadn't I think things would have turned out very differently.
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rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Really sorry to hear you are still waiting and boatless - seems like an eternity so can only guess what it must be like for you! Are you billing them for depreciation? 
Before I started, I always had the view that if we were to get a boat then I'd need to be able to do as much as possible myself - more from a cost perspective than anything else, so I started by doing the time consuming stuff myself and passing more critical stuff to the experts. 2 years on and experience has told me that this needs to be as close to 100% DIY as possible - and not just because of cost! I'm perhaps lucky in that I'm resourceful enough to turn my hand to anything and although a steep learning curve, I thrive on a challenge. There's not enough Volvo Pauls out there IMHO and too many sub-standard outfits who sit on their laurels! I've never encountered a business sector so poor at communication either...
On our recent rally, we were two boats down because both were 'in for work' with a local marine service centre. Both booked in well before the event and both unable to contact them in the week prior to the event! Both missed the event and are still awaiting their boats - very poor service IMO.
My only advice would be to get there in person as often as you can and keep on top of progress - project manage yourself if necessary. Worst case scenario, they'll get fed up with the hassle and be as keen to see the back of it as you are to get it back! Best case scenario, they'll bend over backwards to get it done and see you as a satisfied customer.
Before I started, I always had the view that if we were to get a boat then I'd need to be able to do as much as possible myself - more from a cost perspective than anything else, so I started by doing the time consuming stuff myself and passing more critical stuff to the experts. 2 years on and experience has told me that this needs to be as close to 100% DIY as possible - and not just because of cost! I'm perhaps lucky in that I'm resourceful enough to turn my hand to anything and although a steep learning curve, I thrive on a challenge. There's not enough Volvo Pauls out there IMHO and too many sub-standard outfits who sit on their laurels! I've never encountered a business sector so poor at communication either...
On our recent rally, we were two boats down because both were 'in for work' with a local marine service centre. Both booked in well before the event and both unable to contact them in the week prior to the event! Both missed the event and are still awaiting their boats - very poor service IMO.
My only advice would be to get there in person as often as you can and keep on top of progress - project manage yourself if necessary. Worst case scenario, they'll get fed up with the hassle and be as keen to see the back of it as you are to get it back! Best case scenario, they'll bend over backwards to get it done and see you as a satisfied customer.
Seahope
Well-Known Member
Really sorry to hear you are still waiting and boatless - seems like an eternity so can only guess what it must be like for you! Are you billing them for depreciation?
Before I started, I always had the view that if we were to get a boat then I'd need to be able to do as much as possible myself - more from a cost perspective than anything else, so I started by doing the time consuming stuff myself and passing more critical stuff to the experts. 2 years on and experience has told me that this needs to be as close to 100% DIY as possible - and not just because of cost! I'm perhaps lucky in that I'm resourceful enough to turn my hand to anything and although a steep learning curve, I thrive on a challenge. There's not enough Volvo Pauls out there IMHO and too many sub-standard outfits who sit on their laurels! I've never encountered a business sector so poor at communication either...
On our recent rally, we were two boats down because both were 'in for work' with a local marine service centre. Both booked in well before the event and both unable to contact them in the week prior to the event! Both missed the event and are still awaiting their boats - very poor service IMO.
My only advice would be to get there in person as often as you can and keep on top of progress - project manage yourself if necessary. Worst case scenario, they'll get fed up with the hassle and be as keen to see the back of it as you are to get it back! Best case scenario, they'll bend over backwards to get it done and see you as a satisfied customer.
Good advice which I am doing as much as I can. Unfortunately I am too big and strong to work on my engines. History tells that I usually break things before mending them which would get very expensive given the parts prices. My new to me SLK 230 in immaculate condition cost less than the parts fitted into just one of my engines! They are just too valuable to risk DIY on unless you are suitably qualified and I definitely am not
hlb
RIP
Did not have to many problems getting repairs done in Plymouth, except they always got done on the day we were back on the boat, hopeing to get away.
Wales. Not a hope. Promises, but no one ever turned up. Did not matter whether it was upholstery, covers or engines.
If I had not given up for health reasons, I'd have given up due to the shear imposibility, of getting some thing done.
Wales. Not a hope. Promises, but no one ever turned up. Did not matter whether it was upholstery, covers or engines.
If I had not given up for health reasons, I'd have given up due to the shear imposibility, of getting some thing done.
rbcoomer
Well-Known Member
Good advice which I am doing as much as I can. Unfortunately I am too big and strong to work on my engines. History tells that I usually break things before mending them which would get very expensive given the parts prices. My new to me SLK 230 in immaculate condition cost less than the parts fitted into just one of my engines! They are just too valuable to risk DIY on unless you are suitably qualified and I definitely am not
Understand that statement - I've worked my way through many tools over the years. I usually learn the lesson (occasionally too late!) and find another means - either via heat or change of technique. It can certainly be a steep learning curve! I do believe that the more they see of you, the more of a relationship you will build and (generally) the more reliable they'll be. Good luck anyway and it does sound more promising this time around... 
Wavey
Well-Known Member
Bought the boat in August last year and by the end of September I had a list of 8 jobs to get done. Here we are in mid June - 6 done and still 2 to go.
Andydent2000
Well-Known Member
One thing I've learned is that marine time is not the same as real time. And that patience is not a virtue it's essential.
Back in Bristol there were plenty of promises but unless it was an emergency, the chances are it would not get done and even if they claimed it was, the majority of the time it was a half baked attempt with nothing checked and corners cut. Tried several firms and all were much the same.
My mate has had a similar experience on the Hamble.
Now I'm a bit more savvy I feal I can spot the lame ducks and rip off merchants (one guy tried to convince me I had seized my outboard when it was a jammed starter cog which took 2 minutes to fix).
Volvopaul has been looking after Dreamfinder for the past 14 months and has been fantastic.
He's my first port of call for most things. I have a great deal of faith in his advice and the people he recommends. No one else is going to come near those engines.
Recommendation, recommendation, recommendation. Find someone good, stick with them. It's worth it.
Back in Bristol there were plenty of promises but unless it was an emergency, the chances are it would not get done and even if they claimed it was, the majority of the time it was a half baked attempt with nothing checked and corners cut. Tried several firms and all were much the same.
My mate has had a similar experience on the Hamble.
Now I'm a bit more savvy I feal I can spot the lame ducks and rip off merchants (one guy tried to convince me I had seized my outboard when it was a jammed starter cog which took 2 minutes to fix).
Volvopaul has been looking after Dreamfinder for the past 14 months and has been fantastic.
He's my first port of call for most things. I have a great deal of faith in his advice and the people he recommends. No one else is going to come near those engines.
Recommendation, recommendation, recommendation. Find someone good, stick with them. It's worth it.
DAKA
Well-Known Member
I was just wondering how common my experience is when it comes to getting something fixed on your boat. I have had to go for glacial. Looks like another season missed
depending how bad it is, buy a new engine and get back on the water.
return the old one to be repaired under warranty and then sell it.
I had a gearbox leak oil.
I bought a new one for £1600 ish
repaired the old one for £100
sold the old one for £975
Col took the old one out and fitted the new one in a morning.
prv
Well-Known Member
You're missing a box for "do it all myself so never have to wait"
Did pay Marine Power to overhaul the engine when we bought the boat. Told them we weren't in a rush and so they took their time, but we still had to ask them to hang onto the engine for a few weeks while I finished off the work in the engine bay ready for it.
Pete
Did pay Marine Power to overhaul the engine when we bought the boat. Told them we weren't in a rush and so they took their time, but we still had to ask them to hang onto the engine for a few weeks while I finished off the work in the engine bay ready for it.
Pete
Scubadoo
Well-Known Member
In the early days of owning my then new boat, I had such a long snag list it took forever, however, my problems was more to with damage made while fixing something else e.g. scratched gelcoat, marks on the furnishings, damaged lock etc. However, I have found people who I have used more recently to be realiable and on time.
Anyway good luck Seahope, on the bright side, the weather is terrible so your not missing too much yet.
Anyway good luck Seahope, on the bright side, the weather is terrible so your not missing too much yet.
OAF
Well-Known Member
Have been trying to get some electrics done over the last twelve months, have had promises from two different 'one man' engineers and they never bothered turning up, finally found a place at Mercury marina who gave a price and time scale and as far as I know its all been done, will find out on Friday
Having been involved in boats for many many years I have often found that the majority of the marine repair industry are laid back and don't worry about time scales or dead lines!
Having been involved in boats for many many years I have often found that the majority of the marine repair industry are laid back and don't worry about time scales or dead lines!
EugeneR
Well-Known Member
If you were a main dealer, would you not prioritise new boat sales, servicing and/or smaller repairs above large, slow repair jobs? Surely not doing so would be turning customers / money away - whereas, once the big repair job is in the yard, it's "money in the bank" and can wait until there's no other money in the queue.
Personally, if it was my business and sales and servicing were doing well, I'd supply the parts but then outsource the repairs to someone for whom it is a core business and who are more motivated to do a fast and effective job. And I'd hopefully gain respect from the customer. Or, I would scale to do it effectively as well, if I saw an ongoing pipeline for such repairs.
Personally, if it was my business and sales and servicing were doing well, I'd supply the parts but then outsource the repairs to someone for whom it is a core business and who are more motivated to do a fast and effective job. And I'd hopefully gain respect from the customer. Or, I would scale to do it effectively as well, if I saw an ongoing pipeline for such repairs.
