Factory Delivery Experience in Winter

[RobMcClain]

Hi folks…. My wife and I are awaiting delivery of our Cutwater 30 Sedan. While it was originally projected for sometime in September, we just learned it will now likely be around mid November. We’re obviously disappointed, but knowing the continuing difficulties posed by the supply chain we aren’t that surprised by the news. And we’re happy the factory is being methodical and awaiting the proper materials, as opposed to grabbing what’s available just to get it done. This is why they have the quality reputation they do, and their vessels show it. I guess the delay just gives us more time to anticipate, and buy things…. My one concern is what impact the weather might have on our factory delivery experience. Obviously we’ll plan for cold wet weather, but to those of you who have done the factory delivery experience during the cold wet months, what was your experience like? Anything specific you would advise we do or have in preparation, other than good rain gear, etc? Since we’ve now got 2 more months of anxious anticipation I just figured I’d ask the question to pass some of the time…. Thanks for any thoughts and insight!

Rob

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

We understand the having to wait as our R25OB has been moved out in production similar to your build. I see you are from Nevada, where it gets hot, so I’ll assume you are getting the luxury package with AC and reverse cycle heat. If this is the case I can speak from experience that this combination will generate a lot of condensation in the colder months, for your boats interior. If so you might want to purchase a portable electric heater for heating your boats interior. Set it up on a timer so it does not run all of the time and or get to hot. You may get lucky and have great weather but being prepared is best.

Jim F

 

[NSM]

Good morning Rob. My wife and I are new to boating just had the delivery experience. While our weather was pleasant I would have preferred it to be a bit gnarlier so I could drive the boat in crappy conditions with an expert next to me. I found it super easy to manage the boat with minimal winds. I’ll have to learn how to manage the boat in the wind and chop while on my own.

And bring a video camera to record everything. I spent two days going through the videos and making pages of notes to keep on the boat for when we need them.

Cheers,
Scott

 

[RobMcClain]

Hey Jim, my wife and I have long followed the travels of you and Lisa. Until recently we had a 23’ C-Dory that we towed all over the US. Yes, we do live in Las Vegas but we’ll be keep this boat in Portland. We’ve never cruised the Columbia and it’s tributaries and with our daughter and family moving up there it will be both our cruising platform as well as our home away from home. So…. we got the northwest edition without air conditioning. As for the portable heaters, I recently bought 2. One for the cabin that has a cold weather setting, and one for the engine/bilge area. While we’ll have the boat in a covered berth I certainly don’t want any systems to suffer freeze damage! And Scott, we’ve got the pads of paper and video capabilities ready to roll. I’ve read that the volume of info is overwhelming and being an old guy I’ll need all the supportive and reminding documentation I can get!

 

[Someday*]

How were you all notified about the delay in your production dates? Our R29CB is due before the end of the year and I wonder if that will be delayed as well?

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

I’d recommend making contact with your selling dealer/factory to inquire, that’s what we did. When you do ask if your build has been assigned a hull number. This would indicate your build is in line, barring any further delays with supplies/parts.

Jim F

 

[RobMcClain]

Yep, what Jim said... A couple of months ago we’d heard from another buyer on the Cutwater Facebook page that their build was going to be delayed ~2 months. We then checked with our broker (Sundance), who has been fabulous to work with, and he checked with the factory and was told we were still anticipated to be on time. Unfortunately, the continuing supply chain troubles are not fully predictable so it’s tough to really know what will be available when the time comes. This is frustrating for all concerned. At least the boat is still coming, just a bit delayed. And we definitely want the boat to be built right, with all the proper parts, as opposed to fast. Speed over quality is certainly not our goal, nor does it appear to be the factory goal - and we’re very happy about that!! We started this process at the end of January and it will be about 9 months to delivery. Knowing now that it could take this amount of time we’d still do it all over again. Still anxious and excited!

 

[Someday*]

I emailed my broker to see what he finds...thanks all.

 

[baz]

RobMcClain: The wait will be worth it.... gives you a little more time to contemplate and plan things.

'Tis a shame RTCW does not offer a credit when they delay their promise delivery date, or at least some compensation of some sort... it should be the right thing to do for PR and customer service... you could ask politely for a discount on something such as some free spare parts etc. Jay be polite when talking with them.

As far as mid Nov is concerned, and assuming the factory experience of two days will be conducted in the Seattle PNW area, it really makes no difference from if it were in mid summer time. The PNW weather is variable and you may just be lucky to get a calm day even in November. If not, then so long as weather is not too severe the sea trial day will give you some idea how the boat handles in no optimal weather and sea conditions... this aspect is also good to know and experience IMO.

Good luck and enjoy the ride and the boat.

 

[GypsyMoth]

RobMcClain,
I did the factory delivery experience in December last year, and spent extra time up in the Sound. I'm in the SF Bay Area and there are no dealers in these parts, I wanted to spend time on the boat and come up with any issues that the factory could fix before the boat was shipped down- and they were very accommodating... My girl friend and I enjoyed Des Moines, Elliot Bay, and Poulsbo. We went into Gig Harbor, but the yacht club we docked at wasn't providing transient mooring due to Covid; thankfully, having a R27OB allowed for us to jet back to Des Moines quickly!

There was a bit of wet weather on some sailing days, but usually not for the entire day; on heavy rain days we simply stayed on the boat. As others have said, weather up there changes frequently. We choose to not try and get through the locks, we were simply too new to the boat to fuddle around getting into the lakes.

We were able to exercise almost all the boat systems, given this was immediately after the training days using the systems was pretty straight forward.

The actual training days were extremely beneficial! We attempted to take video of all conversations (however for several the GoPro somehow got set into a fast forward mode- be sure to understand your recording equipment!).

Knowing your cruising options and having a flexible schedule increases the probability that the experience will be enjoyable...

Cheers,