How is our Factory family?

[cmwahl]

I have been wondering how our factory family are doing during this crisis? Are you a essential service?

Cindy
Kiorana

 

[Andrew Custis]

Thank you for checking in! As you can imagine, many of us our working from home and keeping up on things that we normally wouldn't have time for. We are in the middle of discussions about doing some more webinars and educational type of training for our owners during this down time. Everyone is healthy and look forward to getting back to action here soon! We all would like to think that we are an essential type of service but the state disagrees so far.

Thanks for checking on us,

Andrew-

 

[Matchayan]

Hi Andrew, some webinars would be great while we are sequestered. We met at the Vancouver boat show where I bought a C24 from Dave. We watched the seminar on Saturday it was very informative. The one area that I and I am sure a lot of the others might find helpful is a webinar on using and setting up the Garmin electronics. The training session we had from Port boat house was good but with so much information it is hard to retain it all. The electronic manufacturers all do things differently and call some of their functions buy different names so it can be confusing when you have used different equipment. A webinar on the Garmin electronics would also be an asset to future buyers as well.
Harold

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Good to hear that you guys are in good shape!

In the spirit of more ideas.... 😀

would love to see some videos on DIY servicing the different components of the boats like the Volvo engine service. impeller replacement, how to remove the interior panels to get to components, other known things like transducer fluid etc.

lots of common questions on Tugnuts that could be converted to quick/short videos. id record them but im probably not the most authoritative source on the subjects...

 

[baz]

Thanks Andrew for keeping us all in mind. Take care and stay safe is the important thing for RT to do at this time. Customers will survive your absence that hopefully will end before too much time slips by.

I had thought to cruise out to some island paradise and anchor out for self-isolation, but family had other ideas for me.

Companies are having Zoom type video get-togethers and wonder if this lockdown continues for months if a Q&A Zoom might be a good way to keep the extended world-wide RT family together and informed. My daughter earlier this week had her company Zoom meeting that had 400 people online. A Zoom meeting with RT customers from around the world would be an awesome event IMO. We just need to be warned in advance about such an event timing so none of us are caught out in our PJs. 😀 😱 😉

 

[FWTMD]

I'll chip in as a newbie here.

The OP began with best wishes, so I'll extend my own. Stay safe, stay well, and plan to come out of the chute on the other side of this ready to grip it and rip it.

The thread then migrated into suggestions, and I'll add a few as a prospective / new buyer.

Yes, I too would love to see maintenance material. Written or videos equally fine. Those of us who are shopping also want to get a good bead on what we are buying into. Fluid already does a good job of it, and Tugnuts fills in gaps in a wonderful way. Its all good, and its a strength to build upon.

Similarly, checklists. Step aboard and do this list before casting off. Do this second list before stepping off. Check this list regularly for inspection.

Since all we can do now is scour the web for material, I can tell you there are a TON of videos and reviews showing the interior features, and tours of the cockpit. However, it seems to me a real selling point on the entire line of boats, from large to small, is how they handle in serious seas. Videos on flat waters are fine, so far as they go, and no doubt encourage buyers to picture themselves on a carefree jaunt. But what really would seal the deal is something that shows off your strength, which is rough water performance. There are a few videos users have posted, and those do a great selling job for you. Compare and contrast that with some stuff out there on Beneteau (in barely rough conditions) as one example, and you can see how a buyer would flee them and come back to your line of boats. Find a rough day, and go film it. My wife may be an example of the issue. She has no boater experience. Yes she's interested in interior features, but she also insists on something sturdy. So prove it. Show it. You know you can because the boats can.

That could be done as a safety instructional ... throttle back, head into the seas, and you can get a decent outcome that looks like this. Etc.

Some models have readily available information on performance, speed and fuel usage at the range of RPM's, and others do not. Its a gap in information that needs to be filled.

I'll simply close with my compliments. You folks are doing a great job. The legion of happy customers here at Tugnuts is good proof of that. Keep up the good work.

Regards

 

[Matty]

There is nothing like experience to gain more knowledge. In our first year of ownership I would say to my wife let’s take the boat out for an hour”. She would reply “ looks a little rough out there or it is about to rain”. I said ...exactly. I want to gain some experience so when I get in these conditions I have some knowledge of how the boat, and just as important, me will react.
Kevin Lamont knows I tested this heading to the Fl southwest rendezvous this year. Rain, rougher water than I ever experienced ( and was forecast) and darkness falling. Prior experience helped a lot. The experience gained will help ten fold. Oh, not to mention chart plotter failure for an hour. ( wife used google maps and changed from driving to walking mode. Who knew you could walk on water!).
Avoid situations when possible and be prepared for the unexpected.
Instructional video would be good as long as it does not encourage people that do not have the skill going into these situations on purpose.....but I digress.

P.s. boat was great. So was I once my white knuckles got some color back.

 

[Rocky Lou]

I'd likely attend webinars that were specific to RT/CW boats. Several topics come to mind with most being best practices, e.g. setting up Garmin Screens, Outfitting for salmon, tuna, other species, and everyone's favorite, pumping out. Best practices tend to be a lot more engaging than going through features and benefits of devices. I like to see what everyone is using and hear why it works for them. I may not do the same, but, I'll likely get ideas for my own interests.

Re:

We all would like to think that we are an essential type of service but the state disagrees so far.

In California, housing construction is considered essential. My CW is certainly 'housing' to me and provides a distanced environment in these challenging times.

 

[Bobby P.]

Good to hear everyone is doing well.

I'd pay for a hat!

BTW, Robin Shoop has some maintenance videos on Youtube for Volvo Penta D4-300 Engine and Onan Genset. I've never met him, but he does a great job.

Here is one of them:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yasV3bjVnXo

Bobby

 

[ixlr8]

Good to hear everyone is doing well.

I'd pay for a hat!

Bobby

You should be able to get/buy one from a RT dealer.
I was sent one when I signed up for the newsletter, but it took forever to get. I got one from my dealer when I bought my boat.