what would you do?

[Cutwater28GG]

My boat was just in for a quick bottom paint. The paint is all done with a couple of things fixed. all planned to return before the 4th July long weekend. boat is essentially finished and waiting to go back into the water.

Yard has just informed me they "accidentally" went ahead with some work due to a miscommunication between the worker and the office and drilled into the boat to examine the exhaust. (we talked about this work at the start but then had decided and agreed to do the work next haul out and not do it this time)

The result is a hole in the boat, and the replacement part is weeks away, essentially losing a whole month of boating in the short Seattle summer season.

I'm infuriated to say the least.

what would you do?

sorry for venting

 

[gswearin]

Hey Gavin, total bummer. I don’t understand the details but seems to me they should patch the issue gratis and then fix it later. If not possible they should prioritize your fix. Absent a supply chain problem they should be able to do this.

 

[glider4]

Gavin I feel your pain. Three of the biggest mechanical problems we have had on our FM boats over the past decade were due to “professional” mechanics screw ups. First was a coolant replacement where the Anacortes based shop removed 4 gallons of coolant and only put back in 3 gallons. Second was an Everett shop choosing to use an oil hose laying around their shop to replace a recalled hose when I had given them a replacement hose supplied from Yanmar. The most recent was a Bellingham based shop that replaced a joker valve in the electric toilet but didn’t test their work to see if that actually fixed the slow flush problem. All three fiascos ruined our cruise plans.
The “professional” shops are the biggest incentive for doing as much maintenance and repair work as possible by yourself!
First, I would never do business with that shop again. Second, I would try to find a good, safe, short term fix for the hoe so you can use the boat ASAP.
Good luck!

 

[fishheadbarandgrill]

Without knowing the nature of the unauthorized repair and the feasibility of a temporary patch I'd negotiate some relief from the boat yard on the cost of the complete repair. Because of their mistake, you are losing a month of usage. I would target at least a 50/50 split on the invoice. An amount large enough to incentivize them to get the part quicker. Good luck.

 

[CaspersCruiser]

Unless that shop has a work order specifying that work was to done, the shop should do whatever is necessary to get the boat back in the water, NOW.

*I edited this to make it more clear.

 

[SJI Sailor]

It depends on the details of the hole, but my inclination would be to demand (or do myself) a non-permanent installation of a thru hull or other patch that would make it usable.

Beyond losing a month, we all know how estimates slip. So If you wait, it might end up being 2 or 3 months or ...

The other route I'd take is to look into other sources for the part. Call the manufacturer and see if they have leads, someone who might have on stock somewhere, etc

 

[Cutwater28GG]

They drilled and removed the metal gasket/flange that holds the exhaust into the hull. It’s not a quick Fiberglass job. They have destroyed the flange and ranger don’t make this part or have it in stock. So it has to be made and shipped from florida.

 

[Rocky Lou]

You're doing the right thing already by vetting the action plan rather than chasing the tech around the yard armed with a Makita or any other silly idea that I might have thought of.

There's a lot of factors that only you can value, e.g. how important it is to have the boat back soon; do I want to continue to do business with this company, etc.

The good thing is they've acknowledged a mistake and you can use that to negotiate what you want, perhaps:
- Plug it now for immediate use
- Plan the original job with X (substantial) discount
- Get other services

I'd negotiate in good faith, but, also research filling a small claims case if you are not satisfied with how the discussion is proceeding.

Good luck!

 

[S. Todd]

How is this part any different than what Fluid Motion uses in the current production R29 which also has a D-4 in it like the C28 used to have? Just a thought that there might be a replacement part available.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

The factory have changed what they use since my 2012 boat. I believe the new flange is different in diameter. which is a big fibreglass job to change to.

 

[Diatom]

They owe you extraordinary effort for their screwup - but you might assist them in expediting the part.

I don't like leaving the boat for these endless delays. One is at risk of receiving nothing better than excuses at the end of the "month". Beyond the disappointment and inconvenience,
- the boat won't necessarily fare well while it chills. Mine just came back covered with pine pollen fallout after a week-became-a-month job, had to Shanghai a local kid to scrub her down.
- I fear that every day a boat sits in a shop it's at risk of possession/title issues should the shop itself sink beneath the waves.

/tmm

 

[bob daily]

I would think with a little research on the internet one could find a replacement part of the correct size for installation with over night shipping you should be back on the water sooner than the 30 days you were quoted! There is more than one supplier for parts, sometimes it's required to hold there feet to the fire to get the service that I'm sure you paid premium for. Best of luck, Bob

 

[4umfreak]

I assume you need the 4" version of the 316 stainless port pictured below?
Any chance there's enough room for the plastic flanged exhaust port?

There's one from Vetus that supports a 4" exhaust hose too.

 

[Cutwater28GG]

Update.

I have the boat back. Part was rushed from Florida. They did the work in two days for free.

I suspect they added a little Labour to other jobs to cover the cost but I’m ok with it.

 

[Genuine Drift]

They drilled and removed the metal gasket/flange that holds the exhaust into the hull. It’s not a quick Fiberglass job. They have destroyed the flange and ranger don’t make this part or have it in stock. So it has to be made and shipped from florida.

Hi there, I was going to say we have one of these in stock (3 1/2") then scrolled further down and notice the work has been done, happy day 🙂