[C320-list] New boat woes

[Richard Grunt]

It does take them time to fix things, but I suspect they will make you
right. As you can tell from this list, there are many satisfied customers,
not that everything is perfect, but when you get to sail and enjoy the boat
I doubt you will wish you had the old boat back!  When my boat was new it
probably took the dealer 4-5 months to straighten out everything, but they
did. There was travel involved, so they tried to batch the work and service
several boats in my marina with one trip. Not an unreasonable approach, just
frustrating for you. I also suspect that no matter what boat you purchase,
it will not arrive in perfect condition -too many systems and possible
pitfalls. 

Catalina has grown into a fairly large company, and sometimes you get
answers to questions that are not correct until you reach the right person.
But people at the top are accessible, and invariably make the customer
happy. I have called and had Frank Butler been the first to answer the call!

-----Original Message-----
From: C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:C320-List-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of MHOPK2290 at aol.com
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2006 10:24 PM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: Re: [C320-list] New boat woes

Thanks guys for the support !!!
I guess my frustration was showing , there was a punch list prepared and no

action has been taken for 60 days . the boat is hull number 1074 and it was

built in florida .
 
The general level of fit and finish ( showing ) is good ..not great  but ok 
there are tool marks in the fibreglass on the engine surround , below the  
sink etc( looks like somebody went after it with sandpaper , this i didnt  
notice untill recently  and in certain light conditions ) 
The dealer has a sterling reputation and i believe the holdup is on  
catalina's end . 
Catalina has a great following in my area and many loyal owners .
it may be new production line woes ( does that mean my mast will fall down  
next ?) 
this boat was meant to be an intermediate step to a larger boat for some  
serious cruising , it still will be .( but the next boat wont be a catalina
).
Again none of the items on the punch list were dealer added items they were

factory installed .
one last note ..probably overreacting but i sent an email to catalina on  
their website asking about how i could go about buying a second set of  
hatchboards ( good to have when varnishing etc ) the response was a one
sentence  
answer "call the factory and a number"
I promise no more venting 
 
wishing i had my old boat back 
thanks
 
 
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