[C320-list] FW: Re: Questions for Gerry Douglas

Thu Aug 17 07:03:52 PDT 2006

The questions are about the boat not their marketing strategy.

Cheers,

Dick Walker
740 Olive Ave.
Coronado, CA 92118-2136
619.435.8986

-----Original Message-----
From: c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com
[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com] On Behalf Of Karl Mielenhausen
_/) 
Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 5:40 AM
To: C320-List at catalina320.com
Subject: [C320-list] FW: Re: Questions for Gerry Douglas

Rod,

Annie's note brings to mind a few potential questions for Mr. Douglas:

1/ What have been the start-up issues with bringing a "new" models from
Woodland Hills to Largo?

2/ Are there plans to register the quality system to ISO 9002?

3/ Does Catalina see additional sales growth opportunity in the US (if so,
where and what) or will they focus on increasing sales abroad? 

4/ Are they considering any offshore manufacturing sites(e.g. China)

Karl Mielenhausen

2000 C320 Hull#690 "Silver Lining"

New Bern, NC

http://members.cox.net/mielen/

From: Annie Bennett [mailto: annie at sydneyprivatesailing.com.au]

To: c320-list at catalina320.com

Date: Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:17:43 +1000

Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions for Gerry Douglas

Rod, I would be interested in whether Gerry Douglas has any comments on
the report from NSW Maritime in Australia that "we inspected your
boat to confirm that it was built to the plans submitted. Unfortunately,
the inspection showed that it was not. In particular, some bulkheads were
not as shown in the plans and much of the structure was not bonded to the
hull. These are major issues". Should anyone be worried, was my boat
built differently to the others or has Australia become more demanding
than the rest of the world? In fairness to our local dealer, if the boat
hadn't had to have all the remedial work done to satisfy survey, it might
not look so messy. I don't know when the chips and cracks occurred but
it's possible that they occurred when things like the oven were removed
from the boat and then replaced to enable the work to be done. The
head shipwright at our marina made the rather unflattering comment at the

weekend that our new boat was the worst finished production boat he
has<br>ever seen and that it represented a downgrade from old Topcat #812
and not<br>an upgrade.  A mark on the side which looked to me like a badly
iced cake<br>with a dark line, he said looked like damage which had been
repaired but not<br>completed properly.  The white framework to the floor
hatches has cracks and<br>chips as well as messy paint.  The marina has
provided a quote for remedial<br>work.  They think about 3 days to fix the
floor and make the chart table fit<br>and make the door to the forward cabin
fit.  At present, not only can you<br>not close this door - you can peek at
anyone getting dressed through the gap<br>between the hinges and the door.
I think the hinges need recessing to take<br>care of the privacy issue.
Then the door may not need shaving back so much<br>to make it close.  The
door to the cupboard under the basin in the head<br>seems slightly warped -
looking down you can see 
air.  The marina thought I<br>was being a bit fussy here and should live
with this in a production boat.<br>It wasn't warped in old Topcat.  Do these
doors close snugly in most C32s?<br><br>Advice from less than happy new C32
owner - think very hard before<br>"upgrading" if you are generally happy
with your existing boat.  Went out<br>for a test sail on a new X yacht 350
yesterday on the Wednesday afternoon<br>race with a friend who is
interested.  Its finish put my boat to shame - but<br>X Yachts are a lot
more expensive than Catalinas. On the other hand, the C32<br>at the Sydney
Boatshow looked great.  I couldn't fault it - and I was very<br>impressed
with the new 309.<br><br>Annie Bennett<br>#1073<br><br><br>-----Original
Message-----<br>From:
c320-list-bounces at catalina320.com<br>[mailto:c320-list-bounces at catalina320.o
rg] On Behalf Of Rod Boer<br>Sent: Thursday, August 17, 2006 11:05 AM<br>To:
C320-List<br>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions for Gerry
Douglas<br><br><br>I 
will add these to the list.  Thanks.<br><br>----- Original Message -----
<br>From: <jonvez at comcast.net><br>To: "C320-List"
<c320-list at catalina320.com><br>Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 7:52
AM<br>Subject: Re: [C320-list] Questions for Gerry Douglas<br><br><br>>
Rod,<br>><br>> A couple of questions that come to mind:<br>><br>> 1) Does
Mr. Douglas see any major modifications coming up in the near <br>> future
for the 320<br>><br>> 2)Was there a production run of boats that experienced
the lack of curing <br>> to the interior coatings? I know this topic has
been brought up before on <br>> this list and I'm not sure how widespread it
is, but I certainly have the <br>> problem and would be interested in
understanding what my options are for <br>> resolving.<br>><br>><br>>
-------------- Original message -------------- <br>> From: "Rod Boer"
<rod.boer1 at verizon.net><br>><br>>> All,<br>>><br>>> It is August 15th and I
only have 2 or 3 questions for Gerry. Gerry is <br>>> not<br>>> 
going to have a whole lot to talk about.<br>>><br>>> Allan Fields or anyone
else for that matter - Are there any questions <br>>> from the<br>>> last
question and answer session that we did not record the answers? If <br>>> so
we<br>>> can ask them again. Please send any questions directly to me as
soon as<br>>> possible so that I have time to categorize and provide them to
Gerry in <br>>> advance.<br>>> Thanks.<br>>><br>>> Note that any technical
articles for the November issue of the Mainsheet <br>>> will be<br>>> needed
within the next week because I will be leaving a week early for <br>>>
the<br>>> rendezvous in San Diego and after the rendezvous will be too late.
<br>>> Thanks.<br>>><br>>> Rod Boer<br>>> C320 IA Editor <br><br><br><br>

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