[C320-list] Warranty Issues

[Tbuilder at aol.com]

I bought my second 320 #1081 for my sailing school just over a year ago  
after owning my previous 320 #212 for 12 years and covering some 48,000 miles in  
her.
 
I am incredibly unhappy with the new boat - overall she is nowhere near as  
well finished as the 1994 model. I have the problem that I am situated about 
600  miles from the only Catalina dealer in the UK  and I am finding it  
impossible to get a satisfactory service from him.  Before I ordered the  boat I was 
verbally advised that any faults should be rectified locally and the  bill 
should be sent to the dealer. Needless to say the dealer refuses to pay the  
repair bill. 
 
Some of the items were relatively minor such as gel coat damage but  others 
were much more serious such as an engine out of alignment, badly  fitting 
engine boxes, leaking deckhead etc. I fail to see why I should pay  around £75,000 
for the boat and not get a reasonable product. I have been told  that faults 
on a Yanmar engine or Raymarine instruments should be refereed to  these 
companies and not to Catalina. If I buy a brand new Ford car which  develops a fault 
in (say) a Dunlop tyre I would expect Ford to sort it  out.

 
I now have a broken top step on the companionway which could  be dangerous to 
my customers - Catalina appear completely unable to supply  the correct part.
 
I have emailed Frank Butler on several occasions but don't receive a reply.  
I have tried phoning but again got nowhere.
 
Has anyone nearer the centre of things had a similar experience and were  you 
able to resolve it?
 
All suggestions gratefully received!!!
 
Cheers   

Alec  Blanc
Lochaber Watersports
Ballachulish
_www.lochaberwatersports.co.uk_ (http://www.lochaberwatersports.co.uk/) 
01855  821391 / 07831 846025