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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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My Frustration Has Found Its Ceiling

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saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/22/2007 : 01:38:57

I have been working on my boat 8 to 12 hours a day for the past 3 weeks trying to get it ready to finally splash next Monday. My slow start was due to the weather and my work schedule in April-May. As I just planned a bottom job, my desires quickly took an over-ambitious turn to paint the entire boat on top of doing the upgrades and retrofitting including all new hardware. The total cost to date for materials has past the $7k mark and the wife is unthrilled. On top of all of this I have not sailed once this year, and next weeks Queens Cup offshore race would be my first race this year.

On to the real issue. Last week Wednesday, I made a call to the marina to obtain a recommendation for a local welder to make some mods to my bow pulpit. They gave me the name of their "preferred" welding contractor who was relatively close to my house. That day I took the pulpit to the welder and described in detail what I wanted and how it should be done. Before you think that I am "one of those people," I should state that I have extensive welding experience. The welder had told me that it would be ready the following Monday and I left feeling all warm and fuzzy that I got my point across of precisely what I expected.

The following Monday I called the welder to pick up the pulpit later that afternoon to which he replied that it was not yet done (customer service BS for we have not even started), and told me it would be ready on Tuesday around 5. I went there Tuesday, and it was still not done, but said it would be "for sure" done on Wednesday by 5. At precisely 5 pm I was at the welding shop, walked in the door expecting to see a shiny aura around my creation that was three days late. Instead there sat a complete abortion of marksmanship for which I could only pray was not mine. As the manager approached me, he sensed my disgust and made a run for the shop to find the welder who worked on my project (I wear my emotions on my sleeve). As the welder walked into the room I promptly asked him, "what is this?" To which he replied, "what do you mean, is this not what you wanted?" That statement only infuriated me further, to which I immediately let him have it. It has been a few years since I have raised my voice in such a manner. Nice to know Sgt. La Rue is still in me somewhere ready to come to the rescue.

The pulpit was basically destroyed. They hacked it up in several places to take a short cut, which backfired obviously. The aspect angels of the posts where way, way off and non-symmetrical. I told bucktooth Johnny specifically not bolt the damn thing to a table because these items are not build or sit on a single level plane. He cut off the mounting bases, re welded them, and ground them to a thin, sharp edge. The damn thing is ruined, completely. The structural integrity of the bases is gone. I am pissed.. All I could do after that was tell them they had better fix it, and I will be back on Friday. To add insult to injury they told me that they are going to charge me $250.00 for their "work". Did any of you know that a new one costs $233 from Catalina direct? I am hot.

I am going to go there tomorrow and have it out with these jokers, but I am going to ask that they either fabricate a new one or replace mine. I do not expect them to comply, on the spot, but I do have leverage to which I will bring to bare. The sad fact is that I have an offshore race next Friday to which I am not going to wing it with a substandard pulpit (I believe in Murphy's law). After this situation, has all of my hard work and long hours slaving on the boat been in vain to be able to reach my target of participating in next weeks race?

To be cont......

Edited by - saribella on 06/22/2007 01:45:35

existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 06:51:16

Damn Matt, that seriously sux like a hoover. Unfortunately, my experience with the "boating industry" is much the same with only 2 exceptions with all the companies I've dealt with.
I hope you get this sorted out in time.

Edited by - on

DoubleD
1st Mate

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USA
61 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 07:59:55

I am friends with a family who operate a sheet metal/welding shop. They are sent all over the country to weld equipment or fabricate parts for differant national companies because the companies cannot find any competent workers in their city. My friends use family members to work on expensive projects because they cannot trust their other employees. No one wants to work and stay at the same employer for long. They don't stay long enough to become competent at their craft. It is a dying art...

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 08:41:52

Tough situation, Matthew... I'm not optimistic about that race, at least not on your boat. Can you take the pressure off yourself and crew with somebody else? I sense that you realize you overcommitted and underscheduled your own work--something we all do now and then... As the pressure built, something was bound to happen that would blow the relief valve, and this turned out to be it.

You mentioned the replacement cost from CD... That sounds pretty reasonable to me--almost surprising. But you were modifying the original... Can you describe, in general terms, the mod and your reason for wanting it? Given that your present pulpit is apparently junk and they want you to pay for it, the graceful way out (preserving your health as much as anything) might be to let them have their abortion and call it "even" (no money)... and then talk to CD. Their fabricator might be able to do what you want, under CD's guidance. OR... they can send you a stock pulpit and you'll be sailing sooner--for $233.

I think the key here is to decompress the situation--try to forget how you got here, look at your options, pick one, and move on with your life (and health). I wish you the best of luck.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 09:42:38

Matthew, deep breath.

Don't let some fool ruin your day, let alone multiple days. You already "let them have it." I think it is time to chalk this up to experience and consider it a $233 lesson. Buy the new pulpit from CD and refuse to pay the welder. Don't make contact with them again. This kind of anger and tension can effect your health. Let it go. Life is too short.

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 11:19:18

I guess I overstated my anger, it was just frustrating, but I mellowed out when I got in the car and drove awayt the first time. I am of the philosphy that you can only control what you can and let go the feelings over the issues of which you cannot. I am more interested in their approach and how they handle it. I am backed far away from going postal, and am now my happy go lucky self again. It would be easy to find another ride for the race or bag the whole thing, but I have sponsors who dropped a fair amount of coin on sails in preparation for this event and ones to follow. = rock and a hard place, and I intend to perform. The work remaining is slowing since I started to paint the bottom last night and gives me a pause to spend time with the fam and think about other things between coats. I am well all, and thanks for the concern. Was just venting.

Edited by - on

ct95949
Captain

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Aruba
300 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 11:26:20

Excellent advice. I'm suprised the pulpit is that cheap and don't feel bad about 7K in upgrades. In four years I've spent twice that much on a boat I could only get 6K for. I figure it's the price of my education and have no regrets. One more suggestion, install the new pulpit and then do nothing else but sail until next winter. My big projects took three years to complete with sailing in between, it can't be done all at once.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3467 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 11:51:36

I know that for other tasks that i have had others assist in doing the work, I have had my frustrations. In the end, some of these things you wind up getting done by yourself or buy new. In your case, the cost of the work performed UNSAT added to the cost of a new one is a small percentage of your total cost. They will never get the old one right to your satisfaction and so best to go with the new one. After your boat is back in the water, you will appreciate having the new pulpit rather than having to look constantly at a reminder of this frustrating period.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 12:19:30

One more thing. Don't trust that marina again to give you good advice. In fact, you should let them know about your experience so that they don't recommend that welder again to some other sailor.

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

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USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 14:37:54

That's why I do all my projects myself.

It's so difficult to find anyone that will do the job to the level I expect - just a reasonably competent job of it.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 17:04:17

I hear your frustration Matthew, sometimes I feel like saying, "Here, give me the torch, I'll weld it, you watch and I'll pay the $30.00 an hour!" At least then I'll know it's right.

If your frustrated with the length of time with your project and your wife is not thrilled either, just show her my "going-on-4-years-rebuild" and say, "At least I ain't that guy!"

Hang in there, you'll get it.
Dan

Edited by - Happy D on 06/22/2007 17:05:17

Gloss
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1916 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 17:48:17

thanks for reminding me why I no longer manage construction projects

Edited by - on

Andy_334
Navigator

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USA
206 Posts

Response Posted - 06/22/2007 : 21:11:52

Wow, Matt. That is quite an experience. Hope you make it to the start line in time. Remember, once that gun goes, all you have to think about is the next shift. Good luck!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 06/23/2007 : 07:42:39

I had a similarly irritating experience with a local outboard shop while getting ready for a month long cruise. A little bit of snarling at the incompetent lying weasels may be justified as constructive criticism, but don't let them spoil your enjoyment of your hobby.

In a bind like yours, I'd grit my teeth, learn what I could from the experience, and pay what it costs to get past the obstacle. (Likely a new pulpit plus fast freight in your case.) Don't give the offending shop another dime of your business, and keep your ears open for opportunities to steer other's business away from them too. In hiring custom work done, I try real hard to get a look at some jobs they've completed.

As someone else mentioned, it's true good help is hard to find. I'm constantly amazed by how much I'm paid for how little I know. But as was said of a neighbor of mine who is highly valued by his employer, it's not hard to walk on water that's a millimeter deep.

-- Leon S.

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2007 : 21:43:19

Update......I told the offending welding shop to keep the pulpit and found a "competent" fabricating company that specializes in bending and welding tube steel, and they can have it to me by Wednesday for less cost than a new one. Based on the remainder of work I have left and the mandatory departure time to sail the 68 NM to Milwakee to be registered by 3 pm on Friday, I do not know if I can even make it. The sad fact is the 2 and only crew dropped out for whatever reason, but was expected since they kept finding excues not to help me work on the boat. So I am also left trying to find replacements. I am resigned to the fact that I am probably not going make it. I am not the type to take short-cuts over safety or doing something the improper way. She does look great though, I am pleased.

Edited by - saribella on 06/24/2007 21:44:04

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 06/24/2007 : 22:27:53

Any chance you can get a trailer and save youself the long sail? It might buy you some time.

Edited by - on

Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Response Posted - 06/25/2007 : 20:11:30

Matthew, please tell me who is doing the pulpit work. I am also in need of a new pulpit. I live in St. Joe.
Dan

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