Sorry not to sound so festive, but had some news via an e-mail on the 19th that has fair taken the shine off christmas and the new year.
If you have followed the blog you will know that in late september we started to experiance a problem with the drive train. To cut a long story short, it would appear that since an incident on the maiden run, when the builders were on board, we have run with two of the three prop blades damaged and the bellows and rotor on the water lubricated stern gear not compressed as per specification.
We started to hear a severe knocking, which originated from the carbon flange on the water lubricated system.
The builders were fantastic, initially changing the prop and when this did not alleviate the problem changing the cutlass bearing, shaft and PSS Shaft seal. Initial trial runs appear to indicate all is well. Time will tell !
The aforesaid missive was to inform us that examination of the parts removed indicated wear caused by ingress of materials such as grit into the bearing causing the vibration and thus knocking of the flange.This is not a build or warranty issue apparently, but "wear and tear" and we are to be invoiced for labour and parts incurred.
Fair spoiled our christmas.
surely if the builders have taken the boat out on a trail run, this was ment to find any problems before the hand over to customer ?
ReplyDeleteAnd if grit is getting into the bearings, then something has not been sealed correctly!
Are beacon responsible ? are the parts faulty ?
someone somewhere as to take some responsibilty do they not ??
Are Beacon responsible ? well maybe - but unless the company is going to the wall what they have to protect is their good reputation. People like myself who is about to reach early retirement and spend a very large sum on a new boat tend to spend many hours looking online for the right boat builder. Bad press will just put me off a company that fails to provide a customer 100% top class service. Unexpected bills are not good news. Hope they see sense and have a rethink.
ReplyDeleteHiya.
ReplyDeleteThe whole build process was a dream. We could not and will not ever say any other. The team that are Beacon are Fab. Just dissapointed I suppose that after effectiveley cruising for just over three months, problems are considered as "wear and tear".
John.
There was indeed a problem here, which of course we rectified. 2 Independent professionals...an engineer and a surveyor, inspected the equipment, and gave written opinions that came down to 'unexpected and excessive wear and tear' and this is what we had based our thoughts upon. However, we have agreed to foot the cost now, as good will, and that is the end of the matter. Ally (of Beacon.)
ReplyDelete