Company Integrity and Longevity

serenity4u2 · #1 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

After much readin on the threads about buying what type of boat, I have an issue worthy of disscussion... The Title of this Thread Speaks for Itself... Lets put aside what boat is a better boat for crossing the Atlantic Ocean or in my case the Pacific Ocean... I already Know that a Alberg / Cape Dory etc is considered a better off shore boat then a Catalina, Hunter, Bene, IP, etc... So it is about the sailors needs, would you agree? Most sailors never cross a ocean... Coastal cruising and island hopping is not ocean crossing...

First, lets agree (pls disagree if you must) that most boaters never cross the ocean, rather they coastal and island hop... People like me may look for that aspiring couple who got cold feet after venturing off shore and decided they did not need that expensive off shore boat.. I will gladly take it off thier hands for half what they paid.. LOL... Sorry for anothers crushed dream.

Now, back to the title of this thread.... Can some one give me the number of Alberg, Cal, Cape Dory, etc... customer service number??? Can you tell me how quick they are to help you with a mechanical problem? or say send you a part at company cost??? I know your still looking for the number lol....

Is this a reason why some of us perspective boat buyers look to Hunter, Catalina, bene's, IP's.... We want to know that the company has been around as long as thier boats... They will help you with tech issues and even fix the problem at thier expense versus suffer a bad reputatation...

I know that when I have called precision boats (Gemini) I always get a helpful person - most of the times the owner... WOW... I even called Catalina's number and got the founder or at least owner (think its one in the same)- WOW... Despite what some may think about Hunters.. My family owns one and has had similar experience.. I do not like nor wantr a Hunter- just look at how the company treats the owner after he/she has/ (is stuck) with the boat...

So back to my thread title..... Should a person look closely at the company and its longevity when they buy a boat?????

PS... My home is for sale... The builer lives three blocks from me... A big selling point.. Not that I ever call him.. Just nice to know the builder lives amongst the people he sells too- thats all... Thanks for Reading...

sailingdog · #2 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Serenity4u2-

The builder of the Gemini catamaran is Performance Cruising, Inc., not Precision Boats. The company and its people were both big reasons in my purchasing a boat from them.

serenity4u2 · #3 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Thanks SD, I was not marketing the Gemini... Read the thread and I think you are intelligent enough to get the jist of what I am stating...

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Serenity-

That's kind of why I said: "The company and its people were both big reasons in my purchasing a boat from them."

JohnRPollard · #5 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

I couldn't agree more. A good analogy is those Stradivarius violins. Worthless ever since Antonio kicked-off back in 1737 -- no customer service!!

serenity4u2 · #6 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Thank You SD, I extend my gratitude to you for addressing this thread... I guess you did answer the thread in regards to your boat purchase.. Congrats by the way.. That looks like a fun boat to sail... Pls go to the live aboard forum and answer me regarding your post about peter- pk...something.. The add on builder for Gemini... I would appreciate your reply SD.... I am between buying a new Gemini and perhaps a used one here in WA state and then upgrading it... AS far as the customer service question and company longevity one- well, you and I have no concerns at the present... That was addressed at the people who frown on production makers... I think they know what I am saying an will acknowledge the fact that the big three have an advantage on support. Thanks again SD...

JohnRPollard · #7 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by serenity4u2

So back to my thread title..... Should a person look closely at the company and its longevity when they buy a boat?????

More seriously, yes, I think that's a very important consideration. We had great customer service at PSC for many, many years, before an interim owner took over and drove the company bankrupt -- nobody answered the phones anymore. Major

for we owners. Previously we could talk with the company president and even the boat designer when we had questions. Now a new owner of the company is building it back, which should help.

So company longevity would be an important -- but not the only -- consideration for our next boat purchase.

hellosailor · #8 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Horses for courses, no more no less.

For many years folks denigrated Hunter for building a beginner's boat and building it cheap. But, that allowed a lot of people to get into boating and boat ownership and I doubt they really cared about taking that first Hunter to Samoa. Of course when Thursday's Child lost her keel with the owner aboard, that didn't help their rep either. Racers are supposed to break things, but losing the keel generally is outside the range of gentlemanly breakage.

Freedom Yachts: Gone, aren't they? But you'll never have to replace the standing rigging on an unstayed carbon fiber mast.

Then there's probably some reason beyond alliteration for the name "BendyToy", and a number of rudder tube failures haven't helped their image. Although, the innovation of using carbon fiber rudder tubes instead of stainless is a nice concept, balanced by some shoal draft models known to run aground on their keels before their rudders. Ooopsie? Or again, perhaps collateral damage and not a fault.

Reputations only matter when they are in context. Integrity may be imbued in the corporate structure--or change with a new CEO. How well the boats have a reputation for suiting the purpose you want one for, would count even more. (And "purpose" certainly will include meeting a price!)

chucklesR · #9 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

As the owner of a Gemini I'd like to put in my two cents.

If a guy in his back yard built a one of a kind boat to a much higher standard than mine, and sold it for the same price I'd have bought it instead.

I bought my Gemini for bang for the buck, not customer service which I should never need in the first place.

Having said that, the Gemini user group on yahoo is the best resource for a Gemini owner, not Tony or Sue or Will (owner-designer, wife and son-in-law of the factory for the uninitiated). I've spent hours in conversation with Tony and Will - you couldn't ask for better service. They WILL retire someday, the people that own the boats will not.

serenity4u2 · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2008

Thanks All, Thanks Chuckles.... Chuckles, I agree with you about the most bang for the buck... Yes, of course Tony and company will retire soon.. Hoping the company lives on and has great support service... Such suppoprt would NOT be my primary reason for choosing a Boat, rather it would be one factor I'd consider... I'd keep in mind that many Gemini owners may have talked too the company and perhaps worked out bugs.. Thats a plus to me. Hey Chuckles, pls read the forums about my concerns about the Gemini as a LA and cruiser... SD has mad some comments but has not clarified them. I am in the market for a new or used Gemini and want to hear from Gemini owners... Pls check both the live aboard and buying boat forums chuckles.. I am also willing to send you my phone number so we could talk about the Gemini. Thanks....