Cpickle

Ugh, so this is another one of those threads where everyone weighs in with advice on everything but the actual question. It's so hit and miss on this forum, a shame because it could be really good.

Thanks everyone for your advice, all sensible points. And to the people asking me did I not check the engine, well if you read my post you will see that I did query it at handover and was given a strange answer, he did tell me he would follow up with the office, but like everything else I didn't get a response. To those saying I should not have named the company - this is really no different to leaving a review on their website, I have proof of everything I have mentioned, not worried about libel. If New & Used Boat Co are reading this, I would be more than happy to remove my posts once my issues are sorted. I really do want to avoid legal because I don't really like being adversarial generally, it usually just makes things unpleasant and rarely speeds things up. Also, its probably going to cost hundreds/thousands that I may not get back. Its so frustrating because it all seems like it could be really simple to sort out if only they would respond to me, just dig out the right paperwork, and send an engineer down, perhaps as a gesture of goodwill they could also pay any fees I might incur in changing the insurance and license. The engine issue tbh is at the bottom of the list. I just want to get everything in order and move on so I can enjoy my boat. I will send a firm letter to the owner, without mentioning legal for now, cc the people I've been dealing with and see what happens. I will also write something on their Facebook, someone on there does seem to be responding to reviews. If in a month this still isn't any closer to being sorted - do any of you have any recommended lawyers that deal with boat stuff? Thanks again to you all - really helpful as this community always is.

Thanks, do you know if they've gone down the legal or trading standards route yet?

Yes - please don't hold it against me! :|

Oh no, this does not sound good! The contract only refers to the boat as 'stock 353', no spec in the contract. I was given two documents to see the spec and that was one which gave the specifics of stock 353, one of them listing ' engine upgrade' and another document that lists the extras and how much they are. The engine upgrade in that document specifies a Vetus 65. Regarding the steering, yes we are newbies, however this was not a problem when steering a stretch from Watford to roughly Bulls Bridge, but started there and has been getting progressively worse. At first, we thought it was just us, but then there would be times where the boat would be heading in one direction and when trying to get it to turn the wheel would stop moving halfway toward its normal maximum point, and it would barely turn. I have no idea what thats about.

Does anyone have experience of using legal advisers to solve issues with boat supply companies? I am having issues with New and Used Boat Company and whilst going down this route is really the last thing I want to do, I just cant seem to get any resolution through talking to / emailing the staff there, I have been chasing various issues for months and months now and I am fed up. I don't know what else to do at this point other than instruct lawyers. Bought boat in May, its a new boat and I've been given the wrong Annex - meaning that I have the wrong CB number and have therefore insured and licenced the wrong boat. No manual still either. It took me 3 months just to get a signed copy of the contract back. I just want to be able to have all the correct materials in place should I ever want to sell the boat in the future. Also, if I have a crash or something now my insurance is worthless, and I'm paying monthly for the pleasure! I also have some technical issues with the boat, at times it just stops steering and there is no obvious reason why - clear prop etc. The dial shows that the engine is still engaged when its not. Also the fan belt is screeching for the first 10 mins every time I turn the engine on, and its getting progressively worse. Ok, yes things like the fan belt I could get fixed or fix myself - but the boat is under warranty and the contract states that they must be given the opportunity to fix problems themselves. I reported these problems within 10 days of getting the boat as per the contract, again months and no progress. Another issue is that there are things in the spec that I was told I was getting and I've actually been given something else, for example - spec said engine upgraded to 65hp engine, I have a 60hp. When I questioned this at handover I was told something like - oh sometimes the company names the engine a higher number than the actual hp. That would be absolutely fine if that was the case but I was told it would be Vetus 65 and I have received a Canalline 60. I'm sure I would have bought the boat anyway - but being miss led just adds to my annoyance at the above. Thanks again all for the advice. Cait

Thank you. The simpler the better for me! Looking at purchasing some Trojans now, does this mean I would need to get rid of my other 110ah platinum batteries?

Also. If I currently have 3 x Platinum 110ah batteries, would it be best to get more of the same or could I get 3 more 220 batteries for instance? And can I mix brands? Some brands all seem to be the same battery with different brand stickers on for example, I'm sure the premium ones aren't like that though.

Thanks again to all for the advice. I think I need to read through all your comments a few times in order to understand them. But so far I think it sounds like: * I was planning for more solar than I likely need during summer. * No point getting loads extra for winter because it isn't going to help that much. * Most people just run the engine to charge in winter, or have a whispergen (these don't seem to exist any more?) or other genny . The AtoBs don't help charge faster but a bigger alternator does? So perhaps I should look at upgrading the Alternator and get a hospital silencer? This is my engine, http://www.canaline-engines.co.uk/new-build/canaline-60-marine-engine/. So 170 Alternator already. * I need a good controller if I am to manage batteries properly. If I reduce to 1000w solar, I think this means I need a 80ah Controller. Bimble Solar suggested I could get 4 20ah controllers to save costs instead of one big one. Is this a massive mistake? * As suggested above, standard batteries have a 300 cycle use from 100-50 - so this means they could last me less than a year even if I am only discharging to 12.2? Good batteries like Trojan might last me 3 x that and longer if I only go down to 80%. It seems to me like it would be really hard to only go down to 80% each day. If I use most of my electricity in the evening, is it not likely I will be getting down to 50 most nights before the sun rises again or I wake up to turn engine on? Is it crucial that I understand all the really technical stuff as you are debating above? I'm really just trying to get a basic knowledge so that my system suits my needs and I don't ruin everything within a few months of having the kit. I've kind of accepted that I'm probably the kind of user that's going to need to replace the batteries every 3 years by the sound of what I read on these forums. Cait

So does this mean a standard battery could last less than a year? If I am charging my batteries to 12.8 (which I understand is full) and going down to maybe 12.2 every day?!

Thanks Peter, I have been looking at the Gel batteries since I saw your comment, not sure I can afford them at the moment though. This boat fit out business is certainly expensive!!

Hi Bettie Thank you very much, I have found your post truly useful! You really understood the kind of advice I was hoping for. Most of the rest of the thread seems to have descended into quite a technical debate that although is helpful in places - I do not really understand. I think I'm going to copy something like your set up. Caitlin

Hi Bob Ok thanks, I had heard a little bit about the alternator thing before, although I think they guy said something like get a bigger alternator? Anyway your explanation makes more sense to me. I will have to wait a bit before getting one but I will try and get one of these Sterling units in October.

Hi Paul, thanks for all your advice.. The phone charger is 5w, we have two of them, that's why I put 10w, what's wrong with that? I put 7hrs overnight because although we will be trying to ensure we just charge and turn off, I am allowing for forgetfulness. Hairdryer? Its 1900w, I use it for about 15mins twice a week. I've been told my 3000w can handle it. I overspecified by 100 as that is the advice on Bimble, overspec by 50-100.. but I understand what you've said. Perhaps Bimbles advice is more aimed at Spring and Autumn.

Thanks for your advice. I wonder if there's much point having that much then if it's not going to help in the winter. What do you class as Winter? I saw a boat blog which said they still got decent solar till about the end of October. Was Nov-Feb where they had to run engine. They had 500w.