Pay for and foster quality - what is our role?

J

jstates

New member
After reading / and responding to the posts about CDory history, I started thinking about the bigger picture. In the last year, in a home about 10 years old, I have replaced, heat exchanger, furnace, refrigerator [5 yrs old], propane fireplace needs thermocouple replacement, garage door problems. My Dad's refrigerator built by GE lasted over 20 years and toaster he rebuilt for 40 years. Now GE per consumer reports has one of the worst repair records in refrigerators. So in my search to find repair, replacement options I am learning, the more it costs and the more bells and whistles the sooner it breaks. I am also learning Sears takes a Month to make a service call - Neighbors have had entire kitchen appliances sets need major repairs in less than five years.

What happened to quality and service?

I am sure we all have different views that we can blame on most anyone. But I think I have ownership in that loss of quality. Where I make a purchase determines if quality survives. There is a real place for small business [Ranger and CDory], Kitsap Marine, EQ Marine, Pickering Marine, and others. But they won't do well without our renewed energy to appreciate what they provide.

Quality can only survive if we but our money on the line to keep small custom business in operation- [Honda, Yamaha, and Suzuki will be fine without us] but they do need our small Marine shops for the 200 hr valve adjust etc - and boat customization.

I now look for small business that have a cooperative attitude to form long term relationships - if they do well the community I live in is healthier.

The Spokane Mountaineers have an incredible several course[one night per week] for several months] in Mountaineering taught by the locals for a few dollars compared to market value of $1000's. As a result we have two good Mteering shops that are thriving and we have teams of climbers that have climbed the highest peaks on all continents and lots of weekend trips for the basic non technical trekkers. The point. The experienced climbers [could be CBrat Boaters] teach a quality course, turn out skilled Mountaineers [Mariners], the outdoor industry flourishes, and everyone has fun.

Would that model work - for CDory - perhaps we could put our energies and knowledge together [if Triton Marine is willing to participate].

Just for fun - I would like to see what topics our collective experience could provide for CBrat educational weekend>
I will include a few ideas. Thanks to a few of you that I -pre-volunteered.

Joe and Ruth - as I recall Joe is an expert in finishing, waxing, fiberglass and stainless steel care and Ruth how to host the most amazing CBGT.

Pat - the lawyer - and brewer. Course on beer would be great, but just bring the beer and give a class on the legal aspects of Marine insurance, contracts, salvage, rescue.

Bob Thataway - if we could coach him to come north, could teach lots about anchors, fiberglass repair, sea safety.

I could teach about hypothermia prevention, treatment, first aid, wilderness survival, wet day fire starting.

Dave - Sea Shift - fire prevention, search and rescue, - how to get someone out of the water. Search patterns-

Ell and BIll - how to stay in budget, and live "simply that others might simply live."

Other Topics:
Emergency towing and being towed

Beaching, trailering.

Coast Guard inspection

Navigation - electronic and traditional map and compass

Dinghy choice - we bring our own to the class and let new owners test them out.

Fiberglass repair - we could do a couple of ding repairs in the parking lot

How to use Radar

Choosing / using a chart plotter

The Pilots check list: debarking procedure.

Handling rough seas

Anchoring techniques

Stove maintenance

CDory special recipes

Engine maintenance

Boat tool kit

Check list for buying a new and used CDORy

Sizing your boat for your family, wallet, lifestyle.

some type of Kid activity??

Lots of other CDory folks I don't know or can't recall could have great teaching input for a jammed weekend of fun.

We charge a nominal fee for entry [perhaps to cover course insurance] - they get a CDory hat from Triton after they talk to sales.

Just an idea, I did get a little carried away - but I don't filter alot in the early creative stages of problem solving,

So: What is our role?
Triton - are you interested?
Could I organize the whole course - not and keep my day job but I will contribute if there is interest.

Jim
 
Presently I am sitting on our Tom Cat on a bright sunny day, trying to determine how to fix the MarvAir air conditioning unit when there are no replacement parts until ""maybe"" April sometime.......no tech that can walk us through trouble shooting.......the engineer that is responsible for this product can not help (just assigned this product).......try one part...........if that does not work.....try another part.....maybe the compressor.........my belief.......just a relay contact gone bad because it was not speced to the proper ampere capacity.

We have had major problems at home with a top of the line Sears product, along with Sears A&E Service repair procedures. Sending a 6 letter to their VP of customer service proved that senior staff can only see to the ends of their noses........or their quarterly bonus......but it was a help for me ....lol...to send a copy to the local TV trouble shooter and Consumers Report.

Problems with York air conditioner.......where the copper coils leaked with high pressure R410 freon, apparently due to the product being speced and purchased correctly from a China manufacturer, who seems to purposely have sent inferior copper tubing........hummmmmmmm.


So Jim........in summary.........we can not even purchase a SS hose clamp that meets specification.......ask any boat surveyor.


My experience is that the "local" human contacts try to do everything possible to help resolve a problem.......but the ""total"" product environment is the problem.

I just do not see any solution in today's environment.
 
Jim-

Your idea of a teaching/learning conference is a good one, but I see two problems with it:

1. As a one time event, it would be great, but repeating it every few months, or even every year, would soon wear thin for the presenters, especially in light of travel distances. We're a local virtual community on the internet, but all over the country physically.

2. The information you're outlining is, for the most part, already here on this site, archived in the Forum threads, it's just hard to find, requires some real diligence, and most newcomers seem to prefer to ask the questions over again, getting personal communication in the process and familiarizing themselves with the regulars on the site. It's easier and more fun for them that way.

However, the light of the changes in the recent change in factory ownership, the Seattle Boat Show size reduction, and our C-Brat Get Together fall-off in participation, maybe a one-time experiment in such an event would be a good focal point for our usual mid-winter gathering. If successful, the event could be repeated in following years.

Still, it would only be a yearly event, not monthly or whatever, and interested persons/potential C-Dory owners need to be attended to while their interest is still high. It would be better to have a "Buddy System" informally, where new interested persons could be attended to and fostered by a friendly experienced C-Brat.

Some of these topics could also be discussed at the various get-togethers during the year, like at Sequim, Friday Harbor, and so forth, but we already invite new potential members to come to these events (the invite could be amplified), and new potential members questions can more readily be answered individually more efficiently than having a group of scheduled seminars. Also, most of our folks come to these to socialize, not attend class.

At least that's my initial/first reaction, and just my 2 cents, etc.

Joe. :teeth :thup
 
I think this kind of teaching thing could work on a one per month or every other month basis if one or two topics were taken on at a time (I think that is what Jim was suggesting).

Jim - you left out fishing techniques - Tom, myself, Peter and several others on the board could help with that.
 
Hi,
I don't want to sound abrasive but here is my take, I try avoid buying anything Chinese. It ain't easy. I ask where things are made. I will pay more for a product built in the USA. I avoid chain stores unless they are locally owned. I often go to a local Ace Hardware (privately owned) as I get better service than at Home Depot or Lowes. They have a great selection of stainless steel hardware. Home appliances I buy locally from a privately owned store. I listen to the salesmans advice which is usually spot on he is the owner. He also provides service which is really why I bought there in the first place. They use empolyees not subcontractors. I don't have a lot of appliance issues. I do not buy just based on price unless it's a light bulb or something that does not require service.
Join the local chapter of the United States Power Squadron, they have a classes from basic seamanship to piloting, radar to whatever. It will cost you 72 dollars a year to join per person I think. Go with your wife if she boats with you. They have some social aspects but that is optional. They are the largest boating organization in the world someone said. I wouldn't ask to much of the C-Dory factory during these trying times. I'd give them service work in the winter when they are slow. I'm sure they would like an order for a new boat anytime. I forgave them for whatever mistakes i thought they made, I'm not in their shoes. I just want them to survive. I'm done.
D.D.
D.D.
 
Good topic, which I have a little experience in. I gave Medicine at Sea seminars on and off for a peroid of over 30 years. The majority of these were "pro Bono". They ranged from Yacht Clubs, to Catalina "West End Cruising Club" weekend, to Seven Seas Cruising Associations both at the national Gam and several regional events.

For about 3 years we lectured on the professional mariner circuit--where we were paid about $900 a series. This was diverse and to large audiences (up to 1000 people). (There was no profit, by the time transport and slide prep costs were added in).

I was a "Trawler Fest" Presenter for about 5 years (until it was sold to Passagemaker Magazine) in diverse locations.

These types of seminars are fairly intense (like the TrawlerFests and SSCA GAMS) which last several days. There is a combination of social events, boat displays, venders and some commercial aspect to pay the bills (they are not cheap to put on). Often the presenters transport, meals and lodging is paid, as well as a stipend--depending on the person and event.

On the other hand--there is so much information available on the internet and list servers like this one, that perhaps the gathering's value has deminished. The value of a gathering is the one on one asking of questions--but again this is taken care of here. What is not shown is physical skills--for example in my main area of expertise: suituring a wound, or making a rope to chain splice.

I think it is worth trying at some of the events. At the Apalachicola gathering there has been an evening lecture one night, with slides. However a lot of the C Brat events are primarly social in nature, and pretty light in mood.
 
We really prefer the term "Marine Surveyor", lol. you are corrdect though in seeing evder decreasing standards in all construction methods. I could tell you stories that would curl your toes!!

Signed, Marine Surveyor, Mike
 
Thanks for the comments: I was thinking mostly about the model used by Ranger at Bremerton - one weekend /year with an add on of a few classes. The Ranger - Yanmar tune up seminar was very well attended by perhaps 30-40 persons. the idea behind it all [if it fits into Tritons marketing plan] is to help CDory get a better start. I agree w Joe, about a buddy system for new or potential new owners - that could grow out of a one time or annual event. Likely that would happen anyway.

I have a co-worker [he used to sign on to race sailboats] who is planning on purchasing a boat. Based on the questions he asks and my own beginner experience 5 years ago its difficult to know where to start. He recently asked what the little motor beside the big motor was for. Most of the full time CBrats know how to use the site, the gear or know how to find out. Everyone knows how to google but sorting thru the "oceans" of data is easier w an experienced marine guide. Seeing all the pieces put together could help make the sale.

CDory needs new - never in boating - customers as well as experienced mariners. With 8000 ?? new baby boomers a day turning 65??[AARP-Jan 2011] their may be a few new customers. Seeing custom outfitted boats - like most of us own, sends a different message of opportunity to the new comer, than seeing a new boat at the boat show.

I am sure an evening presentation at an annual weekend event from El & Bill, Bob Austin and/or others about the ICW, Lake Powell or BC Coast would add to the fun.

I guess we can wait to see if Triton thinks it would be worth exploring. But as others have stated only they can determine where to put their time, energy and finances.

Roger, sorry I left out the fishing-topic and thanks for volunteering - ironic because that is one of the classes I need the most. - Perhaps even without a big event we can have a fishing class - I couldn't attend the one last year.

Jim
 
Another option--some what different--would be to put "stickeys" which would always remain at the head of each type of thread (Anchoring,fishing, maintance, safety, etc.) which would have a major discussion of that specific subject. RV NET uses this technique with 3 to 4 stickeys at the beginning of each subject--such as "class A", "Tow vehicles" etc. The Stickeys are excellent resources for new members--such as "how to select a Class A RV". "Pitfalls to look out for in purchase of used vehicles". etc.
 
Back
Top