Ed. Note: March’s “Port and Starboard” column on proper boatyard cleanliness sparked a lot of debate among Southern Boating readers...
Down With Dudley
DUDLEY! You're what's wrong with America! As a faithful and cover-to cover reader of Southern Boating, I hope Mr. Allen doesn't pay you for your part of the column!
My guess is that when you take your road-weary 1987 Mercury Gran Marquis to Earl Sheib for the $99 special, you would be the last to complain about them NOT masking the windows. After all, they weren't masked when you brought it in!
And after the house painter was finished, you wouldn't complain about the paint splatter on your folding aluminum dining room chairs...
Part of the job is doing it right the first time, and delivering a product that will gain you a return customer. NOT a bargain hunter like you that accepts less than quality service so you can buy new typewriter ribbons.
You are, regretfully, the James Carville of the literary world, and deservedly so. Please pass on to Jay Coyle, the CLASS of this act.
Gene Conley
via e-mail
More Port and Starboard
Boatyard Debate
Where did Southern Boating dredge these two from? It would appear to me they both have too much water in their bilges and have completely missed the point there is a difference between the relatively new “boat service centre “ and the traditional “boatyard.” The traditional “boatyard” (I prefer “yacht yard”) historically would be firmly within Dudley’s viewpoint, while the more recent “service centre” (akin to an automobile service centre) would appear to be Jay’s viewpoint.
As former Yacht Yard owner, I can tell you we always (well, almost always) covered any area where we would be working, and the workers would clean up after themselves at the end of the day (well, sometimes). The degree of clean-up usually fell short of break even when considering the condition of the yacht on the day of arrival, but probably within 85 percent. The larger yachts had a crew to take care of the daily cleaning, or the owner had an arrangement with a local cleaning crew. Absent either, we offered a list of local cleaning services.
Several years ago there seems to have crept over the horizon a new breed of “boater.” To differentiate from the traditional yachtsman (yachtsperson?), this new group brought with them the “high-end car ownership mentality.” Buy new, trade in every couple of years. The sales and service facility for this new group took on the successful format of a Lexus dealership in most every respect except no “loaner” whilst your machine was being serviced. This appears to be Jay’s viewpoint.
My scoring: Boatyard mentality–Dudley. Dealership mentality–Jay. A toss-up this time.
Gregg Burdick
Stuart, FL
Illuminating Insight
I am writing in response to an article in the March issue written by Brian Courtney about underwater lights. It is unfortunate that Mr. Courtney did not check on some information that he received from his source. His article states that “the best fixtures have steel and plastic flanges.” At Aqualuma Underwater Lights, our injection molded, one piece, poly-carbonate housings (that our competition refers to as “plastic”) are actually the BEST material to use. Poly-carbonate actually has the top rating against diesel fuel and gasoline (see coleparmer/techinfo/chemcomp.asp) and our housings will withstand a beating with a hammer! In addition, our polycarbonate housing is not susceptible to corrosion or electrolysis. He also states that “plastic lenses can fog or become scratched as you periodically remove marine growth.” As we have no lens seal to leak and our light is completely sealed, there are no fogging issues. In the event that one piece, poly-carbonate housing is scratched, it can easily be polished to its original finish with a buffer.
We enjoy your magazine and thank you for your time.
Scott L. White
Sales Manager
Aqualuma Underwater Lights
Fort Lauderdale, FL