Popular Post fin-addict Posted June 3, 2019 Popular Post Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Yesterday I took a run from Punta Gorda to the sand bar off of Cayo Costa with some friends of mine. As approaching the bar I was coming in hot and then slowed to and idle at the bar and set anchor. There was a brand new 25 Proline CC anchored to my starboard, good looking boat with couple and four kids. As setting my stern stick it pole the women approached me in tears explaining they just arrive from Punta Gorda also and remarked how level my boat ran and how did I make that happen. She explained that their boat was running bow high and with a tilt to port almost at 45 degree list. Her husband was afraid to run boat home and would I take a look at what was wrong. Stated this was their first boat with those things on the back and did not know what they were. Explained everything and show tab switches, then to husband and older son for ride so he could get the feeling of working tabs. Husband was so grateful as was wife. They explained the dealer never told them anything about the boat or it’s operation. He should be ashamed of himself. Reason my have been they were Spanish and spoke very broken English which bothered me to no end. Felt good being able to help them out and took the time to go through all systems on the boat with them. 😀fin 4 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 🤫 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MuddyBottomBluz Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 You just wanted to run a new 25 Proline to see how she performed, come on, fess up! All kidding aside, I don't care who the people are, if they pay that much coin for a new boat they should have absolutely taken them out and do the fin-addict instructional course on use of the boat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarpon1215 Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 You definitely get an attaboy for that!👏🏻 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 i love taking up time with people like that. That is awesome story. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubble Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 I guess dealers may assume that the buyers know how to operate or they wouldn't be buying. Or maybe that the owners would take a boat safety course and learn the ins/outs of boating. Never really ever recall a car dealer or even an equipment dealer going over how to operate with me. They only answer and cover things that I might ask. Makes sense though. Dealer should always ask if the buyer needs any information on operating vehicle. Thank goodness there are folks on here out on the water for these situations. Good deed, indeed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 Coworker of mine just got a used boat and he had a similar experience. He couldn’t figure out why the boat wouldn’t go faster than about 20mph. I explained about engine trim. He had no idea that was what the switch on the side of the throttle was. He knew about the tilt switch on the side of the engine for transporting, but nothing about how to trim for ride. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NCTribute Posted June 3, 2019 Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 While I agree the dealer should ask if the new owner knows the operation and offer to show them, but on the flip side if you buy a new boat and do not know how to operate it, you should ask to be shown. So did the dealer offer and the offer was refused? Did the buyer ask and not get the attention they needed? Or did both parties fail to address proper operation? Two sides to every story, not sure we know what really transpired at the dealership. Pretty easy to envision the dealer asking if they needed any instruction and the buyer saying they were good, not wanting to admit they did not know. Kind of like not using the instructions when assembling an item, it is a male/ego thing. Regardless, kudos for helping them out. Interesting that it was the females, that were not even operating the boat, that asked for help in operating it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted June 3, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2019 In then ten years i was a yacht broker, never did allow my client take a boat after closing until they knew everything about it including docking if new to boating. More so if never ran a twin screw. Showed how to turn and dock broadside or stern too without ever touching steering wheel, throttles only. Even would give docking lessons on my own time after hours. Many times asked to deliver a twin screw to their home or marina. Enjoyed helping out and teaching. My favorite thing with a twin screw is backing down into a slip.. my son at age 12 used to do it with our 38. Made me very proud of him, Always 🤩 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWoodham Posted June 4, 2019 Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 When I bought my pathfinder in 05, I told the dealership I was completely unfamiliar with a boat larger than a gheenue. They didn’t offer any kind of assistance whatsoever. Good guys, I still drive an hour and a half to take it for service, but offered me nothing it terms of instruction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted June 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2019 2 hours ago, DWoodham said: When I bought my pathfinder in 05, I told the dealership I was completely unfamiliar with a boat larger than a gheenue. They didn’t offer any kind of assistance whatsoever. Good guys, I still drive an hour and a half to take it for service, but offered me nothing it terms of instruction. Just plain wrong no matter how you slice it, jmo. Would not use them for service at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DWoodham Posted June 5, 2019 Report Share Posted June 5, 2019 16 hours ago, fin-addict said: Just plain wrong no matter how you slice it, jmo. Would not use them for service at all. They were the only pathfinder dealer close to me at the time. But I agree. It’s wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plainsman5 Posted June 7, 2019 Report Share Posted June 7, 2019 Nice Job Fin! Good to hear that some people will still care enough to help others!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KrakenDown Posted July 3, 2019 Report Share Posted July 3, 2019 Technically not the dealer's responsibility to 'teach' a customer how to operate a boat, though they should be willing (and able) to provide guidance to a new buyer with no experience. Good of you to take the time to help them out!! 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bkh Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Very nice of you to do that and I tend to agree that the dealer should go over all features of the boat and do an in water test when available. If they don’t offer, the buyer should ask but I don’t think they should have to. Every new car purchase since I can remember came with the salesperson sitting in the car going over various features and lately setting up the Bluetooth devices. If I were a dealer, I would absolutely want my customers to understand every aspect of the boat so they can fully enjoy it and be safe doing it. Pretty simple and should be part of the sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ForgetoRemember Posted July 4, 2019 Report Share Posted July 4, 2019 Awesome job Fin. In today’s society it does not surprise me at all to hear things like this. Not very many people seem to want to help others anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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