Posted by Mark (65.162.128.27) on July 28, 2003 at 21:27:05:
In Reply to: Beware Ordering From Catalina posted by Mark Kenyon on July 25, 2003 at 17:07:17:
Sorry to hear about your trouble. I just ordered a rudder from them and, other than having trouble getting through to the parts department originally, I had a good experience. I am in So. Cal so I went out and picked it up. It fit fine. Tell the receptionist you are having trouble getting through. She helped me. I worked with Janet in the parts dept. and she was good and helpful, but clearly overworked/ understaffed.
Hope none of you have this experience...I ordered a new rudder from Catalina for my 42. It arrived and does not fit the boat ( the blade is canted 5 degrees forward) and further, it is bowed from starboard top to port bottom so much so that when aligned with the hull center at the top, the rudder is 1 1/2" to the right when sighted down the prop shaft.
: $1566. and the response from Frank Butler/Gerry Douglas is zero. Sent emails with photos, tried phone calls...no response. Emails with photos also sent to parts and engineering departments -responses were that info was given to Butler and Douglas.
: They get your money up front, but don't really care about customers who have a problem.
: Now I have to get a local yard to try to make the rudder fit and pay not only re-work costs, but additional daily yard charges while the boat sat waiting for a resolution from Butler.
: Beware if you order parts from this company!