Where Credit Is Due: March 2015

JabscoGarhauerTechnautics

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Dan Llewellyn's daughter

My daughter recently bought a 1979 Catalina 30, and I was promoted to chief cook, bottle washer, and mechanic. The Jabsco macerator pump needed a rebuild, so I bought a rebuild kit and proceeded to dismantle the pump. I noticed that, in addition to the normal wear items, one of the permanent magnets in the motor housing was loose. It appeared to have been glued in place, so I called the Jabsco (www.xylemflowcontrol.com) technical help phone number to see if it would be possible to glue it back into place. I spoke to Paul, and after a short discussion, he asked me if I had purchased the rebuild kit. I assured him that I had, and he said that since I was willing to invest in Jabsco, he was willing to invest in me as a loyal customer, and said that he would send me a new motor housing at no charge. I thanked him profusely and hung up. About 20 minutes later, he called back and said that he was going to send the entire pump at no charge, so I wouldnt have to go through a fairly extensive rebuild process. I received it a couple of days later. I couldnt be more impressed with this level of customer service.

Dan and Tarah Llewellyn
Destiny, 1979 Catalina 30
Boston, Mass.

I have a 2005 Catalina Mkll that I purchased new in 2006. I noticed that the genoa blocks, which are fixed to the genoa cars, had lost the black material that fit inside the blocks. Although the blocks still functioned, I was concerned that without the black filler material, the pins would eventually pull out. I contacted Garhauer (www.garhauermarine.com), and they told me to send in the cars and blocks. After a couple of weeks, I didnt hear anything, so I called. Susan at Garhauer spent a great deal of time with me trying to find my package. She finally found it and informed me that the setup had been discontinued, but that they would send me a new set. About five days later, I received the new, much stouter blocks and cars. There was no charge. I truly appreciated the way I was dealt with and would highly recommend Garhauer for its product integrity and super personal assistance.

Stephen Steinberg
Cassiopeia, 2005 Catalina Mkll
Falmouth Harbor, Mass.

Dan Llewellyn's daughter

We recently bought a good old boat that came with Technautics CoolBlue refrigeration (www.technauticsinc.com). One of the two units quit shortly after we took possession. I emailed Rich Boren of Technautics for guidance, and he suggested that the problem was probably the control module, that it was probably still under warranty, and that he would send us a new replacement. Weve had no further issues. Doesnt get any better than that!

Brian Black
Kokopelli, 1996 Hylas 46
Green Cove Springs, Fla.

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Supported entirely by subscribers, Practical Sailor accepts no advertising. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him by email at practicalsailor@belvoir.com.