Where Credit is Due: June 2012

Accurate Metalworks MarineSeldèn

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In 2008, Accurate Metalworks Marine of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., fabricated a replacement muffler in 316 stainless-steel for my 1991 Pearson 38. As the old muffler showed signs of electrolytic action, they advised me to bond the muffler into the boat’s grounding system. I bonded it directly to the cutlass bearing strut. In less than four years, the electrolysis was worse than before, requiring yet another new muffler.

Even though the muffler was not covered by a written warranty, Accurate Metalworks Marine offered to cover 50 percent of the cost of a fiberglass replacement. Considering that Accurate’s workmanship and materials were not at fault, and that I had almost four years of service from their product, I found their offer to be a true mark of outstanding customer service. Hats off to Accurate Metalworks Marine.

Raymond Tollman

Via email

When I purchased my boat in 2003, I upgraded to a Seldèn roller furling main and jib Furlex 300S. Since my boat is designed as a fractional rig, a forestay attachment installed within the mast was required. This year, a recall on the forestay attachment (part no 517-914) was initiated. (See the May 2012 issue’s “Product Updates” for more information on the recall.) Seldèn Mast’s Tom Sharkey forwarded the warranty kit to my local Seldèn representative, and they replaced the part with a new forestay attachment. The work required two men for at least four hours of work.

Seldèn (www.seldenmast.com) needs to be complimented on their commitment to customer safety and company reputation. Even though I race and cruise my boat, the original part was in excellent condition without any indication of impending failure, however it was replaced.

I strongly recommend the company and their products.

 

Richard Dwyer

Tenacious, Hunter 426

North Palm Beach, 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.