Some companies still have great service and this is one of them!
I took on a repair project last week, replacing the fuel tank in a 1993 GW center console. The tank is 48 gallons and installed under the deck and directly under the console. Further complicated with a T-top. There are no removable panels, the console and deck have to be cut out.
After a day of pondering and scratching my head I decided to call GW and see exactly what they had in mind when they designed this set up. I really didn’t have much hope of getting help but figured it was worth a try.
So I called the number listed on their website and the phone was answered by a real person on the first ring. I explained to the lady what I needed and she directed me to technical support, which was also answered by a real person on the first ring. I explained to Bert what I needed and he said no problem, he was very familiar with it. Keep in mind it is a 20 year old boat.
He told me everything I needed to know, then emailed me a 12 page factory document with color photos, showing exactly where and how to cut, how to remove the tank, how to install the new one and how to put it all back together. He also emailed me the technical drawings of the tank along with factory installation notes.
So after 1 phone call, 2 warm bodies and 5 minutes time, I had everything that I needed. Fantastic:sunglasses:
Now if they would just send someone out to do it for me…
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Incredible. Great service
2000 SeaPro 180CC w/ Yammy 115 2 stroke
1966 13’ Boston Whaler w/ Merc 25 4 stroke “Flatty”
www.ralphphillipsinshore.com | www.summervillesaltwateranglers.com
I have to say I dont always love their boats or think they are worth the cost of their name but I have heard time and time again the same thing about their service. I also know some folks who work there and they are all dedicated to customer satisfaction and producing a good product
“Go Tech GO”
quote:
I have to say I dont always love their boats or think they are worth the cost of their name but I have heard time and time again the same thing about their service.
I’ve always felt the same way about the boats. They are a decent middle of the road boat, and somewhat over priced. Not a bad boat at all, but not a great boat. Probably better than most. But service like this on a 20 year old boat is worth a little extra up front. Most boat builders can’t stay in business for 20 years, much less support their products for that long.
I just thought it was worth mentioning. I was impressed and I don’t impress easily with boats.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Ditto on the great customer service from Grady White. I’m the third owner of my boat and you would have thought I bought it new. It’s a 93.
GW 232GT Gulfstream
150Yam x 2
“3rd Day”
Gen. Chap.1 Vs.9-13
Grady, Boston Whaler and SeaRay all have their Owner’s manuals, etc. available online.
Grady White Owner Manuals go back to 1978! And they have their catalogs online all the way back to 1958! WOW!
http://www.gradywhite.com/downloads/
Whaler has their diagrams and parts lists online - very cool.
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
After working on the Grady for a couple of days I am more impressed with the quality. Most production boats 20 years old begin having serious issues, rotted transoms, rotted decks, delamination, stress cracks, bad stringers and stuff such as that.
This boat is as solid and sound as the day it was built. Which is probably why I’ve never had a GW in the shop for transom or deck rebuilds.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
I’ve seen a couple of older Gradys with transom issues … but they were twin engine models used offshore for years. In general, they’re tanks, although the wiring can be a bit iffy.
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
Wiring you say
Got to strip it all out anyway…
I’ve about got it all sorted out. Almost ready to cut.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Larry - is that a 180 Sportsman?
Best wiring I’ve seen is Contendor, Fountain and Cabo …
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
No sir, it’s a 175 Spirit.
The best wiring I’ve seen is my boats
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larry
No sir, it’s a 175 Spirit.
The best wiring I’ve seen is my boats
Touche’
Thanks, Captain Ross
http://T-Topless.com folding, stainless steel T-Top fits most center console boats
http://ShadowTop.com entry level (Do-It-Yourself) T-Topless kit
http://Montauk-T-Topless.com for Boston Whaler Montauk, Dauntless or Outrage
http://Flats-Top.com Shade for Flats Boats
http://RNR-Marine.com/Canvas.shtml Factory Original-Equipment (OEM) replacement Sunbrella canvas for Sea Pro, McKee Craft, Sea Hunt, Boston Whaler, Key West, Cobia, Sea Fox, Grady White, Sea Ray, Pioneer, Tidewater, Mariah, Baha Cruisers, Sea Boss, Palmetto Custom & more…</font id=“size1”>
Drop your top and go T-Topless! T-Topless@RNR-Marine.com
quote:
Touche' :smiley:
Moving along, if anyone is interested. I decided to leave the T-top attached to the console and cut it all out as one unit. There is a lot of internal wiring into the top that I’d rather not mess with, plus the top gives me leverage to help remove the console and deck.
Cut…
Pried loose…
Flipped over…
There is a sub floor that has to be cut out next to access the tank. That’s tomorrow’s project
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
Great stuff Larry, glad Grady White took care of ya
experience noun \ik-#712;spir–#601;n(t)s
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the fact or state of having been affected by or gained knowledge through direct observation or participation
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that thing you get just moments after you needed it.