Helia 44: Helia Warranty Issues

[alexxx]

i can't believe what i'm reading, really...... some posts say the clients are super happy with FP's after sales care, garantee, and support (all done by the broker who sold the boat in each case), and then other posts - where clients who forked out a BIG chunk of money, have no support whatsoever....... i was told FP will do nothing directly, it's all got to be done via the dealer/broker who sold you the boeat, right?? this is confusing to say the least

[Dulcesuenos]

Not real uncommon for a dealer to say the manufacturer is denying or not responding forcing you to try to contact them yourself. Heck it happens even w much cheaper items than a boat

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[Cotemar]

One of the real issues is that quite a few dealers have gone bankrupt and quite a few dealers still in business suck on an exponential level.

Buy a Catalina sailboat from a dealer and if you have an issue. Catalina steps up to the plate and makes it right even years later. They have outstanding customer service with dealers or without they do right by all there customers.

Buy a French boat from FP or Lagoon and once you get your boat they are so done with you.

Just think how great these companies would be if they had CUSTOMER SERVICE.

[cwjohm]

I had warranty issues 2 years after purchase. What would be the point of contacting FP. They cannot look at the problem as they are on the other side of the world. Dealer came and looked - took photos - went back to FP and I now have approval for the rectification work.

Similarly, I am buying an as new boat but completed and in the water. As you may know FP has a real production line going so once the boat is out it is difficult if not impossible to make changes. However, I felt that certain factory upgrades were mandatory. FP agreed to their normal price and bought in specialist contractors to do the work. It would have been reasonable for them to charge me extra but they did not.

All down to the dealer which has a solid history in Aus.

I would imagine there are good reasons why brokers go bankrupt; offering prices that are unsustainable would be a prime one. As with all things caveat emptor - do your homework. If a deal sounds too good to be true then it probably is. This should apply to all purchases - large and small.

If the FP dealer in your area is ***** then do not buy an FP, or buy from a good dealer somewhere else and sail or ship it in - it really is that simple.

The volume suppliers work to a price and delivery equation that does not allow for direct support. That's how they became volume suppliers.

[Rubikoop]

I confess to knowing nothing about Catalina customer service. I do know I've seen more than a few FPs getting their well documented blister issues taken care of by FP in just my minuscule slice of the planet. Could I extrapolate what I've seen out to say that FP does a great job? No. But I would strongly disagree with anybody that says they do not provide customer service and do not provide warranty work years down the road. That is just not a true statement.

[Ajay]

The dealer will be your first and likely only real solution. As already mentioned, make sure you pick a good dealer and a good broker with that dealer. I am pleased to report that I have had no issues since my dealer stepped up on all items that needed correction. I have hull #3 so there was some minor stuff. But the costs would have added up if not corrected and covered.


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[jonarck]

Hi, Jay

Do the new Liparis have the same problems with the freezer or cockpit doors?

Cheers,
Jon

[Ajay]

I know that they worked out the door issue on the newer Helias. Not sure about other models. I suspect that they use the same doors so it is likely that they have.

[captainjay]

Originally Posted by jonarck

Hi, Jay

Do the new Liparis have the same problems with the freezer or cockpit doors?

Cheers,
Jon

The new Lipari Evolution has a totally different door and locking mechanism. Two sliding panels to get the new opening size.

The Helia doors are installed at the plant and when they go in the water the boat changes shape and the doors end up out of plumb. The fix is to pull them out and reinstall them to fit. I have personally done this on hull's 2, 3 and 7 including Ajay's.

As several have stated here the level of customer service you get out of FP is directly related to the quality of your dealer and their relationship with FP.

Jay

[Ajay]

Jay did a great job on fixing this issue and I was very pleased by the end result. He is correct that this is the only way to correctly fix the doors on the Helia.

[boating2go]

We looked at a 2013 Helia today that a dealer here in San Diego has in his inventory and wants to sell it quickly since he has had it for a long time. After reading this thread I do not know if I want to pursue that boat.

With all the problems you guys have had it does not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling about the Helia or FP.

[Gordon]

You will always experience some issues with any brand of boat.We have not had any major issues with our He'lia 44 hull #12 owner version, and to date have covered over 5,500nm and have been on the boat now a total time of ten months,with seven months spent up on the hard in Turkey during the Med winter. The He'lia has shown to be a very sound boat structurally, and a very comfortable live aboard cruising boat. The issue with FP are minor and in fact your broker/ agent is who you should make sure has a sound business and relationship with the factory,no different to buying a new car really...
We would recommend the He'lia as a capable cruising cat.
Cheers.

[SailMonAmi]

Originally Posted by captainjay

The new Lipari Evolution has a totally different door and locking mechanism. Two sliding panels to get the new opening size.

The Helia doors are installed at the plant and when they go in the water the boat changes shape and the doors end up out of plumb. The fix is to pull them out and reinstall them to fit. I have personally done this on hull's 2, 3 and 7 including Ajay's.

As several have stated here the level of customer service you get out of FP is directly related to the quality of your dealer and their relationship with FP.

Jay

Jay,

Where are you? I hope in the Annapolis area, as I'm growing very impatient with my dealer. I've been at them for over six months to address my door problem (hull 13), but have gotten nowhere (or so it seems to me). I believe they some approval from FP to do the door work, but can seem to get a qualified rep to do the work. Are you in the area?

Thanks!

[cwjohm]

If you want warm and fuzzy get a dog. Boats are a completely different matter.

A production boat is built to a price and when you build to a price then issues invariably develop. All of the production cat builders rely on churning them out on a production line in order to meet the price point. They then rely on getting paid promptly on supplying the boat.

Find me a production boat and it will not be difficult to find an unhappy customer.

The question is therefore

Is the guy selling you the boat

(a) Going to be around in the next few years.
(b) Going to deal fairly and honestly.

If you think the answer is no then do not deal with him.

Most importantly always withhold an amount until you are completely happy with the product. Never be in a hurry to settle. Be patient and check everything. In the case of a demonstrator boat you are in a better position as you can withhold significant payment until you are absolutely sure all is well.

Boats are not easy. Never were and never will be.

[Dulcesuenos]

Its funny you can buy a $15000. Car and the dealer gladly addresses any issue under warranty, spend a million on a boat, your screwed..... ;0)

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