Quote:
Originally Posted by LittleWing77
Auspicious, I think your response was brilliant - Incredibly informative while skillfully navigating the self-promotion aspect. If your "captaining" is similar, I would sail with you anytime, anywhere.
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Thank you for your kind words. I try to be responsive and still be sensitive to the cultural expectations of any particular forum. You can drop me an email to get on my crew list. Everyone competes for opportunities so being on the list (free) is no guarantee of anything. I never share your email with anyone, yadda yadda yadda. *grin*
I will share one story that I think is valuable enough not to come off as self-serving.
The moral is to be nice to people.
I'd taken a big cat from Annapolis to Marsh Harbour and we had some issues with a number of things most particularly the remotely operated
electric actuators for the
engine throttles and transmissions. I really miss
cables. Anyway the factory sent a couple of guys out to
work on the warranty list and
Yanmar was
shipping replacement actuators by FedEx. We were at Conch Inn Marina (my preferred place for lots of reason not relevant here). A couple of staff vaguely remembered me. Their recollection perked up dramatically when I started my usual practice of taking some cookies, M&Ms, or other treats to the office mid-morning. This is something I do to build relationships. In this case it really paid off.
We were on the last day of
work when my
phone dinged with the FedEx text that the actuators were on island and through
Customs. Unfortunately the local FedEx office was closed. The factory guys had to go home on the first flight in the morning to make their connections - 1. their visas expired that day and 2. one of them was expecting his first child and his wife was very very due.
I did the only thing I could think of. I went up to the office with another bowl of peanut M&Ms and laid out my tale of woe. The ladies in the office talked me over in their patois (which I cannot follow) and sent me back to the boat promising to call me on the
VHF "soon."
The factory guys were not impressed. About 40 minutes later the
VHF crackled to life. "Your package is here but you have to sign for it." It turned out they tracked down a friend whose sister was dating a guy who worked for FedEx. He went in, found our package, and brought it to the marina. Just wow. Now the factory guys were impressed.
As I said I have lots of reasons I like Conch Inn but when a customer asks I tell that story. *grin*
Again, the moral is to be nice to people. It is good for your karma and may turn out to be more immediately helpful.
Oh - in Marsh Harbour go to Colors by the Sea for the very best
Internet, a wonderful hostess, and good
food. I download all my app and other
software updates there over a big bowl of pasta. For a treat go to Wally's for dinner. Best
provisioning in
Abaco at the big market. Taxis are on VHF 06. A moment of silence please for Curly Tails which is under new management as the Blue Hole - very nice. I know a lot of people like the
Jib Room but in my opinion it has gone down hill and is not worth the effort. Don't miss the cruisers net on VHF 68 at 0830 (0815? I forget). Barometer Bob does good stuff but I just go to NOAA (see
AuspiciousWorks - Communications / Yacht Management / Deliveries Worldwide).
Soon come, mon.