New Member!!

[Benjamaphone]

Hi everybody!!

I'm new to the board and was just hoping to introduce myself and what I do. My name is Bejamin and I've been into sailing and boating all my life. We have a family run business in the marine industry that I am sure many of you have heard of, Atkins & Hoyle.

I've worked in my father's shop helping to repair and build the products that we sell. Because of my close relationship to the industrial side of the busniess, I hope that my experience with hatches, ports and davits can come in handy for many members of this board.

As I have already taken a lot of advise from forum members myself, I am more than happy to answers question regarding hatch repairs, tender storage solutions and a wide array of other topics.

Thanks for letting me introduce myself and what I'm about!!

[Pblais]

Benjimin,

Welcome aboard I can see you had a proper upbringing at least the sailing part. I've got a set of Atkins & Hoyle ports aboard Bright Eyes. After 17 years they still work quite well.

We always are looking for a new expert. Boats need a lot of details and we do details day in and day out. I'm sure we can keep you busy helping out if you have a mind to. Hatches, ports and davits is a good topic to have help with.

Any chance you could get me a deal on a new set of screens? They are expensive.

[Benjamaphone]

Hey Paul,

Thanks for the welcome and I hope that I will become a useful/valueable member of the board.

As for the screens; the problem with the price is that we get the frames outsourced with a diecast mould. The screen material is then attached to the frame and cut to shape. Unfortunatley, the high price comes from the cost of the diecast moulding. All I can say is that if you amortize the cost of the screens over 17 years, they don't seem so expensive anymore

[Pblais]

I can understand that you don't make 10,000 of these things at a time so of course the prices are up there. Any way it's still nice to have you artound and if your plans call for cruising I hope you can get a little something back for your effort.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha Ben,
Welcome aboard!
JohnL

[swagman]

G'day Ben,
I'm probably one who has not heard of your family firm before but as others have inferred, the more knowledgable people taking part and sharing info, the better the site will get.
Welcome, and hope you enjoy it!
JOHN