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Switlik Lift Reaft Valves - Information and Caution
I last had my raft serviced in August 07, a painfully expensive job since I
"needed" a 5 year inspection, a new valve, etc. This is a 4-man raft in a canister that I carried offshore during a 2008 cruise. Now in the most recent Practical Sailor I came across a note stating that Switlik (the factory) is recalling and replacing certain inflation valve models due to a problem with o-rings and o-ring lubricants. It happens that the authorized service company that worked on my gear used the valve model in question. When I called the service company I was informed that they would indeed replace the valve in question at no charge, but only if I also had the raft serviced and repacked (a $400 plus procedure). When I stated that I only wanted the valve replaced, they insisted that was not possible and they would not do the job. I don't have my raft serviced annually, even though that is what's recommended (_of course_ it is). In my application annual service is overkill. The last time the raft was professionally serviced prior to August 07 was (don't laugh) 1994 - 13 years ago - and when the service company tested it using the cable pull it inflated perfectly and held air without loss for several days prior to actual servicing. Some may argue that this is a false economy, but as they say, "different ships, different long splices." My complaint is this. The service company knew there was a problem and they never notified me, a customer on record as having a raft with a faulty valve. I was told simply that having factory-required warranty work at their location was going to cost. In the end I called the Switlik factory direct. They are quite close to where I live and they agreed to do the replacement at no cost and do not require a repack. I thought others might be interested in my experience. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Switlik Lift Reaft Valves - Information and Caution
"Armond Perretta" wrote in message
... I last had my raft serviced in August 07, a painfully expensive job since I "needed" a 5 year inspection, a new valve, etc. This is a 4-man raft in a canister that I carried offshore during a 2008 cruise. Now in the most recent Practical Sailor I came across a note stating that Switlik (the factory) is recalling and replacing certain inflation valve models due to a problem with o-rings and o-ring lubricants. It happens that the authorized service company that worked on my gear used the valve model in question. When I called the service company I was informed that they would indeed replace the valve in question at no charge, but only if I also had the raft serviced and repacked (a $400 plus procedure). When I stated that I only wanted the valve replaced, they insisted that was not possible and they would not do the job. I don't have my raft serviced annually, even though that is what's recommended (_of course_ it is). In my application annual service is overkill. The last time the raft was professionally serviced prior to August 07 was (don't laugh) 1994 - 13 years ago - and when the service company tested it using the cable pull it inflated perfectly and held air without loss for several days prior to actual servicing. Some may argue that this is a false economy, but as they say, "different ships, different long splices." My complaint is this. The service company knew there was a problem and they never notified me, a customer on record as having a raft with a faulty valve. I was told simply that having factory-required warranty work at their location was going to cost. In the end I called the Switlik factory direct. They are quite close to where I live and they agreed to do the replacement at no cost and do not require a repack. I thought others might be interested in my experience. -- Good luck and good sailing. s/v Kerry Deare of Barnegat http://home.comcast.net/~kerrydeare Sounds like good customer service on the part of Switlik. They should now talk to the service company, since they came dangerously close to screwing over their reputation. -- "j" ganz @@ www.sailnow.com |
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