Day 170 of the build of "Alanne". Today should be the highlight for our new boat. Its the 25th July 2014 which is also Annes' Birthday so it should be a double celebration, but not all is as it should be dear reader.
We had a restless night at the hotel. The room faced a busy main road which was full of potholes, so that every passing lorry sounded like a drum being bashed as it hit the potholes. The night was short and we prepared to leave at 05.30.
We arrived at Collingwoods at 06.30 am. The driver of the low loader was preparing to leave with his unusual cargo. He headed off and we followed. It was quite a sight watching our boat travelling at 70 mph on the motorway, (probably the first and last time it will ever move so fast).
The launch site was at Wincham Wharf, were they had a very large crane. The boat was lifted from the low loader and lowered into the water at 08.31 am, then lifted back out almost immediately as a water leak was found around the bow thruster. Then followed a lengthy wait for a welder to come out from Collingwoods to re-weld the bow thruster tube. Eventually another Collingwood guy who had arrived earlier, arranged for the local boat yard fitter to weld the tube. This was completed and the boat re-launched, (this time with no leaks). The boat had a "list" to Port because the ballasting had not been carried out correctly. This problem was to be sorted out at Orchard Marina, (along with a growing list of faults). We set sail on "Alanne" on her maiden voyage which ended less than 20 metres from Wincham Wharf. The rudder had jumped out of its bottom bearing and would not turn to port. We managed to get the boat tied up by the tow path and the Collingwood guy managed to re seat the rudder. We set off again, but as we approached a bridge, I needed to slow the boat to allow an oncoming boat the right of way. I tried to engage reverse, but the control would not move and we had to resort to hitting the bank and using the mooring ropes to stop. On restarting the engine the problem with the non-reverse lever vanished and no reason could be found to why this had happened, SLIGHTLY WORRYING !.
We continued to Orchard Marina and after several confusing instructions on where to moor we eventually got tied up after giving everyone in the marina a good laugh at the awful manoeuvring of the boat.
We were now at the handover stage of the boat, but there was a list of missing items and unfinished work. The boat had not been cleaned inside or out and there was absolutely no ownership papers or any document relating to any legally required tests, (Boat Safety Certificate, (BSC), Recreational Craft Directive Kite Mark,(RCD CE), no manuals, no instruction books for any appliance or electrical equipment and a Collingwood employee who was supposed to be giving us a guided tour of all equipment on the boat, but did not. His only concern, in reality, was to "just get the cash" and leave. It was now down to me to hand over a large wedge of cash and hope the documents appeared eventually, or, the boat was to be locked in their dry dock until I paid. I arranged for the money to be transferred to their account. Initially the bank was unwilling to move such a large sum of money from instructions from me by telephone, but eventually agreed it would be in Orchard Marinas account by Monday PM. This was not acceptable for Alan McNaughton who instructed his employee to have us chucked off the boat until he saw the cash in the account.
After all the trials and tribulations in dealing with Alan McNaughton we were amazed at his total lack of understanding and decency. It seems all one way. He looks upon us as another couple of mugs, who he can ride "rough shod", take our money and give no assurances on when or where the boat will be completed. How in Gods name he thinks we are going to steal his boat is a mystery. The plan was to stay at Orchard Marina for a least 2 weeks. If he was so worried the simple answer was to lock the control panel, (which was an anti-theft measure I had requested) and allow us to bring all the paraphernalia aboard for when we were ready to leave the marina.
This blog should be a cautionary tale for anyone considering buying a new narrow boat. "Alanne" should have been completed in February, nearly six months ago. Promises and assurances were made by Alan McNaughton and then discarded and I am now made to feel like a cheat, liar and conman. Well done Collingwood Boats of Liverpool.
I have attached photos of the boat, but any excitement and joy we should have felt is long gone. Annes' birthday was completely destroyed, It should have been a happy day not one filled with tears and frustration.
Thanks again Alan McNaughton.
In the water, but, with a considerable "List" to Port
