Phase-Out: Panacea

The Phase-Out Story of a Beneteau 445

October 15, 1998

I couldn't be more delighted with the phase-out of my Beneteau 445, Panacea. The boat is in excellent condition, and at the Beneteau rendez-vous in Charleston in late September, several passersby mistook her for a new Beneteau!

Panacea's management agreement was scheduled to terminate on July 5, 1998. These are the steps I followed in my phase-out plan:

1. The last time I took a regular charter on my boat (Holidays '97-'98), I met with Charlie, the Maintenance Manager. We went over my phase-out plans in general terms, and I gave him a list of things I wanted done during phase-out that might not be caught in normal maintenance, but that he might want to get done ahead of time. Two of the more important items on this list were:

1. an upgrade of the windlass to an "up/down" remote to allow precise control of its action, which had become almost impossible over time;

2. replacement of the linkage from the shift/throttle control, which, like almost every other boat with this linkage, makes it very difficult to find neutral. I also gave Charlie a copy of the normal "debriefing" fix-it list from that charter. Charlie is a man who is truly dedicated to trying to do an excellent job, and he can be your best friend in this process.

2. During the charter noted above, I dove on and inspected the bottom to determine if there was any major damage that needed attention. There was none.

3. I asked to be notified in advance of the last haul out maintenance. At that time (in April), I asked another owner who was at the base to look at the bottom of my boat and give me comments. There was nothing exceptional to note, and I was relieved to learn that no major blisters were apparent. Had an owner not been available, I would have hired someone to do so.

4. Katy and I arranged a "phase-out sail" immediately after the final charterer returned the boat (July 6). Charlie thought it was a great idea since he would then have an accurate and timely statement of what I thought should be done during phase-out. During this 5-day sail, I had the boat surveyed and I conducted my own inspection for cosmetic and usability items. I selected Marty Carlson of Associated Marine Surveyors in Red Hook, St. Thomas, as I wanted a surveyor who was well certified, yet was independent of even an indirect connection with the Charter Company. Marty came well recommended by other owners I know. I was present during the survey, done at Nanny Cay, and which included a "in the straps" bottom inspection via a reasonably priced haul out there. I asked Marty to show me anything he found so I could also be conversant with the issue.

5. The bottom inspection found 6 small blisters, about 3"-4" in diameter, and about 6 small stress "star" surface cracks. There had been no reoccurrence of the seven blisters that had been found on the rudder in 1996 and repaired. Marty made out the Beneteau "osmosis report" form and made that part of his survey. The survey did not disclose any damage or mechanical problem other than usual wear and tear and cosmetic items, except for the blisters, and one toe rail that appeared to have suffered a damaging collision. In Marty's words, most of his "exceptions" were "nickel and dime stuff."

6. Marty sent a copy of the "exceptions list" from his survey to Charlie by fax, and I met with Charlie to make sure he understood everything on Marty's list. I also gave Charlie my own list of items. I tried hard not to "over reach" on my list, but I did include replacement of things like lines that were in the last half of their life, getting stiff or beginning to fray, mirrors where the silvering had begun to flake off, a patched, repatched and re-repatched bimini, i.e. items that were not necessarily "broken", but were simply not up to snuff. I also told him of our tentative schedule for pickup.

7. When I returned to my office, I prepared a computer-typed list of items to be fixed or replaced, integrating both Marty's findings and my own, organizing the 97-item list by area of the boat and type of equipment. I faxed and mailed this list to Charlie. Each Monday or Tuesday thereafter, I would call Charlie and discuss the progress in crossing off the list items. In only a couple of cases, did he object to our conclusion that an item should be fixed or replaced, and eventually he did deal in some way with each of those.

8. When Charlie told me that almost all of the work had been done, I contracted again with Marty to visit the Yacht Spa and check the items in person. He made a report, using my computer punch list, and gave a copy of items not done (or not done correctly) to Charlie and faxed a copy to me. This cost me less than half the original survey.

9. I had planned to pick the boat up myself and sail her to the U.S., but the delays (primarily caused by Beneteau needing to specify what work should be done to correct the minor blisters under warranty) took two weeks from our available time and got us closer to hurricane risk.

Accordingly, I contracted with St. Barts Yacht Services of Charleston SC, who were delivering a 463 to Tortola from the SC Beneteau factory, to turn their crew around and bring our baby home. I was very pleased with St. Barts' service and communications, particularly since the crew and my boat were out there dodging Bonnie and Danielle!

10. The Charter Company made a big issue that they "must have" a release from me stating that phase-out "had been completed" before they could release the boat to my "agents". I told them to fax me the letter, then ignored it since it was unconditional. I made sure that St. Barts had a copy of my new insurance and a signed authorization from me to pick up the boat, and that Charlie knew who was coming and when they were expected. I have heard nothing further from the company, and now that the boat is in my physical possession, I doubt if I will further.

11. St. Barts is a big Beneteau dealer, and they added A/C, a "shore assist" compressor for the SeaFrost fridge that makes it work off shore power as well as the engine, a ST50 Wind Instrument, and a Autohelm 6000+ integrated with the GPS and wind box, so I can even set the autopilot to steer to a constant apparent wind if I wish! The work was done in early to mid September. I also purchased an Avon roll-up from them and picked up a new Nissan 8hp from West Marine (matching the Defender price) in Charleston.

12. We picked the boat up the weekend of Sept 25, which was the Charleston Maritime Festival, a big Beneteau rendezvous, and the start of the "Around Alone" race from Charleston harbor. Our baby was beautiful, and we were more than pleased with her condition. Out of the 97 things on our list, only a couple of minor ones had not been done and there were several additional items replaced that we had not listed at all! The bottom had been freshly painted (I guess due to the minor blister repairs), the winches serviced, and the Company markings removed.

We took Panacea up "the ditch" the following week to New Bern NC, where she will spend the winter. During my visits to her prior to us bringing her to the Chesapeake next April, I will add (1) a 2500 watt inverter system; (2) a whisker pole/mast storage system; (3) build in a microwave, toaster oven, TV and VCR, with an "extension" LCD TV in the owner's stateroom; (4) dodger, including a zip-in panel linking such with the forward edge of the bimini; (5) a folding/feathering prop; (6) rigid vang; (7) add some additional storage facility. I probably will also buy a 140% Genoa to use when I am in the Chesapeake, and will keep the 110% (which is in excellent condition) for heavier air cruising.

I think one reason our phase-out went so well was the extent of my own involvement and in particular the sheer amount and regularity of communication with the base. Based on my prior experience, I avoided the company headquarters like the plague on anything other than paperwork. I also made sure that everyone knew that I was keeping the boat and intended to take her cruising.

I have congratulated and thanked Charlie for his excellent work, and have mentioned my satisfaction to the company's HQ. I purposely did not give them a great amount of detail just to protect Charlie in case he might have given me something "extra".

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