A hectic few days on the hard. The rigger arrived the morning of 4 Feb and started work straight away as he only has 2 days to complete the task. He removed the old crossbeam and then discovered the inner central sleeve that has been sent is the wrong one.

Option 1 – Remain in the boatyard for an indefinite period until France can send the correct part and the rigger is available to complete the task - with no assurance that boat storage fees of £55 / day will be reimbursed. Their delivery times have been less than reliable so far and the next available slot for the rigger is mid-March.

Option 2 – Source the correct inner sleeve from the US and pay for next day delivery.

We went for option 2 and got the part via the rigger - if only we had found him earlier this whole thing would have been easier, cheaper and quicker.  However, the new beam and genniker pole are installed and we were relaunched this morning.

Now all we have to do is tackle the increasingly unpleasant task of trying to get reimbursed for the cost and shipping of the wrong part which staggeringly they are disputing! We haven’t even asked for compensation for the other additional costs incurred, never mind the stress and inconvenience which would definitely be a factor if we took the US approach to litigation!