23:58 and disaster strikes
'Sarf & West mate, Sarf & West'
Pete Bernfeld
Fri 22 Jun 2012 06:17
He handed me a detailed invoice and launched into a rambling explanation of it item by item. I said that's fine but the deal was you install the second engine, the boat was launched and the engines tested then you had final payment.
Then came the show-stopper.
'There's a problem with the left engine, it has internal damage.'
The obvious reply was you've been telling me for the last 11 1/2 months that both engines were OK. You haven't asked for any more spares and the engines are now nearly three months later than agreed. Why are you telling me this now.
He started an explanation about con-rods and rocker-arms but I cut him short and said I needed to absorb this news. He then asked for part payment of the final bill. I told him to wait and be there when I got back. He needed an O ring for a water pump so I said I'd get it and we'd discuss the matter when I got back. Do not leave the boat and if you haven't fully finished the first engine or saildrive leg I suggest you do so.
I ran into Henning (Smiley) going to get the O ring. He was horrified and said that it sounded like Martin had done nothing to the engines otherwise he would have noticed the damage when he initially stripped them down. He suggested that he have a look at the 'good' engine to make sure that it has in fact been overhauled and that he check over the left engine to find out exactly what the story was. He then took me for lunch (not hungry, but thanks) and we discussed tactics with the guy who was driving him round (Graham). We decided that Martin would get exactly five minutes to tell me how HE was going to resolve the situation before I threw him off the boat. Softly softly initially and make sure I have all the engine parts and spares that I brought in the UK, if they hadn't been fitted which is debatable. Martin already said that he hadn't fitted the new LH head gasket because of the damage. Henning just said incredible. He's proposing to assemble an engine that he knows is damaged, install it and expect you to pay for it!
Back to the boat. I had a full and frank exchange of views with Martin, with my finger either pointed in between his eyes or in his chest.
Why did you not find this damage before.
You had told me both engines had been stripped down and I had paid you for this.
I had repeatedly said if you needed any spares to tell me.
The late delivery of the engines has potentially cost F$1500 if the club decide to charge.
I do not have any money for more spares.
I barely have enough for the crane and final payment to the electricians, never mind his bill which has gone over budget.
What was HE going to do about this and don't tell me the solution was for me to buy spares. There is no more money (this is unfortunately true).
He admitted it was his fault. He removed the head but 'his boys' cleaned the engines (yeah, right).
The club have questioned him about the delay. He admitted it was down to him. They indicated that they would waive the charges to me. We'll see.
The first engine will work. He has bench tested it and will test it in situ with a water source connected and in gear to make sure all is well.
He has straightened the con-rod and rocker arms (Impossible Henning says). He wants to run the second engine and see if it will be OK. (No chance)
The launch will not be delayed because he can work on the engine in situ.
I repeated that there was no more money and this was not an idle threat or some sort of joke on my part.
I was not going to pay him anything until both engines had been fully installed, at least the good engine run and I had taken further advice on this.
Somebody is chasing him for money, so after a plea to keep him working this weekend I gave him F$100. He wanted a bit more. I pointed out he'd had F$400 part payment and that more than covered the F$249 parts and consumables he seemed worried about. If he'd pissed it up against the wall that was his problem. His job was to get both engines fully installed this weekend. Last chance, in Fiji law this probably constitutes fraud and I have about fifty witnesses. I would book a crane as soon as they were in, hopefully for next Friday.
I won't say this is a bright spot, but I broke the news to John Finau (John the GRP) that I wasn't sure what was going to happen, but I was still aiming for a launch this coming week. He was quiet for a few moments then asked if I could let him have F$25 for paste. He has been working on the boat the last couple of days, so I assumed it was something to do with that or the anti-fouling.
He said that he was going to paint the hulls above the water line because if he couldn't do anything else he wanted my boat to look good. This and the anti-fouling will be started on Monday. he was supposed to be starting a contract at the local goldmine stripping down a compressor but he will delay the start. What can you say?
As far as I can see, at the very best I will be leaving Fiji with one fully serviceable engine and one which might possibly be used in absolute extremis for a short period of time before it most probably destroys itself.
I have brought a bottle of red wine and I am now going to drink it.
Bollocks.
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