I've been so caught up with the Interlux fiasco that I've let a lot of things slide for the past month or so. 

SeaWolf is ready to do some shake down cruises and we're going to start next month by going out weekends.  Since we're so tall (63 feet), we can't get under the Julia Tuttle bridge and head out the Government Cut in Miami (its about 3 miles away).  Supposedly, the contractor who built the bridge claimed dislexia and built the bridge 56 feet high, instead of 65 feet high, as all bridges on the ICW (InterCoastal Waterway) were supposed to be built.  As a result, we have to head north to Fort Lauderdale (23 miles) and go through about 8 bascuse bridges before we can get out for a test run, but it's worth it.  It's an enjoyable sail with several open bays and lots of high end mansions to ooggle.  We plan to head out on Thursday nights, run up to Hollywood, anchor out (about 3/4 of the way to the Lauderdale inlet) and then pop out into the ocean early Friday morning.  We'll spend Friday and Saturday morning running and testing the new rigging and sails and then head back to Miami on Saturday afternoon.  We'll anchor out in Hollywood again and then get to the Palm Bay Club (http://www.palmbaymiami.com/) by mid afternoon, Sunday.  Do take a look at the Palm Bay Club site if you get to Miami.  It's a great Marina with excellent amenities and is very reasonable.  Nice people, too, and that's the most important aspect of any marina.

Bill's ability to handle SeaWolf in tight situations is absolutely fantastic!  You can surely believe me when I tell you that SeaWolf is like trying to  handle an elephant.  While waiting for several of the bridges to open, we had to wait up to a half hour.  Bill was able to keep Sea Wolf virtually stationery against a running tide and 15-20 knots of wind, by just manipulating the two engines.  Amazing!   I'm not nearly so competent as Bill, but he's very patient and willing to make me as competent as he is.  He'd better because I got the highest marks on the Coast Guard test and THAT makes me the Captain... but NEVER when we're in deep doo doo.  Then HE'S the Captain, for sure.

Well, that's it for now, but I'll be sure to let you know what happens on our first shake down as I'm sure things will go wrong and wel (spelled B-I-L-L) will have a number of fire drills to handle.  I just hope that none of them are actually fires!

Interlux Trilux 33 Bottom Paint - The Continuing Saga - Read the Original Post for details

Update 4/8/09
This is the end of the Interlux Bottom Paint saga.  Thanks to the help of Interlux Corporate, I was hooked up with the Southern Regional Rep, who re-evaluated the situation and agreed that it was paint failure.  In all of the years we've been using Interlux products this is the one and only time we had a problem.  Sometimes products just don't work the way they were intended and for whatever the reason... heat, cold, age, whatever, they sometimes just fail.  End of story.  Interlux Corporate definitely stepped up to the plate to evaluate and resolve the problem and I'm satisfied with the outcome.  They worked with me, the painter and the yard to resolve the issues and all has been taken care of with each of us handling some of the costs.  My dealings with the Southern Regional Rep restored my faith in Interlux, their products and their commitment to customer service and satisfaction.

Update 3/16/09
Received a call from the Interlux Regional Rep this morning.  My dealings with the local rep were, to say the least, unpleasant.  The Interlux Regional Rep was far more accommodating in that he did not stonewall the situation.  He readily admitted that any bottom paint that grew barnacles within weeks of being painted had failed miserably, whereas the local rep tried to blame the failure on everything and everyone other than the paint. 

Interlux has agreed to pay for the haulout and provide the paint.  Nautic is going to apply the paint.  We are going to transport the boat up to Lauderdale Marine to be hauled out.  Although we will be responsible for transportation costs associated with the repaint, we are no longer going to be hit with the lion's share of the costs as the local rep had wanted.

The lesson to be learned here is that it is worth the effort to document everything and continue to go up the "food chain" in a pleasant and respectful manner in order to obtain a satisfactory resolution to a problem.

Update - 3/2/09
Received a call from the Interlux Regional Rep.  He agrees that the paint failed miserably and has asked for the receipts associated wtih hauling the boat.  Sounds like Interlux may finally accept the responsibility for their paint failure and pay for the cost of hauling and repainting the bottom.  We'll see.  Will keep you posted

Update - 2/25/09
Received a response within an hour from the Secretary to the Board of Managers at Interlux Corporate.  She said she'd get back to me.  Given the attitude of and our experience with the local rep, I was quite surprised.  Maybe he's not indicative of the Interlux Corporate mentality.  Will keep you posted.


Update - 2/25/09
Received notice that my email to the Interlux Exec was undeliverable.  Went on line again, pulled up the Interlux Corporate site, went to Contacts/Corporate, opened a message window, copied the email communication thread I'd had with the local rep, pasted it into the comment box, and put in the subject "Please forward to Leif Darmer."  Now I wait