Lip-Ship for Donzi
11-16-2014 | 04:39 PM
#21
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 437
Likes: 26
From: New England
Our 43 looks really good but not because of Doug. Lee McKinnon was the main river working on the boat and he knows the ZR lineup inside and out as he worked on the Donzi ZRC race boats back in Donzi's prime. Over the course of what turned into a 2 year project (should have been 5-6 months at most) I had to make probably 10 trips to Doug's shop to get him on things. Half the time our boat hadnt been touched since the last time I was there. I even had to run around town to west marine and Various marine suppliers to buy parts that he needed but hadnt gotten around to getting then I would babysit him and make sure he go on things. The best was the day we went to pick it up for the last time; he handed us a HANDWRITEN invoice scribbled on a legal pad. He then said "oh that's my copy, you need to take a picture for yours." He is the worst business owner ever. He has what would literally be my dream job; to customize high performance boats and he is destroying it. He has literally almost ruined the hobby for us because the boat has been nothing but trouble since we have gotten it back just over a year ago. We have only put 8 hours on it and had several things fail: water leak, failed trim tab, bent props due to drive tie bar misaligned on first short run. transmission blew apart on second run and on the third run we seized a fuel pump and then realized he didn't fill any of the 3 fuel pumps with oil. I could go on and on and on. If you enjoy this hobby and want to hire a shop to do any custom work or any work in general, DO NOT USE DOUG VALENTINE.
11-17-2014 | 05:40 AM
#22
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 5
From: Slightly North of Cuba
1st Out respect for yourself you should stay out of it because you have nothing to do with it. You obviously only know Mikes side of the story and did not have to deal with him on a weekly basis. I catered to Mike for 3 years doing major work each winter and getting him on the water for the boating seasons. He dropped the boat off last November for the top side to be refinished and later changed that to a full out restoration, his idea not mine. Life has been a lot less stressful since August 5th and now the only way I will communicate with him is in Email form so there is no more "he said" crap. Nobody knew how bad the boat was until we stripped it to bare glass and he knew that going in. Every week he added things to the list of what he wanted done and was go go go from the start having me put my guys on a 60 hour week with no less than 100 man hours a week dedicated to his boat for over 6 months. When you want quality it comes at a price and he pushed us week after week. Progress only stopped 2 1/2 weeks after he quit paying over 3 months ago.
2nd It appears that you have made 2 bad judgement calls in this thread.
3rd "Be glad its not mine...." sure sounds threatening.
2nd It appears that you have made 2 bad judgement calls in this thread.
3rd "Be glad its not mine...." sure sounds threatening.
1st: thats where you are wrong. I have not asked the owner the status of his boat in many months because its embarrassing. You got it out for him for boating season? Under duress perhaps.. Good thing your boating season is only three months. As far as your comment about 100 hours per week for 6 months, you are saying you have 2,600 hours in restoring a 24' hull that was already re-rigged and re-powered?
2nd: No, not at all. Looks like you did though.
3rd: Ask your clients who know me, I don't threaten. It was simply a statement of fact.
I've seen your work, been in your work, looked at several of your jobs pretty thoroughly Without boldly calling it out, I tried to subtly tell a fellow Donzi owner I wouldn't recommend your shop. Others have recommended it, thats the way of the world. I work within a 5 mile radius of some of the best riggers and performance boat shops in the country, perhaps world, visit their shops regularly and keep tabs on projects. I have also been involved with sport fish and yacht refits over the years. I am used to seeing owners who want THEIR boat done the way THEY want it. Nothing different here. Well, except you claim you have 2,600 hours in it and its not done.
Oh, and to risk missing a new or existing clients call because you're afraid to answer the phone because you don't recognize the number? LOL... Just LOL... Well, perhaps ROFLMAO....
To the OP, sorry for the derail. Perhaps if we knew your location we could help with a shop to do a restoration for you. Would help to know what boat, what level of restoration you are looking for and the boats current condition. There are some good cosmetic restoration shops out there, there are some good full restoration shops out there, there are some good custom shops. Not all are necessarily the same shop..
11-17-2014 | 06:14 AM
#23
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 3
From: michigan
OK< B, I tried to drop it: You want to push it further, have at it.
1st: thats where you are wrong. I have not asked the owner the status of his boat in many months because its embarrassing. You got it out for him for boating season? Under duress perhaps.. Good thing your boating season is only three months. As far as your comment about 100 hours per week for 6 months, you are saying you have 2,600 hours in restoring a 24' hull that was already re-rigged and re-powered?
2nd: No, not at all. Looks like you did though.
3rd: Ask your clients who know me, I don't threaten. It was simply a statement of fact.
I've seen your work, been in your work, looked at several of your jobs pretty thoroughly Without boldly calling it out, I tried to subtly tell a fellow Donzi owner I wouldn't recommend your shop. Others have recommended it, thats the way of the world. I work within a 5 mile radius of some of the best riggers and performance boat shops in the country, perhaps world, visit their shops regularly and keep tabs on projects. I have also been involved with sport fish and yacht refits over the years. I am used to seeing owners who want THEIR boat done the way THEY want it. Nothing different here. Well, except you claim you have 2,600 hours in it and its not done.
Oh, and to risk missing a new or existing clients call because you're afraid to answer the phone because you don't recognize the number? LOL... Just LOL... Well, perhaps ROFLMAO....
To the OP, sorry for the derail. Perhaps if we knew your location we could help with a shop to do a restoration for you. Would help to know what boat, what level of restoration you are looking for and the boats current condition. There are some good cosmetic restoration shops out there, there are some good full restoration shops out there, there are some good custom shops. Not all are necessarily the same shop..
1st: thats where you are wrong. I have not asked the owner the status of his boat in many months because its embarrassing. You got it out for him for boating season? Under duress perhaps.. Good thing your boating season is only three months. As far as your comment about 100 hours per week for 6 months, you are saying you have 2,600 hours in restoring a 24' hull that was already re-rigged and re-powered?
2nd: No, not at all. Looks like you did though.
3rd: Ask your clients who know me, I don't threaten. It was simply a statement of fact.
I've seen your work, been in your work, looked at several of your jobs pretty thoroughly Without boldly calling it out, I tried to subtly tell a fellow Donzi owner I wouldn't recommend your shop. Others have recommended it, thats the way of the world. I work within a 5 mile radius of some of the best riggers and performance boat shops in the country, perhaps world, visit their shops regularly and keep tabs on projects. I have also been involved with sport fish and yacht refits over the years. I am used to seeing owners who want THEIR boat done the way THEY want it. Nothing different here. Well, except you claim you have 2,600 hours in it and its not done.
Oh, and to risk missing a new or existing clients call because you're afraid to answer the phone because you don't recognize the number? LOL... Just LOL... Well, perhaps ROFLMAO....
To the OP, sorry for the derail. Perhaps if we knew your location we could help with a shop to do a restoration for you. Would help to know what boat, what level of restoration you are looking for and the boats current condition. There are some good cosmetic restoration shops out there, there are some good full restoration shops out there, there are some good custom shops. Not all are necessarily the same shop..
Its Mike (the owner of the boat) and myself you owe the apology. But being the "know it all" arrogant azz that you are known for I am sure that will not happen. You tried to drop it...... BS.......... you were asked by Mike to drop it and stay out of his business so do not try to save face. My work speaks for itself or guys like Mike would not be coming to me year after year. Now go crawl into your Donzi . org all knowing hole where you belong.
11-17-2014 | 06:31 AM
#24
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 5
From: Slightly North of Cuba
Its Mike (the owner of the boat) and myself you owe the apology. But being the "know it all" arrogant azz that you are known for I am sure that will not happen. You tried to drop it...... BS.......... you were asked by Mike to drop it and stay out of his business so do not try to save face. My work speaks for itself or guys like Mike would not be coming to me year after year. Now go crawl into your Donzi . org all knowing hole where you belong.
I did state I would drop it out of respect to the owner, yet you had to bring it back up. If you want it dropped, drop it. You want to continue to push the issue, to call me names, then bring it B. I've been polite, and I won't stoop to calling you names but I will speak my opinion. Meanwhile, I am sure you are making a wonderful impression on potential new customers....
11-17-2014 | 06:43 AM
#25
Banned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,103
Likes: 3
From: michigan
You stated in your last post for me to ask my clients about you and I did. I had zero knowledge of you before this thread and still do not know you but now I know who you are......my opinion of you came from me asking as you wished.
11-17-2014 | 06:58 AM
#26
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 5
From: Slightly North of Cuba
I like that. Witty, and no name calling. Well sort of anyway. Enjoy the day B, I have phones to answer...
