Serial Numbers
Recently, I was talking to a fellow boater about mechanical systems and parts. It seems that he had ordered a key component and received the incorrect size. He was not pleased, to say the least. Last month, I ran into a slightly different problem, when a supplier promised a trailer piece within 3 weeks. When I called a month later, he noted that there had been a foul-up and the piece shipped to another customer. The lessons here are simple, but noteworthy. One, find and record as many component model and serial numbers as you can. Forwarding the root correct information to the parts guy can cut down on incorrect part deliveries, measurably. Two, follow-up promptly around the target arrival date. You may not win any popularity prizes, but the payoff just might be a better boating season.
