May 5, 2005
Garth Hichens
Annapolis Yacht Sales
Dear Garth,
My wife Susan and I just returned from taking our 473, Iron Will, to Ft. Lauderdale for the winter and then, six (6) weeks ago from Ft. Lauderdale to the Exumas and the Abacos. We then sailed her from Freeport to Beaufort NC, 73 hours and then around Hatteras to Annapolis, 53 hours. It was a great trip, We gained tons of offshore and cruising experience. The reason I am writing this is to express my appreciation for two things, first, the boat.
Iron Will went thru 13 to 15 foot seas around Cape Fear on the way down and motored head to wind for 37 hours. From Freeport to Beaufort, she motor sailed continuously for over 73 hours. From Beaufort to Annapolis she motored sailed for another 53 hours. The boat performed fabulously. Not one piece of equipment ever failed. Not one screw came loose and the crew and I felt completely safe in 30 + knot winds and 15 + foot seas. I am a huge Beneteau fan. The boats are world class blue water vessels.
Next, Annapolis Yacht Sales service. Prior to departing for Florida and the Bahamas, I had extensive work done at AYS. The installation of a SSB, an inner forestay and sail, a satellite telephone, a last minute oil & fuel filter change. In Florida, I was about to leave for the Bahamas and a driver said my "zincs" were gone. Once again, I called Chris Humphreys at AYS and he overnight mailed two zincs that I had installed the next morning. 200 miles offshore, I had a problem where the batteries weren't taking a charge. I call AYS on my satellite phone and Chris returned the call within two hours and we resolved the problem in 1 minute.
It is this kind of sales, service and personalized customer care that separate the OK companies from the great ones. You run a "taught" and highly professional ship. Thanks from Steve & Susan Brighton. We truly appreciate all you and your team does.
Oh, by the way, I think the Cape Hatteras adventure about did Susan in. She has been expressing her interest in a Beneteau "Fast Trawler" in the future. Who knows?
Sincerely,
Steve Brighton
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