New Spray Hood !!!!!! don't get excited !

So old spray hood gives up and falls apart 9 years old ! So I check out local sail makers for quotes and time scales ! I started looking and placed an order in mid May09 Deposit paid and requests noted was told it would take 3 weeks, Ok the 3 weeks later they asked me to put into the local marina, so it was easy for them to take measurements after several calls and 2 days they came measured and left, noting that I wanted a colour change to a darker blue, will take another two to three weeks
well this was the 16th June so called two weeks later to be told it would be the last week in June first week in July and checked that the colour was right, off a colour swatch! Anyway sailing with out a sprayhood is ok but it does give some shelter in bad weather and keeps the sun and rain out of the companion way. Well the end of the first week in June still nothing ! what are you playing at I asked!
[we have holidays ] Not my problem! I said
So I was told abruptly I could have my deposit back! no I want my spray hood ! anyway 13th july arrives and I get a call its ready ! great!!!! I will come down tomorrow and pick it up so arrive at sailmakers and the spray hood is located and handed to me ! ........... oooooooo bum its the wrong colour! they made it the same colour as what is on the boat already not darker! soooo yes I am upset yes I want to leave it there no I don't want it
but I dooo!! So pay the balance total £600.00 take it to the boat and fit it to the frame, me still gently smouldering inside ! But I got a new spray hood! GREAT !!!!
Well fit it to the front runner then to the frames and pull it back and Bingo !!!! it does not fit! yes it fits on the frame and yes it looks impressive but its toooo tight, bit like a tshirt that has shrunk in the wash clips don,t line up lifter dot latches are 2 inches out and the back quarters do not reach the superstructure so big air gap underneath!bungie clips are stretched to maximum and the back tension straps are too short yes, they go through the buckles but not enough to tension it all with [blood pressure is starting to rise] so a cup of tea and a think! Wrong colour to tight and cover needs a lot of work to make it fit! So digital camera out pics taken and email pics sent to sail makers with covering letter so far 4 hours later still no reply ! but watch this space for legal reasons I cannot tell you the name of the company but I you call me and ask I will give you a clue anyway attached to my Beneteau 411 is a Spray hood quite well made but tooooo tight and the wrong colour and unable to clip it down
I will give chapter 2 shortly as I think it's going to be a long process