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Tuesday, August 10, 2004 STATEMENT BY NAIAD MARINE REGARDING NORDHAVN ATLANTIC RALLY (NAR) Via today's many choices of communication technology and the ability to instantly share experiences, it has been quite interesting to follow the NAR through their recent adventure. However, if you have ever played the game of "telephone" you will have first hand experience of how a story being passed along through many channels can become severely distorted. Because of this phenomenon we feel it necessary to share some details: Facts: --VT Naiad Marine is a supporter of Pacific Asian Enterprises and Nordhavn Yachts and applied for sponsorship of the NAR prior to the start of the Rally. PAE and Naiad are on excellent working terms, but in this particular instance Naiad's offer was politely declined. --11 of the 19 vessels participating in the NAR had Naiad equipment on board. --Currently, Naiad stabilizers are in service on over 5000 yachts of every description up to 100 meters, plus commercial ferries and naval vessels. These systems operate in a myriad of sea conditions throughout the world. As the world's leading stabilizer manufacturer, Naiad is presently filling orders not only for vessels in the 40 to 80 foot range but also for vessels in the over 80 foot range, up to and including several 60 meter+ Feadships and a 93-meter (305 ft) yacht with 4 fins, each fin 65 square feet in area. --With respect to the vessels participating in the NAR, several of the installed Naiad systems were 7-8 years old, with many at least 3-4 years old. --Despite some press reports (e.g. Gibraltar Chronicle) very few of the yachts participating in the NAR were serviced by Naiad or Naiad authorized service centers prior to departure. In one particular instance a statement was made to Naiad by Mr. Dan Streech, PAE President, that the 5-year old system installed in the yacht he was on for part of the NAR, M/V San Souci, had never had its Naiad actuators serviced, yet performed "flawlessly" over the entire NAR. Naiad operates wholly owned service facilities in Connecticut, Florida, Washington and Holland, has jointly owned stabilizer service affiliates in Maryland, England and Australia and additionally has over 50 authorized independent sales and service locations worldwide. --During the NAR (and as always) Naiad remained determined to resolve any issues pertaining to its stabilizers, regardless of cause and age of the equipment, to the full satisfaction of the Owner/ Captain. --To support the NAR, a Naiad Service Engineer traveled to meet the fleet three times (Bermuda, Azores, Gibraltar), spending over twenty-three days without charge of any kind for labor, travel and expenses and without consideration of the age or warranty status of these yachts. --At the conclusion of the NAR, every Owner/Captain on each yacht with which we had contact had been satisfied. This includes some who might have been somewhat vocal at specific points in time during the NAR. Naturally, we would not want any misleading and lingering perception to persist stemming from rumor or a moment in time, that has in fact been completely resolved to the satisfaction of the owner. No further action is currently pending or requested of Naiad by any participant in the NAR. --Immediately following the NAR, in a conversation with Naiad President John Venables, PAE President Dan Streech commended Naiad for its exemplary service and support during the NAR, and insisted both he and PAE as a whole are very pleased with Naiad products and support. Below is a summary overview of specific yachts in the NAR: MV EGRET- Scott Flanders/Captain (S/N 010301) The Model 201 stabilizer system installed in this yacht was manufactured over three and one half years prior to the NAR. Given the unusually demanding usage of Nordhavns relative to most yachts of this size, the decision was jointly taken by PAE and Naiad to supply the heavier model 252 on all new Nordhavn 46's. To support this customer, Naiad upgraded the 201 to the 252 (larger cylinder, replaced rod ends, larger 5 gpm pump) plus travel and labor all free of charge. Later, when the passage making speed during the rally caused the engine RPM to become too low to drive the standard hydraulic pump to supply the stabilizer within specification, Naiad replaced the standard model 252 system pump with a larger 7 gpm pump (unusual for this model) parts, labor and travel all free of charge. MV ENVOY- Wayne Davis Owner/Captain (S/N 000307 and 040313) An older model 1018 which underwent a Naiad MultiSea II stabilizer controller conversion just prior to the NAR. A reported thumping noise emanating from the fin actuators was remedied by re-attaching the servo valve mount to the hull and replacing a shim under each of the original 1018 actuator cylinders. Replaced both the hydraulic pump and overhung load adapter (free of charge despite being two years beyond the warranty expiry) due to a keyway failure in the standard industrial overhung load adapter. MV GREY PEARL- Braun Jones Owner/Captain (S/N 970206) The stabilizer system on this yacht was manufactured over 7 years prior to the NAR. At some point in its life, a tie rod supporting the hydraulic reservoir assembly had been over-torqued causing the threads to strip. In service the tie rod is in tension, which would not cause this type of failure. This reservoir and tie rod is supplied pre-assembled and is not required to be disassembled during installation, nor is it an item that is adjusted during maintenance. A Naiad service engineer replaced the reservoir assembly as well as a feedback potentiometer, all to the owner's satisfaction. MV QUE LINDA- Hal Wyman Owner/Captain As reported on a web log June 2, this yacht experienced a problem with the stabilizer and "fluid was pouring out, but they were capturing it in a bucket and pouring it right back". Prior to the NAR, the Naiad control system was replaced with a competitors control system, at which time the Naiad HMG control was removed from the reservoir assembly and a plate installed to seal the hydraulic supply porting in the reservoir. Naiad Service Engineer found that the sealing plate supplied by the competitor was a non-Naiad component, was inaccurately machined and inadequately sealing the reservoir. Bottom line: a non-Naiad issue. MV SATCHMO- P. William Bane/ Captain (S/N 990228) A five and one half year old Naiad system. A simple tightening of a loose pump drive belt addressed a belt squeaking noise. The system performed to satisfaction. MV SEA FOX- Dennis Fox/ Owner (S/N010413) Three plus year old system, reported an intermittent noise emanating from the starboard actuator, but that would only occur in severe sea conditions and after prolonged continuous usage (originally some 20 hours, and at reduced intervals thereafter). After two service visits to meet the vessel, where the problem was not evident while on-site, it was ultimately diagnosed and remedied by installing new feedback potentiometers and couplings. As a gesture of good will, Naiad also upgraded the MultiSea Electronic Control Unit and User Panel free of charge (parts, labor, travel and expenses). To definitively verify the final resolution of this issue, Naiad Service Engineer traveled with the vessel over two days in excess of eighteen hours. System performance was found to be consistently excellent, owner fully satisfied. MV STRICKLY FOR FUN- Scott Strickland Owner/Captain (S/N 021111) After report of a slight oscillation of the fin actuators, evaluation revealed the need to cut an installation mounting bolt to allow clearance for full unimpeded travel of the fin actuator torque arm. This would typically be performed by the installer. This may have caused unusual stress on the movement of the cylinder rod end and pin, both of which showed signs of wear and were replaced. To optimize system performance, jumper selectable servo gain settings were adjusted. A sea trial was performed and the system was reported to be working flawlessly. Owner/captain was pleased with the performance. MV SUN DOG- Robert Greenbaum Captain (S/N 960710) Eight-year old Naiad system. To address a low oil level alarm, a new level/temp switch was provided free of charge after an evaluation of the system. No issues were reported by the remaining vessels equipped with Naiad stabilizers. It is our hope that this information helps provide appropriate insight into the issues raised, and in several cases to set rumors aside and set the record straight. If you would like additional information or would like to discuss this topic in more detail, please contact any member of the Naiad team at any time. Thank you for your support. Scott Anthony Global Sales and Marketing Manager VT Naiad Marine santhony@naiad.com Phone: +203 929 6355 Fax: +203 929 3594 Thursday, August 12, 2004 STABILIZER PROBLEMS ABOARD THE NORDHAVN 46 ENVOY DETAILED BY WAYNE DAVIS, OWNER, AUGUST 4, 2003
Envoy is Med moored for the first time since Gibraltar in Palma de Mallorca. Up until now we have avoided all marinas but there is no choice here. We have anchored in many gorgeous (but sometimes quite busy) anchorages. The Balearics are spectacular and we are having a great time. I would like to reply to the Naiad statement you sent to me, just to correct some misunderstandings. (Naiad statement is posted August 10.) Sorry for the length but detail is important to me. "An older model 1018" The 1018 Naiads were installed by Naiad Marine Florida (NMF) on May 11, 2000 by the first owner of Envoy as he prepared for an Atlantic crossing. His plans changed and we purchased Envoy in Jan. 2001. The 1018s, although they carry a Naiad nameplate, were actually built by KoopNautics, a company in the Netherlands that was either acquired by, or merged with, Naiad. The 1018s have two hydraulic cylinders on each actuator (unlike the single cylinder design of the Naiad 201 and 252 models) and (according to a Naiad engineer) the 1018s are rated for boats up to 18 meters. NMF performed warranty service and changed the oil and filter in 2001 after we purchased Envoy. To the best of my knowledge, none of our failures had to do with the 1018 actuators of fins. ". . . which underwent a Naiad Multisea II stabilizer controller conversion just prior to the NAR." True. The Multisea II was installed by NMF April 7-11, 2004. This upgrade included all new cylinders, hydraulic hoses, new hydraulic pump, servos etc. It was a major installation. NMF lived up to their end of the contract and, although there were many more labor hours than they had anticipated, the cost of the job was exactly as quoted to me. We were pleased to have the new system. We had approximately 75 hours use on the new system prior to the NAR, all in mild Florida coastal situations. Also, in preparation for the NAR, on Feb. 23, 2004 Envoy was put on the hard and her stabilizer fins were removed and all fin seals replaced by Bob Payne, Payne Engineering, Jacksonville, Fl. Bob is authorized to service Naiads and did the work when NMF could not schedule us. In fact, the arrangements to upgrade to the Multisea II were initiated on Bob's cell phone in a conversation I had with Vic Kuzmovich on Feb. 23, 2004. "a reported thumping sound. . ." We did experience a thumping sound from our stabilizers but this was not the substance of our first failure. At 2:40 AM May 17 (approximately 11 hours into the NAR) we experienced a low oil level shutdown on the Multisea IIs. I looked everywhere for the leak, finding none I refilled the reservoir and restarted the unit. Thirty minutes later we had our second low level shutdown. Seas were choppy; our paravanes were deployed. The next morning I looked further and found the leak: a high pressure hose that was only finger tight connecting the servo valve to the cylinder on the port side. This required pinning the fins, removing much of the plumbing, fixing the leak and reinstalling hoses and cylinders. Approximately 5 hours later, we refilled the reservoir and we were underway. The Naiads worked fine the rest of the way to Bermuda. In Bermuda Phil Fornabaio (Naiad Service Engineer) determined that one of the supply hoses was too short (<3") and the constant movement of the cylinder had literally pulled the servo off the mounting. A longer hose was installed, the servos were remounted, shims were installed to reduce thumping and we were back in business. "Replaced both the hydraulic pump and overhung load adaptor (free of charge despite being two years beyond the warranty expiry) due to a keyway failure in the standard industrial overhung load adapter." The pump that failed was new and was installed by NMF in April, 2004 at the time of the Multisea II upgrade. I watched the installer attach the "new" pump to my used load adaptor. At that time, I asked if I should carry a spare pump (and adaptor) and was told, "These pumps never fail." Since it was new, we elected not to buy a spare. Up until this time we had never had a problem with our Naiads except hydraulic leaks. The hydraulic pump failed at 20:30 on 6/5/04 with a loud crashing sound that actually changed the RPMs of our Lugger. The load adaptor failed 4 days later (6/9/04 at 22:25). I had shut down the Naiads following the pump failure and the hydraulic pump was spinning freely on the belt driven load adaptor. After four days, the bearings on the load adapter failed. I turned off the Lugger, cut the belts, and after restarting, we were good to go. I understand now that I probably should have removed the belts to the load adapter when the pump failed. However, the engine room was hot, the seas were considerable when the failure occurred and I didn't think there was any risk to the unloaded pump and adapter. After installing a new pump and load adapter in the Azores, Phil and I spent 4 hours trying to get it to prime. We were unsuccessful. The next day, Brad Smith (PAE) and Phil installed the used pump off of Egret (Egret received a new, larger pump) and this slightly-used pump is currently working fine on Envoy. Bottom line: Our failures were: 1) Installation errors, both of which were associated with the upgrade in April, 2004: a. A loose connection of a hydraulic hose that resulted in lost hydraulic fluid, b. A "too short" hydraulic hose connection between the servo and actuator cylinder, And, 2) A hydraulic pump failure of the "new" pump installed April 2004. Our failures were NOT: 1) Associated with the age of the system, lack of service by Naiad, or 2) The fact that we had Model 1018s. ( I would not swap my 1018s for the single cylinder models I have seen on other Nordhavn 46s.) We were very displeased to have failures of any kind on Envoy. We had prepared meticulously for the NAR and did not anticipate difficulty with our newly upgraded Naiad stabilizers. However, we are happy that Naiad has stood behind their product and we very much appreciated seeing Phil in every port. Phil's good humor went a long way to assuage our frustrations with mid sea failures. We are confident that Vic Kuzmovich and his people at NFM will do their best to assist us if needed in the future. Site see: Trawler Transatlantic 2004-Welcome Leg 1 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Hamilton, Bermuda: Leg 1 photos Wednesday, May 26, 2004 Leg 1 photos Thursday, May 27, 2004 Leg 1 photos Friday, May 28, 2004 Getting ready to depart for the Azores Leg 2 Hamilton, Bermuda, to Horta, Azores Sunday, June 6, 2004 Leg 2 Hamilton, Bermuda, to Horta, Azores Saturday, June 12, 2004 Leg 2 Hamilton, Bermuda, to Horta, Azores Sunday, June 13, 2004 Leg 2 photos Tuesday, June 15, 2004 Leg 2 photos Tuesday, June 20, 2004 Leg 2 photos Monday, June 28, 2004 Leg 3 Horta, Azores, to Gibraltar, Gibraltar Tuesday, June 29, 2004 Leg 3 Horta, Azores, to Gibraltar, Gibraltar Wednesday, June 30, 2004 Leg 3 Horta, Azores, to Gibraltar, Gibraltar Friday, July 2, 2004 A challenge well met Thursday, July 8, 2004 |
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