Hi Jason,
I've been a "lurker" on this Group for several months now, (and have learned a LOT) but this is the first time I've felt compelled to answer someone else's posted question.
I did an electric conversion of a 1977 Columbia 8.3 (27') back in July of this year. So I went through all the online research that you are currently doing. It is interesting that there was another SolidNav unit available on Ebay nearly six months ago with virtually the exact same story as you are currently describing. It really makes me wonder if transpacificdistributors isn't a cloaked storefront for SolidNav.
I also had difficulty reaching SolidNav for my pre-sale questions. The phone number was working at that time, but they almost never answered the phone, seldom responded to email, and never returned my calls. So I figured if they're THAT difficult to contact with pre-sales questions, just imagine how difficult they'd be to deal with if there are post-sale questions or warranty issues.
Long story short, and this is confirmed in an email I finally got from them, if you buy a unit on Ebay, they will NOT offer ANY warranty on the unit. And to make it worse, even if you buy directly from them, if you install it yourself there is still NO warranty. They only offer a warranty if the unit is installed by one of their "factory-trained" technicians. They wouldn't even warranty the unit it if it were installed by an independent ABYC Certified Electrician.
Needless to say, I did not buy the SolidNav.
Instead, I bought a 5KW "Mark II" unit from Advanced Marine Electronic Propulsion: http://www.advancedmarineelectricpropulsion.com/ Here are the reasons why:
- It's smaller and lighter.
- It was developed from inception as a sailboat auxiliary power unit.
- It's direct drive, so there's no gear reduction or belt.
- It comes with an infinitely-adjustable mounting system, so precise shaft alignment is much easier.
- It's $500 less expensive.
- It comes with a five-year warranty.
- The developers are easy to reach and always available for questions.
- Service after the sale has been nothing short of stellar!!!
Good luck and have FUN!
Alexus
Alameda, CA
--- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "acsarfkram" <acsarfkram@...> wrote:
>
>
> I did communicate with them via email a while ago. I was just curious. The Explorer that they had on Ebay at the time was for a damaged unit, the cover had scratches or something. I was told that they had sold that one but had another Explorer with no damage for the same price.
>
> I don't know how reliable the Ebay rating is but they have a high favorable rating.
>
> Mark
> Santa Cruz
>
> --- In electricboats@yahoogroups.com, "leemurs72" jt.yahoo@ wrote:
> >
> > Good morning, electricboaters,
> >
> > I have seen links to this item a few times this year on this list.
> > A $4000 purchase (list price on the SolidNav website) is not feasible at the moment, however at $3000, it just might be in the cards.
> >
> > That said, I wanted to get SolidNav's opinion of this deal, as well as inquire about the possibility of obtaining/purchasing warranty coverage of it, etc. I called their toll-free number on their website and a message stated that it was temporarily disabled. Anyone know what is up with that?
> >
> > Has anyone had any dealings with the eBay seller, transpacificdistributors?
> >
> > Cheers,
> >
> > /Jason
> >
>
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