Well you best not criticise RCR on Facebook....

[Guest]

Do you have replacement parts cover? According to this they still cover alternators. http://www.rivercanalrescue.co.uk/marine-breakdown-replacement-parts-cover.php

 

That confirms they do starter alternators - I wonder if M&M was refering to domestic.

 

RCR once helped us out with a domestic alternator problem and I thought we were lucky at the time - I wonder if they have ceased helping with these as I suppose technically it does not constitute a breakdown...

[rgreg]

That confirms they do starter alternators - I wonder if M&M was refering to domestic.

 

RCR once helped us out with a domestic alternator problem and I thought we were lucky at the time - I wonder if they have ceased helping with these as I suppose technically it does not constitute a breakdown...

So I assume this refers to twin alternator set-ups where one purely is domestic, therefore excluded? So if you only have one alternator I wonder if they cover that.

[Guest]

So I assume this refers to twin alternator set-ups where one purely is domestic, therefore excluded? So if you only have one alternator I wonder if they cover that.

 

Good point,

 

I would guess but don't know TBH if the failure results in the boat being immobilised than yes.

 

Failure of a stand alone domestic alternator though - it sounds as though is not covered any more....perhaps somebody from RCR who might be reading this can advise....(they have responded to posts on here before)

[oasistoo]

Good point,

 

I would guess but don't know TBH if the failure results in the boat being immobilised than yes.

 

Failure of a stand alone domestic alternator though - it sounds as though is not covered any more....perhaps somebody from RCR who might be reading this can advise....(they have responded to posts on here before)

 

They replaced my domestic alternator last summer under the parts replacement scheme no problem !Result new alternator delivered and fitted £50.00

Their paperwork says in big letter alternators I can find no restriction!

[Tony Brooks]

Good point,

 

I would guess but don't know TBH if the failure results in the boat being immobilised than yes.

 

Failure of a stand alone domestic alternator though - it sounds as though is not covered any more....perhaps somebody from RCR who might be reading this can advise....(they have responded to posts on here before)

 

 

I do not represent RCR or speak on their behalf but having worked closely with them for years and also worked on their stand at shows it has always been the case that domestic items are not covered. If your caravan suffered a fridge failure what chance the AA or RAC etc. would think it was covered.

 

I know that they have dealt with alternators on single alternator boats but on twin alternator boats (apart from the new cover which do not know much about) they would often advise that a failed alternator have a jump lead placed between the two bank positives WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING only to allow the boat to get to the nearest place for repair.

 

I also know from being on their stand that far too few people actually read the terms and conditions and think the domestic stuff is covered - despite being told differently.

 

I can not comment on any individual incidents because I do not know anything about them but I do know RCR get their fair share of chancers who try all sorts of tricks as well as non-technical people who simply do not understand what they have been told. For the incidents I do know about where there are indications they may in some way be at fault they seem to try to sort things out. I would rather try to sort a complaint with a family company that a PLC like the AA etc.

 

Please will members read the terms and conditions so they are not disappointed in the event of problems.

[George94]

This is one of the best justifications for a d*mn good works jolly that I have come across

 

True. I have always found such events to be worth many times the actual cost.

 

Seeing that they know how to motivate their staff I might join.

[Guest]

I do not represent RCR or speak on their behalf but having worked closely with them for years and also worked on their stand at shows it has always been the case that domestic items are not covered. If your caravan suffered a fridge failure what chance the AA or RAC etc. would think it was covered.

 

I know that they have dealt with alternators on single alternator boats but on twin alternator boats (apart from the new cover which do not know much about) they would often advise that a failed alternator have a jump lead placed between the two bank positives WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING only to allow the boat to get to the nearest place for repair.

 

I also know from being on their stand that far too few people actually read the terms and conditions and think the domestic stuff is covered - despite being told differently.

 

I can not comment on any individual incidents because I do not know anything about them but I do know RCR get their fair share of chancers who try all sorts of tricks as well as non-technical people who simply do not understand what they have been told. For the incidents I do know about where there are indications they may in some way be at fault they seem to try to sort things out. I would rather try to sort a complaint with a family company that a PLC like the AA etc.

 

Please will members read the terms and conditions so they are not disappointed in the event of problems.

 

The problems can come though when they do attend to a domestic alternator as they did in our case and thus the expectation is that they would do so again.. by possibly doing a 'favour' they could have created a bit of a rod for their own back.

 

Ours related to a broken alternator tension bracket which cracked resulting in complete loss of tension on the belt and no charge to the domestic bank - the starter alternator was fine and we were not immobilised so I sort of expected them to point this out (I was guilty of not checking the T&C's before I rang them) but whatever their guy did come out he did arrange a repair and re-fitted it the following day.

[Mick and Maggie]

That confirms they do starter alternators - I wonder if M&M was refering to domestic. RCR once helped us out with a domestic alternator problem and I thought we were lucky at the time - I wonder if they have ceased helping with these as I suppose technically it does not constitute a breakdown...

 

Hi Martyn.

 

I trust that everyone including Denis is fit and well. Saw your boat when we passed, but there was no one home. I seemed to remember you said you were going on a world cruise - or was it Butlins. My memory is not what it used to be....

 

When I rang RCR I spoke to someone who was not at all technical or au fait with the boating terminology. I tried to explain my diagnosis of the problem and hoped to get some confirmation on whether it was safe to continue onwards with the boat under power. We were only 20 miles from our home mooring.

 

To be fair they did say when they rang back that cover did not include domestic alternators. I did not however get the reassurance I was looking for about using the engine to continue the journey. I did what I thought best in the circumstances and removed the alternator belt. I isolated the connection on the alternator to the battery side.

 

I suppose in common with many others I did not read the RCR terms and conditions. I did have the parts cover as part of the deal. Now some have used the car -v- boat breakdown analogy. Well I suppose some might say if your windscreen wipers fail, that's technically not a breakdown but only if its not raining.

 

We were under way, when the fire alarm sounded the engine room was full of smoke. All I did was to stop the engine, isolate the battery banks, moor up and allow for the smoke to clear. My analysis was based upon cables being cool, fuses intact and the domestic alternator being hot to the touch. What would have been nice would be to have a chat with an knowledgeable engineer. Which would only have taken a moment to make sure my diagnosis of the problem was correct. As well as what I did to continue the journey home was safe and sufficient.

 

Mick

[n.b.Goldie]

The problems can come though when they do attend to a domestic alternator as they did in our case and thus the expectation is that they would do so again.. by possibly doing a 'favour' they could have created a bit of a rod for their own back.

 

Ours related to a broken alternator tension bracket which cracked resulting in complete loss of tension on the belt and no charge to the domestic bank - the starter alternator was fine and we were not immobilised so I sort of expected them to point this out (I was guilty of not checking the T&C's before I rang them) but whatever their guy did come out he did arrange a repair and re-fitted it the following day.

 

Surely, you lucky folk with twin alternators could arrange to keep a jump lead on-board so that if an alternator fails the remaining alternator could charge both start and domestic batteries.

 

Regards

Ditchdabbler

[Timleech]

Surely, you lucky folk with twin alternators could arrange to keep a jump lead on-board so that if an alternator fails the remaining alternator could charge both start and domestic batteries.

 

Regards

Ditchdabbler

 

...or even have an 'emergency parallel' battery switch...

 

Tim

[bizzard]

Surely, you lucky folk with twin alternators could arrange to keep a jump lead on-board so that if an alternator fails the remaining alternator could charge both start and domestic batteries.

 

Regards

Ditchdabbler

Everyone should carry good quality long jump leads, they're so so useful for all sorts of checking and getting out of trouble emergencies. As long as you know how to use them safely of course.

And also for getting a jump start from another boat if all your batteries are flat.

Edited October 23, 2012 by bizzard

[Guest]

Hi Martyn.

 

I trust that everyone including Denis is fit and well. Saw your boat when we passed, but there was no one home. I seemed to remember you said you were going on a world cruise - or was it Butlins. My memory is not what it used to be....

 

 

 

Cheers Mick yes all is fine hopes all good with you and yours -

 

(it was France by the way....)

 

At the boat from tomorrow but keeping an eye on the mist and fog before we venture out.

 

I think we were just lucky and got ours fixed even though I half expected we wouldn't.

 

The ideas above about using jump leads above are interesting as a get you by - I would never have thought of trying that

[Tony Brooks]

Hi Martyn.

 

I trust that everyone including Denis is fit and well. Saw your boat when we passed, but there was no one home. I seemed to remember you said you were going on a world cruise - or was it Butlins. My memory is not what it used to be....

 

When I rang RCR I spoke to someone who was not at all technical or au fait with the boating terminology. I tried to explain my diagnosis of the problem and hoped to get some confirmation on whether it was safe to continue onwards with the boat under power. We were only 20 miles from our home mooring.

 

To be fair they did say when they rang back that cover did not include domestic alternators. I did not however get the reassurance I was looking for about using the engine to continue the journey. I did what I thought best in the circumstances and removed the alternator belt. I isolated the connection on the alternator to the battery side.

 

I suppose in common with many others I did not read the RCR terms and conditions. I did have the parts cover as part of the deal. Now some have used the car -v- boat breakdown analogy. Well I suppose some might say if your windscreen wipers fail, that's technically not a breakdown but only if its not raining.

 

We were under way, when the fire alarm sounded the engine room was full of smoke. All I did was to stop the engine, isolate the battery banks, moor up and allow for the smoke to clear. My analysis was based upon cables being cool, fuses intact and the domestic alternator being hot to the touch. What would have been nice would be to have a chat with an knowledgeable engineer. Which would only have taken a moment to make sure my diagnosis of the problem was correct. As well as what I did to continue the journey home was safe and sufficient.

 

Mick

 

 

One explanation for this apparent lack of customer care may well be that all the RCR staff were busy on the phones/their lines were busy so you got their answering service. In my view they are a dead loss because many times when I have needed to contact the course co-ordinator even when asked directly if they are the answering service they have tried to deflect the question and avoid answering. This is one part of the RCR service that I think they need to get aboard. My experience also shows that on occasions they promise a call back that never materialises.

 

Whenever I have been in the office and such a call comes in they always either transfer it to someone who has the knowledge (sometimes me) or get an engineer to call the customer back. This is why I think it was their answering service.

 

Sometimes one needs to be a little proactive and phone back to question such incidents. They should not happen but do.

[Old Son]

Not a lot of help connecting alternators when you have a 12V starter alternator and 24v leisure alternator.

Edited October 23, 2012 by Old Son

[Jim Riley]

Everyone should carry good quality long jump leads, they're so so useful for all sorts of checking and getting out of trouble emergencies. As long as you know how to use them safely of course.

And also for getting a jump start from another boat if all your batteries are flat.

 

and jump leads and a younger man might save some the cost of viagra.

 

coat.......

[john6767]

They replaced my domestic alternator last summer under the parts replacement scheme no problem !Result new alternator delivered and fitted £50.00

Their paperwork says in big letter alternators I can find no restriction!

 

Same here. Last summer the domestic alternator went up in smoke literally and they came out removed it and took it away to be rebuilt. It was a Sunday afternoon, so they came back Monday (probably lunch time) and refitted the rebuilt one. No cost other than the £50 excess. I was very pleased with that.

 

I did wonder as I rung the if they would say, domestic it's not covered, and just come out and remove the belt so that we could use the engine, but at least last summer that was not the case.

 

 

 

[bizzard]

and jump leads and a younger man might save some the cost of viagra.

 

coat.......

But Viagra is supposed to prevent you from rolling out of bed too, so could be worth every penny.

[Eeyore]

Please will members read the (RCR) terms and conditions so they are not disappointed in the event of problems.

With the forums permission, and with my RCR employees hat on:

Not much to add really.

So, give them a call (or email) if you have a query or complaint.

Steve

Edited October 25, 2012 by Eeyore

[snigsnig]

I once broke down in sight of an RCR-associated boat yard. I could actually see their mechanic sat drinking tea as the woman on the other end of the phone was telling me that "the mechanic is flat out today but will be with you some time tomorrow afternoon." She wouldn't have a word of it when I tried to explain the situation, I came off the phone, and then spent the next two hours down the engine 'ole while mechanic chappy hung round doing bugger all 200 yards away.

 

They did offer to send down some groceries though.

 

Neil

[Cheshire cat]

We have had two reasons to call them. On the first occasion we didn't realise that a blown bulb on the instrument panel would prevent the domestic alternator from being excited. RCR suggested a visit to Anglo Welsh at Great Haywood who didn't have the right bulb but effected a temporary repair. (Any of the bulbs from the instrument panel could have been substituted successfully. No idea why they didn't do that).

 

On the second occasion after running aground in the shallows our son managed to get a rock jammed between the propellor and the counter. Every time the engine was put into gear the engine stalled. Because I was a 100 miles away and he assured me the prop wasn't fouled I suspected a broken gearbox. Luckily he was less than ten miles from RCR HQ.

 

It was a bit of a relief when RCR turned up, donned a dry suit and a big hammer and persuaded the rock to move on. No damage done. No parts used. No costs incurred. No son castrated. A great result.

[jonny]

If you’re not fully competent at mechanics I think it’s peace of mind I had a minor break down last year but managed it myself (only a morse cable that I fortunately had with me)

 

But had another one on Saturday 20th the boat refused to start! Not only did I not have a clue I’m of an age where I don’t want to go crawling round a tight fitting engine,

 

So after a call to RCR an engineer arrived found my alternator had been over charging and burnt my cranking battery out, they got me a new alternator by the next day plus battery And I was again on my way.

 

Two engineers were involved both very professional and polite. Yes I had to buy a new battery and pay £50 quid excess but I’d still be there if I had to repair it myself, so thumbs up to RCR.

[George94]

 

It was a bit of a relief when RCR turned up, donned a dry suit and a big hammer and persuaded the rock to move on. No damage done. No parts used. No costs incurred. No son castrated. A great result.

 

Especially from son's point of view.