The Seakeeper Stabilizer Refit Process: WHAT TO EXPECT!
The Seakeeper Refit Process:
What to Expect!
We meet potential Seakeeper clients at boat show’s and Event’s as well as receive many calls and emails with request’s for Seakeeper information. Our very first priority is to educate everyone, on the Seakeeper product, as much as possible. By educating our future Seakeeper Installation and Seakeeper service clients on the front end of the process and letting them know exactly what to expect, we create an excellent experience as well as a customer who will trust us not only with the Seakeeper refit process but their future Seakeeper maintenance and services.
Our first way of educating our clients is immediately providing them with our custom Seakeeper educational pamphlet “What to Expect; When Expecting A Seakeeper”. This one pamphlet is our cliff notes document to the entire refit process and we are outlining it here so that everyone can be educated on the entire process from considering a Seakeeper Installation to becoming a Seakeeper owner.
THe Beginning
InItial Contact
No matter how the contact is made, the very first thing we do is provide a potential Seakeeper client with our custom “What to Expect; When expecting Seakeeper” document. We discuss the vessel type with the client and what Seakeeper’s may or may not work in the vessel along with discussing the average cost involved in a Seakeeper installation on that particular type of boat. The initial contact will be made by one of our Seakeeper sales team in one of any of our Florida or North Carolina locations. Feel free to contact us to reach someone at our Seakeeper Fort Lauderdale, Seakeeper Tampa, Seakeeper Florida Keys and Seakeeper Wilmington locations .
This is an example of a Seakeeper performance prediction which tells us which Seakeeper unit is right for your vessel.
Site visit
The next step in the process is a site visit to confirm the Seakeeper unit size and installation location on the vessel and go over any potential modifications that may be needed. We will provide an performance prediction from Seakeeper engineering when needed and answer deeper questions on the installation process such as work location and timelines.
Estimate
At this point we are ready to complete and send your finalized estimate for your Seakeeper installation. The estimate will include the Seakeeper, Shipping, taxes, labor and materials needed for the installation. It is important to note that most Seakeeper estimates do not include hauling, boat transportation, yard storage and forklift fees or any other specialty or contracting fees not pertaining to the Seakeeper refit itself.
Approval
Once the new customer has approved the estimate and is ready to move forward our office will send the Seakeeper installation contract for the client to review and sign. These documents will include a payment schedule, original Seakeeper Installation estimate, Client Information and agreement document, Invoice for the full amount of the Seakeeper, shipping and applicable taxes and again include the “What to Expect; When you are Expecting Seakeeper” document.
Seakeeper PAYMENT SUMMARY
INitial Deposit
The intial deposit will include the full amount of the Seakeeper Unit, applicable taxes and shipping will be paid prior to ordering the unit. Once the unit is ordered, Seakeeper will set an estimated shipping date we can share with you.
SeCOND DEPOSIT
Prior to starting the installation, 50% of the labor and other materials from the estimate are due. This is not invoiced and collected until close to or upon arrival date of the vessel to the installation location.
FINAL PAYMENT
Final payment is due prior to final sea trial and vessel leaving the installation location
THE SEAKEEPER INSTALLATION
Above is an Example of a Sea Trial Report after the Seakeeper refit process is complete.
SCHEDULING
At this time the client will be taken over by the Refit Manager and the scheduling department who will provide estimated ship date for the unit and overall estimate of start date, assist client with facility and transport logistics and provide a team leader contact or direct contact for the client to keep open communication with throughout the process.
Arrival
At this time we would confirm any modification to the vessel as well as display and thru hull locations. Never forget to remove all personal items and belongings from your vessel during the entire Seakeeper installation process no matter the location and security level of the yard.
The Work
Most Seakeeper installations take between two and 4 weeks to complete depending on the complexity of the installation and the amount of Seakeeper units being installed. During the Seakeeper installation process the client will be provided with updates and photo’s, if requested, throughout the installation. All clients should use the Refit Manager and Team leader as their primary sources for updates and information.
DEPARTURE
Prior to departure and after final payment for the Seakeeper refit installation is received, the client will get a full Sea Trial. The sea trial will include a full Seakeeper tutorial on the unit itself as well as a completed roll reduction report for their records.
We ask all clients to try to have their Captains and any family or friends who may be using the Seakeeper, to attend the sea trial in order to be educated on the new addition to their vessel.
THE FUTURE OF YOUR NEW SEAKEEPER
SEAKEEPER SERVICE
For information on Seakeeper Service Intervals, Seakeeper Service Pricing and regular maintenance go to Seakeeper Service.
Seakeeper Warranty
For information on Seakeeper Standard Warranty, Seakeeper Extended Warranty and Pricing, go to Seakeeper Warranty.