In reply to Post #29
I was just about to order a sb3, might hang on a bit.
I was just about to order a sb3, might hang on a bit.
In reply to Post #28
Think Jules is having a break / semi retired . . .being honest I'm also a little concerned as mine is due a service (works tip top but part of warranty retention) and Steve lives in France (which is a long way to send a boat but then still closer than Germany!)
Think Jules is having a break / semi retired . . .being honest I'm also a little concerned as mine is due a service (works tip top but part of warranty retention) and Steve lives in France (which is a long way to send a boat but then still closer than Germany!)
In reply to Post #32
Just received this email from Steve before, so still sounds like things will be ok.
Evening Stuart,
We've got it covered in the uk, or in France it depends on what you require done, if it's to myself in France you simply drop-off or send to a uk address which ever is most the convenient for you, and your boat is returned in the same way (I've been operating from France for the last 20yrs manufacturing upgrading and repairing Baitboats ) if it's in the uk it's Stuart in Devon or Jules in Somerset for repair work, servicing and upgrades.
I will have your proforma invoice send this evening to you.
Regards Steve.
Just received this email from Steve before, so still sounds like things will be ok.
Evening Stuart,
We've got it covered in the uk, or in France it depends on what you require done, if it's to myself in France you simply drop-off or send to a uk address which ever is most the convenient for you, and your boat is returned in the same way (I've been operating from France for the last 20yrs manufacturing upgrading and repairing Baitboats ) if it's in the uk it's Stuart in Devon or Jules in Somerset for repair work, servicing and upgrades.
I will have your proforma invoice send this evening to you.
Regards Steve.
In reply to Post #32
How often should they be serviced and whats the cost for a service?
How often should they be serviced and whats the cost for a service?
In reply to Post #34
Just read more on FB and it would appear that any servicing or issues will have to take place in France where Steve now resides or with someone called Stuart in the UK.
To keep your 4 year warranty valid on a SB3 you have to have it serviced every year.
Beyond me why as most parts are not serviceable on a baitboat.
No idea on cost of service.
I would be looking at UKBB PD33.
Just read more on FB and it would appear that any servicing or issues will have to take place in France where Steve now resides or with someone called Stuart in the UK.
To keep your 4 year warranty valid on a SB3 you have to have it serviced every year.
Beyond me why as most parts are not serviceable on a baitboat.
No idea on cost of service.
I would be looking at UKBB PD33.
In reply to Post #33
Do they sell the SB3 from France, as i live in Belgium 🇧🇪, and since brexit, import from the UK 🇬🇧 is a reel pain with customs & import.
Do they sell the SB3 from France, as i live in Belgium 🇧🇪, and since brexit, import from the UK 🇬🇧 is a reel pain with customs & import.
In reply to Post #35
Every year is a bit over the top, its not a car. Even more so when it will only be used a handfull of times over the year.
Every year is a bit over the top, its not a car. Even more so when it will only be used a handfull of times over the year.
In reply to Post #33
I've just had a similar email from Steve - which tbf gives me confidence.
Off the record he's pretty much admitted the servicing schedule is a little superfluous (and like all warranties, potentially a waste of £) as most of the boats are rarely in bad shape half the time and if you look after your boat (re-charge regularly / test all functions sporadically when not in use etc / store in a stable environment etc) you could alternatively negate the service schedule and save the cash over 4yrs and then use it to cover parts in the event of an 'actual' problem . . .I think Steve Spurgeon has owned his Mk whatever SB3 for a over a decade problem free . . .
Talking to others the 'only' fixed cost with with these boats is that they are silicone sealed units (as are RT4s) and therefore there is a time and skill in prizing them open / checking them out / testing and then re-sealing . . . I for one will be keeping and cherishing mine!
I've just had a similar email from Steve - which tbf gives me confidence.
Off the record he's pretty much admitted the servicing schedule is a little superfluous (and like all warranties, potentially a waste of £) as most of the boats are rarely in bad shape half the time and if you look after your boat (re-charge regularly / test all functions sporadically when not in use etc / store in a stable environment etc) you could alternatively negate the service schedule and save the cash over 4yrs and then use it to cover parts in the event of an 'actual' problem . . .I think Steve Spurgeon has owned his Mk whatever SB3 for a over a decade problem free . . .
Talking to others the 'only' fixed cost with with these boats is that they are silicone sealed units (as are RT4s) and therefore there is a time and skill in prizing them open / checking them out / testing and then re-sealing . . . I for one will be keeping and cherishing mine!
In reply to Post #38
Its all a bit up in the air. As on the carptechnics fb group some has spoke to jules and said he is definitely not servicing boats anymore and has nothing to do with them now so not sure what is going on. Someone isnt telling the truth which isnt very good for me as im about to transfer steve over £1300.
Its all a bit up in the air. As on the carptechnics fb group some has spoke to jules and said he is definitely not servicing boats anymore and has nothing to do with them now so not sure what is going on. Someone isnt telling the truth which isnt very good for me as im about to transfer steve over £1300.
In reply to Post #39
I personally wouldn't worry - the FB group seems to be a bit of a gossip pit . . .Jules is not the only Carptechnics employee that fixes / services boats in the UK so they can still be sent to a UK address (Devon)
As stated these boats have a track record for reliability anyway and compared to others including RT4s are solid. You could of course save your cash and go for a Boatman Actor - good luck with that!
I personally wouldn't worry - the FB group seems to be a bit of a gossip pit . . .Jules is not the only Carptechnics employee that fixes / services boats in the UK so they can still be sent to a UK address (Devon)
As stated these boats have a track record for reliability anyway and compared to others including RT4s are solid. You could of course save your cash and go for a Boatman Actor - good luck with that!
In reply to Post #40
Lol i like how you keep mentioning rt4 as unreliable by reading some sources of boats with faults. Out of curiosity how many SB3's do you reckon has sold over the years compared to RT4's?
If its within a 10% margin I would be surprised. Surely if you sell more there is a bigger chance the odd one can create a fault over time?
I can promise you 99% of people(inc myself) has problem free RT4s that don't spam the net telling everyone they don't have a problem
Also what's the point of a warranty if you are out of pocket/time etc to get boat serviced every year?
Lol i like how you keep mentioning rt4 as unreliable by reading some sources of boats with faults. Out of curiosity how many SB3's do you reckon has sold over the years compared to RT4's?
If its within a 10% margin I would be surprised. Surely if you sell more there is a bigger chance the odd one can create a fault over time?
I can promise you 99% of people(inc myself) has problem free RT4s that don't spam the net telling everyone they don't have a problem
Also what's the point of a warranty if you are out of pocket/time etc to get boat serviced every year?
In reply to Post #40
I have my heart set on an sb3 but the gossip mill on fb which i see has now all been removed gave me second thoughts and the deals on the all in packages for the rt4 is quite tempting with the raymarine and 50% off at the min. If it was a couple of hundred quid it wouldnt really bother me but when its nearly 1500 quid its a bit of a worry.
I have my heart set on an sb3 but the gossip mill on fb which i see has now all been removed gave me second thoughts and the deals on the all in packages for the rt4 is quite tempting with the raymarine and 50% off at the min. If it was a couple of hundred quid it wouldnt really bother me but when its nearly 1500 quid its a bit of a worry.
In reply to Post #41
You pay your money you make your choice - totally agree I'm sure the majority of RT4s are solid - they are impressive bits of kit! Everyone needs to make their own purchase decisions however I would say that compared to SB3's RT4s are
1 - More expensive
2 - Larger and heavier
3 - More complex in terms of motors / electrics
4 - More complex in terms of set-up / ease of use
5 - Made and serviced in Germany (which is arguably a good thing in terms of mechanics / perhaps not so much in terms of logistics)
This does not mean they are an inferior product - arguably quite the opposite - however depends on what you want / how and when you are going to use it etc
I chose SB3 over RT4 and am happy with my decision!
You pay your money you make your choice - totally agree I'm sure the majority of RT4s are solid - they are impressive bits of kit! Everyone needs to make their own purchase decisions however I would say that compared to SB3's RT4s are
1 - More expensive
2 - Larger and heavier
3 - More complex in terms of motors / electrics
4 - More complex in terms of set-up / ease of use
5 - Made and serviced in Germany (which is arguably a good thing in terms of mechanics / perhaps not so much in terms of logistics)
This does not mean they are an inferior product - arguably quite the opposite - however depends on what you want / how and when you are going to use it etc
I chose SB3 over RT4 and am happy with my decision!
In reply to Post #43
Im sure i read some where that carplounge were opening a place in this country in essex which would be very handy. I still dont understand how a little plastic boat can cost more than the jetski i used to have mind. Carp tax at the highest level.
Im sure i read some where that carplounge were opening a place in this country in essex which would be very handy. I still dont understand how a little plastic boat can cost more than the jetski i used to have mind. Carp tax at the highest level.
In reply to Post #43
No doubt you are happy with the SB3 otherwise doubt you would of given it such stellar review which is great for you. I was just curious as you kept mentioning the boat is unreliable and the raymarine cuts out at range which is strange as had mine out over 300m (more line than what my reel holds lol) testing it on the small stubby aerial and worked flawlessly (I must not search the internet enough to find these flaws).
What I would say though on your points.
A SB3 pro with toslon TF750 is £3200 and with current deals can get the RT4 for cheaper even if you upgrade to the long lasting smart batteries and chuck some luggage or bait spiral in the deal (Annoying as I paid a lot more).
It certainly is a bigger boat cant compare weight as not used the SB3 but its only heavy with 5kg of bait in it lol.
Certainly is more complex I agree but with that comes its own benefits from bait spirals to incorporate access points to add cameras etc later, managing cruising speed for drop offs to dimming lights etc etc. IMO for a bait boat its a bit OTT.
Ease of use as well couldnt be more simpler.The v3 was terrible where the v4 is touch and go, couldnt make it simpler if you tried and less buttons than using remote and a toslon (Not to mention the difference in gps output compared to raymarine which I am allowed to compare as owned a Anatec with Toslon TF640)
As for servicing from April next year the Essex shop will be fully open and deal with all warranty related matters. The warranty also does not have clauses for yearly services.
Each to their own just dont understand how people compare things online without having used/own both
No doubt you are happy with the SB3 otherwise doubt you would of given it such stellar review which is great for you. I was just curious as you kept mentioning the boat is unreliable and the raymarine cuts out at range which is strange as had mine out over 300m (more line than what my reel holds lol) testing it on the small stubby aerial and worked flawlessly (I must not search the internet enough to find these flaws).
What I would say though on your points.
A SB3 pro with toslon TF750 is £3200 and with current deals can get the RT4 for cheaper even if you upgrade to the long lasting smart batteries and chuck some luggage or bait spiral in the deal (Annoying as I paid a lot more).
It certainly is a bigger boat cant compare weight as not used the SB3 but its only heavy with 5kg of bait in it lol.
Certainly is more complex I agree but with that comes its own benefits from bait spirals to incorporate access points to add cameras etc later, managing cruising speed for drop offs to dimming lights etc etc. IMO for a bait boat its a bit OTT.
Ease of use as well couldnt be more simpler.The v3 was terrible where the v4 is touch and go, couldnt make it simpler if you tried and less buttons than using remote and a toslon (Not to mention the difference in gps output compared to raymarine which I am allowed to compare as owned a Anatec with Toslon TF640)
As for servicing from April next year the Essex shop will be fully open and deal with all warranty related matters. The warranty also does not have clauses for yearly services.
Each to their own just dont understand how people compare things online without having used/own both