Quote:
Originally posted by kinfast
However legally it is only a copy if SB's mould fits over the suspect copy boat exactly.
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To be honest, I find that VERY lame! One of the most upsetting things about splashers, is the "I've splashed your design and altered it minutely, and now it's MY design!" and hiding behind law and urban myth about the legendary 10% rule.
He either rolled all the steve baker boats over, waxed em, and splashed them, or he didn't!.....so which was it?
This was done to make money for himself!, without the outlay of building his own plug & moulds, I suspect he has neither the knowledge or skill to start from scratch, which is fine, few do! So why didn't he offer some deal of royalties, or payment for what he took?....I'll tell you why, because he is a thief!
You think this accusation is unfounded?....then sue me!
Quote:
Originally posted by kinfast
I once offered (long time ago) SB details on Chaudron, he stated at the time he did not care & saw it as a compliment as long as they did not market them in the UK.
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I'm rather surprised at that, as it doesn't mirror words/feelings he's shared with me.
Steve supplied boats all over Europe, obviously including Malta! so didn't consider markets outside the UK 'out of his zone'.
Quote:
Originally posted by kinfast
In '97 I wanted to buy a Phantom or Ring, spoke to Neil Holmes in detail before speaking to SB. The problem was SB was totally inflexible to my requirements & specifications.
You may be the best designer of a product, but it is no good if u can't relate to customers requirements. Chaudron on the other hand will bend over backwards to build what the customer wants.
I sent a cabin & cockpit plan to Chaudron, it was totally different from anything else they had produced. This was no problem, they built to my spec for no extra cost.
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Well, when I asked Steve to build my boat (far from std layout, in many respects) he couldn't have been any more helpfull!
During the build of my custom P28 in '99/00, he also built a P25 (the last) for a german customer, it had a basic, and rather small cabin beneath the foredeck! (this comment relates to an earlier post by you about wanting a 25 with cabin)
So he can't be that inflexible! maybe he didn't like you!
As you say, he never built a 33, but your boat clearly derived from the 28, and all this nonsense about whether or not it's an 'exact copy, or legal, is little more than an insult to Steve Baker, or anyone who feels strongly about his products, after all, the 33 isn't exactly the only SB product that they profit from is it?
Your conscience appears to be clear, as you bought at least one chaudron product, whilst SB was still producing the same thing here in the UK, this says to me that you're happy to assist in the bringing down a briliant British company, to save yourself a few bob! very sad indeed, and far from patriotic. So to 'wish him well' after kicking him squarely in the bollox is a tad on the two-faced & hypocritical side for my liking.
We are clearly very different people.
I'm still hopeful that Steve will 'come thru' with his new design for me of an all new 33 as promised, which if it materialises, clearly won't be going to Malta! (or Belgium & Holand)
Good luck with your boat.
I would appreciate you NOT pushing your boat to any boatmad members, as I don't want *my* website used to promote chaudron products, I don't think that's unreasonable.
Regards,
Jon Fuller
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