Where Credit is Due: Kudos to Jimmy Atkins at Dometic

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Kudos to Jimmy Atkins at Dometic

A special thanks to Dometic and Jimmy Atkins for their support and exceeding my expectations for customer satisfaction. On my 1994 Catalina 38, I had work done on the cold plate system that stopped working. After the first technician replaced the compressor, then the thermostat, and then wanted to replace the cold plate, I got another opinion. The next technician found contamination in the system, which originated from the cold plate, and was probably now in the new compressor as well. Although this was an installation issue and not a product warranty issue, Jimmy spoke with both technicians and then agreed to replace the compressor at no charge. Jimmy stated to me several times that his primary interest was to get my system working properly and making me a happy and loyal Dometic customer. Mission accomplished Jimmy!

N. Dow Toole

Phuket, Catalina 38

Charleston, SC


Custom Marine Canvas Steps Up

A few years ago, Custom Marine Canvas in Groton, CT made a cover for my nav-pod. It protects the electronic chart and some electrical controls. At the same time, it enables crew members to be able to use the grab rails around the binnacle. This was the first time this shop had made such a cover. Favorably impressed by the good work on the nav-pod cover, last fall I asked if they made winter covers. The answer was yes. As winter was approaching, I realized my old winter cover had deteriorated and probably would not survive a significant snow storm. They made a new winter cover that is fabulous. It is heavier material and has UV-protected thread. It features all sorts of clever ways to make it easier to put on the cover using zippers to connect the three fairly large pieces and to open and close the two doors. I thought my old winter cover was good; I was surprised that my new one is so much better.

Ben Stavis

Astarte, 1964 Rhodes Reliant

Northern Chesapeake Bay


OGM Steps with Support

I am in the middle of a relatively extensive refit, and phase one was occurring 1,000 miles away from my home. I had asked the yard to install an Orca Green Marine (OGM) LED Tricolor anchor light with a photodiode, and unfortunately they installed the same light but without the photodiode. After sailing from Massachusetts to Florida, I contacted OGM to find out the cost of retrofitting my existing light with the photodiode. The immediate response was for me to send them the light, and that theyd add the photodiode for no charge. OGM has the finest products, combined with incredible customer service. Thanks again!

Craig and Joanna Pollak

52 Stellar, Rambunctious

Riviera Beach, FL

Darrell Nicholson
Practical Sailor has been independently testing and reporting on sailboats and sailing gear for more than 50 years. Its independent tests are carried out by experienced sailors and marine industry professionals dedicated to providing objective evaluation and reporting about boats, gear, and the skills required to cross oceans. Practical Sailor is edited by Darrell Nicholson, a long-time liveaboard sailor and trans-Pacific cruiser who has been director of Belvoir Media Group's marine division since 2005. He holds a U.S. Coast Guard 100-ton Master license, has logged tens of thousands of miles in three oceans, and has skippered everything from pilot boats to day charter cats. His weekly blog Inside Practical Sailor offers an inside look at current research and gear tests at Practical Sailor, while his award-winning column,"Rhumb Lines," tracks boating trends and reflects upon the sailing life. He sails a Sparkman & Stephens-designed Yankee 30 out of St. Petersburg, Florida. You can reach him at darrellnicholson.com.