Bethwaite Harness ... Beware!

Hi! I have had a Bethwaite trapeze system for over a year. The concept is brilliant and I love it. HOWEVER I have just broken the third plastic spreader plate (and each time out on the wire single handed) ... The first breakage was replaced for free (from 'The Hobie Cat Centre ' of Poole) the second and third breakages make me realise this is not a one off flaw but a MAJOR design fault. I have E Mailed 'Bethwaite Design' but had no response. I have noticed that on 'Murrays.com' (the huge USA retailer) that they have now stopped selling the plastic spreader and only sell a metal version and a carbon fibre version (implying they have had problems over there).
So today I have ordered two metal spreader bars plus postage £100 from the USA!!!! Don't expect I will get a refund .... so thanks a bunch Bethwaite ... still like the system but we should not have to put up with all the crap.

To be fair Julian Bethwaite has replied to my 'E Mail' and admitted there is a problem. He suggests I buy and use the alloy version until they 'retool' and strengthen the current plastic one.
Still no offer of a refund though.

Apparently you are not the first or last person to have the plastic keyhole system break.

Murrays has recently started offering carbon fibre keyhole hookups. I have one and like it. Although it is more expensive than the plastic hookups...who cares if you don't have to worry about it breaking.

Regards,

Paul

I would rather be sailing, than talking about sailing!

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I would rather be sailing than talking about sailing!