Ovlov does it again

[Plato 13]

I hauled out for an anode change the sail drive leg on my Volvo MS25S. 

Thanks to Volvo's design genius the anode is not a split ring and requires the complete disassembly of the folding prop assembly. 2 years ago I noticed that the flats on the prop bolt were rounded and decided to replace it with a new one, purchase from Ovlov.

Removing the bolt this time resulted in the threaded section sheering off from the plate. This is not due to corrosion. Volvo agreed. Therefore, it can only be a manufacturing issue, and the dark areas in the photo suggest this to be the case. I thought I was doing everyone a favour by bringing this possible defect to Volvo's attention. (Also notice the crack in the lower left quadrant.) The flange plate has also bent. Volvo suggested that it could only have bent under impact. Yeah right! A folding prop behind a shaft leg, behind a keel at never more than around 5 knots, and behind a rudder and skeg in reverse !?!

In their usual arrogance they reminded me that the warranty if self-installed is one year, and two if installed by them. As I was out of warranty, they said Volvo would not be interested and, as they had no other instances (that they purportedly know about) they were not willing to consider any further action. I reminded them that I was very happy to purchase a new bolt and were only raising this as something that Volvo should know about. Their only response, besides making me feel like all I was after a freebie, was to suggest that I engage them to fit the new bolt, and that it would be cheaper to engage their Gulf Harbour branch. 

Oh, and just to rub it in further they wanted to know why I wanted zinc anodes rather than aluminum ones (apparently Volvo don't make zinc ones any longer) and asked if I kept my boat in fresh water. By default, they entirely answered my request for zinc anodes.

Bottom line - please carefully check your nuts  

The sooner Ovlov go out of business the better for all of us.