The following is a reference that one of our clients has kindly written for us.  Also supplied are some photo's of the repair process we undertook and the finished product.

"To the Osmosis Solutions team                                     2 September 2005

Congratulations on a job well done. It is rather exceptional for me to be able to say this. Too often one is left with the disappointed feeling that there is a discrepancy between the quality of the money paid and the quality of the product received in return. Not this time, an outstanding job has been done.

 Two years ago when on our boat, a 12 m W. de Vries Lentsch designed and in 1987/88 in the Netherlands build ketch motor sailor, was lifted out of the water I noticed lots of little bubbles on the hull. I didn't need an expert to tell me what it meant; the feared word came out, osmosis. Against better judgment it was decided to make spot repairs using epoxy resin and filler. Swimming alongside her this summer I could feel underwater that the bubbles had returned. Then comes the tough decision, what to do? If it is not being repaired adequately the boat immediately loses at least half of its market value and if you wait too long with repairs delamination may come into play, weakening the structural strength of the hull and making repairs more difficult and more expensive

I started making enquiries but was not really impressed with all the stories I was being told. Already I was considering taking the boat back to Europe for repairs or have boat builders I had used in the past come over to New Zealand for a working holiday. But, their stories did not impress me either. I was starting to wonder if anyone had found a really good solution for the problem. Then I came across the website of Mike Menzies Marine Services and read about the successful solution they had developed and used for many years. The methodology described made sense so I decided to contact Mike. I was not at all pleased when I found out that his company had just been sold and continued trading as Osmosis Solutions Ltd. Still, I needed a solution. After I was reassured that it was still the same company, with the same crew and using the same methodology and that Mike was still involved in the process although more in a supervisory capacity I decided to ask Osmosis Solutions Ltd for a quotation. When the boat was hauled out of the water I was introduced to Andy Blaber, the new manager who told me it was his first day on the job. He probably saw the expression on my face so quickly assured me that he had been a boat builder all his life. Nevertheless, it made me somewhat nervous.

 After speaking to some other boat builders, including direct competitors, I decided to give the contract for the repairs to Osmosis Solutions Ltd. The quotation seemed rather high. However, because of the HotVac hull drying they would be able to finish the repairs quicker saving on hardstand costs so the overall difference would be acceptable. And, most importantly, Mike Menzies, the inventor of the repair system, would analyse and recommend what work needed to be done and would supervise the quality of the work. Since it is the sort of repair you only want to do once my focus was on quality rather than on shaving a few dollars of the price.

 During the repairs I went over to Gulf Harbour quite regularly to see the different stages of the operation. Every time I went over the hull and also some other repairs that where being made to the boat with a magnifying glass, pointing out all the little spots that gave me concern. Andy Blaber did a superb job in explaining how each item would be dealt with and really delivered in making sure everything was done as promised. When the boat was put on the hardstand Andy and his team promised me I would not be able to see the difference once they were done. Well, they were wrong. The hull not only looks a lot better than when the boat arrived in Gulf Harbour, if I compare with old photographs I can't see the difference between now and when she was new.

Looking back, I have made the right decision. I was promised quality work and my expectations have been exceeded. Of course it’s an expensive repair. But, let’s be honest, if you take into consideration the total maintenance cost of a ship over it's lifetime and then compare wood, steel, aluminium and GRP then the total maintenance cost of GRP are still very low. And with the 7 year warranty given by Osmosis Solutions Ltd you can forget about the cost quickly and continue enjoying your boat for many more years to come.

 Director Nick Saull has in manager Andy Blaber and the other members of the crew a team he can be proud of and a team that certainly gives Osmosis Solutions Ltd a leading edge.

 Thank you for a job well done,

 Hendrik J. van Horssen

Lady Lostris"

Carrying out the rebuild.

Faired and nearly ready for painting.

Antifouled and looking just lovely.