www.iFourWinns.com

I picked up a lobster pot and a steel hawser with a DPS outdrive quite a few years ago now; bent and tore the skeg off and mangled both props. Also bent the outer propshaft so the runout was out of spec. The whole lower unit plus props were changed on insurance.

I saw some paperwork and became aware that there are 2 prices; the repairer doing the work were charged "trade" prices for the VP parts by their local VP agent, who of course must still have been making money on the sale ( at the time, trade price was retail price minus 23%). The insurance companies are charged full retail price, as I would have been, if I bought the same parts from the VP dealer. So not only do repairers charge for labour, they also make a profit on the parts. This trade/ retail price game happens at car garages of course as well, not only with OEM parts. I suspect this is something to do with maintaining manufacturers target retail prices in the marketplace, the same reason we in the UK cannot access the VP US retail parts website; the prices are much lower there than in the UK ( I did access it once when I was in the US).

Graham.

In the process of being repaired as we speak. Fiberglass damage to the rear transom behind the out drive, new transom mount and lower unit.

$14000 repair bill.

I will give you all a break down later this week when I get the boat back and the bill. Thank god for insurance.

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

$14,000 or $1,400

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One of 4 Previous (Sold) Boats:
2000 Four Winns 268 Vista

Current Boat: 2004 Chaparral 235 ssi cuddy

If it's 14k - wouldn't the boat just be total'ed out? WOW.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

No, it's $14300.XX
Like I said, I know they are going to have to pick the fiberglass on the transom, the mount, the lower unit. I'm waiting on the parts list from the quote, I was told parts alone totaled 10K.

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

More bad news... the fiberglass guy found two 6" cracks where the floor meets the transom on the inside. Add $4000 to the total. I am right about at the right off point.
I told the service manager that I don't understand how a boat that didn't sink and made it's way back to the dock could be a right off. No engine damage either.

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

Well, at least the engine and the cushions are still good...

Maybe they should get a bid of what a new hull would cost from Four Winns and just replace the whole darn thing.

wow.

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2008 318 Vista -SOLD, but I am still around!
All Night Long, Seattle WA

DAMN! Surely this is close to totalled now?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Oh....and do you have any pics yet??? I gotta see this!

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

I don't wantta see as it will make me sick!! Man this is a such a BAD accident for you!! I feel for you

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2008 H190 Blue W/Red accents 4.3L Merc
2015 Tacoma Access Cab Super White 4x4 TRD Sport
2014 HD FXDC Black Stage 1 Mods V&H Bolt Ons,Naked VO2 AC & FP3.
2011 Polaris 500HO RED]
Life Long Boston Bruin Fan 2011 Stanley Cup Champs!!
#736

All our sympathies, Jeff. Bent our skeg and both props two years ago on a similar "late afternoon family cruise"....and fortunately insurance covered everything but the deductible (I'm finally getting around to having the ss props refurbished to have "on the shelf" if it ever happens again). Being covered is nice, but still doesn't fix that awful pit in your stomach when it happened, and the second guessing you've probably been doing since.... eveyone on board was ok and you got home safe....be thankful also for that....

Ernie

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JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon

Thanks guys, I really did and still at times feel just sick to my stomach. This boat was a huge investment for my family to make and now it feels like I am losing my summer. I have called my insurance company again to have the marine adjuster re-attend the marina as they have called twice today. I am hoping she will surely write the boat off as I'm not sure I want it back anymore. My salesman contacted me and said that since I have full replacement value that there shouldn't be any issues and also advised me that for approximately $2500 he could upgrade me into a H190 4.3L if I wanted.
As tempting of an offer it is I just can't bring myself to spend another dime. This maxed me out and if I wanted more boat I knew I would have had to purchase a lesser quality boat. (Tahoe, Grew, Bayliner, ect)
I just want this nightmare to be over with and get a phone call that I can pick up my boat to enjoy again. This has been an expensive lesson for me to learn but I am feeling guilty about missing out on such a short boating season with my family. I know lots have people have hit things in the water and I am not crying the blues about this, I'm just frustrated. I have been getting excellent service from both Town and Country and my Insurance company. I just don't want to be the middle man anymore. Fix or replace the f*cking thing and get me back on the water.

Rant over for now.

Jeff

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2009 H180 3.0 Volvo Penta

Bah...tell that salesman you can find a 4.3 190 today for the same price as that 180.

Play hardball and come out of this with a bigger boat/motor and you'll instantly feel better!

I almost guarantee you start calling around to some dealers with cash in hand you'll come away with something.

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2005 Horizon 210, 5.7L Volvo

Yep!

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Absolutely --- especially in this economy....

After what you've been thru, you deserve a great end to the summer and to this chapter.

Ernie

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JustBreathe
'05 230 Horizon