Bad evening on the water

Jeff · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:22 pm

So after 2 days of not really appealing to go boating weather I decided to take the cover off before dinner to get a quick ride in. My dad, sister, and her boyfriend jumped in and I decided to head down the channel as the water was much calmer. After a nice cruise of about 20 minutes I decided to turn her around and head back. Between the water slightly higher then normal and being new to boating I was not paying close enough attention to my positioning and felt two bangs beneath my feet. I looked to the right and saw the green marker I missed. I immediately cut the throttle back to assess what I struck. Before I even turned around I noticed my bilge light turned on and water shooting out from the pump. I was still several hundred feet off shore and hit the throttle again to head to shore. As soon I was under way I could tell something wasn't right but the engine and prop seemed to be running smoothly, I also saw my bilge turned off. I limped my way back to the cottage at about 3000RPM's and docked my boat. Immediately the bilge came on again pumping water. I ran and got my truck hooked up to the trailer and pulled the boat out of the water. Upon closer inspection I thanked god there was absolutely no damage to the hull. The lower unit took a bad hit and along with the torpedo and fin below. It also looked as though the outdrive was slightly pulled away from the hull at the lower half where I assume water was getting in from. The outdrive will trim up but not down anymore.

Today I took the boat to the marina where I bought it from and will be getting an official estimate tomorrow. The serviceman and my salesman were both there and very sympathetic. They ball parked low end of $1500 if there is no internal gear damage and up to $4000 if there is gear damage and they need to remove the motor to service the mount inside the boat. There was no damage to the prop or hull but everything will be inspected.

Question, what are your experiences with insurance in these matters?
Will it skyrocket if I put a claim in? Should I claim it?
I am thinking that if the price is at or less then $2000 I will swallow it myself which was going to go towards the principal owed, bad idea?

Sorry guys no pictures right now of the damage, but what are your thoughts?

Thanks, Jeff

mikebaker1975 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:51 pm

I'd be concerned about the outdrive pulling away from the hull. That can't be good.

I've hit two obstructions and taken out a prop both times. It's an incredible sick feeling to hear that sound. The most recent one I was 20 yds out from the hazard bouys on the point and still found a rock.

Beside's the outdrive movement your next concern will be the internals gears. Stainless or aluminum prop?

mikebaker1975 · **Posted:** Sun Jul 05, 2009 9:52 pm

My damage has been limited to props both times. But the guy that was with me the first time had hit a floating log a month prior and did $8,000 damage. But he literally ripped the outdrive off his boat to the point it was no longer functional.

Insurance will/should cover as long as you have full coverage. No different than hitting a deer with a car.

Jeff · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 3:55 pm

The prop is whatever comes from the manufacturer, the dealer said they don't see any problems with it. I have full insurance on the boat that's not an issue. My issue is what will happen to my rates if I put a claim in. Hoping someone may have some experience with this kind of thing happening. As long as the repair isn't in the upper end of the price spectrum I could afford to cover it with the money I was going to put towards the total loan this summer... not sure what I should do. Still waiting to hear a repair quote.

Jeff

07H200SS · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 4:10 pm

If you hae a low deductible I would claim it. Boat insurance is cheap enough at least here in Wisconsin. With the damage you are talking about I would be calling my insurance agent for sure, but wait for a quote first. The drive pulling away from the transom doesn't sound good at all.

FWFord's · **Joined:** Sun Apr 19, 2009 11:14 am **Posts:** 213

Sorry to hear about this. There's two types of boaters - those that have hit something or those that will someday.

Here is a link to my issue a few weeks back. The lesson I learned was if I ever hit anything in the water again I am going to make sure the insurance company agrees to have the mechanic go thru everything looking for damage. There's no doubt in my mind that when the previous owner hit something on a river and then drove 10 miles back to the marina collateral damage happened. The insurance company paid for the lower drive and 18 months later when the upper drive ate itself I paid double the price. The mechanic said there was old stress cracks in the drive shaft. I recommend making a claim on insurance and if the is collateral damage that shows up later they will cover it as well.

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=3633&st=0&sk=t&sd=a&start=30

Burdette · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:44 pm

Jeff you aren’t the first to hit something on the Trent. You the second person I heard about this year. I know someone else that had the exact samething happened too. I would call your insurance broker as soon as you have an estimate. They should be able to tell you what effect if any a claim will have. My experience with insurance is one claim is usually OK and the dollar figure doesn’t matter. Get the boat fixed right you dont want problems later.
Which part of the Trent do you usually boat?

Jeff · **Posted:** Mon Jul 06, 2009 9:11 pm

Not much of the Trent actually. I am on Rice Lake and either take the channel into Hastings or head up the Otonabee River into Peterborough.

I'm just a little worried about what me rates will do, my boat, house, and car are all through the same company. If it's expensive I will do it no problem though, just a matter of how much. The insurance companies always seem to make their money back. LOL

Jeff

Jeff · **Posted:** Tue Jul 07, 2009 7:38 pm

Got the call, looking at 3-4 thousand. Quickly called my insurance company.

Jeff

aguyindallas · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:43 am

And the insurance company said ???

captkevin · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 4:32 pm

Wow - that stinks - good luck with the insurance company

Jeff · **Posted:** Wed Jul 08, 2009 6:00 pm

I am playing phone tag with some adjusters. First one I spoke with said they don't see any issues with my claim as there were no injuries and no other boats involved. I need to speak with them again as they are sending someone to look at the damage.

Jeff

Jeff · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 5:58 pm

Just got updated that my insurance company has given the go ahead for some shop time to determine the extent of the damage for 4-5 hours. Today they were in the process of removing the engine to inspect the transom mount.

Jeff

Aquadisiac · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 7:09 pm

I clipped my lower unit last year, very little damage but because it was going through insurance they didn't take a chance and replaced the whole lower unit. It did not affect our rates, cost of the bill was $9300.00. Talked to another VP dealer and he said a complete lower unit should be no more than $4600.00. I have a good relationship with my dealer so I really hope I wasn't soaked, even though it was an insurance job.

Jeff · **Posted:** Thu Jul 16, 2009 8:06 pm

I'm feeling the exact same way.... At first they were guessing 3-4K, now they are saying that if the transom mount is f'ed after they remove the motor it could be upwards of 10K.
All insurance of course, I just hope they aren't seeing $$$ signs.

Jeff

www.iFourWinns.com

Bad evening on the water

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