Personal liability loaning out sailboat

[packerbacker]

Have a 22' Tanzer berthed in a slip in TX, I'm in ND. Son is trying to sell, I had intended to pull her out next fall, put her away for a future project or donate to party who'd give her the care she deserves. Anyway a guy went to look at it, says it's a lot of work (understatement), but says he'll pay slip rental in return for use of boat (slip fee is $165/month, so no financial windfall with this). I'm all for helping someone sail, but a little apprehensive about liability issues should something negative happen. Boat is minimally insured enough to meet Marina's requirements. Anyone been down this path before?

[Stu Jackson]

What does your insurance policy say about loaning the boat to someone else?

[packerbacker]

Info not available online, guess I'll have to call them.

[Lake-Effect]

As the owner/fixer-upper of a small boat, I can't imagine that anything on a 22' boat would be a lot of work, unless it's really messed up...

Anyway, a 'loan' arrangement especially to a stranger... the hassle seems out of proportion to the value of keeping the boat. If you're the owner and the borrower burns down the marina, or someone dies aboard, and even if you have $X in liability insurance... if the damages/liability exceed $X... you as the boat owner are on the hook. And what if the borrower decides to not pay for the slip?

Store your Tanzer (they're cheap to own and nice to sail), or sell her ASAP, even for $1k, and sleep nights.

[Stu Jackson]

Originally Posted by packerbacker

Info not available online, guess I'll have to call them.

I had more trouble getting one online than I did the hard copy.


I agree, bad idea.

[GPSocal]

Sell the boat to this guy for whatever you can get. If you planned to donate any you will be ahead with no slip fees or insurance payments. Don’t loan the boat unless youdon’t Mind facing large potential liability.

[blueblaze]

Ask the borrower to check his homeowners policy there maybe liability coverage under it. And he maybe able to add you as an additional insured. In the event of a loss both of you would be covered.

[packerbacker]

Originally Posted by Lake-Effect

As the owner/fixer-upper of a small boat, I can't imagine that anything on a 22' boat would be a lot of work, unless it's really messed up...

Anyway, a 'loan' arrangement especially to a stranger... the hassle seems out of proportion to the value of keeping the boat. If you're the owner and the borrower burns down the marina, or someone dies aboard, and even if you have $X in liability insurance... if the damages/liability exceed $X... you as the boat owner are on the hook. And what if the borrower decides to not pay for the slip?

Store your Tanzer (they're cheap to own and nice to sail), or sell her ASAP, even for $1k, and sleep nights.

Thanks for being"the voice of reason". Pretty naive of me to think that I wouldn't be liable for occurrences by not being there. Rounding the bend heading for the homestretch work-wise, be pretty nasty to get cleaned out this far into the game. In Today's world someone's always gonna have to shoulder the "blame" (financially)... I'd just as soon it not be me. I'd love to help a fellow get out there and experience the joy of sailing...just gonna have to do it another way. It will be a no go for allowing use of boat.

[Cheechako]

NO, don't do that. What's the risk for very little compensation?

[Cpt Mark]

I applaud your willingness to look at this and give someone the opportunity to sail. It shouldn't always be about the money.

You could counter back with a partnership of some arrangement so he is on your ins policy. He'd pay more than slip fees but it could be good for both of you or, just let it go which is best sometimes.

[letsgetsailing3]

Negotiate a sale of some kind.


I mean, how much do you figure she's worth? What does she cost you to keep?


Time to cut your losses. It may be that "free" or "next to nothing" isn't a bad deal for you.

[packerbacker]

Originally Posted by letsgetsailing3

Negotiate a sale of some kind.


I mean, how much do you figure she's worth? What does she cost you to keep?


Time to cut your losses. It may be that "free" or "next to nothing" isn't a bad deal for you.

Fer sure, at the risk of alienating the salesman son I'd sell for a $1 but would like to keep the outboard. I sail maybe 2-3 weeks a year, costs about $1800 to keep in slip. Cost/vs value is skewed toward un- worthwhile in my mind

[letsgetsailing3]

Originally Posted by packerbacker

Fer sure, at the risk of alienating the salesman son I'd sell for a $1 but would like to keep the outboard. I sail maybe 2-3 weeks a year, costs about $1800 to keep in slip. Cost/vs value is skewed toward un- worthwhile in my mind

Maybe give the guy the boat, and finance the motor to him. Let him assume the slip.

[hellosailor]

In the unlikely event that Texas has a "vicarious liability law", that can hold a vehicle/vessel OWNER responsible for any liabilities regardless of who is operating the vehicle. The issue is serious enough so that a number of large auto leasing companies stopped doing business in NY about a dozen years ago rather than continue operating with that risk, after a court case was brought against a leasing company as the "owner" of a car. AFAIK NY got rid of that law shortly afterwards, but I've no idea what Texas does.

If you're not using the boat and all the guy is doing is paying for the slip...You gain nothing by taking that instead of walking away.