An Old Dufus Hit My Docked Boat

[denverd0n]

Originally Posted by Bash

This is why I always, always, always advise newbs on this forum that the first boat should be small. Tiny. Harmless.

Yep. I cannot, for the life of me, understand the mentality that goes into the questions we constantly see that, distilled to their essence, basically go... "I know nothing at all about boats, but I want to get the absolutely biggest boat that I can possibly manage. What should I buy?"

[Blue Crab]

Originally Posted by denverd0n

Yep. I cannot, for the life of me, understand the mentality that goes into the questions we constantly see that, distilled to their essence, basically go... "I know nothing at all about boats, but I want to get the absolutely biggest boat that I can possibly manage. What should I buy?"

Amen from the choir!

[westsail374]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

Amen from the choir!

Yes, yes, yes!!!!!

[David M]

This is where not being arrogant and ignorant about your abilities to a new found activity combined with boat handling lessons pays off. You can learn by going about it by trial and error but it is generally not a good idea with expensive things like boats or aircraft.

[CSY Man]

I live on a canal as well and have an idiot neigbhor with a twin engine boat who can not drive.

Whenever he goes out I have a video camera ready so there will be no doubt.

[SkiprJohn]

Sorry for the experience. I hope you can recover the cost of repair.

We've had threads talking about experience vs. boating classes. We've heard the advice to just go out and buy a boat and practice. That's probably how the "old dufus" learned to skipper his boat. In my point of view it is not the best way to learn boathandling when there are expensive boats near enough to bounce off.

kind regards,

[roverhi]

Sounds like he was drunk before he hit you. He only went home to get drunker.

[senormechanico]

Update:


SAFECO INSURANCE denies any damage.

SAFECO INSURANCE will not even let me see the surveyor's photos or his report.

All I got was a letter telling me to go fly a kite.

First Red Flag:
The "surveyor" was so fat, he could hardly make it around my boat.

Second Red Flag:
The first thing he said is, "This is my first multihull, so you'll have to show me around, and show me the damage, because I don't know what to look for."

Third Red Flag:
He never even contacted two witnesses I provided.
I provided names, addresses and phone numbers of both of them.

Below are photos taken by me after removing clothes covered in debris from the starboard V berth locker where this crack opened up from the collision.
The second photo is the port side locker (same bulkhead).

You make the call about whether or not to do business with a company like this.

No wonder they have such big buildings !
They take the money and don't pay claims !

Years ago, Boat US took care of us with no problem on our previous boat when someone smacked our bowsprit.

PLEASE remember this when you purchase/renew your insurance policy.

Steve

[rubyjean]

What harbor does this fat piece of **** work in?? I don't want to go there..Sorry about the crap Ins. Co... Will remember the name..SAFECO..
No doubt there's damage. Hope all works out in your favor...Michael..

[senormechanico]

SAFECO Insurance Company of America is based in Seattle, but has offices in several cities.
According to Lela Swartz (the person in charge of boat claim denials), this "surveyor" has been used by them for many years.
They must really love him for his devotion to their company's bottom line.

I just got a call from my neighbor whose nearly new dock was damaged at the same time when this jerk backed into it after hitting me.

SAFECO INSURANCE denied his claim as well !

[Pelagic]

Underlines the value of well documenting a damage event and that some Insurance companies will not honor a client’s coverage, if they feel he has been drinking too much. They will just deny and let you fight it out with the drunk.

Same thing happened to me in Brisbane River, when a 48ft power boat smashed into us at our T-Berth. Police came, took him away, then returned with a nod and a wink, said he was “just under” legal limit.
Once insurance company found out repair cost were not insignificant, they declined any involvement and the whole thing became messy and costly to win.

[delmarrey]

Start threatening the offender that you'll take him to small claims court and you could even make it a class action suit with your neighbor. Maybe then he'll start calling notso SAFECO himself forcing their hand.

[Pelagic]

Agree with Del... also put a lean on his boat and house

[earthbm]

Originally Posted by delmarrey

Start threatening the offender that you'll take him to small claims court and you could even make it a class action suit with your neighbor. Maybe then he'll start calling notso SAFECO himself forcing their hand.

+1.
I found small claims process (in CA at least) to be very cheap and painless. You don't need a lawyer. They would have to appear in your home small claims court, and usually the expense of hiring a lawyer to show up is greater than the amount you can claim.

The downside is that max claim is $5k in WA ($10k in CA).

Washington State Courts - Resources

[delmarrey]

In a small claims court you would want to bring;
Signed and notarized statements from the witnesses and or have them show at court.
Any and all documents including pictures and video w/player.

And check out these links>>> Island County Small Claims Court | Reviews, Hiring and Free Quotes for Island County, Washington agencies!

http://www.uslegalforms.com/smallclaims/washington/