Insurance for Woods design or homebuilt

[captlloyd]

This question is directed at Woods design owners/builders or other builders/ designers. I am considering building a Woods design and am having a difficult time finding a company to insure it. Really looking for liability only but will buy what is available. I am getting answers such as, sorry, we don’t insure that type of boat. Not even with a survey. I realize this is a hypothetical question for them but that shouldn’t matter. I don’t want to build a boat I can’t insure and then not be able to get into a marina once in a while. Thanks.

[Teleman]

No problem with the design, Woods has a proven record, no structural failures ever that I know of. Good safe boats that sail well.

In Australia, Pantaneus (spelling?) and Club Maritime have insured many home-built ply cats of proven design. Check them out online, they might be able to provide cover in USA.

Locally, several builders have engaged a local surveyor who is trusted by the insurance guys to do stage-survey reports during the build. I don't know if this will be possible in Ohio?

[Tupaia]

Originally Posted by captlloyd

This question is directed at Woods design owners/builders or other builders/ designers. I am considering building a Woods design and am having a difficult time finding a company to insure it. Really looking for liability only but will buy what is available. I am getting answers such as, sorry, we don’t insure that type of boat. Not even with a survey. I realize this is a hypothetical question for them but that shouldn’t matter. I don’t want to build a boat I can’t insure and then not be able to get into a marina once in a while. Thanks.

There are hundreds of Woods catamarans out there, excellent boats. Have you contacted Richard? If he can't help directly I am sure he can put you in contact with other owners.

[thatguyrob]

I would just like liability insurance for my Searunner......

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Teleman

No problem with the design, Woods has a proven record, no structural failures ever that I know of. Good safe boats that sail well.

In Australia, Pantaneus (spelling?) and Club Maritime have insured many home-built ply cats of proven design. Check them out online, they might be able to provide cover in USA.

Locally, several builders have engaged a local surveyor who is trusted by the insurance guys to do stage-survey reports during the build. I don't know if this will be possible in Ohio?

Thank you, I will check them out.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Tupaia

There are hundreds of Woods catamarans out there, excellent boats. Have you contacted Richard? If he can't help directly I am sure he can put you in contact with other owners.

Yes I have contacted Richard, didn’t seem to have much in the way of leads. I should get on the Woods forum. Thanks.

[Howaya]

Several years ago I bought liability insurance for a home-built catamaran through Progressive. They may still be willing to underwrite such a policy now.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by Howaya

Several years ago I bought liability insurance for a home-built catamaran through Progressive. They may still be willing to underwrite such a policy now.

I did contact them but they said no. However sometimes you get a different reply on a different day. Thanks.

[F82paul]

I realise that I am a bit late to the thread but last year I insured my new home built Farrier F82 tri in Ontario with April Marine Canada.
Cost around $900 CDN fully covered.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by F82paul

I realise that I am a bit late to the thread but last year I insured my new home built Farrier F82 tri in Ontario with April Marine Canada.
Cost around $900 CDN fully covered.

Interesting. Did they require a survey ?

[F82paul]

A survey was required to show value for insurance and to prove the boat met all of the marine regulations re. nav lights, fire extinguishers and detectors for registration purposes.

[captlloyd]

Originally Posted by F82paul

A survey was required to show value for insurance and to prove the boat met all of the marine regulations re. nav lights, fire extinguishers and detectors for registration purposes.

Thanks for the information, you wouldn’t have any contact information on April Marine would you ?

[F82paul]

I don't have any contact info.......I used my local insurance broker who went through Northbridge Insurance who went........?

[thatguyrob]

All that I want is liability insurance for my homebuilt searunner.....

[Thumbs Up]

For liability only and not requiring a survey I have claimed that my hulls are fiberglass composite. If you say wood you will be denied. If you are building a Woods from scratch, you should build it with a foam core not ply, I am sure that Richard Woods can provide for plans in foam core composite. You will have a more valuable boat and won't cost that much more. Woods is a member here, maybe he will chime in. Getting it certified to USCG passenger carrying standards during the build is an option to look into as well.