Boat Dropped During Haulout

[AllezCat]

Part of the rail line broke - dropping the boat.
Smashed one section - cracked thru and delaminated.
Leaking slowly...
Other structural damage below waterline.
Major abrasions over most of both sides gelcoat.
They said they can get me out and will fix it. Paint it.
Not sure whether to trust it to them or go elsewhere, and have a 3rd party evaluate. Not easy to find with 30' beam...

[skipmac]

Oh no, giant bummer.

Dropped how far?

I would NOT trust the yard to do the repair. Get an outside surveyor immediately.

[Bash]

You need the advice of an attorney, not an internet forum.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by Bash

You need the advice of an attorney, not an internet forum.

Yes. That too.

[minaret]

Don't let them touch it, it will complicate the legal issues if you do. Plus I wouldn't trust them, their priority will be to minimize the damage found and cover up wherever they can. Be careful and get a good lawyer...

[CharlieJ]

Absolutely MUST hire an experienced surveyor with ultrasonic testing capability and certification and a naval architect with solid fiberglass construction and repair experience. Have the NA lead the inspection and write the report. Present the report to your insurance company for action. Keep the yard away from the boat once it has been made safe and stable until the insurance company has acted.

With a technically sound damage assessment report in hand and the insurance company notified you have done all you can reasonably do. If the insurance company does not act or the yard does not make you whole, THEN hire the lawyer.

Charlie

[Sailor g]

You've gotten great advice. I'm so sorry that this happened. Keep us informed on how it turns out. Best of luck.

[minaret]

Not sure about ultrasound on a glass boat, but thermal imaging can find delam in the laminate without any destructive testing. It's not cheap, but in this case I'd consider it. It makes great evidence because delams are obvious in the images even to the uninitiated, and you can get the whole boat done without any grinding to chase back delams. Make sure to get a survey from a surveyor YOU hired, the insurance company will also want to minimize the amount of damage they have to pay for.

[AllezCat]

Thx for the great advise.
I am day and a half north of ft lauderdale. Can haul there and best services.
Is risky going to sea. The main damage is around a thruhull which may give out in a seaway.
And I have poor rig,engines,anchoring- hence the refit.
And new engines,anchors,etc are being shipped here. But I can probably redirect them.
Worst case - they haul me with independent surveyer from sth Florida?
Is that doable? And will my insurance direct the work?
Thx

[AllezCat]

Is there a surveyor in the house? With flir?

[skipmac]

I know an excellent surveryor in your area. Used him for many years. He was the only surveyor I knew in south Florida that actually went up the mast to inspect the rigging on a boat sale.

Ed Rowe Associates
_____________________________
Work: 772-589-7463
Fax: 772-589-7346
Mobile: 954 328-5780
E-Mail: eroweassoc@comcast.net

[David_Old_Jersey]

First call should be your insurance company.....with a bit of luck they will take charge of the situation and use a Surveyor / Assessor off there own list.

Own surveyor may be a useful backstop - but I would let the insurance co have a free run first, as they might want to do some destructive testing and easier to say she is exactly as dropped.

As said, don't let the folk who dropped th boat anywhere near. With the insurance company onboard a trip to a new boatyard should be no problem ($$$), even if has to go as a wide load (they move houses by road! so a Cat should not be an issue).


I'd also keep a contact log / diary of every event, i.e. "Called Mr Smith at XYZ ins co - eta for an Assessor 15 Nov".......and even when nothing to report. If it drags on a few months (or so) and starts to get all legal you have a good record of who said what and when etc.....and possibly the only coherent record!

[Blue Stocking]

Originally Posted by Bash

You need the advice of an attorney, not an internet forum.

She is easy to locate--her name is SUE

[Rhapsody-NS27]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

I'd also keep a contact log / diary of every event, i.e. "Called Mr Smith at XYZ ins co - eta for an Assessor 15 Nov".......and even when nothing to report. If it drags on a few months (or so) and starts to get all legal you have a good record of who said what and when etc.....and possibly the only coherent record!

Although I don't do this myself, I would agree. I know a guy I worked with who had a phone log for regular day to day stuff and it helped him when bosses try to change what they said. Just be sure to ask someone over the phone to repeat their name.

[AllezCat]

Ok thx for the ideas.
Unilateral agreement on not allowing them to touch it.
Northelies - 20 knots perfect downwind run.
But risk of exacerbating the damage. Things can get a whole lot worse...
Waiting to hear from insurance .
Meanwhile waiting on their dock...
What could they do to "make it right"?
I.e if they can be believed and not just CYA - bog and paint.
Because leaving is possibly the worst option...