Another Keel Lost; Another Capsize

[a64pilot]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

USAA owners tend to forget that USAA is not open to tte general public. They only sell to current and former US military members (5-10% of the general population) and their immediate families.



So while the company and the rates mey be great...for 90% of the country, USAA does not exist.

USAA doesn’t cover big boats. I wish they did, but they don’t. They will not write Insurence for my boat.
They used to cover motorcycles, then some years ago they contracted Progressive to write Insurence for them, if I said that right.
They are just an Insurence company, and bank, originally open to just Officers, then Enlisted, and now almost anyone that can trace lineage to a Military member.
I don’t know how far back, I’m being sarcastic, but if Dad or Mom was Military, you can get USAA Insurence.
I don’t understand the logic, but I’m sure it’s making money of course.
The rates used to be low based on Military Officers were statistically a safe bet Insurence wise, and based on a recent conversation with them, they have different rates for Officers than Enlisted, and I assume family members. All based on Likelyhood of a claim.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by malbert73

Ok so they clearly have enough money to remove boat via go fund me. Have they started that process? Here’s the true test of whether they try to pocket the money and run? Or do the right thing and clean up their mess.

Originally Posted by El Pinguino

That photo would suggest that salvage is well under way.

Go find the keel, stick it back on , buy some new cushions.... all sorted

Steady on chaps, there is no point in fixing the problem (yet), we haven't finished fixing the blame; or have I missed that all important definitive post where the blame has been finally sorted...

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Steady on chaps, there is no point in fixing the problem (yet), we haven't finished fixing the blame; or have I missed that all important definitive post where the blame has been finally sorted...

It wuz de toot faree..

[JPA Cate]

Jim and i were talking about what they described, and I think the keel was still on when they abandoned, because the boat was trying to stay upright at that time.

....and I'd like to add, that lead is out there, waiting to be recovered and re-used. What these guys decide to do will give a real good idea of what they're made of. Actions tell more about people than what their words do.



Ann

[El Pinguino]

Originally Posted by Wotname

Steady on chaps, there is no point in fixing the problem (yet), we haven't finished fixing the blame; or have I missed that all important definitive post where the blame has been finally sorted...

The blame? 100% down to them... very very young, very very unskilled , and hadn't made their first million before they turned 20.... unlike the CF members putting the boot in who it would appear to be quite the opposite.

I saw something very similar in about 1984 down at Queenscliff, bottom end of Port Phillip...

A boat came in and tied up alongside... quite modern, fin keel, about 25 foot... Aust built but I have no idea what class or builder...

So, the boat was new to them and it was there first outing.... they had stopped first at St Leonards thinking it was Queenscliff and asked some bloke on the pier for directions....

The wx was a bit fresh and for the next 3 or 4 day the conversation went like this.
Them 'Are you sailing today?'
Me 'No.'
Them 'Neither are we'

Then on the 4th or 5th day we said we were sailing after breakfast...
'So are we, we will follow you'

And follow me they did... by pointing their bow at my stern while the tide set across the channel and pushed them onto shallow hard sand to the north...... where they bounced up and down in about a 1 foot slop for about 5 minutes... and then the keel fell off...

She drifted into shallower water and settled bolt upright... they stepped off and walked ashore. She only lost stability and tried to roll over when they were bringing her into the harbour...

She was salvaged within the hour... brought into the harbour at least ... and lifted out with a crane later in the day....

She was repaired.. they kept sailing her and last I heard he was crewing on long distance deliveries....

They looked about mid 40's but they must have been lying about their age... as everyone here says we didn't start breeding stupid people until about 25 years ago.....

[Don C L]

Originally Posted by JPA Cate

Jim and i were talking about what they described, and I think the keel was still on when they abandoned, because the boat was trying to stay upright at that time.

....and I'd like to add, that lead is out there, waiting to be recovered and re-used. What these guys decide to do will give a real good idea of what they're made of. Actions tell more about people than what their words do.



Ann

Perhaps the initial blow took out 2 or 3 bolts, leaking began, and wobbly lead, still attached, gave some righting effort until the rest of the bolts gave up the ghost as the boat rocked in the shallows.... I could see that...
Still I don’t see an indictment of bolt-on keels, old boats, old Columbias (though I am partial,) young people trying to make a go of it, or folks freely giving to them if they want to... as others do necessarily. Nor do I see this making all sailors look bad. Sure, it could have been worse, their judgement was a little sketchy, but they seem to be stepping up to the plate. Maybe I am too lackadaisical about condemning them all but the mess will be cleaned up soon, they probably will not make the same mistake again and a bunch of people feel good about helping out the kids.

[boatpoker]

Now this I would gladly contribute to if I could.

[JPA Cate]

Good on ya, boatpoker. I used to donate blood regularly, till I got Hep C from a blood transfusion, and now I am not allowed to donate at all.

Ann

[thruska]

Originally Posted by valhalla360

Anyone hear if they had a working depth sounder?

Heading into a shallow shoaling inlet, a properly working sounder is critical.

Val , I agree that nice to have . The trouble is you are usually grounded when the depth finder tells you that same information.
The young man stated he was in 9 to ten feet when suddenly hit something.
A local boater said the locals often hit it. I think it has to do with the weird channels markings as the chart could be misconstrued if not interpreted correctly. If there’s a slight miss-que in gps , bang in the fog !
On the eastern icw , gps had me running thru docks as I was clearly mid channel.
I guess my point is , even at 2-3 knots it’s nearly impossible to stop tons of mass from hitting a ledge formed by uncharted shoaling. In dense fog no less.
Perhaps in daylight one can see eddies and currents to better navigate.
The experience plays into this situation prominently.

[thruska]

Originally Posted by Don C L

Perhaps the initial blow took out 2 or 3 bolts, leaking began, and wobbly lead, still attached, gave some righting effort until the rest of the bolts gave up the ghost as the boat rocked in the shallows.... I could see that...
Still I don’t see an indictment of bolt-on keels, old boats, old Columbias (though I am partial,) young people trying to make a go of it, or folks freely giving to them if they want to... as others do necessarily. Nor do I see this making all sailors look bad. Sure, it could have been worse, their judgement was a little sketchy, but they seem to be stepping up to the plate. Maybe I am too lackadaisical about condemning them all but the mess will be cleaned up soon, they probably will not make the same mistake again and a bunch of people feel good about helping out the kids.

Don, my feelings exactly, including the Columbia bias, lol.
A figure of 6700 odd dollars was mentioned on news report from Johns pass.
They are 10k passed that with there fund. They should consider shutting it down and not get greedy. If they want another Columbia28 I might consider a sale but I’ll not give her away. As I don’t have a 800k home nor 70k in the Bank, lol.

[thomm225]

This thread is getting quite ridiculous.

They were total beginners........get it?

They ran aground in a channel recommended for local knowledge only!

The good news is they bought a low priced boat and will soon be trying again.

They are only out $10,000 or so and can easily start over. This is the best approach for beginners

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by thomm225

This thread is getting quite ridiculous.

They were total beginners........get it?

They ran aground in a channel recommended for local knowledge only!

The good news is the bought a low priced boat and will soon be trying again.

They are only out $10,000 and can easily start over. this is the best approach for begineers

actually they don't appear to be out anything and actually seem to be making money on their mistakes.

[thomm225]

Originally Posted by newhaul

actually they don't appear to be out anything and actually seem to be making money on their mistakes.

Exactly, so they have learned a lesson, made out with a few donations, and will be more prepared next time.......

[thruska]

Originally Posted by roland stockham

What is Go fund me? I am wondering because my boat is stuck in Panama with a dead engine and I have been trying to get her home to Canada since 2011. Made the first 10,000 miles but then got stuffed coming through the canal. Maybe they can help me

You will have a better chance. If you gouge an eye or a testicle, or chop a finger or toe like Clyde barrow. Claim an unknown illness and indigent.

Seriously tho, what’s the low down on your dilemma. What’s the engine make and model? Will an outboard work for you ?

[Cool Hand Luke]

Originally Posted by sailingunity

The comment in the story says Walsh nearly flew off the deck, I would say they were coming in a bit more quickly than that!

Or they embellished and amplified their story. My wife does it all the time [emoji3]