Okay so I was boating on Saturday (1st time out) and I was about to let a couple of friends off at the dock by the ramp and 2 rogue waves catch the back of the boat within seconds of each other and swing the back of the boat across some lovely rocks by the ramp.  Problem is that now there's a 1 inch chunk out of the bottom of the hull (into the fiberglass but not through it), scratches in the gel coat and the prop is a total loss.  So my question is what should I expect from insurance?  I have more than enough coverage but I'm trying to anticipate what the adjuster will say and what I should do.  The boat has 14 hours on her (yes, only 14) and I'm worried that repairs will void the hull warranty, etc.  Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

Doug, That stinks! I know that with only 14 hours I'd be   For insurance, you struck a submerged object, and they shouldn't have too much to say. It happens.

The biggest problem that I would have is... Do you want or have to fix the fiberglass now ? Or can it wait until the end of the boating season? I would not want to leave the boat in the water with exposed fiberglass below the waterline as the fiberglass will adsorb some water over time....but then I would not want to miss out on prime boating time with the boat in the shop for possibly weeks.  Talk to the insurance agent and then have the fiberglass shop look at it to see what they think.

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Phil Belcher
2003 266CCR
496 MAG, Bravo 3

Doug, on our first boat, I ripped open the lower unit by hitting a wing dam with only 3 hours on the engine.  State Farm hadn't even completed the underwriting when I filed the claim that Monday.  No problems though, that's what it's for.  On the other hand, your damage may not be too expensive to repair so consider your deductible and then decide if this is a claim you want to make or wait for the next bigger one.  Sorry, just kidding.

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O'
"Little Mascara 3"
2003 266BR,496 MAG w/Bravo III

Just a quick update.  I finally got everything worked out and just got the boat back on Saturday morning from the fiberglass shop.  Worst part was that the weather was terrible over the weekend at the lake we boat on so couldn't even try it out.  It's back at the fiberglass shop today since the owner wasn't happy with his work and wanted to do some more buffing on it.  I just got to borrow my boat for the weekend really and then didn't get to boat. Anyway, I couldn't even tell where it had been repaired but oh well, who am I to argue with the fiberglass guy.

From there, I go to the dealer to have a new speedo installed.  This is the 2nd new one.  We bought the boat new and none of the speedometer have worked.  They keep blowing air into them saying it's working just fine.  Out on the water though, nothing registers.  Hymm, blowing air into a speedometer that works on water pressure......

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

If you have a Mercrusier motor do yourself a favor and order the Mercury Smartcraft gauges... far more information and you won't be relying on a pitot tube to tell you your speed (You have 3 options.. pito tube sensor mounted on the transom, GPS input, or a paddle wheel.

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2007 Crownline 240LS Merc MAG350-BIII
-Corsa thruhull, Social Swim, Sport package, Factory Tower
- HeaterCraft heater
-Mercury Smartcraft SC1000 Tach and Speedo
... in need of a name. :(
Towed with a 2008 Nissan Armada LE 4x4
Redmond, Washington

Doug Weets:

We bought the boat new and none of the speedometer have worked.  They keep blowing air into them saying it's working just fine.  Out on the water though, nothing registers.  Hymm, blowing air into a speedometer that works on water pressure......

Air pressure (low pressure-ONLY) or water pressure, when applied to the tube that goes up to the speedometer will tell you if the tube is connected to the speedo and that the speedo needle moves. Any chance a piece of debris is lodged in the pickup hole on the front side of the outdrive?

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Phil Belcher
2003 266CCR
496 MAG, Bravo 3

There's always the possibility that something is in the tube but I couldn't see anything and the dealer has "checked" multiple times and said they put a new speedo in when they winterized last fall.  It didn't work when I put it in the water the day of the accident and I checked it again and couldn't find anything. 

I'm dropping the boat off at the dealer after I pick it up from the fiberglass shop tonight and will have a nice discussion to see about a remedy for the situation.  Outside of the speedo issue, they've been great to work with but It's been the thorn in my side and frustrating to say the least.

 I'll post the outcome and as always, thanks to everyone for the input.  This forum is great and so are the people.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

Talked to the dealer and they've taken the line off the speedo and blew from the speedo back and a bunch of stuff came out.  If this doesn't work, they said they'd give me a gps as they're stumped.  Hopefully it will work this time (4th times a charm).  I'm picking her up after work and she'll be in the water tomorrow...we'll see.

At least I'll be able to tell how fast I'm going pulling the tubes other than the level of screams from the kids.

Everyone have a safe and enjoyable 4th.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

Doug - be sure to let us know if Ur speedo works now.....Larry

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Larry Schaefer
07 200 LS 5L VP Garnet w/Razor
"PLAYSTATION"
Prestige BTV

Well, I picked the boat up on Thursday and headed to the lake.  On Friday morning, I discovered 6 screws on the floor and a screwdriver.  Their mechanic is probably wondering....where did I put that thing?

This was not a pleasant discovery since I towed the boat over a hundred miles with the dashboard flopping in and out of the boat.  Nevertheless, I put everything back together and got ready to take her out on the lake.

 Out on the lake, guess what............no speedo. GRRRRR

Back to the dealer late last night to drop the boat off, left message for them to call me this morning.  This is now the 5th time I've been back for this issue.  Needless to say,I'm very frustrated.  I'm holding their screwdriver hostage until the speedo is fixed.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

Doug ---- there is a connection on the speedo hose up behind the engine on the rear firewall..(middle of the engine - about level with engine top) ..look for a loose small black hose.  On my 200 LS and also someone else on this forum with a 200 LS - the hose became disconnected  at this point....if this is your problem, you would be getting "some" water in your bilge, also....check it out...Larry 

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Larry Schaefer
07 200 LS 5L VP Garnet w/Razor
"PLAYSTATION"
Prestige BTV

Thanks for the response and will keep for reference.  I just got an somewhat apologitic phone call from head mechanic.  They ran an entire new line and a new speedo.  I'll find out if it worked when I'll be back at the lake next weekend.

Nevertheless, I will release the screwdriver when I pick the boat up tonight.  Apparently one of the underlings borrowed the screwdriver from the head mechanic to put the boat back together.....he failed his task.

I'll post next week with the results of their latest work.

 

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS

doug, I would be pretty frustrated at this point also. What a PIA going back and forth. Hope it works out man!

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Limited Edition 230BR 8.2Liter/502CI (GSI Volo Penta) DP-S

LAKATION

Project(s) Completed:
2000 Watt Stereo Systerm
Swimplatforms.com

Coming Soon:
Wakeboard Tower and Speaker Setup
Custom Graphics

Finally got the boat back and then went on vacation so it's been awhile and guess what, the speedo finally works .  I'm putting this post to rest....finally.

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Doug & Laurie Weets
"Majority Rulz"
2007 200LS