Update......Totalled out '08 210

[RexB]

I hit a submerged log in 1996 at 36mph when my first Ski Nautique was 3 weeks old. Broke the rudder off, bent the strut 90 degrees, cracked the glass around the shaft entry port and around the rudder box. Enough to leak a good bit, although the bilge kept up. That boat was fixed to where you could not tell it had been hurt. They had to replace the strut, shaft, rudder, prop, stuffing box, repair the glass around the rudder port and stuffing box, and re-gel coat. The local Nautique dealer did farm out the glass and gel work to a company that specialized in boat repair. 14 years later the person who bought it from me in 2001 is still skiing behind it every day.

Also, In 1998 before we had our private lake to ski on, a friend of mine hit a submerged stump in his supra. It put a 1inch wide crack in the transom and bottom around the rudder port. Luckily, my boat was right there so we threw a rope to it and I drug his all the way to the marina before it sank. The same shop that repaired the glass on mine 2 years before repaired his and we skied behind it another 3 years.

2 examples of major structural damage on a boat and they were fine. You can fix fiberglass and the patch does not lose structural integrity.

+1

Having the boat fixed rather than totalled may not be all bad.

I was involved in a similar accident with a buddy's Malibu LSV a few years ago. We were skiing at 32+ and hit a submerged log. Tore off everything underneath and punched a fist size hole all the way through the bottom. Caused a fair amount of structural damage. The insurance company wouldn't total it out. Repairs exceeded $17k and took about six weeks. The boat came back looking and running like new.

The point is, if you liked the boat before, make them get it back to that condition. You'd never be able to replace it for what they'd give even if "totalled" because of your modifications. As far as your girlfriend's claim, they know she won't sue you, so you are in a tough spot. You need to find some leverage; maybe a claim you can assert against the lake owners for unmarked hazards?

[horkn]

you don't have any friends or parents friends who are lawyers in the area? a simple letter to your insurance company on your lawyers letterhead will do wonders. as of right now you are just a chump they don't want to help.(i don't think you're a chump, they do)

I agree. Simply the threat of legal action against them will usually net the results you need.

Keep your head up We are all pulling for you!

[kevfran99]

Kev, so sorry for you and the fam in this tough time man, i dont know what i could do to help but anything you guys need let us know. no jokes..
this wouldnt help much, but if ya'll wanna ride id drive to atl from augusta for you guys..

Thank you for the offer! You don't know how much that means!

I agree. Simply the threat of legal action against them will usually net the results you need.

Keep your head up We are all pulling for you!

I threw this at the insurance company yesterday after they hit me with a stupid low offer for her. I gave a number that we both thought would be acceptable and they are 'talking it over'. But I told them that if they didn't I would get a lawyer involved. I don't feel like what she asked for was unresonable. So we'll see.

Now I'm waiting on the check to get here from the insurance company so that I can get the work started on the boat...... Maybe just maybe I will be able to put it back in the water by the end of Oct.

[Chexi]

She may have to sue you. I had a friend who was in a car accident (passenger) and he had to sue his friend (driver) in order to get the insurance company to pay. All I am saying is do not dismiss this possibility.

[NautiDave07]

Kevin,
Good luck on all this man. It would have made me sick to see my boat like that. It is nice to hear the stories of boats being fixed properly.

[Kevin_B]

Dang man I'm terribly sorry to hear about this, heck of a predicament to be in. Hope it all works out for the best. I can't even imagine having to go through this. Keep your head up.

[wake_fun]

She may have to sue you. I had a friend who was in a car accident (passenger) and he had to sue his friend (driver) in order to get the insurance company to pay. All I am saying is do not dismiss this possibility.

This is exactly what my brother did.....he got into a car wreck with friend driving and ended up getting $$$$$$$ from his friends insurance company.