Is Boat Insurance Needed .....

[Ben Allen]

ABSOLUTLY !!!!!In a thread below where a comparison of Catalina 25's vs. O'Day 25 took place, I included my comments and included a photo of the Catalina 25 that I once owned. The vessel was lost in an storm in the Gulf of Mexico and I have been ask to explain further.I was registered to run in the Dauphin Island Regatta, which is held in Mobile Bay. We launched in Orange Beach, Alabama and intended to do a night sail down the coast and sail into Mobile Bay. The weather was predicted to be 20 - 25 knot winds out of the SW with 3 - 4 foot seas. Well, as usual, the Weather Service missed it, what we actually had was 40 knot winds and 7' seas.The boat was taking care of us and shaking off the wind and waves, about 10 PM, I went down to get some rest in order to come back on watch at midnight. The lighthouse was visible at Ft. Morgan, so all we had to do was head for the light. With the storm, there was no moon, and very few lights on shore, the person at the helm, for reasons that remain unknown today, became disorienated. Steering the boat away from the lighthouse light, we ran full bore onto the beach. With 7' seas, we were not going to get off that night.I make a call to the Coast Guard requesting help, and Sea Tow was sent out. When they arrived, they were unable to get a line to me and let me know that they were leaving and would return the next day, if possible. The boat lasted about 8 hours of being lifted up and dropped onto the beach, but it finally knocked a 2" hole in the hull the next morning.I contacted my insurance company, it was insured through our home owners insurance, and he instructed me to get the boat salvaged any way possible, and "That I Was Covered." Those were the best words anyone could have told me at the time. Two days later, when Sea Tow still had not returned, I contracted and independent salvage tug, who came out, refloated the boat, and towed it back to a marina, where it was hauled and put on the hard.The damage to the boat exceeded its value by $2000, so it was totaled, but the salvage and towing bill was $3000. So if anyone is considering not having insurance, all it takes is one incident to change the whole aspect of boating. While I tried to find another Catalina 25, one in decent condition was not to be found, but I did run across an O'Day 26 in great condition, which is why I am on this forum now.Ben AllenMontgomery, AL"Latte Dah"O'Day 26

 

[Craig - Boston]

More important question Ben....

....are you still racing?Thanks for the story!Craig

 

[Ben Allen]

Not This Time Dave....

I was insured and covered, that was not the problem, Sea Tow came out but was unable to get a line to me, they left and did not return for 3 days. The boat sank the next morning.Ben

 

[dave]

that sucks!

really sorry to hear about that!!!sad picture that got mer in the stomach

 

[Rich]

A lesson to be learned?

Without trying to belabor the hopefully obvious, one must hope that, after the experience you have described, it has become apparent to you that turning back or simply not going at all in the face of 40 kt (or even 25 kt) winds and 7' seas in a 25 foot boat is probably wiser--especially in the dark--than trying to make a race. I absolutely love to race and would probably have been the first one to volunteer to go with you that night but, when all is said and done, is risking your life, that of your crew and/or losing your boat altogether equal to the value of the $30.00 trophy you may have won or the entrance fee you probably paid in advance. For me, now that I have spent countless hours and dollars on my own boat, the answer is pretty clear. Here's hoping I have the sense to remember and heed my own words someday when I'm faced with a similar choice. Safe travels....