Just lost, without my boat...

Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
I was instructed by my Insurance Company that my first contact is MY insurance and they evaluate liability. They will probably go after the Club's insurance once they settle with me. Thank you for your kind wishes.
 
Jun 21, 2004
3,109
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Should be a very seamless process if your boat policy was an agreed value policy. You get the agreed value + personal effects lost, less deductible. The insurance company will have to deal with any liability issues with the club & their insurer.
Should have a check in a couple of weeks if not sooner.
Very happy to hear that you were not injured. I can certainly understand how your nerves have been frazzled; losing the boat and possibly losing your life if the chain had broken 5 minutes sooner when your were painting the bottom of the keel!
Look forward to hear of your search for a new boat and your final choice.
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Sorry to say, no agreed value. Policy was for cash value up to $30,000. Adjuster agreed that boat was in prime condition for its age. I guess it's just wait and see.
 
Jun 21, 2004
3,109
Beneteau 343 Slidell, LA
Well, hope you get the $30K. Might have to get the help of a broker or surveyor that has access to sold boats data to support your claim if the adjustor wants to be difficult. Hopefully he will be reasonable and pay out the total value. Hope it all works out in your favor.
 

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Don’t take this on yourself. Find a trusted broker and have them begin the process to track down a boat in your price range. Focus on your insurer relationship and make sure they deliver for you. Let them know that you have a broker looking for a replacement and keep careful records of your expenses. Ask that they assume responsibility for your expenses. Negotiate for your best outcome. You may need to retain an attorney to represent you, especially if asked to sign releases and agreements, but do not take an adversarial relationship with anyone until absolutely necessary. You know what is fair, insist on it. Not your fault, and you paid your insurance to protect you. Your goal is to go sailing ASAP. Good luck sailor!
 
  • Like
Likes: BigEasy
Aug 22, 2017
1,609
Hunter 26.5 West Palm Beach
OSHA has quite a bit to say about what types of chain & other materials are used for "overhead lifting" applications. The permissible grades of chain are 80, 100 & I think now also 120. The G43 or G70 stuff that is often used for anchors is not allowed. There are also standards for rust & wear. Gauge sets are available for evaluating the condition of a chain sling. The gauges are not expensive. Surprisingly, lifting 1 pound, 1" off the ground with a crane, is considered "overhead lifting".

"crane chain" will wine & stretch before breaking, unlike other grades of "towing chain". A "lifting sling" that is made out of chain is supposed to have an ID tag that specifies load capacity, reach & serial number. There is supposed to be a load test certificate & inspection reports on file for each chain sling in use. Each is supposed to be referenced by serial number.

Most clubs that I have been to, are wholly unaware of the industry standards for overhead lifting slings. In hopes of preventing future problems, someone at your club may want to look into this & see if the club standards are in line with standard industry practices.
 

MitchM

.
Jan 20, 2005
1,031
Nauticat 321 pilothouse 32 Erie PA
my old marina had a catalina 30 dropped on her nose when the inexperienced travelift operator raised the stern strap but not the bow strap. the boat slid forward and trapped a helper's arm between the boat bow and the strap. a very serious a accident. surveyor #1 said just some cosmetic damage, he was wrong. when the boat launched 3 weeks later it started leaking badly at the damaged keelboats. surveyor #2 who really knows his stuff said the forward bolts were damaged by hitting the ground ... AND the marina makes everyone sign waivers that you'll never sue them for the kind of accident.. thank heavens the owner had boat US .
 
Nov 24, 2014
207
Catalina 310 Staten Island
Hi everyone,

This past Tuesday, after finishing up all my chores, bottom painting, polishing, etc. on my 1991 Catalina 30 MKII, my turn came up to launch. When the lift had travelled within 20 feet of the bulkhead, the lift chain holding my stern snapped, sending my boat crashing to the pavement. She landed on her rudder, destroying it. She then continued to drop onto the prop, destroying that and then bent the shaft before finally resting on the wing-keel, which was cracked. The rudder post smashed its way through the hull and the steering head was now 24" ABOVE the cockpit deck. Without a complete detailed examination, any additional damage is yet to be determined.
Needless to say, she is totalled.....and so am I.
However, I do wish to put out a request for an available Catalina 30 or 32, 1991 or newer that would be accessible to me in the Northeast. I am in Staten Island, NY and would sincerely appreciate any solid leads. Thank you and I really hope to be back in the water for the summer on a new boat.
I am a Staten Islander myself, and I have a Catalina 310. Sorry about your loss. Do you think the Marina was negligent?
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
This was purely and accident. Our members are always very careful. This is the first accident of any kind while launching boats ever for our Club and the Club was established in 1875.

Incidentally, please keep your ears and eyes open for a replacement for me? Thanks.
 
Nov 24, 2014
207
Catalina 310 Staten Island
This was purely and accident. Our members are always very careful. This is the first accident of any kind while launching boats ever for our Club and the Club was established in 1875.

Incidentally, please keep your ears and eyes open for a replacement for me? Thanks.
Just curious why a Staten Island would keep his boat in Brooklyn when Great Kills harbor is so nice and so much nearer
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
Wow, just checking in and saw this. I can't imagine the pain of watching this but I imagine it felt like a mule kicked you in the family jewels.

I am not sure if there are any other damages that you could go after, such as loss of use etc. Unfortunately, it may not be a bad idea to at least consult with a lawyer.

There are a lot of Catalina 30s out there. Your 1991 was a very good year as it was MKii and had a lot of the improvements done to her. You will see replacements out there but, there is extra money to get them into the condition that yours was in by the way it was described.

I hate to say it but I was always present when my boat was pulled in and out of the water because I was so paranoid of things like this happening. That, and just about every yard in my area loved to set her keel down on a tiny piece of plywood and the rudder would be in contact with the ground. That happened the first time I had her hauled out, after that I made sure that they didn't do it.

Good luck on finding your replacement. I hope that you find a new boat that fits your needs and budget!!
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Just curious why a Staten Island would keep his boat in Brooklyn when Great Kills harbor is so nice and so much nearer
Sorry it took so long to reply.
I have been a member at the Varuna Boat Club in Sheepshead Bay for 27 years and HD moved to Staten Island in 2013. My slip fee at my Club is $30 per foot for 12 months a year. Winter hauling, storage, cleaning and relaunch is $17 per foot. As nice as it would be to have my boat in Staten Island, I think you see the reason. Want to come to Brooklyn?
 
  • Like
Likes: Will Gilmore
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Found a boat......and bought her. I was extremely fortunate to find this 1997 Cat30 MKIII. Hopefully, if the weather cooperates, she will be in her new home by Friday. After a little acclamation and starting to make her our own, she will be sailing new waters in a few days. I will post photos once she is "dressed out".
 
Aug 28, 2006
579
Bavaria 35E seattle
my condolences. I hope you'll be able to make lemonade out of lemons....at least with the new boat and all!
 
Last edited:

rbyham

.
May 28, 2012
40
Oday 23 Lanier
Don't mean to change the subject here and also sorry for your loss. But I have a question about whose insurer pays. Isn't the marina or lift operator also insured for just such an event? And wouldn't the yard have to cover costs? I ask as one who has never had hull insurance. Just liability. So if I am hanging in a lift am I not covered by the yard?
 
Sep 25, 2008
464
Catalina 30 MKIII Varuna Boat Club
Don't mean to change the subject here and also sorry for your loss. But I have a question about whose insurer pays. Isn't the marina or lift operator also insured for just such an event? And wouldn't the yard have to cover costs? I ask as one who has never had hull insurance. Just liability. So if I am hanging in a lift am I not covered by the yard?
There are some special circumstances in this particular case. First, it is not a marina or a boatyard.. It is a private club, owned by the members and only the members do all of the work. My insurance pays me and attaches the claim to the club's insurance through subrogation. Our members will not cut off our nose to spite our face. I did get the max for my boat. There was no negligence or incompetence. Like I said, this is not the usual circumstance.
 

Breal

.
Apr 21, 2009
43
H 31 Barnegat Bay, NJ
So sorry, just awful. Hope you found something or are at least close to a replacement.