Sandy Damaged 65,000+ Pleasureboats

catsailor · Nov 15, 2012

A significant number of boats were lost when the surge lifted the floating docks over the top of the pilings. I've seen MANY marinas with floating dock pilings lower than predictable worst-case surge. They cut them sort , often only 3-4 feet above high tide, because "they don't look right." Just pitiful.

RichH · Nov 15, 2012

Have a friend on Staten Island (Great Kills) who lost his house to the storm ... and is now living on his boat, one of the few undamaged in that harbor. Most of the boats in that harbor simply had their mooring pennants too short to accommodate the large surge.

I holed up in NY harbor during Hurricane Irene at Liberty Landing when coming down from 'down east' (most harbors on Eastern LIS simply 'had no room')... and with only a 10 ft. surge the floating docks went to 2 ft. of the top of the pilings. This time it was 12-14ft. surge ... that has to now be a 'complete mess'. Very sad.

drumbeater · Nov 16, 2012

I guess they will fix that now as they rebuild.

sailaway78 · Nov 16, 2012

Floating docks

Floating docks floating over the tops of the pilings was the cause of most of the damage in my area during Katrina. The biggest marina in my area had nearly every boat in it, all piled up in one corner. The ones that weren't in the pile, were in the parking lot, some in apt. buildings and a lot of them up on the roads. They rebuilt with non-floating docks.

catsailor · Nov 16, 2012

Nice N Easy said:
Floating docks floating over the tops of the pilings was the cause of most of the damage in my area during Katrina. The biggest marina in my area had nearly every boat in it, all piled up in one corner. The ones that weren't in the pile, were in the parking lot, some in apt. buildings and a lot of them up on the roads. They rebuilt with non-floating docks.

I went through an 8-foot surge once; the tops of the pilings went under water, but since we were all tied up criss-cross, no harm, just looked funny. A nearby marina with floating docks was less funny. Some floated off. Some just got destroyed by the up-and-down motion. While they are nice on a fair day, in my limited expereince floating docks are not a good storm structure.

Nom De Guerre · Nov 16, 2012

Seeing that number in print really puts a fine point on it for me. Until then I 'knew' that 'many' boats had been lost or damaged, but had no idea that the loss was of that magnitude.

I have great sympathy for those affected, in any way.

Bad Obsession · Nov 16, 2012

I have an uncle who keeps his boat in the Salt Ponds in Hampton, VA. The floating docks were well designed to support a very large storm surge. I am impressed with this dock and they have been through many storms with very little damage to boats. etc.

It seems foolish to cut the pile ons short. I would want a lot of extra money in the bank if I was building a dock.

It is sad to hear about how much damage Sandy caused. I feel bad for all the people who were affected by this horrible storm.

topcat0399 · Nov 16, 2012

The numbers are mind boggling. Truly an awful event.

What happens to 65,000 wrecked boats?

Are they just bull dozed under? Landfilled?

Does a hurricane create a buyers market for parts?

What happens to owners of 65,000 wrecked boats.....gawd

GeorgiaBII · Nov 16, 2012

not all 65,000 are wrecked. That number is also for damaged. Scuffed paint, broken windows, cleats pulled out, crap like that.

Anything that generated an insurance claim would go into that total.

Fly_H23 · Nov 16, 2012

I'm guessing that sites like eBay and craigslist will be full of "Sandy" boats once the salvage companies get done. Many will be repaired but thousands more will become fixer uppers for a lot of us.

Ali Baba · Nov 16, 2012

RGDavis said:
Funny thing was, I didn't even think the east coast had 65,000 boats. We ALL know the best sailing is out on the west coast...

i would like to see the statistic on that.?
The best sailing is on the west coast..??
but I think there are more people on the East Coast.

The best sailing is anywhere you can hoist your sails.
I had some of my best sailing days on the Ohio river 150 miles from the great lakes, 350 miles from the Atlantic ocean, 550 miles from he Gulf, and 1600 miles from the pacific ocean.

kenn · Nov 17, 2012

The biggest impact will be on marine insurance rates. :cry:

If I was younger and a bit more mercenary, I would start hunting for a "Sandy" boat-buying opportunity.

Chris Patterson · Nov 17, 2012

I've been thinking about that for a week now. No clear idea on how exactly to pursue this, but I'm needing another hill project...

CalebD · Nov 17, 2012

I'm wondering what impact all of this will have on used boat prices in my immediate area.
On the one hand there should be fewer boats available that are in sail away condition which might tend to inflate prices.
On the other hand there may be more fixer upper boats available which might tend to deflate prices.
That is the 'supply' side.
On the 'demand' side there are a lot of boaters who now have no boat. This may drive up the demand for used boats and new boats alike.
What do you think?

topcat0399 · Nov 17, 2012

So how long do you think before the potential parts market starts to become available?

I'm trying to plan for spring projects on a very modest income. If I continue to buy now will I have buyers remorse in say....May when a glut of good stuff cheap starts showing up?

what to do what to do....

Manureva · Nov 17, 2012

i would take a free 40 footer if there is any to give

onecoolair · Nov 17, 2012

RGDavis said:
Funny thing was, I didn't even think the east coast had 65,000 boats. We ALL know the best sailing is out on the west coast...

Crap, did I say that out loud?

Isn't that were all the fruits and nuts are...;;-)

andythewys · Dec 30, 2012

kenn said:
The biggest impact will be on marine insurance rates. :cry:

If I was younger and a bit more mercenary, I would start hunting for a "Sandy" boat-buying opportunity.

I did! Wife and I picked up an O'day 20' for $207.50! Sure, she needs work, but what a deal! I just wish I had more $$$$