Not a fun trip. Picked up this 322 I’d been looking at west of Ft Myers a couple of weeks ago. Paid for survey, clean boat, engine cranks on first try every time. Needs bottom job and a few little repairs as any old boat would. Surveyor deemed her a good boat and nothing major. I even told him that I decided to sail her back to Mississippi to work on her and no one batted an eye.
Long story short we get to Longboat Key and anchor in Buttonwood. Depth is fine. Must have been blown to shallow water during storm because she sat on the bottom the second night there and slowly fell over on her side in three feet of water. Water fills the boat, I climb up on the side and call Sea Tow then State Farm to get a claim going.
Sea Tow recovers her, the keel falls off as they’re trying to lift her. Bolts and everything just pull right out.
So it’s on a yard as you can see. I can’t imagine it being repairable given the value of the boat. To top it off my crew disappeared (my 21 yr old son) the night of the sinking to party with some guy he met. Whole ‘nother issue there. Certainly didn’t make the trip a fun one. And honestly, I had an uncomfortable feeling the entire time.
It wouldn’t be my life if it weren’t so exciting.
Please, no abuse or questioning my decisions.The yard and the Sea Tow guys said “I’ve never seen that happen before!” I’ve heard that phrase many times my life.
Fortunately I was near a friend who put me up in an empty condo and kept me fed for a few days. Now home waiting to hear from State Farm.
Long story short we get to Longboat Key and anchor in Buttonwood. Depth is fine. Must have been blown to shallow water during storm because she sat on the bottom the second night there and slowly fell over on her side in three feet of water. Water fills the boat, I climb up on the side and call Sea Tow then State Farm to get a claim going.
Sea Tow recovers her, the keel falls off as they’re trying to lift her. Bolts and everything just pull right out.
So it’s on a yard as you can see. I can’t imagine it being repairable given the value of the boat. To top it off my crew disappeared (my 21 yr old son) the night of the sinking to party with some guy he met. Whole ‘nother issue there. Certainly didn’t make the trip a fun one. And honestly, I had an uncomfortable feeling the entire time.
It wouldn’t be my life if it weren’t so exciting.
Please, no abuse or questioning my decisions.The yard and the Sea Tow guys said “I’ve never seen that happen before!” I’ve heard that phrase many times my life.
Fortunately I was near a friend who put me up in an empty condo and kept me fed for a few days. Now home waiting to hear from State Farm.