Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

[h2odick]

We're out on the lake for mothers day yesterday, had a great day.. until the last 5 minutes. So I pull up to the dock, get out, start tying off my lines.. next thing I know, there's a ~18' bowrider that is being operated by somebody who is COMPLETELY clueless and unqualified, this guy should NOT be on the water. Literally doing 360's in the launch area (not purposely, but because he didnt know what he was doing!) before I could do anything, he comes head (bow) first into the side of my boat, pinning it up against the dock..all the while smiling, never even apologizes.. then proceeds to spin around AGAIN, and now is coming at my boat STERN first! holy ****! My wife was able to push his stern away from my boat, only ended up with some blue paint from his stern impact.. however, this is the result of his first collision to my boat..



This guy claimed that he didn't have his plug in, and was nervous and in a hurry to get back to his trailer, while this might be true, this guy never even apologized! Then after already having told the cop he hit me, tries to claim that this damage was not caused by him, only the blue scuff mark from his second impact, completely denying that he hit me bow first and caused this damage. Luckily, the authorities were not stupid, and knew this was fresh damage and caused by him.
I'm glad nobody got hurt, but I'm so livid I can taste it. I was so much more upset yesterday, now I just want to get this fixed. Anybody have any idea what this type of repair will cost, to repair the glass and gelcoat properly? Also, do any of you folks from the Southern California area possibly have any recommendations for a good shop to take care of this?

 

[jkust]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

That really sucks but is what I would expect from roughly half of the country these days.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

So, this guy is stupid and a liar . . . bummer.

My guess is about $1,000 to repair

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Man, that stinks. That is not a small dock rash, that is a serious bit of damage. What a dumb bass.

 

[shrew]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Accidents happen regardless of the reason and some people are just idiots or simply inconsiderate. I'm not completely sure how the LEO could determine that the damage on your boat was caused by the other boater specifically, I've never heard of 'fresh' fiberglass damage. It's not like it rusts like the metal on a car or truck.

Either way, let his insurance cover it or get yours to cover it. This stuff happens. There's little point in getting frutstated or calling the guy names over it.

 

[h2odick]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

There was literally 40+ witnesses AT the dock, there was so many people around, and the guy admitted to doing the damage. LEO mentioned it was "pretty cut and dry, and obvious he did the damage".
The guy had no insurance on his boat (doubt auto insurance covers boat accidents on the water?), and I'd prefer not to file a claim with my insurance unless the cost of the repair is way out there.

 

[HellRaZoR004]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Does this 'new guy' have insurance?

 

[h2odick]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

No insurance unfortunately, never offered to pay for the repair or anything. Honestly, I doubt I'll see any money from this guy..

 

[southkogs]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Depending on what you wind up with as cost of repairs, it might be worth looking at a small claim against him. Sad that someone like that doesn't own up to it and fess up to at least help with repairs. Sad commentary on the world around us sometimes ...

Sorry for the frustration.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Does this 'new guy' have insurance?

Do you have insurance?
If so your insurance company may choose to get restitution from him.

If you are "Livid" enough, A Small claims suit sound like a sure win!
He has no money, he has a boat that can be "Collected".

 

[h2odick]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

I do have insurance, but again would prefer not to go that route (if at all possible)
If the guy is unwilling to pay for repairs, I will most certainly be filing a small claims case. I'm sure I will get a judgement, but I've heard collecting on those judgements is the hard part.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

My 2 cents . . .

Let your insurance go after the other boater . . . much easier for you. See what you insurance company says about that, since it was not your fault. etc.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

No boat insurance should be the same as no vehicle insurance-- liability is there and the DL is lost! Irresponsible.

Do you have insurance?
If so your insurance company may choose to get restitution from him.

If you are "Livid" enough, A Small claims suit sound like a sure win!
He has no money, he has a boat that can be "Collected".

 

[SDSeville]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

My 2 cents . . .

Let your insurance go after the other boater . . . much easier for you. See what you insurance company says about that, since it was not your fault. etc.

+1. Your insurance shouldn't go up if it was not your fault.

 

[jkust]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

When the accident is not your fault, the insurance company will pay for the damages and subrogate against the at fault driver if they choose. I wouldn't hesitate for a single second to make the claim This is the very reason you have property coverage in addition to liability coverage...to fix your property when you get hit. You won't even know or care whether or not they went after the other boater because you will be made whole. This seems to be such a cut and dry scenario.

 

[babbot]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

That really sucks. I would also be hesitant to contact my insurance company unless it is super expensive. If you do contact them and mention anything of what happens then you should have them do everything. Don't just ask them a question and be on your way. They will make note of it and possibly raise your insurance even though it was not your fault. I know people will argue with that statement but it happened to me on an auto accident.
I just asked my insurance co. what I need to do and I did everything myself since the other person admitted fault and their insurance was paying. My insurance still jacked up the next year. I was pissed.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Whoa. Is boat liability coverage not required in Cali? Hard to imagine.

 

[frantically relaxing]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Three words, "Small Claims Court".

I know of several people who've won judgements in small claims court but still never collected any money.

Get your insurance involved. That IS why we pay for it, after all--!

 

[ktbarrentine]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

Three words, "Small Claims Court".

Two words: "Judge Judy!"

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Guy hit my boat on the water yesterday..

I do have insurance, but again would prefer not to go that route (if at all possible)
If the guy is unwilling to pay for repairs, I will most certainly be filing a small claims case. I'm sure I will get a judgement, but I've heard collecting on those judgements is the hard part.

You pay for insurance, yet don't want to use it. I never can understand that mentaility. That is what the insurance is for.