Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

[SubSailor1]

He just got his boat and this would have been only the second time in the water with it. I have been helping him as he has never owned a boat before. He backed it down to the ramp and I was helping him get it ready to launch, I loosened the winch and then removed the hook from the eye not realizing his trailer is a roller trailer, not bunks like mine and all I'm used to. I'm sure you know what happened next! Yep, it started rolling and bounced into the water but caught the concrete on the way in and gacked up the bottom somewhat, dealer said it will be about $1200 to be repaired.

I feel terrible about this as I feel it is my fault. I have offered to pay but have a question or two.
#1) He said he could put it on his insurance but his deductible is $1000(which I would of course pay)but would this cause an increase in his insurance and secondly, would his insurance company then come after me?

#2) I have progressive insurance on my boat, would they cover this? Would this cause an increase on my insurance?

#3) What about my home owners, would that cover this?

I want to do the right thing here, just not sure what the wisest route for me to take would be. Thanks for the advice.

John

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Bummer. I think only his and your agents can answer these questions.

 

[azlakes]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

... if your worried about insurance rates increasing, get estimates from qualified fix it shops and see if cash money brings down the price. dont involve your ins.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

If the difference between his deductable and the total cost is only $200 I wouldn't put it through insurance, he will pay more than the $200 back very quickly when the rates go up. Try the 'pay cash' route with the dealer or another small repair shop, might get a lower cost.

 

[oops!]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

sorry to hear that.

i would find a pro builder.....on his off hours.....25 an hour.....unless its structural......it would be cheap and just as good.

some times helping makes you feel like a heel

 

[mike176]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

you pay $1,000 he pays $200 and your even. I have bunks but i never undo the wench till she is floating. Call me parinoid but my boat will never lay on the ramp and anybody who says diffrent is a damn fool. lesson learnd atleast nobody got hurt.

most of my friends are boaters and when my boat is on the ramp they drive the truck and I do all the work, when there boat is on the ramp I drive the truck.

 

[woodee148]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

I agree with boatin bob, if your gonna cough up the grand just pay the extra 200 and be done with it. save 200 just to worry about insurance issues...no thanks

 

[Solittle]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

If this is a new boat you may have warranty issues.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Make sure you check the nose cone on the drive, it may have drug down the concrete for a few feet also, and aluminum wears away real fast against concrete.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

#1) He said he could put it on his insurance but his deductible is $1000(which I would of course pay)but would this cause an increase in his insurance and secondly, would his insurance company then come after me?

#2) I have progressive insurance on my boat, would they cover this? Would this cause an increase on my insurance?

#3) What about my home owners, would that cover this?

1) No they would not be able to come after you. In your capacity of helping him, you became a "Named Insured" on HIS policy. It's just like he did it himself. He actually has no legal grounds to make you pay the $1000 deductible.

2) No, not if his boat is covered. His insurance is primary, yours would only be "excess". If his didn't have high enough limits to fully cover the repairs, your policy would pay the "excess".

3) Same answer as #2.

Of course individual states vary.

If the damage is truly only $1200, DON'T turn in the claim to his carrier. You two work it out and pay cash. I would also get a second opinion on the damage. Especially to make sure the drive didn't get scraped up or worse.
If for some reason the shops are saying things like, "well there could be a lot more damage once we get into it", then DEFINATELY turn it into his carrier, and don't touch the boat until they see it.

 

[jasono2l]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Man all I can say is that sucks. I don't have anyrel advice, but I would feel the same way that you do. Sorry to read about this man.

 

[oops!]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

If this is a new boat you may have warranty issues.

READ THIS ONE TWICE !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[dave11]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

As Boatin Bob said, just bite the bullet and pay cash to have it repaired.

 

[SubSailor1]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Thanks everyone for the advice, much appreciated. I'm no Captain or anything but have been boating since I was a kid, 44 yrs old now, and I've never done anything this stupid before. I'm pretty embarrased about it really. Damn near lost my foot trying to stop the boat as it rolled down the trailer, that didn't work. 185lb male vs 2200 lb boat on rollers...dumb of me to even try.....

He just bought the boat used for $6995, it's a 94 Wellcraft 19' pleasure boat. Luckily the stern drive was fully tilted up so it never even touched the concrete(Thank God!!). Actually the damage doesn't look bad at all, just a grind right at the base of the stern where the plug is and a few scrapes a few feet further up towards the bow. I think the quote is so high because he took it to the dealer where he bought it instead of taking it straight to the glass guy.

Since I told him I would pay for it I'm going to just pay whatever the damages are and move on. Alot of my friends are saying "Hey, you've been helping the guy and if it wasn't for you he wouldn't even know how to start the damn thing, the right thing to do would to be for him to pay half and you pay half..at the most". But it's a matter of principle for me, I said I'd pay for it so I'm going to do what I said I would. It sucks because there goes our trip to the coast for some Saltwater fishing but ya live and ya learn.

Again, thanks everyone for you thoughts on the matter.

Sincerely,
John

 

[tmh]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

John, you made the mistake so i guess you're right to OFFER to pay for the repairs. However, were it my boat and a friend was helping me out no way I'd let HIM pay for damage caused by a mistake. NO WAY.

Obviously, it's your call to do what you feel is right. Legally, I'd say hehas no right to expect you to pay. It's not like you had borrowed the boat or something, that would be a different story.

good luck. Try to find a less expensive repair person! $1,200 for what you describe as monor damage on a $6,400 boat seems too much to pay.

 

[180shabah]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

I can't see it, but it sounds like a good time for a little marine tex; if it is as minor as you describe it.

Rough sand the area
Apply the epoxy and let it cure
Sand it smooth and hit the water.

If the boat is bottom painted, repaint the repaired area and it will be good as new.

 

[SubSailor1]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Thanks for the advice but I'm pretty sure he wouldn't be happy with anything less than having it repaired by a "Pro". Quote came back this morning and it's going to be $975 so that's better than $1200. I'll just take my medicine and move on. What's that old saying; "No good deed ever goes unpunished" or something like that!?! Ha ha...oh well, ya live and ya learn. Thanks again guys!

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

He still shouldn't make you pay the whole thing. You were there to help him out. You are a good guy to pay up so quickly...

 

[lucky7]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

your doing the right thing. your a stand up guy. dont be bitter about it, a friend is worth more than a grand.

 

[Navy Jr.]

Re: Ok, this is embarrasing..dropped my buddies boat on the ramp! Need advice...

Fixing a friend's boat that was dropped: $975. Keeping your honor and integrity: priceless.