Hull damage end of season

dvx216

dvx216

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Feb 1, 2012
2,696
Catawaba Island/Orrville,Oh.
Boat Info
340 Sundancer 2001
Engines
8.1s 370 v drv.
Long story short was running about 21 kts in the Putt in bay on Lake Erie area with a boat following to close behind me and a boat to my starboard when a 35' boat head towards us to port suddenly cut across my bow. Was afraid to cut my throttle because of the boat behind me . Took his wave hard enough to crack my hull. Now I'm waiting on a area recommended glass shop for an estimate to give to the insurance company to move forward. Got a 30" crack at the water line rib and fairing let loose on the inside on the bow support. Shop first opinion looking at the damage told me it looks like it will cost roughly 10 to 11,000 dollars to repair. As long as that doesn't balloon it shouldn't be a problem. The insurance company has already got in touch with me told them the same story and the shop rough estimate and it shouldn't be a problem. All I know in this current boating market I wouldn't want to be replacing my boat. Beating myself up pretty good on I should have done this or that. The boat coming up my back side put me in a bad spot if I would have cut my throttles I'm pretty sure he would have not been able to miss hitting me if he was even paying attention considering how close he was following me.
 
dvx216 said:
Long story short was running about 21 kts in the Putt in bay on Lake Erie area with a boat following to close behind me and a boat to my starboard when a 35' boat head towards us to port suddenly cut across my bow. Was afraid to cut my throttle because of the boat behind me . Took his wave hard enough to crack my hull. Now I'm waiting on a area recommended glass shop for an estimate to give to the insurance company to move forward. Got a 30" crack at the water line rib and fairing let loose on the inside on the bow support. Shop first opinion looking at the damage told me it looks like it will cost roughly 10 to 11,000 dollars to repair. As long as that doesn't balloon it shouldn't be a problem. The insurance company has already got in touch with me told them the same story and the shop rough estimate and it shouldn't be a problem. All I know in this current boating market I wouldn't want to be replacing my boat. Beating myself up pretty good on I should have done this or that. The boat coming up my back side put me in a bad spot if I would have cut my throttles I'm pretty sure he would have not been able to miss hitting me if he was even paying attention considering how close he was following me.
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that must have been quite a strike to crack the hull like that. Glad everyone is ok though.

I’ve been a stickler about boats following close behind while traveling, some guys think I’m over sensitive but you never know when you might have to cut throttle or avoid something. Also, I’ve had engines quit on me mid run - not much you can do about it and if people aren’t paying attention they’ll run right up on you.

good luck with the repair
 
Sorry to hear about your damage. Any pictures you could share?

You bring up a good point about traveling distance we all need to keep in the back of our minds.

I do like to tuck behind a big cruiser on plane once in a while to get some calm water and so does smaller boats to me when I'm on plane.

Situations can happen pretty quick on the water.
 
On our jetboat we stay about 1/2 mile + apart in calm areas in rapids one at a time. Only once on SeaRay were we in area of lots of boats. We just slowly slow down unit they all pass or get the message close is not good. No idea how congested your area is. Law in Washington is you are responsible for the damage your wake causes
 
northern said:
Law in Washington is you are responsible for the damage your wake causes
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Same in Oregon. I'd have gone after him. Or at least get a reg number and let the patrol handle it. Also, here, if damage is over $2500, it has to be reported to the marine board and the local patrol. If not, your fined for not reporting it.
 
Any way possible. Get numbers off the boats and let the patrol sort it out. That is what I did when a local guide ran his outboard into the bow of our lake boat. He tore up the gel coat and got in and ran. Almost put my 80 year old father in the water, hit it so hard. Sheriff was going to ticket him for obstruction. He then admitted and said he would let his insurance know. Yeah, they never paid. But still. It was reported as is the law.
 
This is how I feel when someone tails me. I also slow down slightly to force him to pass my starboard side. But only after I ….

6FB2F9FC-C05B-4A87-8CDA-14F87A369194.jpeg
 
From Chesapeake Bay Magazine...

The Susquehanna River drains the largest watershed in the Chesapeake Bay, accounting for 55 percent of the freshwater flowing into the Bay. When the dam’s floodgates open, sediment and hazardous debris are pushed into the river and down the Chesapeake.
The Coast Guard warned boaters in a marine advisory, “Large amounts of debris and logs are possible, and buoys may be riding low due to increased current. All mariners are requested to use extreme caution while transiting the area.”
He estimates it could take three to four days for debris to flow down past the mouth of the Susquehanna, and the effects could be see in Annapolis up to five days after the crest on Thursday.
In 2018, one of the rainiest falls on record, high water flow forced the opening of Conowingo Dam floodgates and sent large logs and debris down as far as Annapolis, making boat navigation difficult to impossible in some areas.
bay_log.jpg
 
northern said:
Law in Washington is you are responsible for the damage your wake causes
Click to expand...
I would argue hitting the wake at 21 kts is the cause of the damage. I boat in an area of ferry boats with planing hulls. They leave a wake of maybe three feet if you pass close, and yes, I have to alter course and/or slow down when I encounter one to prevent emptying the cupboards.
IMG_0412.JPG
 
Last time I cracked a hull it was initially caused by a stringer separation and pounding wakes finished it off.
 
play dough said:
I would argue hitting the wake at 21 kts is the cause of the damage. I boat in an area of ferry boats with planing hulls. They leave a wake of maybe three feet if you pass close, and yes, I have to alter course and/or slow down when I encounter one to prevent emptying the cupboards.View attachment 111618
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We had a close unexpected encounter with one a few weeks ago. Had to throttle way down and my old man had one foot on the teak ski locker, he went down like a sack of potatoes. Thank God the pass through to the bow has cushion on both sides. Could have been really nasty.
 
scoflaw said:
Last time I cracked a hull it was initially caused by a stringer separation and pounding wakes finished it off.
Click to expand...
Long ago when a teen, my friend had a bow rider we took out on lake erie. We hit a wake so hard the dash broke an dropped down but no hull damage. Another friend had a Bayliner Contessa 28’ that hit a wake so hard the fridge ripped out the cabinet.
I don’t know, aint there, but to crack a hull? Thinking pre-existing condition.
 
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