Sank my boat yesterday

[spectras only]

I'm surprised OP's boat suffered bulkhead structural damage, after he stated, he has slowed down. Structural damage at the bulkhead is not unusual, running high speeds launching off of huge wakes since highest compression pressures on a hull are at the bulkhead entry way. Any boat, built for the intent of running large body of waters, should have minimum 4 full length stringers. So, obviously the likes of Ultra and similar boats that size or less, stay in relatively protected rivers and lakes. I had my 20 Spectra [ jet ] reinforced with full length stringers, had the boat for 26 yrs running in the ocean as well when relatively calm there. Had my 24 Spectra [ 1972 ] that was a tank and took to the ocean extremely well other than taking spray over the bow, hence it had lower freeboard, not intended for big water. My Mirage 257 was built with high freeboard and a 24* deadrise with intent using it in Pacific North West. It feels right at home in rough water. My buddy had a 29 Baja that he ripped the stringers off on the starboard side almost sinking the boat while we're running our poker run in Vancouver. We were running side by side under the 2nd Narrows bridge with as many as 20 boats under it, ranging from 21 footers to 42. That was the time I learned Baja had balsa cored hulls He sold the boat when it was fixed and bought his 35 Fountain with twin 600's. That boat also developed stress cracks in the gel at the floor next to the entry way bulkhead. Here's a picture that shows were the extreme pressures are, so adjust your speed and attack when approaching swells.

 

[JJK94]

Ive understood the cause to be the boat filling with water. How did the structural damage occur and how is it determined to be from this incident. I would purchase the boat back after the settlement

 

[Ibeplumbing]

Totally sucks about your boat man...I'd feel exactly the same. These wake surf boats have gotten out of control, particularly in Parker. And people make fun of me for buying a 30ft cat to run there. My 28 Daytona would go flying all the time. They are completely unavoidable on the river areas, you have to cross them. It's a shame really

 

[River Lynchmob]

Ok, ok, I get it. I never said it was ALL their fault but;

He didn't stop and help my family and me out of the water, in fact, I screamed help to them, they looked and thus saw us but kept on going.

The FUCKIN ballast shouldn't be used in the gorge! I now stand by that. There was a post earlier that said this guy was pulling a knee board in there on Sunday.

I'm not a fucking novice, that kinda remark boils my blood. I have 2 boats and been on Havasu and the river since 89, 29 fucking years. Let me catch my breath.

With that said, and my pussy ass crying as I type, the verdict is in,,,,she's totaled. Bulk head compromised. They didn't even look at the motor after they saw that.

My family was raised on this boat. I'm actually having a bit of brain trauma to be honest. I just paid my last boat payment last month. 12 fucking years.

Now I'll have to deal with the ins trying to SCREW me!!!!!

I almost feel like selling my house out there,,,,,but I won't and I'll find another boat and it won't be easy or new and I'll have to deal with that. I like having something nobody else has and that boat was almost one of a kind, straight off the LA boat show floor from John. So, what do I do now?

You guys are a good group of knowledge. I'll play hardball with the ins company. Rusty tells me 40-45K but I'm not sure they ins the trailer which BTW, was a pristine trailer with high end wheels and all the bells and whistles,,,,like I said, right off the boat show floor.

I think I'm gonna go with twin OB if I can find a nice one 24-26 feet this time. But right now I'm gonna just try and heal.

Some people go through boats like candy,,,I don't. I get attached. I've had my other boat since 1989. I restored it from bow to transom. I had this one for 12 years, in my garage and it was like new.

If anyone knows about a nice OB with 24-26 feet let me know.

I'll say it again,,,,,,it WAS not all their fault or mine but I sure as fuck wouldn't of had the ballast loaded and I sure as hell woulda turned around and offered help. If this guy is reading, which I HIGHLY doubt,,,,fuck you asshole! Let the comments continue and don't be shy, tell it like it is.

Really sorry to hear this and I can sympathize with all the memories etc. I also agree 1000% that no one should have ballast or anything else when they are not pulling someone and need to be cognizant of their surroundings. I have been boating my whole life and have been taught how to respect others etc. Up until a year ago I never thought I would own an RB boat but it is a great fit with our family. I will always make sure I am in an area that best fits with what I am going to do with the boat and never drive anywhere with ballast in our boat just for shits a giggles. Again, sorry to hear about the boat being totaled.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I understand what you’re saying, but in my head I picture a different analogy...

Say I’m heading down Rice Rd, I get stuck behind someone doing 30 mph, I make the conscious decision to pass said vehicle. Now in the other lane, there is another vehicle coming at me, but he appears to be a few hundred yards out. The car in front of me is towing his 25’ boat, so I’ve gotta get a pretty good run at it to pass him. Oh shit, I misjudged how fast the other vehicle was going. He was speeding, got to me faster than I thought, so I had to pull off the highway and park my truck in the ditch. My fault because I misjudged and made a shitty pass? Or oncoming traffics’ fault because he was speeding? By your guys’ logic, it’s the opposing vehicles fault for speeding... ignorant imo..

And I’m sure damn near everyone on here has been in a situation pretty damn similar to that on Rice.

I dont think that analogy is correct because when making a pass int ,oncoming traffic on a highway the passing vehicle is always at fault unless he is making an emergency manuever to avoid a road hazard (a slow moving vehicle is not a road hazard) in which time it can get quiet grey.

I think you are underestimating the surprise factor of these wakes. They are very deceiving because of the short wave length and they always appear to,habe a larger trough than the crest when coming upon them. I dont know what your boating history is, but being in a wake boat those waves and wave length arent quiet as upsetting to the boat and ride. But being in a low freeboard boat, they have to be attacked very particularly so since wakesurfing wakes are hard to see, they become even more dangerous than large boat wakes and weather conditions.

Sent from my LM-G710VM using Tapatalk

 

[buck35]

A couple years ago a buddy and I were running up the Columbia 60sh about 150 feet apart when we both launched off a wake neither of us seen until nearly on top of it. Scared the holy bejeesus out of me ,ice chest bounced up an emptied on the floor. There were a couple of boats on the shore but no others in sight and the river is a mile wide there.

 

[Ultra912]

First and foremost, sorry for your loss and glad everyone is ok, I would be devastated if I lost my boat as well. However, I’m a little taken back by the whole scenario. By no means do I just cruise around with loaded ballast all day, especially in channels, up the gorge, or on parker. That being said, if I see oncoming traffic and people sitting at a stand still in the water in front of me, I wouldn’t think to carry on and take a 4’ roller at 40 mph, especially with loved ones in the nose of an open bow. Normally your first instinct would either be to throttle out completely and float behind the pontoon until the oncoming traffic passes, or at the very least throttle out to below plane so you can safely plow through the oncoming wake. Too many times I’ve been headed up the gorge on a busy weekend (doing 15-20 mph, because the water is shit from the traffic already) and of course there’s always the assholes that have to haul ass up river doing 70-100 through traffic. Time and time they’ll hit my wake and be completely out of the water. My 22’ centurion tops out about 34 mph w a 350 mag. Never have I thought it would be a good idea to hit opposing traffics’ wake at full speed in my boat. By that logic, when there’s 30 mph winds and 3-5’ swells on the lake, and I decide to take my boat on it only to capsize the boat, I’m going to blame it on the weather? no, it would be nobody else’s fault but my own and my own poor judgement. Again sorry for your loss, but sometimes we gotta own up to our own mistakes, whether that be riding with an overloaded (bow-heavy) boat, under the influence, or simply driving to fast for the conditions at hand. Good day

Never said I was going 40. I said I usually navigate this area at 40-50. I slowed and trolled behind until we were PAST the stationary group. THEN I moved over and tried accelerating over it and when I got to the top, and not until then, did I see a 4 foot drop on the other side. If your gonna comment like that get the story straight please. Had I took the wake at 40 it wouldn't of happened. I would have gone airborne and took a bump but taking it slow there was no propulsion to clear the second roller.

 

[Ultra912]

Fault is on both boats, can’t blame 1 over the other. It sucks this occurred, but trying to place 100% fault on one boat or another is pure BS. If the Ultra was floating (engine off, not moving) and was swapped by the wakeboat, then the wakeboat is responsible. Since the Ultra was moving and attempted to cross the wake, fault goes to both. While you are responsible for your wake and damage it causes, the minute that damage is caused on another moving vessel, the fault is spread across both boats. Does it suck the wakeboat was causing a huge wake, the answer is yes. But only that operator knows if his tanks were full and that guy is not on RDP.
When I was ordering my Ultra, I was sitting in JW’s office and someone called about a 23 deck and told JW they boat Havasu only. But due to garage length they could not make a 26 work. JW flat out told the guy, the 23 deck is not a great boat for Havasu. The low freeboard does not do well with the Havasu chop. JW told the guy, if you get a 26, I will personally help pay and build the bumpout required on the back wall of your garage to make the 26 fit.
End of day, Ultra lost his family’s boat and that sucks! My takeaway on the OP post. Ultra was venting about losing his boat and giving everyone an FYI, that you need to be well aware of all the wakes out on the lake as they can sneak up on you and ruin your day.

I think I agree with all that. The boat struggled with Havasu chop, that's true. But I dealt with it with my experience and knowing where the water was best. Did I know where and where not to go depending on weekend or ? Yes I did and heading to the river on a Tuesday was supposed to be a decent ride.

 

[Ultra912]

Ive understood the cause to be the boat filling with water. How did the structural damage occur and how is it determined to be from this incident. I would purchase the boat back after the settlement

Rusty says no. He thinks after completing there will likely be electeral gremlins and the sort meaning it would be in and out of the shop. Motor wasn't even addressed after hull damage was found.

 

[SBMech]

I would want to have them drain all the fluids at the bare minimum, and get the drive train out of it, since you shut it off before it sank, there should be no real issues.

Rewiring etc is not that big of a deal, optimally you could find a boat minus drive train and plug yours right in.

 

[DoTheDrew09]

Your words brotha, not mine..

Never said I was going 40. I said I usually navigate this area at 40-50. I slowed and trolled behind until we were PAST the stationary group. THEN I moved over and tried accelerating over it and when I got to the top, and not until then, did I see a 4 foot drop on the other side. If your gonna comment like that get the story straight please. Had I took the wake at 40 it wouldn't of happened. I would have gone airborne and took a bump but taking it slow there was no propulsion to clear the second roller.

 

[HitIt]

Wow. Quite the range of responses here. Nobody really knows what happened except for you. These are emotional times for you. Try not to waste a bunch of emotional energy and time dealing with the armchair quarterbacks here. Save it for getting everything back on track. The internet is a tough place to vent or seek sympathy.

Sorry for your loss. I am sure did what you thought was best/safest and are now screwed. No matter what happened that is an unfortunate situation to be in. Good luck pulling yourself out of it.

 

[Devilman]

I have said over and over it is a lack of etiquette and courtesy.

This is what it boils down to. Not long ago at our local hangout some dipshit in a small bay boat came around the corner... plowing along with the motor trimmed up at best I can describe as "not quite planing speed". I saw what his wake was gonna do but couldn't do anything but watch... and hurl insults of course, lol... Spun my boat around sideways on the beach, but no water inside thankfully. Swamped my buddies Rochelle though, 3 rollers over the corner of the transom. All due to some dumbass not paying attention, acting like he was the only one on the water. While I don't think he was intentionally trying to fukk with us, I know he saw us and if he had any sense or consideration he had time to chop the throttle & the wake would have dissipated before reaching us. As we went to confront him he made a gesture like "sorry" but then hauled ass, so he knew then he had fucked up, lol. So while irresponsible wake boat owners easily give the rest a bad rep, it is certainly not restricted to wake boats.

 

[Ultra912]

View attachment 672523

Your words brotha, not mine..

My apoligies. I entered at 40 and then slowed to fall in behind the other boat waiting to pass the others and then proceeded. My bad. Had I hit the wake at 40 all would be fine because I would have flew over it.

 

[Wicky]

I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it again... Fuck wakeboard boats.

 

[adam909]

very sad situation.. For the people that want to learn from this, whats the best way to avoid this from happening? What could a driver do differently to prevent this from happening.

 

[Jonas Grumby]

very sad situation.. For the people that want to learn from this, whats the best way to avoid this from happening? What could a driver do differently to prevent this from happening.

Sometimes, your just fukked.
For me if I was on plane, saw it late, I would gas it and fly, if I had a bow full of people(by the way I wouldn’t because bow riders are not safe and I won’t own one) the best he could have done is stayed behind the pontoon, maybe trim up some to get his bow in the air, and plow through.
Hind sight is always 20/20.

This horse is dead guys, it’s beat to death, reserected , then killed again.

 

[Ultra912]

Gonna buy her back and rebuild. Agreed value was more than sufficient and we just can't say good bye

 

[Ziggy]

Gonna buy her back and rebuild. Agreed value was more than sufficient and we just can't say good bye

Like a favorite t shirt.
Sounds like it's working out for you.

 

[Taboma]

Gonna buy her back and rebuild. Agreed value was more than sufficient and we just can't say good bye

As much as I understand your emotional connection I'd take a really hard look at the market both now and consider waiting until winter when replacement prices are lower. From what I read that boat suffered suffered structural damage, that on top of a huge potential for future electrical gremlins due to corrosion, I'd move on.
Unless the difference in restoring it is substantial compared to the insurance pay out, even then I dunno. I'd also think you'd want to factor in cost overruns that are almost assured for the rebuild.
Then factor in resale value for totaled vessel.
Then, considering why it sank in the first place , I'd be looking at a boat with more freeboard

 

[Ultra912]

Goal is to have the boat virtually stripped. New wiring harness, gauges, upholstery, stereo system, computer and motor exterior ( starter, alternator etc). Structural damage is actually not as extreme as first thought. Yes, free board is short but larger will cost more than 50k. A 26 Shadow Deck would be nice but I'm not gonna take on more monthly payments. After 12 years this one is payed off. A 26 will fit in my garage barely. I saw a blue and silver 26 Shadow Deck asking 59K. 42.5 should do it without exhausting all the money,,,,,but we'll see.

https://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/54264

 

[Singleton]

Goal is to have the boat virtually stripped. New wiring harness, gauges, upholstery, stereo system, computer and motor exterior ( starter, alternator etc). Structural damage is actually not as extreme as first thought. Yes, free board is short but larger will cost more than 50k. A 26 Shadow Deck would be nice but I'm not gonna take on more monthly payments. After 12 years this one is payed off. A 26 will fit in my garage barely. I saw a blue and silver 26 Shadow Deck asking 59K. 42.5 should do it without exhausting all the money,,,,,but we'll see.

https://www.powerboatlistings.com/view/54264

You don’t want to touch that 26. It has been through a few owners and been rebuilt more then once. Motor and interior currently in it now are from different boats. It originally had a 525 and original interior photos can be seen on Ultra website.
Sounds like yours can be fixed and as good as new once done.

 

[Ziggy]

As much as I understand your emotional connection I'd take a really hard look at the market both now and consider waiting until winter when replacement prices are lower. From what I read that boat suffered suffered structural damage, that on top of a huge potential for future electrical gremlins due to corrosion, I'd move on.
Unless the difference in restoring it is substantial compared to the insurance pay out, even then I dunno. I'd also think you'd want to factor in cost overruns that are almost assured for the rebuild.
Then factor in resale value for totaled vessel.
Then, considering why it sank in the first place , I'd be looking at a boat with more freeboard

While everything you said is logical, if it's done correctly and thoroughly it'll be great again.
In fact, it could be in even better shape than before the swamping.

 

[RiverDave]

This is an interesting thread, and I have had my own thoughts on it from the get go, but have been a little reluctant to respond to any of it, because I really don't like pouring salt in somebodies wound.

I have read the first few pages, and skimmed quite a few of the other responses as a lot of them got stuck on repeat.

First and foremost (and I don't just mean this to the OP, but in general) we seem to live in a society now where people cannot accept responsibility for their own actions. If something happens it's invariably "Well, this is what happened."

When I first read the first post, I leaned back in my chair and said... "Damn..."

I guess I'm the last of the Mohicans over here, but I still take the "Captain" role seriously. If I leave a dock, and there's people on the boat, I am responsible for everyone of the "souls" (I use that term purposefully) on the boat. If I decide to try and cross a set of rollers and come up short, then that is nobodies fault but my own.

We can argue until we are blue in the face about wake size, wakeboats, assholes, ballast, surfers, legislation, shore erosion, whatever.. None of it is going to change the fact that in this particular scenario a decision was made to try and overcome a set of circumstances, and the driver and boat came up short resulting in people ending up in the water and the boat sinking. Luckily the ramifications of said bad decision weren't worse and nobody was seriously hurt except for the drivers pride.

Don't mistake what I'm writing here, because it's going to translate into the part two. I think these Wake Boats are flat ass out of control.. I have no idea what we can do about it, but I know that government isn't the answer because that is going to open pandoras box.

Part II of what I'm about to write is just something to consider for the OP. The 23 Ultra Deck quite simply is not a suitable boat for Havasu / Parker anymore. I have been in several and they are not known for dealing with any kind of rough water well. With these "swells" that are coming off the wakeboats now it's just a recipe for disaster.

This isn't some new discussion that we are having, the term "shovel" and these smaller deckboats has been discussed on here countless times before, and frankly I'm amazed this incident doesn't happen more often.

My advice, take the Insurance money and purchase something that has more ability to deal with the current conditions on the water. 21-25' Vee Bottom and we wouldn't even be reading this thread no matter how big the wake was, or how bad you came up on it etc.. You might get wet, it might be a rough ride, but it would be highly unlikely to end up at the bottom of the lake. If a Vee isn't for you, than again consider a larger cat, or one with a deeper entry so that you aren't so likely to stuff it.

Regardless of how it happened, and why it happened it's irrelevant. "I don't care who's fault it is, it's your fault" Is the lesson in life I grew up with. There is a captain, the captain elected to try and cross a wake. The wake was bigger than he thought it was, and he came up very short. The end result was the boat sank and people are in the water. This is 100% on the captain, not anyone else. The wakeboard boat is an asshole no doubt, but "forgive them father for they know not what they do." The captain is in charge of his own destiny and the destiny of everyone on board.

If you restore this boat, it's great for the legacy and the memories.. But remember the water is only getting rougher, not smoother. As you have so aptly pointed out in this thread, it doesn't matter how busy it is, or rough or smooth. Only takes one loaded boat to create a situation that makes it difficult for that particular boat to contend with. I don't see the logic in putting yourself in that situation again, when they are building these wakeboats at a rate of several thousand a month.

P.S. No matter what kind of boat you are in, if you are unsure about crossing a wake don't roll off the top of it and chop the throttle. That is literally the worst thing you can do. Ride up the back of it and take a look around if you have too, but don't crest it. Then make a plan and attack it..

RD

 

[aka619er]

If you don't decide to rebuild, I may be a buyer. Always looking for the right color scheme 23 shadow.

 

[buck35]

This thread reinforces why I will only own closed bow boats. I can haul 3 people besides the wife and I, in the back seat...

 

[Cole Trickle]

If you boat in havasu take the $$$$ and run....23 shadow is not a good rough water/havasu boat.

 

[Ultra912]

Thanks for your input Dave,,,,,and the others. I'm glad someone commented on the other boat. I will stay away. I was told the HO had been rebuilt with 200 hrs on it due to a clogged injector blowing a hole in a piston. The upholstery, I was told it was stored outside and mother earth/sun did it's job. I'm lucky that my ins paid more than market for the boat sooooo,,,,,,,,anyone that knows of a 25-26 boat with room for guests, v-hull or cat, please message me. I have a budget of 50K. I'm in no hurry since I do have another boat but its only 19' and I'll probably launch it on slow days or at Moabi. I'm sure there will be some nice boats at good prices over the winter. Again, I do accept full responsibility but I do hate those tanks on the water. I'm sure most of the original blame on my initial post was driven by them never stopping to help. If any of you guys were on the lake as often as us, with my boat,,,,you would hate those tanks too. Why 25-26? Because that's the largest my garage will take. Anyone seeing anything please send me a pm as well as those with offers for my boat. BTW,,,,I do love multi colored gel coats.

 

[brgrcru]

Thanks for your input Dave,,,,,and the others. I'm glad someone commented on the other boat. I will stay away. I was told the HO had been rebuilt with 200 hrs on it due to a clogged injector blowing a hole in a piston. The upholstery, I was told it was stored outside and mother earth/sun did it's job. I'm lucky that my ins paid more than market for the boat sooooo,,,,,,,,anyone that knows of a 25-26 boat with room for guests, v-hull or cat, please message me. I have a budget of 50K. I'm in no hurry since I do have another boat but its only 19' and I'll probably launch it on slow days or at Moabi. I'm sure there will be some nice boats at good prices over the winter. Again, I do accept full responsibility but I do hate those tanks on the water. I'm sure most of the original blame on my initial post was driven by them never stopping to help. If any of you guys were on the lake as often as us, with my boat,,,,you would hate those tanks too. Why 25-26? Because that's the largest my garage will take. Anyone seeing anything please send me a pm as well as those with offers for my boat. BTW,,,,I do love multi colored gel coats.

enjoy the outboard . back to your roots.
sometimes less is more.

 

[boatpi]

10 years ago it was Lake lice everybody was kicking ass on now it's rollbar boats.

 

[HALLETT BOY]

10 years ago it was Lake lice everybody was kicking ass on now it's rollbar boats.

It’s not one particular boat or another , it’s Asshole people that are the problem.

 

[Old Texan]

This is an interesting thread, and I have had my own thoughts on it from the get go, but have been a little reluctant to respond to any of it, because I really don't like pouring salt in somebodies wound.

I have read the first few pages, and skimmed quite a few of the other responses as a lot of them got stuck on repeat.

First and foremost (and I don't just mean this to the OP, but in general) we seem to live in a society now where people cannot accept responsibility for their own actions. If something happens it's invariably "Well, this is what happened."

When I first read the first post, I leaned back in my chair and said... "Damn..."

I guess I'm the last of the Mohicans over here, but I still take the "Captain" role seriously. If I leave a dock, and there's people on the boat, I am responsible for everyone of the "souls" (I use that term purposefully) on the boat. If I decide to try and cross a set of rollers and come up short, then that is nobodies fault but my own.

We can argue until we are blue in the face about wake size, wakeboats, assholes, ballast, surfers, legislation, shore erosion, whatever.. None of it is going to change the fact that in this particular scenario a decision was made to try and overcome a set of circumstances, and the driver and boat came up short resulting in people ending up in the water and the boat sinking. Luckily the ramifications of said bad decision weren't worse and nobody was seriously hurt except for the drivers pride.

Don't mistake what I'm writing here, because it's going to translate into the part two. I think these Wake Boats are flat ass out of control.. I have no idea what we can do about it, but I know that government isn't the answer because that is going to open pandoras box.

Part II of what I'm about to write is just something to consider for the OP. The 23 Ultra Deck quite simply is not a suitable boat for Havasu / Parker anymore. I have been in several and they are not known for dealing with any kind of rough water well. With these "swells" that are coming off the wakeboats now it's just a recipe for disaster.

This isn't some new discussion that we are having, the term "shovel" and these smaller deckboats has been discussed on here countless times before, and frankly I'm amazed this incident doesn't happen more often.

My advice, take the Insurance money and purchase something that has more ability to deal with the current conditions on the water. 21-25' Vee Bottom and we wouldn't even be reading this thread no matter how big the wake was, or how bad you came up on it etc.. You might get wet, it might be a rough ride, but it would be highly unlikely to end up at the bottom of the lake. If a Vee isn't for you, than again consider a larger cat, or one with a deeper entry so that you aren't so likely to stuff it.

Regardless of how it happened, and why it happened it's irrelevant. "I don't care who's fault it is, it's your fault" Is the lesson in life I grew up with. There is a captain, the captain elected to try and cross a wake. The wake was bigger than he thought it was, and he came up very short. The end result was the boat sank and people are in the water. This is 100% on the captain, not anyone else. The wakeboard boat is an asshole no doubt, but "forgive them father for they know not what they do." The captain is in charge of his own destiny and the destiny of everyone on board.

If you restore this boat, it's great for the legacy and the memories.. But remember the water is only getting rougher, not smoother. As you have so aptly pointed out in this thread, it doesn't matter how busy it is, or rough or smooth. Only takes one loaded boat to create a situation that makes it difficult for that particular boat to contend with. I don't see the logic in putting yourself in that situation again, when they are building these wakeboats at a rate of several thousand a month.

P.S. No matter what kind of boat you are in, if you are unsure about crossing a wake don't roll off the top of it and chop the throttle. That is literally the worst thing you can do. Ride up the back of it and take a look around if you have too, but don't crest it. Then make a plan and attack it..

RD

Dave, I completely understand your point on Capt responsibility. BUT there are indeed circumstances that a Capt can be placed into for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the right time for disaster. I mentioned a case where I had a wake coming at me from a shrimp trawler that I had no escape from. Pinned between boat and shore in the channel of the Port Of Freeport. Shrimper was hauling ass at an illegal speed and throwing a wake I could not turn away from or escape. I and my small center console survived.

Point being, it's not always a situation that a Capt has any choice but top face what is coming. Only way out would have been to have never left the dock.....Just saying

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Dave, I completely understand your point on Capt responsibility. BUT there are indeed circumstances that a Capt can be placed into for no other reason than being in the wrong place at the right time for disaster. I mentioned a case where I had a wake coming at me from a shrimp trawler that I had no escape from. Pinned between boat and shore in the channel of the Port Of Freeport. Shrimper was hauling ass at an illegal speed and throwing a wake I could not turn away from or escape. I and my small center console survived.

Point being, it's not always a situation that a Capt has any choice but top face what is coming. Only way out would have been to have never left the dock.....Just saying

Very true. They do not call them accidents because they happened on purpose.

 

[rrrr]

One thing everyone should take away from this thread is that you need to properly insure your boat. While the price of a policy based on book value might be attractive, it's not going to cover the hours and money spent to make your boat just right for you. This is especially true if your boat is more than five years old.

Get an agreed value policy, one that will actually replace your boat with one equal to yours. Same with the trailer.

This takes away the stress of negotiating what the boat was worth. You'll get a check for an amount you specified. Besides, agreed value policies are not much more expensive than book value policies.

I hope the OP is able to repair his boat to a like new condition with the insurance money.

 

[Shlbyntro]

I'm still in utter shock and thank god my family is ok but the time has come to complain. The fucking ballast boats, better known on my boat as water tanks, have ruined the water in certain areas a Havasu and the Colorado River. Yesterday I was entering the river from the lake and while going about 40 MPH and the narrow area ahead I encountered a parked pontoon boat to the right, stationary with 5 waverunners surrounding it, blocking about 1/3 of the width of the river. To the left was an idiot in his ballast boat trolling about 15 to 20mph with his ballast full plowing a 4 foot swell. After passing by the pontoon crowd I moved out to the right to pass the ballast boat and after getting thrown in the air by the first swell my boat came down with the next swell going over my bow, throwing the people in front of my boat out the back and the rest of us scrambling to get out. She sank within 3 minutes with no time to retrieve phones, wallets, purses and all other personal belongings. A coupe of boats that had been traveling about a 1/4 mile behind me saved us all but I stayed with the boat since the bow was still about 2 feet above the water and the boat standing straight up. It took about 15 minutes for all the remaiming air to be pushed out through the rub rail and then down she went to the bottom standing straight up. My boat is a 23 ultra shadow deck with a 496 mag. I've been doing my best to avoid these stupid fucking water tanks as they destroy the water ahead but yesterday there was no room to avoid. This fucking asshole had his ballast full plowing the water on the river where the width was probably only 150 feet wide and partially blocked. They did not stop and offer any assistance and there were probably 8 people on the boat. They looked back but kept on going. I have owned this boat for 12 years and have been a boat owner since 1989. I cried as she went down but I'm fuming now. These people have got to leave the fucking ballasts empty when moving up or down the river where no skiing is allowed. The sheriff told me they're trying to outlaw the use of ballasts while moving through the gorge but nothing has happened yet. 9K to retrieve the boat and she was sitting on my trailer 4 hours later. Thank god I have insurance. Rusty was still at Ultra so I was able to drop it off I'm sure to only be told she's totaled. The sheriff also told me last weekend the same happened to a 28' eliminator Daytona. I wish I could locate the pieces of shit on the other boat but there was no time to even get a description other than it was a metal flake bronze colored one. My seats were ripped from the floor left floating down river until some decent people retrieved what was left. I killed the engine before she went down so hopefully it's ok but now I'm just sad, thankful and FUCKING pissed off. There, now I got it off my chest.

Man this sucks! I deal with a lot of these boats on Lake Travis in Austin, Tx and also work on a bunch of them. Hopefully it will bring you a little bit of relief to know that a lot of them sink themselves. I feel like there may be some light at the end of the tunnel though being that most of them are coming with price tags close to and over the six figure range that will help to ween out a lot of the ignorance that we many of us have seen. (At least that's my hope)

Good news is that things are changing around here and I am sure will spread for the better in these instances. Most of the boats on my lake are stored on the lake on personal docks, marinas and in drystacks. the marinas and many boat owners I have noticed are taking these "ballast boats" and other large waker very seriously. Over the last couple years I have noticed more and more WiFi enabled camera systems at the marinas, private docks, and on boats that I work on. Most of these cameras pointing out at the lake. There is a much greater sense of accountability here because of these cameras and actions taken by there owners and insurance companies Conditions have improved amazingly in just the last couple years. The ballast boats have learned to stay in more open areas of water and the yachts slow down when passing marinas or more to the far side of the lake.

I do feel for your Ultra though as I acquired mine from its previous owner after it sank and he didn't want to fix it.

Hope all goes well and your boat is back on the water soon

 

[DrunkenSailor]

Cameras on every dock that scares me.

 

[Old Texan]

Cameras on every dock that scares me.

Better than old pissed off men with shotguns......We had an old guy on Lake Lanier, GA that sat on his dock with one in his lap, signs posted to obey no wake rules, and was known to launch a round in the direction of idiots that ignored the distance regulation and rattled his boats tied up to his dock. Old guy had some "connections" and it took a County supervisor that knew him personally to get him to back off.