Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

phwrd

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
294
Bought a boat, nice 17 foot center console out of a back yard. 140 hp johnson. Didn't even have the sense to test it out on the water first.

Immediately dumped it in the water...as expected, it stranded me. Took it to a local mechanic, water in the lower unit, running on 2 of 4 cylinders, bad fuel left over in the tank.

New starter, gear, impeller, seals, water pump, thermostat, fuel lines, H20 seperater, gauges, fuse block & switches and new controls.

Well, after spending far more money to fix the boat than i did to buy it, i finally got it running smooth and steady.

Just as i always dreamed of. A nice little boat that i can use on the bay, maybe take out into the Gulf on a good day. And i can park it on the lift behind my brothers house, there isn't much more a guy needs.

Only thing i didn't think of, during a drunken party, they decided to take the boat for a jant.... ya, hit the sea wall head on, absolutely crushed the nose and all but sunk the boat.

Can't kill him (yet), don't want to explain it to mom ? Looking for sugggestions on the proper way to pay the sob back and to get back on the water...
 

Nova II 260

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 27, 2006
Messages
681
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Tell him your insurance is going to sue him unless he replaces your boat with some thing similar. Unless he know you didn't have any insurance.
 

rndn

Commander
Joined
May 20, 2007
Messages
2,323
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Sue yourself for leaving it there with the keys.
 

Windykid

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Apr 17, 2007
Messages
1,177
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Only thing i didn't think of, during a drunken party, they decided to take the boat for a jant.... ya, hit the sea wall head on, absolutely crushed the nose and all but sunk the boat.

Can't kill him (yet), don't want to explain it to mom ? Looking for sugggestions on the proper way to pay the sob back and to get back on the water...[/QUOTE]

:eek::eek::mad:
Send him a bill for repairs, and a copy of the classifieds with your selections circled.:rolleyes:
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

I agree,He should at least pay to replace it.
Hard lesson learned!! Never leave the keys!!
 

beerfilter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
305
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

"Can't kill him (yet), don't want to explain it to mom ? Looking for sugggestions on the proper way to pay the sob back and to get back on the water... "

Time to consult an attorney .
Hopefully , he will own up to his stupidity and be a man .
If not , you are going to have be the man , and , probably hire an attorney .
Given that he is immature and foolish enough to wreck a boat that didn't belong to him , while he was drunk , I think a lawyer is in your future .;)

If you have insurance and they cover the damage , the ins. company will probably sue him to recoup thier losses .
If you did not have insurance , or , they will not cover it , you are going to have to sue the fool directly .
Being family , this could be a very nasty business .:(

Good luck , and , next time don't leave the keys , OR , better yet , find another place to keep your boat .
 

gonefishie

Commander
Joined
Jul 28, 2004
Messages
2,624
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

There's something wrong there if you have to take your own brother to court. If it was my brother, I would beat the money out of him. I would go to his house and kick his azz everyday until he give me the check for the damage.
 

Fish n Geer

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Oct 13, 2007
Messages
252
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Thats a crappy deal there for sure! If he is any kind of a person he will make it right with you! And i agree keep the keys in your pocket!
When i get my boat done there is only one person whom i would let take it out without me in it.Thats my Dad.He pretty much taught me the ropes if you will.
 
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
1,790
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

If he got drunk and took it without askin,theres no reason to think he will suddenly become responicible now. He just wants you and the problem to go away...........I would say pay me or I will report it stolen and then you will pay the judge,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no ifs ands or butts.If he has no money take his car. If he has no car take his bike.
 

Mark42

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 8, 2003
Messages
9,334
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Just place a claim with your insurance company and let them decide who to go after to recoup their expenses.

That way you get your money, and you don't have to hassle your loser brother.

If you don't have insurance, and your brother has not offered to pay, then you have learned a lesson about the value of insurance. To insure that boat would have probably only been about $100 - $300 a year, depending on where you live.
 

MacGizmo

Cadet
Joined
Nov 9, 2007
Messages
19
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Whatever you do?.just get back on the water:cool:
 

phwrd

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 30, 2007
Messages
294
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Update...Good news / bad news

without any blood shed, convinced my brother to man up. For his monthly payment, I picked up a nicer, larger boat. Picture Attached.

The mechanic who fixed the first motor, hooked me up with at a seller to take the damaged boat with freshly reconditioned engine, new controls and good trailer.

That paid for the reconditioning of the new motor. Once I rewire, install the new gauges, switches and bildge pumps i had already bought...i might get back on the water before Easter...

Thanks for all of your good ideas...still think i should have sold his organs on the black market...

If you want, I will keep you posted on the cleanup and rewiring of the new boat. Bought and actually read the recommended books & picked up good meter. maybe this will work out...

And if anyone has anymore advise for an humbled seaman apprentice, please send along...

Thanks again !
 

wildmaninal

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jul 14, 2007
Messages
1,897
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

If you want, I will keep you posted on the cleanup and rewiring of the new boat.

Glad to hear something good came out of that mess. Keep us posted and if needed start a new thread or few in the proper forums here, if you come to a point where you need some help these guys can help ;).
 

cbac

Cadet
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
26
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Update...Good news / bad news

without any blood shed, convinced my brother to man up. For his monthly payment, I picked up a nicer, larger boat. Picture Attached.

The mechanic who fixed the first motor, hooked me up with at a seller to take the damaged boat with freshly reconditioned engine, new controls and good trailer.

That paid for the reconditioning of the new motor. Once I rewire, install the new gauges, switches and bildge pumps i had already bought...i might get back on the water before Easter...

Thanks for all of your good ideas...still think i should have sold his organs on the black market...

If you want, I will keep you posted on the cleanup and rewiring of the new boat. Bought and actually read the recommended books & picked up good meter. maybe this will work out...

And if anyone has anymore advise for an humbled seaman apprentice, please send along...
Thanks again !

I'd advise you to keep your new boat away frome your brother, ya know?
 

beerfilter

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
May 11, 2007
Messages
305
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

I'd advise you to keep your new boat away frome your brother, ya know?

LMAO , ya beat me to it !

Glad you came out ok , and , have something as good , or , better .
Doesn't always happen .

Now , get out there and catch some fish .
Too freakin' cold for me , right now .
~ 25 degrees and a North wind .
Going to stay in the house today and watch fishing shows(sucks but I am warm !) , and , some football later .
 

scrobo

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 5, 2007
Messages
277
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Nice to see family can own up to thier mistakes.

My brother clipped my previous car's door going into a drive through and tried to cover it with nail polish he bought at Shoppers Drug Mart (Found receipt under the seat) and swore to god he never hit anything or nicked anything... it must have been a repair from the last owner starting to show :confused:

Wanna trade brothers?
 

jay_merrill

Vice Admiral
Joined
Dec 5, 2007
Messages
5,653
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

I think you are a very nice guy. You must be .... your brother is still alive.
 

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Nice to see family can own up to thier mistakes.

My brother clipped my previous car's door going into a drive through and tried to cover it with nail polish he bought at Shoppers Drug Mart (Found receipt under the seat) and swore to god he never hit anything or nicked anything... it must have been a repair from the last owner starting to show :confused:

Wanna trade brothers?

HAHAHA, that is hillarious! Nail polish? I mean I could see some touch-up paint or something... but nail polish? You have to tell us, did it match the paint color? I mean, I know nail polish comes in many colors, but didn't know it came in car paint colors too.

If I were you, I would give him nail polish for every birthday/christmas gift from here on out. When he asks you when you're going to let it go, you say, "right after you man up and pay for the damage you did." :D
 

billygull

Cadet
Joined
May 14, 2007
Messages
15
Re: Lessons learned as a first time boat owner.

Good to hear it all worked out fine without any legal retribution being necessary! Any situation you walk away from without using a lawyer is a good one;)

~Billy~

Boat Insurance Coverage
 
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