Boat broken into and trashed; what do I do?

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Sailingsaves

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Boat is afloat all year, with insurers GWJ, blessing.

Went to it today to take engine off and service it etc.

Saw two broken padlocks (well space where they should have been)

Engine gone, fuel tank, radio x2, flares, bolt croppers, tools, etc etc. More than I can recall probably at moment. Left the French cruising pilot, thanks a lot. Took my really good tether.

DO I CONTACT POLICE BEFORE INSURERS?

Do insurers need serial number of engine. It was valued at about £400 or £450 but the paperwork and serial number will be very difficult to find. (I kept the cowling down below whilst o/b was in rear locker. They took the cowling).

Lockers left open. Rain went in. Above sole, all rotten wood now.

Giving up sailing. Too much worry.

Insurance is due for renewal mid April, but mooring is due 1st April, boat is simply a hull and sails now, They took anchor, dept guage, wind display gauge.

So it is Police first, then insurers? and what info will insurers need?

Any advice really welcome.
Thanks
 
River Blackwater Essex.

Was really looking forward to stripping my outboards and giving them some care.

So Google says 101 for police non urgent.

Gutted. I was also taking stack pack cover off to use as pattern to make a new one - now have a load of material with nothing to use it on.

They took my really special double Kong Tango lifeline / tether - really nice to me. One has to leave some stuff on board.

Floor boards were rotten. Goodness knows when they did it.

Have glued lockers and hatch closed and padlocked main hatch (nothing in there now, just soggy wood and cushions.

A hull with sails.
 
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Need to contact Essex Police ? Please always dial 999 in an EMERGENCY or see Contact us

The Blackwater has been quite hard hit: I suffered and three others did so the same night. It was a very professional attack. I am aware there was another boat 'hit' this year again. Until we are fully out there again, all mooring are probably going to be vulnerable.
 
tillergirl said:
Need to contact Essex Police ? Please always dial 999 in an EMERGENCY or see Contact us

The Blackwater has been quite hard hit: I suffered and three others did so the same night. It was a very professional attack. I am aware there was another boat 'hit' this year again. Until we are fully out there again, all mooring are probably going to be vulnerable.
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That is a real bummer. I am really sorry to hear you were hit; I am sure you had a lot more gear on board than I did.

Insurers have told me to fill in claim form. I am on hold with police for a crime number. Hope they catch them.
 
That is boat ownership over for me though. Sell all my gear and there is a lot of it that wasn't fitted. Windlass, Taylors diesel heater...

In 2005 I had a boat broken into, not so much taken, did not even claim, because it looked like kids had broken to eat sandwiches by looks of the crumbs - no gear taken. But boat did not feel like mine. So sold it and raced dinghies.

Now I have a bare hull with sails; chain gone, anchors, electronics ripped out. Had that boat about 5 years I think. Good boat.

What do I do with the boat now? Mooring fees are due 1st April. Don't want to pay them to store a hulk that I have no time, money or inclination to fit out. Long fin, and no cradle or trailer and club has no cradle either. Only 23 foot long. Draws 1.2 metres. Sails like a dream; a train on tracks.

Boat won't fetch a penny I doubt. Doubt I could give it away in the state it is in.

I was looking forward to moving onboard. Really sprucing it up and going for a Jester.

But twice hit now. Time to swallow the hook.

Can't think of a way to get rid of the boat and don't want to pay to moor a hulk.

I don't think well when stressed. Going to have a shower and wash mud off.
 
I am so sorry to hear about this. Assume you don’t change your mind about swallowing the hook, it may be worth contacting a scrap dealer and ask if they can take the boat away with a Hiab. Just be done with it instead of hanging around you like a ball and chain. There is that boat scrapping company, that may take it. Also, insurance company may pay for removal and scrapping if the boat is now worthless and at risk of becoming an issue. It does sound like you need a quick and clean break from this. Ask insurance about removal.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
I am so sorry to hear about this. Assume you don’t change your mind about swallowing the hook, it may be worth contacting a scrap dealer and ask if they can take the boat away with a Hiab. Just be done with it instead of hanging around you like a ball and chain. There is that boat scrapping company, that may take it. Also, insurance company may pay for removal and scrapping if the boat is now worthless and at risk of becoming an issue. It does sound like you need a quick and clean break from this. Ask insurance about removal.
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Thank you. Good idea.

There is a half tide marina nearby, that do a lot of yard work. They may take it for parts.

Stack pack. All lines lead aft, so clutches etc.

Blakes seacocks in good order.

Anemometer that thieves could not get from top of mast.

Roller furling jib in good order

My good order means the sails have no patches or holes, but they are old.

Standing rigging all good less than 10 years old.

Outside it looks tatty, because it birds and critters, nothing a good wash wouldn't sort.

It is a seaworthy boat but now has holes where bits ripped out and whole of floor was awash
 
Trying to make a list of what was onboard.

Amazing what one forgets.

Someone just said: "compass"?

Slap head. Yes. I had two of those onboard, a steering and an Iris 50; totally missed off my list.
 
Just been notified that spark plug I bought in prep for servicing engine has been dispatched.

Salt into wounds; I enjoy servicing my outboards.
 
I feel for you-I hope the insurance pay up ok and good luck wrapping it all up. Best wishes after such a demoralising experience.
 
Thanks.

Now the shakes have gone, I think, maybe I do want to keep my boat, and the next moment, I think: "no, it is not worth the stress - worrying about gales, now worrying about thieves (I hope they don't find out it needs a new gearbox seal and they don't change the gear oil and it seizes up on them (but without resorting to help from RNLI); it is strong boat and sailed so well, like a knife through butter... but the work these vandals did it great... and it seems impossible to keep a boat secure on a mooring without going armoured.

Need to sleep on the ideas and cogitate overnight. Do the work and even if I armoured it, they'd just drill a hole out of spite if they could not get in perhaps.

If only I had been living on it as planned... no point wishing and iff-ing - clearer thinking tomorrow... and hopefully no nightmares.

Nasty vandalising thieves.
 
Generally insurers have to ask specific questions both at proposal stage and on a claims form. As long as both of these sets are answered accurately, they should be able to evaluate your claim accurately.

I wouldn't be worried about submitting a claim form and provisional list of loss and then adding to it later as long as you make this clear.

Damage consequent upon the theft such as rainwater damage caused by open hatches should also be included, to at least indicate this on the form.
 
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