Boat broken into and trashed; what do I do?

[Adios]

To be fair, if they didn't ask, Im not sure they can use it as an excuse not to pay.

My current insurer didn't want to know the engine number but it was a stated condition of the contract that I have the number recorded in case it is stolen. Check the terms carefully

 

[Sailingsaves]

Am tempted to suggest something that wold protect other people from similar damage. But it involves the boat looking like it has been repaired and full of valuable new gear to steal.

Indeed.

I cannot see me getting a boat in the future, but who knows.

If I did (and that would suppose I had the money to buy the boat and carry out what I am about to write), I would have metal reinforced hatches (stainless ideal) that slid into METAL enclosures and locks that could not be crow-barred off, ground away, cut etc, an alarm of over 150dB INSIDE the cabin to hurt ears and outside to attract attention, strobe lights also, plus a bilge pump to squirt water (coloured) or something into the cockpit, the alarms that send one a text and two-way video link plus anything else I could think of that was legal.

I have the tools and ability and ideas to do all of the above and more, but my boat was on a swinging mooring with at most 2 hours either side of tide and to carry out that work I would have needed to have the boat in a marina really, because a lot of measuring would be required, fabrication and so on.

Water under the bridge or out of the creek now.

On to other things.

Cheers, all.

 

[Daydream believer]

Insurers have been in touch.
They will take possession of boat which is a relief.

Just shows how good GJW are. I had a claim when i lost my rudder 600 miles from home. No hassle dealt with immediately & even paid my wife's fuel to come & collect me & car hire to take me back when work done. Took one phone call & another with a single quote to get things moving.

However, moving on, I may have missed it. Where, exactly, on the river Blackwater was your boat moored please?
It may help us locals to have an idea where they are working.

 

[Daydream believer]

Am tempted to suggest something that wold protect other people from similar damage. But it involves the boat looking like it has been repaired and full of valuable new gear to steal.

Friend of mine on the Blackwater had 2 visits & the boat was moored in front of his house !!!!!

 

[Adios]

Sorry to hear this. Where on the Blackwater was it? Might be worth saying for anyone else in the same area

Regarding insurance and writing off my experience from last year might be worth knowing. Mine was a MOBO worth around 5k. Some bastard stole the cockpit canopy which I didn't discover until the elements had done considerable damage to the wood in the cockpit, plus broken door, missing fridge and other bits. Thankfully didn't steal the bilge pump or the engine would have been under water. Insurance company sent a surveyor who seemed to try to soften me up to accept a low offer by hinting they might not pay out for the weather damage as it was my fault for not noticing it despite it was the first lock down. They agreed to pay for the canopy and 50% of the cost to repair the damage but said they considered its then a write off so they'd keep the boat... but if I wanted to keep it I'd have to take £500 less. So I asked whats the point of being given the money to repair the boat if I no longer have the boat. "I see your point" he said and they gave me all the money and I could keep the boat. Thats one point. I was thoroughly sick of the boat at that point and just wanted to see the back of it so may well have taken the money and left it to them.

The other point is this £500 valuation was from the surveyor who was on first name terms with the person who provided the repair quote. The repair quote guy would have bought the boat from the insurance company for £500 and would have given a kickback to the surveyor, I am certain of this as the surveyor sent me this text:




So I kept the insurance money and sold the boat on ebay as it was, easily for £2000 which the surveyor and repairer would both have known it was worth. Frankly the surveyor was working a scam taking advantage of sailors in distress. I expect its quite a usual practice.

Low priced small boats that need a bit of work will be in demand about now. Sounds like yours is still ready to sail around the estuary for someone with an outboard to put on who doesn't mind a bit of tidying up to do. If you can face a bit of hassle selling it don't just accept what you can get from the insurance as you might be able to get a fair bit more of the money back if you sell it yourself.

 

[Sailingsaves]

Lawling Creek. Overlooked by a marina, houses, farms...

I have been told there have been a lot of thefts on the River Blackwater.

Salcot was mentioned too.

I was considering a deep water mooring at Tollesbury, but that is even more remote and more easily accessible than a half tide mooring.

One needs an armoured vessel to deter these thieves it seems.

 

[Daydream believer]

If you can face a bit of hassle selling it don't just accept what you can get from the insurance as you might be able to get a fair bit more of the money back if you sell it yourself.

But the mooring fees are due & why bother with the hassle? Get shot of it & have a clear sheet to start with. Project boats are all over the place & no one wants them , in spite of what you are saying.

 

[Adios]

But the mooring fees are due & why bother with the hassle? Get shot of it & have a clear sheet to start with. Project boats are all over the place & no one wants them , in spite of what you are saying.

Why bother? For the money. Some have to care about that more than others. I'm just floating an alternative suggestion to consider. I don't know how possible it might be to get an agreement for a month extra on the mooring pro-rata "under the circumstances". More likely than not I'd guess.

If the boat has decent enough sails and is decent structurally and mechanically its worth something to someone. If you can add that to what the insurance pays out you might even end up getting more overall than you'd have got if you sold it before all this. As I did. That significantly helped me feel better about a bad situation.

 

[Daydream believer]

Why bother? For the money. Some have to care about that more than others. I'm just floating an alternative suggestion to consider. I don't know how possible it might be to get an agreement for "a month extra on the mooring pro-rata under the circumstances". More likely than not I'd guess.

If the boat has decent enough sails and is decent structurally and mechanically its worth something to someone. If you can add that to what the insurance pays out you might even end up getting more overall than you'd have got if you sold it before all this. As I did. That significantly helped me feel better about a bad situation.

I take your point, but with the greatest of respect, In my defence,
I would point you to the OP's first post, & later, where he described a boat in very poor state of health
Then, to rub one's nose in it, -No engine
There are people who would gladly GIVE you a boat to get rid of them , I am sure
Not all surveyors are "bent". Some can actually be quite fair & understanding. I would not take any notice of a bit of intrigue .
Especially if not substantiated
Obviously they have connections. That can be a good thing rather than a bad one.

 

[Adios]

I would point you to the OP's first post, & later, where he described a boat in very poor state of health
Then, to rub one's nose in it, -No engine

I was going on this:

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

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

Also that the boat is in the Blackwater but has a pilot guide for france on board.
If its a good boat I don't think its unusual to sell an outboard only boat without the outboard. Also people have their favourite anchor to bring to their new boat or OP can buy a CQR for £5 from someones garden and stick that on it. Not sure what electronics were nicked or damage done but it can't go from good channel crossing boat to scrap because the engine was nicked and some wood needs drying up and varnishing.

Of course this sentence sounds bleak

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

but I'm guessing its largely the shock and upset talking. It can't be that bad if it was a good boat before, its just relative to how it was the owner is upset and wants shot of it which is how i felt.

 

[Daydream believer]

Also that the boat is in the Blackwater but has a pilot guide for france on board.

My mate has a copy of page 3 of the Sun pinned on the bulkhead, but I do not think he has much of a chance