Rammed by coal burning flower pot holder

[Alan ashore]

Sorry if this is obvious, but do check VERY CAREFULLY that there isn't any damage beyond the scratches (especially as you were not aboard yourself at the time of the bump). Once upon a time the Marina phoned me to tell me that a boat stuck in gear had grazed my transom. There were scratches that needed filling, which we had done professionally. Months later we discovered that a hairline crack on the inside of the transom at the cockpit floor was letting water into the balsa core, with costly results. Discussed with insurer and solicitor and all felt the chances of proving liability at that point were not high enough to try.

On a separate note, I am pretty shocked by the picture showing they left the NB actually touching your boat. I suspect they genuinely didn't realise that contact between boats causes damage (especially if one of them is steel!).

I once hired a NB on the Thames, coincidentally from the same location, but not the same company. We were given a pretty decent briefing on handling, including a trip up and back through a lock, but I don't think the point "whatever you do, don't hit anyone" was made. They did know we were experienced boat owners, so that was fair enough in our case, but I do wonder if there is or should be a standard minimum briefing content, including appreciation of the damage that even a little bump can do.

These days in river mode I'm all varnish, and hugely paranoid about scratches!

A.

 

[Geoffs]

Thats what I think as well, I just think that I should not be the one to pay!

Looking at the photos, I doubt those scratches will polish out. The dreaded blue gel coat, which I have, is a nightmare. Looks great when in good condition, but shows every mark.

I have some scratches that are less severe than yours, and will not polish out. Coloured gel coats are not usually very thick, so can not be polished very hard. If it were white, would be a different matter.

I fear the only proper action will be to grind down, re gel coat, flat and polish, probably £300 or £400.

 

[mlines]

On a separate note, I am pretty shocked by the picture showing they left the NB actually touching your boat. I suspect they genuinely didn't realise that contact between boats causes damage (especially if one of them is steel!).


A.

Thats why I am chasing this one. If it was a simple mis-hap then I could have put it down to the joys of boating. But to hit and then walk away with it still in contact is just ignorant.

Once the hire company has got back to me I will decide on the next step. I would be surpised if there was any internal damage as ours is a watersports boat designed to take some slamming on the water, but we will keep an eye on it.

Martin

 

[watson1959]

Sorry to hear about this Martin: I know first hand that she's a beautifully maintained boat so can imagine how James must have felt to be there when they hit you.

Fortunately he's a well brung-up lad, so when the idiot commented 'You took that calmly' he didn't reply: 'I did, sir....however papa is going to kick the $hit out of you upon his imminent return.'

Hope it works out properly.

Simon