Do I file insurance claim or pay/do repair myself

[apkaplan]

This is my first year as a saiboat owner and it's been a great year.

However, my 1987 Catalina is leaking, about a half a gallon in 24 hours. The boat will be pulled next week. Insurance will only cover the repair if done by the yard. My question is should I file a claim ($750 deductible) and risk being blacklisted by the insurance companies, as person that filed a claim during their first year as a boat owner. Or should I repair the boat myself, I have access to competent help.

Will post the estimate, once I speak to the yard.

Just wanted to get some initial thoughts.

Thanks.

[Faster]

Do you know why/what is leaking? Is it inboard or outboard powered? Keel joint issue??

What you do will depend on your comfort level with the task and the actual problem itself. We need more info.

[AjariBonten]

That really depends on what the damage is, cost, expertise, etc.

Is it leaking from the shaft log?, a Crack?, a Thru-Hull?

More info and we can help better,

[TrueBlue]

If the repair estimate is under $1,000 (unlikely for any yard repair), I would consider doing the work myself - for much less than the estimate. If it's much over that, then the decision will mostly depend on what's actually causing that much water to enter the bilge.

There are endless possible scenarios without knowing details and costs.

[Valiente]

Our opinions are useless without knowing the source of the leak. Most fibreglass repairs are well within the reach of the determined amateur...some (recall the shaft log rebuild I think HoffaLives had) are more difficult, because you basically have to take out the shaft, the engine, assorted plumbing and sometimes the rudder just to get at the damage.

[apkaplan]

Ok, on two seperate occasions at no more than 3 knots the keel hit some rocks. In both cases the boat bounced and then kept on going. First time hit the front section of the keel about one foot from top. Boat draws 4 feet. Underwater examination of this section shows about a 9 inch section chewed up, less than 1/2 inch deep. No visible cracks.

Second time bottom of keel ran accross some rocks, so bottom of keel is chewed up. Aft section of keel about one foot down exibits a very narrow 8 inch crack that wraps around both sides of the keel. The crack is less than 1/8 inch deep.

Inside the boat about 12 inches aft of the back section of the bilge a 2 inch crack allows a continious bead of water to enter and drain into the bilge. I estimate less than a gallon of water a day enters the bilge.

There's a strong possibility that the leak was present before the two incidents.

Boat is 1987 Catalina 27 with fixed lead keel attached to a fiberglass stub keel with is part of the boat.

[tommyt]

Well, you are pulling the boat anyway. Get a yard estimate on what is wrong and what it will cost. Then make your decision. Based on what you have just contributed, you better have someone that is experienced look at the boat as a minimum, and most likely fix it. Sounds expensive to me.

You have insurance to cover your risk. Claims should not get you black listed or canceled on one claim unless you are in places like Floriday where the companies are cutting their risk to start with. However, bouncing off rocks is the least of their problems.

Two bounces on ROCKS was a good year? Can't wait to hear from you when you really begin having a good time.

[sailingdog]

Also, if the boat is leaking and it is due to a leaking through hull that wasn't damaged in an accident, the insurance company is very unlikely to pay anything in any case... that would qualify as normal maintenance rather than a covered event. Normal wear and tear isn't covered by insurance.

The damage to the keel may or may not be related to the leak. Unless the leak is definitely related to the damage from the accident, it probably isn't covered.

Also, since you didn't file a claim when the incident occurred, you may not be eligible to file a claim at this point in time. It depends on your policy's exact terms and conditions.

[Faster]

Originally Posted by apkaplan

Ok, on two seperate occasions at no more than 3 knots the keel hit some rocks. ...

Inside the boat about 12 inches aft of the back section of the bilge a 2 inch crack allows a continious bead of water to enter and drain into the bilge. I estimate less than a gallon of water a day enters the bilge.

OK, first off, quit hitting the $%#&**ing rocks!

The fact that the boat is cracked and leaking in the area immediately behind the keel is a good indication that it is a result of hitting the rocks. The keel can pivot and drive the aft end hard into the hull, which may deflect and crack. That it's cracked and actually leaking is a bit scary and makes me wonder if the 3 knots is accurate - but in any event such a collision with rocks can easily do such damage.

There's a strong possibility that the leak was present before the two incidents

.

If so then the last two were the "last straw"

This is a repair probably best left to professionals, IMO.

[chris_gee]

It may pay to do some courses and learn to read the charts.