A few weeks ago we were in Laughlin....it was later in the day, we had been downriver most of the day, but decided we wanted to check out the casinos lights....I was motoring straight, saw two ski's off the starboard side, just sitting and talking....as I pass them, one of them starts up and is on the gas, his ski hits the starboard aft side of the boat....I immediately turn around, he's been thrown but is getting back on the back of his buddies ski, I ask if they are OK and they say yes....I ask about the ski and he says, he doesn't care, it's a rental....I start looking at my boat and they take off.....a quick look at my boat and it looks cosmetic....they are heading upriver....I make a split decision to exit as quick as possible (hey, it was the river, it was late, and everyone was OK, and the LEO in the area can be tough)...........
Back in the parking lot, I look at the damage more closely at it still appears cosmetic...we launch the boat again the next day and have another great day on the river (without hitting any Jetskis)......
Back in Phoenix now (250 mile tow)....still not concerned about the damage much, we decide to take the boat out last weekend....out past the no wake sign I hit it and notice the boat is sluggish....popped the hatch and see a good amount of water (I've never had to run the bilge on this boat) ?? Check to make sure plug is in and it is, that's when I remember the damage, I take a look at the right aft side and it appears the top of the boat is seperating from the bottom....there is probably a good 4 foot section that has a 1" gap where it looks like the boat was put together......
Thankfully the bilge pump works, we turn her around and slowly head for the trailer with no further incidents......further looks at home indicate the fiberglass in that area is in bad shape (top and bottom), weakened for sure, the gel coat is cracking, etc....
So now, I need to decide, is it worth fixing ? Or should I part it out ?
I was considering selling the boat this year to free up some cash for another project......
The boat is a 1998 Challenger, both motors ran strong, good wear rings, interior in OK shape, could use some new vinyl on a few pieces, but overall good shape, gauges, seats, switches, all hatches work, good trailer, spare, etc.....
I was hoping to sell the boat for about $6K, what do you think I can get parting it out ? I did not have Comp/Coll insurance.
Sorry for the long post, and pic's coming once I get them off my SD card...
Rich
Back in the parking lot, I look at the damage more closely at it still appears cosmetic...we launch the boat again the next day and have another great day on the river (without hitting any Jetskis)......
Back in Phoenix now (250 mile tow)....still not concerned about the damage much, we decide to take the boat out last weekend....out past the no wake sign I hit it and notice the boat is sluggish....popped the hatch and see a good amount of water (I've never had to run the bilge on this boat) ?? Check to make sure plug is in and it is, that's when I remember the damage, I take a look at the right aft side and it appears the top of the boat is seperating from the bottom....there is probably a good 4 foot section that has a 1" gap where it looks like the boat was put together......
Thankfully the bilge pump works, we turn her around and slowly head for the trailer with no further incidents......further looks at home indicate the fiberglass in that area is in bad shape (top and bottom), weakened for sure, the gel coat is cracking, etc....
So now, I need to decide, is it worth fixing ? Or should I part it out ?
I was considering selling the boat this year to free up some cash for another project......
The boat is a 1998 Challenger, both motors ran strong, good wear rings, interior in OK shape, could use some new vinyl on a few pieces, but overall good shape, gauges, seats, switches, all hatches work, good trailer, spare, etc.....
I was hoping to sell the boat for about $6K, what do you think I can get parting it out ? I did not have Comp/Coll insurance.
Sorry for the long post, and pic's coming once I get them off my SD card...
Rich