Hit by Jetski - Fix or part out ?

[RoKNRich]

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

 

[RFoster130]

Id file an insurance claim. Thats what you pay for. Is it insured for agreed or actual value? Actual value may suck and you might do better to part it out. Did you contact the rental company of the person that hit you? I would be tracking down the person who is responsible, it isnt your fault.

 

[RoKNRich]

Id file an insurance claim. Thats what you pay for. Is it insured for agreed or actual value? Actual value may suck and you might do better to part it out. Did you contact the rental company of the person that hit you? I would be tracking down the person who is responsible, it isnt your fault.

I don't have full coverage. I guess I could try to track down the rental company, but odds are they aren't going to do anything since some time has passed....might be worth a shot though, I'm pretty sure I know where they rented it as well as the fac I know the ski was damaged....

 

[RFoster130]

I'm guessing if you contact them, they will know exactly who caused the damage. I would think they have insurance also, thats kinda why they charge outrageous prices.

 

[wildone72]

If you part it out I need a windshield if it will fit my 98 speedster. But anyway sorry to hear and the rental company should work with you since the guy may have ditched their ski.

 

[Gamerse]

I would say get an estimate for the repair, be you own adjuster and decide if your losses will be greater from selling a repaired boat, or parting out. Another option is doing what salvage guys do all day. Find another boat, with or without engines, that will accept all your good parts. Swap them over, sell off the left-over parts to recoup the price of the new to you hull. Then you could even try to sell the hull to a boat salvage yard for gas money. With two 717s, your options are very broad. If you ever wanted a faster boat, a smaller boat, or even a different color, here is your chance.

Sux that happened to you, and I agree a rental company is not going to show you any love. Even though they charges hundreds an hour, their operating costs tend to decrease their profit margin to nothing. Since there was not a report filed, their insurance will try to put the blame on you and the other riders. Then it turns in to a huge mess. If there is no evidence of damage to the ski (probably didn't get that reg number either?) I doubt the riders will do the right thing, seeing how they fled the scene. They also mentioned they don't care about other people's property. "I don't care, its a rental" So why would they admit it happened to the rental company, and make themselves liable?

I hope your repair bill doesn't scrap the boat. Good luck.

 

[Gamerse]

Shot in the dark, but you may take a look at this thread and talk to this guy. http://www.seadooforum.com/showthread.php?40469-1997-Seadoo-challenger-1800-part-out/page3 He is parting out a challenger right now. I haven't read the whole thing, but maybe he has a hull at a cheap price.

p.s. I just noticed they went from 787s in 97 to 717s in 98, weird.... Anyway, I think the engines should mount up, and you have everything to swap into it anyway.

p.p.s. At the bottom of that thread, it suggests simmilar threads, there are a few part out threads. Hulls normally don't sell quick, or at all. So you may be able to get one cheap.