What can I do? Front end damage - 2013 GTI SE 130

[jdefonseka]

Had a great day with my GTI SE and then ran into a Concrete bridge wall around 15 MPH. Couldn't avoid it. Narrow channel and wake from other boats I just couldn't escape it.
Good news
No damage to the bridge
Not a scratch on me

Bad news..

Cracked bumper
Damage to the fibre glass hull (I think it's minor)

How do I repair this? I've never repaired a hull. Not sure what I need to do here.

After the accident, I rode back to the boat ramp (20 Mins) in some heavy waves. submerging the front end. No salt water involved here. Delaware river.
About a 1 gallon of water entered the hull. Obviously it's leaking at the site.

I already ordered the front bumper, supports and bolts from Sea doo.
Took apart storage compartment to gain access to the damage to get a closer look inside the hull.

What epoxy do you recommend?

If I put a new bumper, no damage will be visible. But I want to fix this properly so It won't leak.

Sincere thanks
Jeff

 

[KK40384]

That is FAR from minor. Doubt that's even fixable actually. Insurance will probably consider that a total loss.

 

[jdefonseka]

I was thinking that. I have full insurance. Was thinking I can fix this without it

 

[Coastiejoe]

It probably could be fix properly at a quality repair shop. That said, it is a serious hit.. I would not screw with it. Contact your insurance and see what they want to do. Even if they want to fix it, it is most certainly above your deductable. This is one of those times to use the insurance and go from there.

 

[Seadoobuddy]

Had a great day with my GTI SE and then ran into a Concrete bridge wall around 15 MPH. Couldn't avoid it. Narrow channel and wake from other boats I just couldn't escape it.
Good news
No damage to the bridge
Not a scratch on me

Bad news..

Cracked bumper
Damage to the fibre glass hull (I think it's minor)

How do I repair this? I've never repaired a hull. Not sure what I need to do here.

After the accident, I rode back to the boat ramp (20 Mins) in some heavy waves. submerging the front end. No salt water involved here. Delaware river.
About a 1 gallon of water entered the hull. Obviously it's leaking at the site.

I already ordered the front bumper, supports and bolts from Sea doo.
Took apart storage compartment to gain access to the damage to get a closer look inside the hull.

What epoxy do you recommend?

If I put a new bumper, no damage will be visible. But I want to fix this properly so It won't leak.

Sincere thanks
Jeff

Glad you are OK.
My 2 thoughts on this:
1. call your insurance company and see what they do, If they total it.....then
2. get the money and then buy it back for pennies on the dollar and fix it , if you think you can. So you either have 2 skies or sell the one you fix.

 

[chucked]

Thats major. I see major structural damage. I agree with everyone here. Id never feel
Comfortable riding that again.

 

[theinsider]

I've seen some banged up skis but nothing like that. Not knowledgeable enough to recommend anything but yeah I'd go with what these guys above said. I wouldn't be comfortable riding that thing again, would always be worried about the repair holding up.

 

[jdefonseka]

I Called my insurance company this morning. They will send an adjuster out to inspect soon.
When I took the seat apart and looked inside I only saw about 1 gallon of water in the hull but it was at an angle. When I got it level, there was about 5 gallons of water in the hull so it's leaking pretty bad. I did remove the storage compartment floor to see the damage from inside the hull but was unable to remove the foam at the bow.

Its a shame cuz if I replace the front bumper, it will look like nothing ever happened. But I'm with you guys, I don't know the structural integrity of the bow anymore. The impact was hard enough to bend the metal bolts that hold the side bumpers. (Holes don't line up anymore)

I'll see what the insurance has to say about this.
Jeff

 

[Tytan]

I think the damage will be more extensive than what you can see. It needs to be repaired by a professional fiberglass shop.

 

[chucked]

Another thing to keep in mind was the bailers were steady pumping water out. So there was much more then 5 gal in there.

 

[jdefonseka]

Good point. Didn't think about that. Now that I'm thinking back, there was kind of a loud "pop" maybe 30 seconds after the initial impact. Maybe the front seal broke lose

 

[jdefonseka]

After removing the foam inset to get a good look at the seperation of the top and bottom hull, the damage does not look bad at all. The seperation is about 11 inches. Insurance company estimated about $1300 in damage repairs.

Pictures attached.

 

[red2blue]

Wow...glad to hear you're okay...but...dayum.

After you get the ski's prob attended to...you might seriously consider taking a safe boating course.....or flat out learn to avoid situations like that.

 

[ski-d00]

That is minor damage. I've fixed holes in the bottom of hulls that you could fit a football through and they are as good as new. Check out west system epoxy and the videos from Jamestown Distributors. Their 2 part epoxy system is amazing and will be stronger than the fiberglass originally was.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7YMr6E564

 

[jdefonseka]

Progressive insurance was excellent in the way they handled this claim and I'm pleased with the outcome of it. My insurance adjuster took very detailed pictures of the damage and sent it out to few different fiberglass repair shops for estimates. All came close to about $1300 in repair + replacement parts. (OEM Sea DOO)

I decided to have it done on my own at a body shop that is managed by my good friend. I've seen every part of the repair process and I'm most certain that the front seal is much better than it used to be from the factory. A good amount of marine epoxy was inserted between the upper and lower halves. This stuff hardens like steel. Fiberglass was also repaired and in good shape. I am taking the ski out this Saturday.

Pictures below.

 

[Coastiejoe]

Very good,,, Looks like it came out very well. Glad it went smooth and you are able to get back on the water...