Help Needed

[upondeez]

OK, need some help. I have an 2008 VTX with the wake hull. This weekend we were up at Glendo Reservoir in Wyoming, it has a sandy beach.

We were anchored down using an anchor buddy and a shore tie, I have never had a problem with the anchor system that I use. A storm rolled in very quickly sending the water into a wavey mess. By the time I realized how bad it was getting a large wave came up to shore, completely moving the VTX and the front anchor sideways. It also broke the metal cork screw shore anchor in 2 pieces. Basically the the VTX was turned sideways into the shore and completely beached the boat. Upon un-beaching the boat to get it removed out of the water we broke off the 2 front fins underneath the boat. A total of 12 screws came out and a small piece of the gel coat broke off as well. This obviously started to let water in the boat.

We got it off the water just fine, but am really concerned about this issue. I have a couple questions I could use some help with as I am concerned about the insurance company totalling the boat out.

1. There was very little damage to the gel coat or fiber glass, its almost like the fins were designed to break off easy and cause very little damage. Is this something that happens on occasion and it was designed to break off?

2. How will this be repaired? Is this going to be an expensive accident?

3. Has this happened to anyone else here and if so what was the final outcome of the damage and cost to repair?

Any help will be very much appreciated.

[Bobby Light]

The fins are designed to rip out easily so it doesn't take a chunk of the fiberglass with it. They are threaded into the fiberglass for this reason. It's a pretty easy fix, I've had it done before on my last boat. Unrelated issue but same fix. There is no reason to total the boat out for this. Simple gelcoat fix unless the fiberglass in the area became de-laminated then it's a much larger and costlier fix.

Don't know about the cost as mine was covered under warranty. You have insurance so it shouldn't cost you anything but your deductible. If you're paying out of pocket I would estimate 5-8 hours of shop time (if they are good) plus the two new gorilla fins. Don't worry your boat will be fine when you get it back.

Make sure they check for other damage while they're at it.

That must have been some wave, try turning the boat around next time bow out and keep it several feet off the beach with a good achor out there.

Edited June 29, 2009 by 06vlx

[Squag Mon]

Glendo and Guernsey are notorious for those storms that come out of nowhere. I've had my days at both but it only took the one time of having the boat sideways on shore. Now anytime the wind comes up or the dark clouds approach we pull out or find a more secluded area. Both lakes have an area called "Sandy Beach" that are in the wide open. I 've seen a many boats washed up at both beaches. I've found in areas like Sandy Beach the best anchor is an auger type that you have to wade out and spend a few minutes holding your breath and turning the auger deep into the sand--works great.

[upondeez]

Glendo and Guernsey are notorious for those storms that come out of nowhere. I've had my days at both but it only took the one time of having the boat sideways on shore. Now anytime the wind comes up or the dark clouds approach we pull out or find a more secluded area. Both lakes have an area called "Sandy Beach" that are in the wide open. I 've seen a many boats washed up at both beaches. I've found in areas like Sandy Beach the best anchor is an auger type that you have to wade out and spend a few minutes holding your breath and turning the auger deep into the sand--works great.

Funny you say that as I was on Sandy Beach! I was not the only person who took damage, I was probably the luckiest of the group that was out there.

Thanks for the help guys!

[68Slalom]

Glendo and Guernsey are notorious for those storms that come out of nowhere. I've had my days at both but it only took the one time of having the boat sideways on shore. Now anytime the wind comes up or the dark clouds approach we pull out or find a more secluded area. Both lakes have an area called "Sandy Beach" that are in the wide open. I 've seen a many boats washed up at both beaches. I've found in areas like Sandy Beach the best anchor is an auger type that you have to wade out and spend a few minutes holding your breath and turning the auger deep into the sand--works great.

Funny you say that as I was on Sandy Beach! I was not the only person who took damage, I was probably the luckiest of the group that was out there.

Thanks for the help guys!

Yeah, don't worry about it. Sounds like it could have been much worse, if you have good insurance you'll be out of there in no time and your boat will be fine