Sinking Boats: Abandon Ship!

admin — Wed, 19 Jan 2011 08:03:58 +0000

Remember those funny cartoons you’d watch as a kid where some cartoon characters are in a boat when suddenly there’s a hole. In an effort to counteract the effects of this hole in the boat, people start using pails to scoop the water out; however, they can’t keep up and eventually the boat sinks as a consequence. Well, this also happens in real life.

Every year, thousands of boats of all shapes and sizes sink. The most ironic part is that most of them sink when they’re not even in use; they’re at the dock!. As a matter of fact, sinking boats is perhaps one of the biggest losses to marinas all over the world.

Why is this: because marine insurance is too expensive. Perhaps one of the major reasons that boats sink is because the people who own them are neglectful. Another possible reason may be due to the fact that the people manufacturing, building and distributing the boats are inexperienced themselves or have inexperience, inefficient staff members. Now, there’s a scary thought. I mean, imagine if the people who build cars didn’t have qualified staff on hand? Ugh- I don’t even want to think about all of the negative consequences that could come out of that.

According to David Pascoe, boating specialist at http://yachtsurvey.com, the major causes of boats sinking can be broken down into two categories: hull design and internal systems. In terms of the hull design, Pascoe claims that hull design problems usually involve boats under 40 feet long and more often boats that are under 30 feet long. The smaller your boat is, the more likely it is to sink because smaller boats sink faster than larger ones. When it comes down to powerboats and why they sink, it is usually because of the cockpits being improperly designed. For sailboats, the reason is due to improper head installation, sink drains and inadequate bilge pumps.

Many people who own boats do not realize the value of weight distribution. For example, if you have a smaller boat, you need to pay even more attention to the bilge pump because if that fails, then you are going to really be up a creek. Pascoe goes on later to say that improper design or use of poor quality materials is the cause of the majority of boats sinking. Internal system failures, as he calls it, fall into three main categories: reverse siphoning resulting from errors in plumbing, insufficient bilge pumping or batter failure and failed hull fittings and hoses.

If you are thinking of purchasing a boat, you really need to make sure that you properly inspect the boat for any problems before hand. If you are already a boat owner, you need to make it your duty or responsibility to (every time) always check over your boat thoroughly before you take it out on the water. After all, the last thing you want is to have a problem or end up in “hot water” when you’re miles away from everything. It is also a good idea to make sure that you always wear your life vest for this reason as well as have a working radio and/or tell someone where you are planning on going for that day.

Why boating insurance is a good idea – Part 1

admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:15:04 +0000

A boat is an expensive purchase and often costs a lot more than a car. Have you ever thought of driving without car insurance? Of course not; a car is expensive and an accident happens easier than you expect. Maybe many people don’t consider about but every year thousands of accidents happen in the entire world. Injuries, damage on your boat, and maybe you don’t expect this, but also some boats are stolen. There is no doubt: boat insurance is always a good idea.

You can compare a boating insurance in many ways with car insurance. Probably boat insurance is not obligated in your country but no matter which kind of boat you have the risk is too high for not taking one. There are only differences between the kinds of insurance you should take. A boating insurance for a small boat is different than for speedboats or sailboats. Of course not only the kind of boat makes difference also the value of your boat has an influence on the kind of insurance which you have to take.

Shopping for the right boating insurance requires a lot of research but this can be said for all kind of insurances. It is necessary to know if your insurance protect you against all the possible risks. However, the chance is very low that another insurance protects you already against damage or theft of a boat; it is necessary to check first all your policies of insurances you already have. Don’t think a family insurance will pay you the costs of an accident which will happen on your boat! This might be too easy; there is certainly need for a boating insurance.

When you are searching for a boating insurance which fits your needs it is important you pay attention on the good reputation and probably high standards of the company. Don’t take one from an unknown company with a low premium; you will soon find out most of your invested money in these kinds of insurances is waste of money because they don’t cover all the necessary needs if something will happen. Maybe the company is not solvable to pay the damage or long discussions and juridical procedures are necessary and very often you will never receive money from the company or only a limited amount.

Read the content of the policy very carefully and be sure you understand the policy and the service promises behind the price! Pay better a little bit more attention than finding out too late you are not covered for certain risks. Be sure the policy includes all the coverage options you need! Before you buy your boating insurance it is important to consider about the circumstances you are planning to use your boating insurance. This will be likely different for a speedboat or another motor boat compared with one for a kayak or another boat without motor.

Probably is the most important option of your policy the physical damage coverage. This kind of coverage includes damage on your boat like vandalism, windstorm, fire, and explosion but also when you hit another boat and your motor is damaged. The necessary boat equipment like boat covers, portable gas tanks, docking fenders, your boat engine, sonar equipment and many others will be covered by this option.

Water liability coverage is another important coverage. Have you ever thought how many accidents happen every year while people maybe accidentally injure another person on the water? This can be a swimmer or perhaps a water skier but also property damage is covered in this option. It is not unusual you hit a rock or your boat collides with another one and damages your boat. Such accidents happen very frequently and this coverage can save you a lot of money.

Anchor Marine » Sailboats

Sinking Boats: Abandon Ship!

Why boating insurance is a good idea – Part 1