Boat damage - need some advise

[BobWaz]

We are up on the Canadian border of New York. The season is over and boats need to come out NOW. In waiting for a good day without wind to haul my 87 40' double cabin, we were hit with better than 50mph winds overnight. The finger was lined with fenders and had three large ones hanging from the boat. The fenders eventually crushed causing the boat to bounce up and down on the wooden floating dock. Obviously the paint is gone and worn into the fiberglass in 3 2'high and 5' wide areas. As time is crucial I had the guys come from a close by marina that do paint and fiberglass repairs. In partial ignorance they stated that Dupont Imron was the wrong paint to use on the boat and the only way is to repaint the entire hull with Allgrip to the tune of $19,000+ dollars. Are there any alternatives? Is this the way to go? Is boat U.S. Insurance going to crucify me? Any advise would be appreciated.

 

[Boatsb]

What does your insurance company say? Depending on the year hatteras used imron, awl grip and more recently I'm told alexseal. If the boat was not repainted before hatteras can tell you what was used. Either way it may not be able to be patched. I'd be more concerned with getting it done right than what people here think without seeing it. Find a trustworthy painter and let him do his job.

 

[tellico]

BOATUS - I had my first claim ever this past winter from storm damage, that's in about 20 years of coverage with them. I have to say BOATUS was incredibly good and they always noted my good record in calls, etc. Depending on your history suggest you talk with them sooner than later to get them engaged. I shared pics, estimates, and we were done.

I was assured that I would not be penalized too bad come renewal time. That said, I am expecting the renewal any day now and holding my breath.

 

[Beckytek]

I had 2 claims with BoatUS this year, one for grounding and bent props, $1900, paid within 2 weeks.
A storm came through our marina and ripped up my acrylic enclosure and the bimini top. The cost to repair $5280. It took about 7 weeks to have this settled. Because I had no previous claims on this boat I didn't have to pay a deductible. I think they are an excellent insurance co. Easy paper work and very pleasant to deal with.
Had a claim with my previous boat in 1991 for $97,000 and no problem there either, total loss.

 

[Glory]

"they stated that Dupont Imron was the wrong paint". I would consider that an opinion, and not a
Good opinion. Many boats are painted with Imron, it is a durable finish made by a reputable company.

If you are considering a new vendor get references!

JM

 

[Boatsb]

Imron is not what it used to be. I might agree as its not available in the same formulation as before.

As for the imron vs awl grip vs whatever.

If it's a similar quality of paint and a shop is very good using it why not?

 

[Boatsb]

I had 2 claims with BoatUS this year, one for grounding and bent props, $1900, paid within 2 weeks.
A storm came through our marina and ripped up my acrylic enclosure and the bimini top. The cost to repair $5280. It took about 7 weeks to have this settled. Because I had no previous claims on this boat I didn't have to pay a deductible. I think they are an excellent insurance co. Easy paper work and very pleasant to deal with.
Had a claim with my previous boat in 1991 for $97,000 and no problem there either, total loss.

Now I know why my insurance costs are so high. So far 30+ years and many thousands of miles and knock teak no claims.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

The old formula Imron is gone. The latest version is called Imron Elite. I just used it for my stripes. It is very shiney and flows out well. Durability will only be determined over time.

I would not be afraid of any of the multi-part urethane marine paints. As was previously stated, use what the painter likes to paint and you will get the best results.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Since winter is coming, it seems like this would be a good time to haul her and get the damage repaired properly by a known shop who have verifiable references for fiberglass and paint repair. It's possible you will need to have the entire hull side resurfaced and sprayed. If she is seaworthy, which it sounds like she is, get your insurer to look, and then search around for good shops who will do the job correctly.

As far as what paint to use, I would use AwlGrip, AwlCraft, or Alexseal. But a bigger consideration than which paint to use is which paint the shop that you select likes to spray. Every refinishing shop I have ever traded with will have a favorite paint- something they like to spray and that they have a lot of experience using. That would be the paint I would ask them to use.

If you want to wait until I retire I will come roll and tip the hull for you, but you might be waiting a while. LOL

 

[saltshaker]

Sounds like you have more than a spot paint job and unless the hull was recently painted, you may need the entire bull done. Get a few quotes if possible. Tell them it's not an insurance job and you are paying for it but want it right. See what the painters say and then decide if you need to turn in a claim. After Sandy we had a lot of minor repair work being quoted as major work by repair facilities banking on insurance claims and owners not caring.

 

[BobWaz]

Additional clarification of information........

1.This event happened Saturday night into Sunday, by 2:00 Sunday Boat US had the estimate, 13 pictures and my statement in hand. They tell me it will be 24 to 72 hours for an adjuster to contact me.

2.This is northern Lake Champlain next to the Canadian border. We have had 22 degrees already and need to get the boat out of the water and winterized. Ironically it was to come out today as no wind. But at the same time why pull it out of the water at a place that can not repair it?

3. Again being Lake Champlain there are very few choices in where to do the work. I managed Treadwell Bay Marina for 3 years and know a lot of the horror stories in work performed up here. I think I would trust Shelburne Shipyard In Vermont as one of them.

4. As to the offer of after retiring to come and roll and tip her....I have painted many wooden boats by brush that looked as if they were sprayed, do I do it myself? To paint it outside with absolutely no control of moisture wind, etc worth it?

5. The original Imron paint on my boat looks great! To have these two guys make the statement that Imrom should only be used on cars and trucks is an absurd insult to Hatteras. However they are certified Allgrip painters and have a paint booth the boat will fit in with removing the radar arch. Oh, and how do they come up with a $19,000+ estimate in only a half an hour! Seems like a figure they would be happy with in screwing a customer. They do have a reputation for that.

 

[rsmith]

We are up on the Canadian border of New York. The season is over and boats need to come out NOW. In waiting for a good day without wind to haul my 87 40' double cabin, we were hit with better than 50mph winds overnight. The finger was lined with fenders and had three large ones hanging from the boat. The fenders eventually crushed causing the boat to bounce up and down on the wooden floating dock. Obviously the paint is gone and worn into the fiberglass in 3 2'high and 5' wide areas. As time is crucial I had the guys come from a close by marina that do paint and fiberglass repairs. In partial ignorance they stated that Dupont Imron was the wrong paint to use on the boat and the only way is to repaint the entire hull with Allgrip to the tune of $19,000+ dollars. Are there any alternatives? Is this the way to go? Is boat U.S. Insurance going to crucify me? Any advise would be appreciated.

If itis "worn into the fiberglass" it means the gelcoat is gone and there may be fiberglass work needed also. Sounds like way more than just a paint job

 

[Cricket]

A decent paint shop should be able to spray multiple types of paint. I've always liked Imron for the outside and Awlgrip for the bilge and anything else that goes in the bilge. The Imron formulas have changed considerably the last few years. We ended up using U-Tech on our last repair because it could be blended better with the Imron that was on the hull. Our 1st attempt with the new Imron didn't go well so we sanded it off and went with the U-Tech, can't tell there's a repair at all when we got done, including the color. Also, another option for the repair might be to bring a paint crew that travels to you.

 

[pizzazsdaddy]

To spray a 40 footer...$19,000 including damage repair sounds like a very fair price. A whole boat "spray" today is $1000 a foot at most yards in my area. From my knowledge, Alwgrip is way less forgiving if you rub or scratch it. Imron is easier to "blend" for repairs. All of these paints are good. Your insurance shouldn't question it. It's what it costs to fix it these days.

 

[saltshaker]

To spray a 40 footer...$19,000 including damage repair sounds like a very fair price. A whole boat "spray" today is $1000 a foot at most yards in my area. From my knowledge, Alwgrip is way less forgiving if you rub or scratch it. Imron is easier to "blend" for repairs. All of these paints are good. Your insurance shouldn't question it. It's what it costs to fix it these days.

Hard to say without details but 19K just to paint the hull is high. $1K per foot includes topsides which are much more work and usually at least double the cost of the hull.

 

[BobWaz]

The surveyor came to see the boat yesterday and is reporting back to Boat U.S. He also stated that paint work is pro-rated. With a 28 year old paint job (fantastic shape) I can only imagine the insult of how much they will give me.

 

[saltshaker]

The surveyor came to see the boat yesterday and is reporting back to Boat U.S. He also stated that paint work is pro-rated. With a 28 year old paint job (fantastic shape) I can only imagine the insult of how much they will give me.

They do depreciate paint but you can argue condition. FW boats up north don't see the wear and fading most southern SW boats see and the paint will last significantly longer. Are you certain the boat was never repainted? If they depreciate the paint considerably, I'd argue that they need to return the boat to it's prior condition. If the paint is good they should be able to paint just the damaged area and get a good match. I wouldn't think that would be depreciated. Wait and see what they come back with.

 

[Boatsb]

Jacks right about returning the boat to the previous condition. I've seen paint jobs that were 25 years old and looked like new. I've seen others that were 5 and ready for repaint. Id not hold to the 29 year old paint job. If it was in good shape and had another 10 years of service life I'd use the glass half full method of depreciation.

 

[BobWaz]

About an hour ago I heard back from Boat U.S. They stated the surveyor said the boat could be blended in and the current Imron would do the job. They will be paying $5,100 on the $19,000 estimate. Arguing the fact that I don't think so does not matter as they go by their "expert" surveyors opinion. Also the age factor and prorated was shoved back in my face. I am so totally disgusted at this point. I believe I will have to do the repairs myself and rolling and tipping will be the only answer. Any other opinions and suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I feel humbled by the experience of the Hatteras owners on this site and happy that I can associate with them. Gee when all is said and done do you think I will tell Boat U.S. what to do with their policy?

 

[Boatsb]

Have them provide the contractor to repair it to your previous condition. Let them pay for it however much it runs.