WEll...read that part on your insurance CONTRACT...that if ANY of your statements are not true then they can CANCEL your ENTIRE POLICY...oh...ya...I've seen it done...and if they can save a $30,000 loss on your Boat and say maybe a $500,000 liability claim...you can but your but....they will drop you like a rock for insurance fraud.
Not filling out an insurance Application/CONTRACT truthfully is a bad..bad...thing.
James V wrote:Has anybody asked their insurance company if they will insure the boat with an engin above 50hp? What if you lied?
What about Coast Guard Regs or the State Water Police? Any thoughts?
this has been discussed in length. specifically HP rating and what it means for a MacX/M owner.
check the archives.
here's a quote from Frank C.
Frank C wrote:Further to Chip's observation, I believe the Boating Safety Act of 1971 (see USCG.org) actually regulates boats less than 20 feet (rather than 25).
The Mac 26 has a "manufacturer's recommendation" of outboard horsepower, not a rating. If the legally prescribed "rating formula" was applied to the dimensions of a Mac 26 hull, that horsepower limit would exceed Macgregor's recommendation (50 hp) by about 200 more hp. Note that many of the 18-footer hulls that ARE regulated, carry ratings of 200+ hp.
USCG Overview wrote:The rating of maximum power capacity became a matter of U.S. Federal Regulations in the mid-1970's following the adoption of the U.S. Boating Safety Act of 1971. This dictated that all outboard boats of less than 20 feet in length must carry a capacity plate stating the maximum number of passengers, maximum number of pounds for passengers and gear, and the maximum horsepower of the outboard that should be installed.
The regulation did not make it illegal for the operator to exceed the rated values, only that they were required to be stated on the boat's capacity plate. Exceeding the numbers was a matter of personal liability in case of an accident, and in some states, for additional violations, in the event on an on-water arrest (for other violations) by marina patrol
1. If one intentionally misrepresents HP to your Agent, and gets into an accident, your statement could be true. Only when an insurance contract is issued under false pretenses, can coverage be denied.
2. Assuming one is honest (a good thing to be in a legal contract like insurance), and tell your Agent your HP, if he's good, he can find you a company that will insure your boat with it's stated HP, regardless of published limit. The insurance Co has issued you a contract and they are obligated to defend and pay on your behalf, up to liability limit of the policy. It's now their problem, not yours. Because of increased risk, they will charge more.
1 Two hours the first time you rig is a good estimate, and 30 minutes is pretty much as fast as you can rig...you can step the mast in about 10 minutes and then motor away and do the rest on the water, but claiming 15 minutes to do a complete rig is not really right imho.
These boats are really easy to rig (get the mast raising system!!!) and
2 I have a Merc 50 HP EFI 4 stroke....Ive never felt the need for more power but I rarely power boat mode...I sail on a tidal river and use the non-displacement hull mode to extend my day sailing range to 25 miles or so. THere are loads of people on this board who have put a 70,90,115, (and Billy's 140 tops it I think) working with a good marine installer and have been successful. Remember that fiberglass can be repaired - even if hit by a truck...also on this board.
If you put a 140 HP on the boat, and then pound waves at 30 mph, you will have transom problems. If you put a 90 HP and then run it at half throttle to run at 'cruising speed' 20 mph or so, load-wise this is just like running a 50 HP flat out (except for extra weight).....no problems.....
3 THis family of boats is exceptionally easy to trailer, launch and load....the hardest part I find is answering all the questions at the launch ramp when I pull up with 26 feet of boat with a 200 HP van..
Dock masters usually start off by asking what depth I draw, thinking I need high tide to get in....NOT!!!
By comparison, a 26 foot power boat would weigh about 5000 pounds plus as an open runabout (like a RInker maybe) and even double that for a full cabin cruiser....
James V wrote:Has anybody asked their insurance company if they will insure the boat with an engin above 50hp? What if you lied?
What about Coast Guard Regs or the State Water Police? Any thoughts?
It's on my policy through boat US - 60 HP. I also got a quote through USAA the only drawback was that since it was over 50HP I couldn't add to my home owner's policy.
Thanks everyone for your input. As of this moment I think I will be looking for a used M with 50 to 70 HP. Try to get on trailer storage at my marina.
And as far as the docking goes... Well, I just need to get out there and do it and get a little more self-confidence (and maybe a fender or 6 !!).
I will keep you posted on my purchase and if I have more questions I'll post them.
My realistic time line for gettting the M: earliest Sept. latest March
As for Insurance . . . .has anyone yet to make a claim that involved an over powered boat, where they were at fault?
Case in point to some extent (Insurance Companies the industry we love to hate ) Twice over the last 20 years my wife had problems . Once she was rear-ended in her car . The guy admitted he was speeding and. . . he was looking into the rear seat of his car yelling at his kids when he ran into her,and totaled her car . He also caused and lots of never ending Medical complications ( no we did not receive one the 1 out of a 100 million horrendous settlements you read about .) Ah but it did take six or seven years to get a dime out of them. Even to get the cost of the car from the offender. 2nd case a procedure went bad Audrey almost died ended up with a colostomy bag that was 3 years ago and again Insurance company so far "of the offender " is dragging its feet. Thank goodness my UNION was willing to pay the better part of $100K . So in short if your insurance company can find away Not To Pay . . . . . My money is on they WONT! Or they will in 3, 5, 7 maybe YEARS!
Divecoz wrote:***So far, both times have used manpower - the walk-up method in the Speedy Rigger video as opposed to the mast raising system which we have heard can be time consuming. ****
I use the mast raiser/ winch. It Might add 5 minutes( it takes me 30 from the time I get up on the boat in the parking lot till we are backing down the ramp) however it but adds a LOT of safety . I can stop raising the mast get off the boat at any point of the raising and go back to it hours later and all is well. There is absolutely no way to get hurt IMHO and I can do it alone . I can talk to my wife friends and family about how it works and what I am doing because It takes less effort and attention. If it starts to crank hard stand back put hands in pocket have an Ice Tea look for Problem . . . Oh that shroud is caught ooooops the dog . . . This is not so with the start push don't stop till she's set method . But its all personal desire /opinion . I have yet to use the head and most agree the sink is 4 feet from a larger and better one . I do wish my transom was wider like my brothers 10 feet .
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Good point on the few extra minutes being well worth the safety. We're going to give the mast raising system a try next time out. Thanks!
I DIDNT buy the mast raising system...its the one thing I probably disagreed with my dealer Art Reiders on when I bought the boat.
I strongly recommend anyone so contemplating to PURCHASE this system - I now use the Admiral to help me bring the mast up to avoid injury with either a halyard or a dock line from the front hatch. Single handed raising of the mast without the system is an art form and a sure fire eventual visit to a chiropractor...
The benefit of a mast raising system is not just avoiding muscular injury, it is also necessary to get proper tension on the rig IMO. A good 300lbs of tension is required to keep the forestay from sagging and having excessive slack in the shrouds. I just really doubt you can acheive this without the gin pole. I raised mine manually a couple times when I first got the boat and the P.O. couldn't find the mast raiser (I got in a few weeks later). Granted, it is more difficult with the furler, but the rigging was much looser than what I keep it at these days and it was still a challenge to pin that forestay. Piece of cake with the system though.
Btw, I just replaced my jib halyard due to a new spinnaker. I found my old halyard (which was only used as a mast raiser) to have the outer braid worn half way through in one place. Looks like it was right about at the position of the block, so I never saw it from the ground. Glad I replaced it! The old halyard will be retired to ligher duty.
Even to get the cost of the car from the offender. 2nd case a procedure went bad Audrey almost died ended up with a colostomy bag that was 3 years ago and again Insurance company so far "of the offender " is dragging its feet. Thank goodness my UNION was willing to pay the better part of $100K . So in short if your insurance company can find away Not To Pay . . . . . My money is on they WONT! Or they will in 3, 5, 7 maybe YEARS!
