Does your crew respect your boat?

Ron is right. We're insuring our Squares for around $200/year with State Farm, that's two boats...

I may have missed something in the fine print, but here in Texas homeowner's insurance covers anything under 26' if it is self powered, (there is a HP limit but my monohulls never got close so I don't remember it). My two in the water boats were in marinas that required liability and a copy of my homeowner's policy worked for them. I can look it up but I am pretty sure it will cover the P16 also. The auto coverage has it when it is rolling and the homeowners covers it when it is wet. My coverage is with Travelers. That is liability only.

Sorry guys , tradesman good with hands and brute force not so much with keyboard.

Mike, I do not believe that homeowners insurance will allow you to race. It is my understanding that you need to have a separate policy with over $100k per accident. The quote I got from Foremost Insurance (also insures my motorcycle) was $100 for a $500k policy. The $500k policy was the same price as the $50k, so inquire about it if you insure.

That's a very good point Alex. I do not race and had not thought of that. For my purposes it would seem to be adequate, buy if you race probably not.

My "crew" respects my boat or they do not get on. This goes for my cats and my fishing boat. Its my job to show them how to treat the boats, how to care for them, and how to operate. If they are using the boat, I am always aware accidents can happen. I am prepared to repair any problem they encounter or cause. I will probably ask them to help with the repair mostly to show them how to do it but, I would never ask for money.

If you your wallet is sensitive to this, you should not let your friends be responsible for anything on the boat. Its just that clear, I never want money to get in between me and my friends or family. I have 2 cats, I bought one h16 for my Fiance and friends to borrow and learn to sail on. I only have about $400 and a couple days work in it. If my friends managed to sink that boat and lost everything, I assume the financial responsibility with my decision to let them use it. I have an H18 that I have much more money and time in, I will not be letting anyone borrow it or sail it without me until they have proved themselves to be in total control of that boat with me aboard. Use your own judgment.

On the insurance note, I did not even consider insurance before my first regatta. Once I was on the starting line with the other boats I realized that it was 100% mandatory. Sure, I could replace my own boat or the other guys h18, but what about the $25-$30k F20 beside me? Unfortunately my car insurance has no policy for sail boats, but I will be buying some certainly before I attend another regatta.

My "crew" isn't resposible for MY boat. When we are out there I am responsible for everything, including the crews safety. If they keep f'in up your stuff teach them how to handle it properly or stop asking them along.

i can count on one hand the number of people I have taken sailing that I would think would sue me. Not saying insurance is a bad thing, but I sail mostly with my family and kindred spirits (I love my creeknanny). I have sailed with lots of kids between 6 and 10 too. I never sail with a kid, without that kid's parent on board. That parent is advised if their kid falls off, they should expect they are going off too. A kid (nor parent) has yet to fall off.
I have never made anyone buy anything as a result of their neglect or bad luck. I expect my family to buy me gifts to support the habit (2012 wish list: cable/rope halyard to eliminate attaching the loop on the sail to the hook on the mast, and a furler).
Whenever anyone touches a shackle, pin or clip, I make sure they know what those little bits cost, so they are less likely to drop it in the sand or water. A twist shackle is $25!? Captive pins are good insurance too.

Last year some clown stole the Prindle's adjustable extension tiller, the original boat part. Now that burns me up.

I've been racing small monohulls in Texas for 17 years and I have never heard that liability was mandatory. Maybe people mean it's the smart thing to do, but it's not required by law? I don't trust my insurance agent to answer this honestly....

Has anyone been sued?

It's the standard in racing nowadays for SI to require insurance.

If you engage in racing, then you should have insurance. If you can't afford the insurance, then you can't afford to race.

Edited by tami on Aug 05, 2011 - 08:10 AM.

Insurance isn't that expensive... I was quotes $100 year for $500k plan.