[catamaran]

After every major storm Yacht Brokerage Companys receive calls and emails from prospects that are looking for that “great deal” on a storm damaged boat.

First of all, yes…., those great deals that one hears talked about on the docks do exist, but they are the rare bird and not the common find.

Also, to be able to take advantage of any hurricane damaged boat deal there are a couple of assumptions that need to be understood.

Also, to be able to take advantage of any hurricane damaged boat deal there are a couple of assumptions that need to be understood.

1. It is assumed that the individual(s) is dealing with an honest seller who is telling them the truth and is not trying to hide anything. This is where an experienced and trusted broker becomes very valuable.
2. It is also assumed that the individual(s) is very handy and experienced with boat repair and probably enjoys the smell of glass, paint, and fresh wood along with an assortment of various chemicals for cleaning and solvents for repairs. If one has to hire all of the people, or a boat yard, to do the work then this is most likely not for you. Yes, one can manage a major boat project and pay others to help, but expect to spend lots of time present and lots of time hands on.
Also, remember that the luxury of a good surveyor, and haul for inspection, may not be available, or cost effective, so that individual must rely on their own knowledge and expertise to make the decision to buy or not.
3. It is also assumed that the individual(s) can afford to lose most of their money invested in the project, because even the experts get stumped at times and have to Bail out at a loss.

[MacMcL]

Send them to: http://www.yachtsalvage.com

Many insurance companies dispose of their salvage on this site. Sort of the Ebay of dead and dying boats.

[catamaran]

Has their been any research done on the effect of these active hurricane seasons? We have had two straigt horrific hurricane seasons. I feel like the next won't be any better. In the short term thier hasn't been enough evidence for a significant downturn on boating. Could anyone elaborate on this?

[catmando]

And don't forget the storm-damaged cars and other vehicles that will start showing up on the lots. I live in Texas so the Katrina/Rita vehicles are already here.

[catamaran]

Good Point! I did not even think about that. That is another problem that will cause for future problems.

[Kevin]

I was under the impression those cars were just being scrapped, or at the very most being sold as "body in whites".

[catamaran]

are their any attempts on the thought of recycling these materials

[AMG]

Originally Posted by catamaran

are their any attempts on the thought of recycling these materials

Oh yes, in Sweden we grow christmas trees from them...

[catamaran]

Originally Posted by AMG

Oh yes, in Sweden we grow christmas trees from them...

seems kind of useful and fun, but it will only work for a couple of months out of the year

[catmando]

Originally Posted by AMG

Oh yes, in Sweden we grow christmas trees from them...

I thought only Third World countries and the United States had dumps like that.

[AMG]

Maybe you are right. This one is about fifty years old, I mean not used the last fifty years or so, but now the whole area has become protected for another fifty years. As a museum if you like.

Otherwise we are doing the small steel packages as the rest of you with our scrapped cars, also pieces of art in a way...

[YachtForums]

On the subject of hurricane damaged boats... I spotted this Post Sportfish along New River in Ft. Lauderdale. One of the many fine boats available through hurricane salvage companies?

Buyer beware with hurricane damaged boats... it's what you CAN'T see that CAN cost you.

[catamaran]

There has been much discussion throughout the forum on the subject of the damage caused by these recent hurricanes. How is marine insurance being affected? About a year ago I read that premiums where going to skyrocket. My guess is that some new policies will be made that might put a damper on things.

[Kevin]

Just read this today:

Katrina boat losses ‘far surpass’ Florida toll

BoatU.S. has confirmed its earlier estimate on the amount of damage that Hurricane Katrina caused to recreational vessels in the Gulf Coast region. The Aug. 29 hurricane caused between $650 million and $750 million in boat losses. Of that amount only about half, or $300 to $400 million in damage, was covered by insurance.

BoatU.S. says Katrina’s losses “far surpass” last year’s four-hurricane total of about $330 million in damages, as well as the $500 million in losses attributed to 1992’s Hurricane Andrew — which until now was believed to be the single most costly natural catastrophe to affect recreational boating. Hurricane Katrina also destroyed an estimated 75 percent of the marinas along 150 miles of the Gulf Coast.

On the heels of Katrina, Hurricane Rita wreaked havoc on coastal areas of eastern Texas and the Louisiana bayou on Sept. 24. Figures for boat losses attributed to this storm aren’t expected for a few more weeks.

No figures on Wilma yet...

[catamaran]

Wow, so when the numbers come in from Wilma it will completly surpass everything else