Stolen Bass Boat

Well, as far as the theft, that does @%^$& &($#. As far as the comment that was made about seeing it again it will be very unlikely. I had a friend that had his boat stolen out of a parking lot in Louisville years ago and it was recovered by the AL state Police 2-3 years later. With nothing left but a shell. I know here in Louisville there are 2,000-3,000 stolen cars a year, not to mention the 70 murders, 350 buisness robberies and all of the other crimes that happen on a daily basis. So boats are not a priority. As far as the insurance company, good luck. Some are great, some are not so good. My insurance company is awesome. I use Van Zant Ermich and Cary. IF someone finds the rat that stole your boat I say we use them as catfish bait! Ryan.

My boat was in a repair shop that burned down several years ago. I ended up making a claim on my own insurance after the repair shops company low balled me. My insurance company gave me a very fair settlement then turned around and recouped everything they were out from the business' company, including refunding my deductible. You might consider that if the business' insurance company treats you unfairly. Keep us posted.

All great information.

A couple of things, I was once told that trolling motors are considered to be tackle as opposed to being part of the boat.

Also, don't accpet the first offer the insurance company offers. you can negotiate. If unable to do it on your own, get a lawyer.

When I lived in FL, a lady ran a stop sign and totaled out an old car that belonged to my wife. The car was valued for less than $500 by the "blue book." Obviously, her isnurance company didn't want to pay me anymore than the book value. I negotiated for over $2,000, as I explained the condition of the car, and what it would cost ot repair. They obviously balked, so I asked if they would prefer to talk to my attorny. I had the check the same day.

Good luck,


Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

Please post a total description of the boat on the site. While we here in Kentucky may not see it, it may turn up someplace where folks will see it.. Try this too.
Post the VIN number and the Registration Number as well. Google will pick it up and if it turns up someplace with the VIN and the Registration in tact someone MAY look it up on line.
Matter of fact BassBoatMagazine.com has a Stolen Boat Forum and they have had minor success in recovering some boats.
Jim Dicken

Jim,

The boat was a 2005 Stratos 285 ProXL w/ 150HP Yamaha Prov. Color was Blue/Silver/Gold metal flake w/ gray interior single console. Boat was in Excellent condition and had a keel guard that was partially coming off. It also has the yellow Patoka Lake permit sticker along with standard KY stickers. No other distinguishing marks or damage as boat was mint condition.

As for my dealings with the insurance company and dealer (which for now shall remain anonymous)....things are staring to move in a direction that I do not like. The insurance company has informed me that the dealers insurance will only cover the boat and no contents. I spoke briefly with the dealer and they requested that I fax them a copy of my list of contents which totals approximatly $8K. They said they will review. My insurance and my attorney have told me that their insurance and/or the dealer are responsible for the contents. When I left my boat I made it clear to the dealers service department that my boat contained all of my equipment and I asked if my equipment would be ok....they said it would. They didn't have me sign anything and now they are starting to say that their service department claims that they told me they were not responsible. THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. If they had told me that I would have loaded all my stuff up and taken my chances with it all in my truck.

I am putting this up on the board because I want honest opinions from other level headed fisherman regarding my reactions. I believe the dealer should do the right thing and cover the contents if their insurance doesn't cover it. I WILL take this to court if required. My insurance, my attorney, and a close friend that works in the insurance industry as a claims attorney have all said that while their boat insurance may not cover the contents, that, at the least, their liability insurance should cover contents. By taking possesion of my boat and NOT TELLING ME THAT I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY CONTENTS that there is liability. I can place the claim with my homeowners but my insurance is telling me that it would be significant claim and it would have a negative impact on my homeowners insurance.

If the dealer handles this properly and does not force me to take this to the court systems then I will sing their praises. I have never had any problems with this dealership but I have had limited dealings with them as the boat is new. However, if they don't handle this the right way then I will make sure everyone in Louisville and on FISHIN.com knows how they handled the situation (and for everyones info the dealer is not a Louisville dealer but is a dealer within reasonable distance of Louisville). I would never intentionally harm someones business but other potential buyers should know how the dealer handles this situation good or bad.

I agree with the way you are handling this 100%. The dealer and/or its insurance company should make things right. I'm close friends with a Ranger dealer in my area. If the dealership you are involved with is anything like them, $8K would be a crippling amount to have to pay out for something like this. However, it is the right thing to do; they should just #### it up and not make anything on the next 8-10 boats they sell.

This is the most important part of a negotiation, who ever has the most time, wins. That is why car dealers always want to know what they can do to put you in the car "today." Or, the deal ends tomorrow... better hurry.

I got a car dealer to buy back a Ford Explorer a month and a half after my purchase because they could not make it right, and they paid me my full purchase price. That is not an easy task. What's worse, is that I should have noticed the hail damage before I bought the vehicle. But time was on my side.

Always make sure time is on your side. Don't ever fall for this offer ends at midnight.... if they can offer it today, they can offer it next week too.

Good luck,

Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

Keep metaticulous (spelling?) notes. It is amazing when you can give every date, and time that you spoke, and what was said, what was agreed upon, and what was still in contention.

I think you saw my trailer drama unfold on here. I had over 4 pages of notes. Every single phone call, even if all I did was leave a message for a call back. This will demonstrate the willingness of the company to communicate with you. When you begin reading it back, they realize you have the "goods" so to speak if you have to go to civil court. Plus, it just seems to give you a little of the power they like to pretend they have.

Good luck,


Tight lines and God Bless

Danny

DEAR SIR,

I JUST BOUGHT A BOAT FROM A MAN THAT LIVES IN THE FRANKFORT AREA. IT SOUNDS JUST LIKE THE ONE YOU ARE DESCRIBING TO A "T". I GOT A GREAT DEAL ON IT, BUT THE TOUNGE ON THE TRAILER WAS CRACKED. I HAVEN'T TRANSFERED THE PAPERWORK YET, BUT HE SURE WAS IN A HURRY TO MAKE A DEAL..... JUST KIDDING WITH YOU BRENT. IT SURE IS INTERESTING TO SEE ALL THE RESPONSE AND GREAT IDEAS FROM EVERYONE.

THOUGHT YOU COULD USE A LAUGH....AFTER ALL THAT'S WHAT FRIENDS ARE FOR. LET ME KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.... IF YOU NEED TO USE A BOAT, MINE'S THERE FOR YOU ANYTIME.... HELL, YOU FISH BETTER WITH BORROWED EQUIPMENT ANYWAY.

SEE YA BUDDY,
HEATH

Danny,

Thank you for your input. I am waiting for a call from the insurance company regarding the feedback that they are getting from "their attorney". I am taking notes and keep track of everything. I have spoken with my attorney at length and they said I have a winable case. I don't want to deal with all that crap. I just want their insurance and the dealership to make things right. Right is Right and Fair is Fair.

I am curious as to the response that I will get from the dealer. The owner of the dealership is not available for comment but will be available next week. I will continue to keep the dealership anonymous until I am certain how they will handle the situation. I want them to do the right thing. The right thing is to fix the problem. They had my boat and were responsible for it and the contents. THe owner of the dealership told me they would make things right when I went up to meet with the police and file the report. If they make things right I will sing their praises. If they don't I will make sure every fisherman that I can reach knows how they do business.

It is turning into a big mess.

I had some gear stolen on Kentucky Lake; rod boxes broken into took tackle boxes and bait casting reels, left all the spinning gear. I felt like I had been violated. I feel sorry for you losing everything. I had a marine rider but my homeowners covered the loss minus depreciation.

Take your time and go over you list several times. It also helps to go through a fishing catalogue you will be reminded of stuff you had in the boat or tackle you lost. I did this before submitting it to the insurance co. Even after all this I would go to get a lure and remember I did not include it or replace it.

Good luck