Tree fell on the Minnow

Minnow · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 10:32 am Post subject: Tree fell on the Minnow

During Superstorm Sandy, the Minnow was taking refuge in a friends' field because our mature Norway Spruce trees have a tendency to fall over.
We lost about 40 trees with one of them catching the aft end of the boathouse causing minor damage. I brought the boat home after the clean-up.

The week before Christmas we had another storm blow through that took down another dozen trees that had compromised root systems from Sandy.

The Minnow took a direct hit across the cockpit, missing the cabin and motor, but smashing the stern rail and cracking the gunwale.
No big deal, that's what insurance is for. The boat went to the shop yesterday for an estimate and repairs.

A few more pics in my album.

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:15 am Post subject:

That's not good! Good luck on the repairs.

El and Bill · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:23 am Post subject:

Ouch! - So sorry -- hope insurance covers repairs and that all will be fine for spring cruising for you.

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 11:34 am Post subject:

Oh man, and after you made sure to have Minnow out of harm's way for Sandy! Not fair!

It's good to read that you are taking it in stride. I know that's the right attitude, but I would have a hard time cultivating it. Glad you have some time to get her put to rights before your cruising season begins.

Sunbeam Hot

dotnmarty · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 2:01 pm Post subject:

Sorry to hear about the tree hitting the boat. That is some beautiful country up there in Hunterdon County.

Pat Anderson · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 3:55 pm Post subject:

Brady, that just kind of sucks! But sounds like the tree missed the really important stuff! Chrome and fiberglass, I am told, is infinitely repairable!

Bill K · Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:17 pm Post subject:

You might want to consider getting a strong metal car port.

I have one and a good sized limb came done on it bounced off and put a hole in my garage roof. I didn't see any damage to the car port.

Bill Kelleher

Minnow · Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 8:51 am Post subject:

My homeowners insurance paid for a new boathouse, which I have already bought, but I'm having serious thoughts about putting it back in the same location. (meaning anywhere on my property)
I agree that a stronger structure would be better, but the "instant garage" has been there since 1997 with no problems. Any thing short of a permanent structure doesn't stand a chance.

That being said, I'm amazed at how little damage was done to the boat. The full weight of the tree was supported by the gunwale, bottoming-out the trailer suspension. No hull or topside damage, just the little crack on the inside.

The real problem is that my property, and that of several neighbors, were a tree farm planted in the 50's. The trees were never thinned properly, and are now at the end of their useful life expectancy. They are tall and spindly, and in the wet and wind they fall like dominoes. My next door neighbor lost about 120 trees in the storm, and then took down about 30 more that were close enough to hit his house. I was lucky, his cleanup bill approached six figures.

416rigby · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 1:06 pm Post subject:

That seriously sucks!

Talk to your county extension office and they should be able to hook you up with a forester. He comes out and has a look and if it's feasable, they pay YOU to log those trees. Just a thought.

Rick

hardee · Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2013 9:27 pm Post subject:

Glad it was the boat house and not on the house and nobody got hurt. Sorry it was the boat but as mentioned, it could have been worse. I might be tempted to be a bit vengeful and make something out of that tree that goes on the boat. Twisted Evil

I'm with Rick. I'd be looking to make something useful out of those battering rams ---> A log boat house Cool

or $$$ to get a metal one.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon