Purchase a lightning struck Tomcat?

Great thoughts by "Alma's Only"! There are several other possibilities. One is that the lightning strike occurred at the dock, when unattended. The boat started, maybe the electronics didn't work, maybe they did initially--but the boat went out anyway. Then after running, one engine, then the other quit. This is not an all that unusual scenario, to have the ECU module fail after running a few minutes. The damage is occult. The owner does not realize a lighting strike (may be side lobes, either air or water), and things aren't quite right, but they start off. Retrospectively the possibility of a lightning strike occurs. This would also jive with the antenna not being damaged as with a direct strike. Only the owner knows--and he certainly should give the entire scenario and have the receipts--if not the insurance company would have records, if the owner authorizes release of them.
 
Just throwing this out there...for $60K what else can you buy?

I bought my Glacier Bay 2670 for $28K. 400 hours on 150 HPDI Yamahas. Bought a new trailer for $8500.

I looked at a totally redone one - new Zuks, autopilot, trailer, sonars...and I offered $57K. Was outbid at $60K for basically a brand new GB 2670. Different boat, but you get what I'm saying.

I did put in an offer on a diff TC a while ago and I want to say it was at $67K. Good shape, trailer...good boat. Bottom line why not wait/look for another TC.

I would be more concerned about the resale later. Personally I would walk away from just about any boat hit by lightning - bad luck aside - when that port light goes out, or the sonar flickers...you'll be always wondering.

Will be curious on purchase...
 
I could do it if I wanted a project to work on, pour money into, meet and solve
unexpected problems, rely on others for help, get frequently perplexed and
disappointed and get absolutely no financial benefit from when it comes time
to sell it. Even then when I finished, it wouldn't be ABYC certified so I'd likely
have to wrangle with my insurance agent if I could get a policy at all.

Yea, I could do that. But, I wouldn't.

I'd rather go for a boat ride or hit my thumb with a hammer.

Aye.
 
Foggy":31hp9thw said:
I could do it if I wanted a project to work on, pour money into, meet and solve
unexpected problems, rely on others for help, get frequently perplexed and
disappointed and get absolutely no financial benefit from when it comes time
to sell it.
Click to expand...
I think you've just summed-up more than 50% of all boat forum content.
:D

You have a way with words, Foggy, and bring up some good points.
I'll have to find out if insurance is going to be a problem.
It's all academic if I can't insure her to use on the water.
 
Insurance would not be a problem just because the boat had a prior lightning strike--unless the surveyor said there was some specific issue. My broker has never required a survey, and most of the time I do my own survey.

What insurance will not cover, is things that are normal wear and tear--and if it is a known problem when you bought the boat. Negligence may not be covered. But we hear of folks who put their boats on the beach or rocks--and seem to get paid their insurance claim.
 
Bob said,
"....Negligence may not be covered. But we hear of folks who put their boats on the beach or rocks--and seem to get paid their insurance claim."
Click to expand...

And yes, there are those :? :roll:

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
After much debate between head and heart, and on the advice of paid experts, we've decided to continue searching.

On the plus side, the boat floats and the engines run.
The minus side is everything else discussed above.

I have surveys for the boat and both engines along with several photos to share if any C-Brats are seriously interested in restoring the old girl.
 
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