Damage Report

[Wayne SW/MO]

Insurance often covers things that are normally stored in the house. You can leave them in the boat, but they are still an item that would be stored in the house. I don't know what your policy says, but I would fine out.

[Tom Spence]

I insure my rig through travelers and my gear, tackle, elctronics, etc are covered up to $5000. It came with the policy and I had to choose the amount of coverage for that stuff.

[Sam]

I'm sure sorry to hear about your boat and gear - what a bummer when spring is almost here.

Yes, check with your homeowner's insurance agent, you might get a pleasant surprise about your fishing gear. I was eating lunch in a golf course coffee shop once and some so-and-so stole my golf clubs, bag, and hand cart that I'd left by the rack outside. My homeowner's policy covered that.

Everybody's gotta do it the way that's best for them, but so far as the pros/cons of boat ownership I wouldn't be without my boat for anything. It would be nice to have it already on the water, but unless I lived on the lake I'd rather just trailer it. For one thing, leaving it at any marina would cut down on the places I fish. I like to fish different lakes, and I doubt that I'd often pull a boat out of the water to trailer it somewhere else.

As it is, I've got a stall in my garage for boat and trailer and my boat has never been outside overnight or got rained on unless I was in it, fishing, at the time. It stays in almost-new condition year after year, and at no expense, that way.

[The Fishing Weatherman]

I'm sure sorry to hear about your boat and gear - what a bummer when spring is almost here.

Yes, check with your homeowner's insurance agent, you might get a pleasant surprise about your fishing gear. I was eating lunch in a golf course coffee shop once and some so-and-so stole my golf clubs, bag, and hand cart that I'd left by the rack outside. My homeowner's policy covered that.

Everybody's gotta do it the way that's best for them, but so far as the pros/cons of boat ownership I wouldn't be without my boat for anything. It would be nice to have it already on the water, but unless I lived on the lake I'd rather just trailer it. For one thing, leaving it at any marina would cut down on the places I fish. I like to fish different lakes, and I doubt that I'd often pull a boat out of the water to trailer it somewhere else.

As it is, I've got a stall in my garage for boat and trailer and my boat has never been outside overnight or got rained on unless I was in it, fishing, at the time. It stays in almost-new condition year after year, and at no expense, that way.

Well, yesterday I went down and got a personal look at all of the damage at Campbell Point. Wow, the pics on the web don't just cant show the level of devastation. The long metal docks that parallel the shore on either side of the marina store are ALL bent at 45 degrees toward the shore. The leg of the dock that my boat was on is completely destroyed and the roof collapsed on the boats . Demolition crews were already hauling pieces of this dock to the shore. On this leg of the dock, the lifts gave way and the boats momentarily went underwater as the heavy weight came down. Most of the boats apparently then rose to the top as the weight of the ice subsided. When they pulled my boat out of the rubble it was completely filled with water. Unfortunately the motor was certianly underwater for a time and then was out of the water for a couple overnight freeze/thaw cycles...thus its probly history. I am not sure yet about the hull condtion. I will learn that today when the mechanic hauls it out of the water.

I appreciate the advice regarding homeowners coverage for my lost fishing rods/reels. When I spoke to the insurance company they kept talking about satisfying the "condition of peril" for rods/reels falling into the water either out of the boat or next to the boat. I am not clear why this "condition" is not met here. It all seemed very PERILOUS to me. I am going to continue to "negotiate" this issue with them.

This is going to be a big hit to Campbell Point in these tough economic times. Evidently insurance coverage and satisfactory claims for ice damage on these big docks has become a ridiculously tough issue in recent years. I have been treated very fairly in my 13 years at Campbell Point and the management has always shown amazing integrity. I hope that they get through this episode successfully. This is always a time that the contentious will look for a way to point fingers of blame and do anything to get back what they have lost and seek nasty legal remedies. I hope that the residents there avoid this and take the high road to keep this great community. Everyone will lose a little in this.

There is nothing quite as sweet as getting off work, driving to Shell Knob, dropping the boat, and catchin a keeper before dark. Hope to back "at it" soon.

[techo]

Your last post just makes sense! There are a lot of folks on the lake that have been hit hard the last few years. With the economy the way it is and Mother Nature wreaking havoc on the businesses....it has to be a tough life.

Sorry about your boat and fishing gear. Even when you get new gear.....it seems you always had that rod that was perfect for jigging or just fit your hand perfect.

[vernon]

How about the docks in the Kimberling area? Anybody know anything about the condition of the Inn's and What's Up Doc? Overall, doesn't seem to be quite as bad as the one that hit LOZ a short while back but that sure doesn't do those affected by this one much good. Good luck to the Campbell Point folks and their customers - that's always been a great place to stop for fuel and supplies - nice people and excellent service.

[The Fishing Weatherman]

Just got a call from Campbell Point. It seems that a big brown box with 2 combination locks just floated to the top..... apparently my box with fishing gear. Did you guys ever see "Joe versus the Volcano" when the giant steamer trunks came shooting up out of the water? Anyway..some good news, but the reels are going to be very water-logged.

Does anyone have any advice on how to salvage some water-soaked reels? I have a bunch of Team Diawa baitcasters and several Quatum energy spinners.

[doroger]

Just got a call from Campbell Point. It seems that a big brown box with 2 combination locks just floated to the top..... apparently my box with fishing gear. Did you guys ever see "Joe versus the Volcano" when the giant steamer trunks came shooting up out of the water? Anyway..some good news, but the reels are going to be very water-logged.

Does anyone have any advice on how to salvage some water-soaked reels? I have a bunch of Team Diawa baitcasters and several Quatum energy spinners.

i would take them all to a qualified reel repair shop. They should be able to get them back to like factory new reels. Cheaper than replacing them all. Let the corks dry on your rods, lightly sand, like new! Glad you got most of your gear back.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I would pull the side plates, wrap them in paper towels and get them in to be cleaned. I doubt they are hurt, and won't be if they don't get corroded.

[Tom Spence]

How about the docks in the Kimberling area? Anybody know anything about the condition of the Inn's and What's Up Doc? Overall, doesn't seem to be quite as bad as the one that hit LOZ a short while back but that sure doesn't do those affected by this one much good. Good luck to the Campbell Point folks and their customers - that's always been a great place to stop for fuel and supplies - nice people and excellent service.

I was on the water today. Ahoys docks all looked ok. I didn't go past Fisher Creek but all the docks I saw from Aunts to Fisher looked good.