First I was a bit hesitant posting this on this forum.
But I am so mad and sad at the same time, want to
share this with You.
Last sunday I went to the annual new year meeting
at our beloved catamaran-club, only to find my T in
this sorry state.
Obviously someone smashed my recently restored T with
a heavy object.
First thing we did was checking all the other 30 catamarans,
but mine appeared to be only one with damage.
Next was drinking champagne at the clubhouse,
a real bitter taste...
In the evening I filed a report at the police.
Can't believe some-one did this on purpose,
thats wat it looks like anyway.
At our club everybody is friendly with each other,
and I can't remember having a argument whatsoever
at the club.
The club is gated and locked up for the winter,
but if you were to get in its relatively easy to do.
Just climb over the dyke, jump a ditch and a fence.
I don't want to go that way, gives me headaches..
Anyway, non of my acquaintances knows what boat
is mine. Its only recently in the water, sailed it 6 times
solo and with club members before winter-closing.
I assume it was pure bad luck.
Last wednesday I was preparing the clubhouse for the
new years meeting. It was in fine condition then..
That's very odd damage for vandalism. The bigger damage looks to be on the inside of the hull just below the tramp track, not the easiest place to get to to swing something to smash the boat.
Do the boats ever get moved around by the club or maintenance people while you are gone?
No, it has been stored in the same spot since the last weekend of october.
In the winter there is no maintaince whatsoever.
Tramp rolled up over the front-beam, cause I still have figure out how to
take it of, its a bit of a strange setup with over 25 tiny bolts.
OK, Thought there might be a possibility the damage was from equipment used to move the boat around or grading the surface etc. At my local club/storage we have had a problem in the past with lawn mowers and weedeaters damaging boats.
Sorry to see this happen to you especially after all your hard work. Bright side, you are an expert at repair!
Any chance the club has surveillance cameras on the area? At any angle? Any posting in the club house to if anyone strange was seen in the area? Check with the police for any other vandalism in the area.
Just thoughts Sorry to see it!
-- Forrest
I-20 USA-645
Hernando, Florida
"There's not enough rum in the drum" --
@ Damon, thanks, but this is not the way I wanna improve my
repairing skills. Still a bit confused about the whole situation.
Any chance the club has surveillance cameras on the area? At any angle? Any posting in the club house to if anyone strange was seen in the area? Check with the police for any other vandalism in the area.
Just thoughts Sorry to see it!
There is a surveillance camera overviewing the entrance and most
of the catamarans. Internet acces was shared with a rescue-station
next to our club. They changed router and modem last fall, and nobody
at the club went trough the hassle of setting all connections and IP stuff
because it was late in the season.
Just a little club in the country-side where nothing happens during winter.
Could this have been done by flying objects pushed by the wind? have you had strong storms?
No, november and december had some strong winds. 30 to 40 knots.
Last week was quiet, also there was no debris laying around.
Like I said, past wednesday the T was fine.
I agree that is looks strange to me for vandalism, my immediate reaction is that someone was doing something really stupid and damaged it, possibly accidental. Seems vandals would want to damage the decks and outside of the hulls.
-- Greenville SC
Offering sails and other go fast parts for A-class catamarans --
the damage inside hull kinda looks like the outline of a 2x4
the bow damage looks like it COULD be a corner of a 2x4 as well
I see 2x4's attached to some framing that kinda looks like "Boat slips" on the bottom pic
are any 2x4's missing?
I (unfortunately) wouldn't put it past a couple (punk) kids to hop a fence and trespass at a boat yard/yacht club and rip one off the 2x4's and throw it at a boat... unfortunately the most accessible boat on the end would be a prime target
@ MN3
The 2x4 frames are used to keep the storages-boxes in place.
They are digged in the sand and we attach the boxes to them.
Because it can be a very windy place, sometimes a storage box
takes a swimming lesson or goes on a long journey....
I'm working on the other side of the country now, but wil
certainly have a good look for missing 2x4's , good point.
Back next sunday.