While fishing a tournament on St. Clair in 1997, I hit a large wave on my way back to the weigh-in. I was coming back from The Mile Roads and was cut off by a 26-28 ft. cruiser from the left side. I was not running fast (way too rough) just fast enough to keep on plane, about 30 to 35 mph. The cruiser was running parallel to me and decided to speed up and cut in front of me. In the time I had to react, all I could do when I crossed his wake, was try to angle it and keep the bow up. When I landed, I busted the locks on my Gator Mount, bent the shaft on the trolling motor, and snapped one of the steering cables (when I landed, the boat was pointed in one direction, the motor in the other). As I turned into the launch at Selfridge, the other steering cable snapped. I managed to limp it to the dock and get it loaded.
The next day I contacted my insurance company (State Farm) and explained what happened. They told me to get an estimate to replace the trolling motor and steering cables. The dealer wrote an estimate for $1600.00, $1000.00 (parts & labor) to replace the trolling motor, and $600.00 (parts & labor) for the cables, and faxed it to the agent. They said it sounded reasonable and would send a check to me and the dealer for $1350.00 ($250.00 deductable). I told them that I could do it myself (faster) for less, $750.00 for the trolling motor and $250.00 for Dual No Feedback cables. The agent agreed to this and said that they would send me a check for $1250.00. He explained that even though I was doing the work, I should be paid for my labor which was the extra $250.00 plus the deductable that I would have paid. This was all handled by fax and phone. I've been lucky that this was the only claim I've had to file. I have no plans to change insurance, either.
