Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

[PrinceValium]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

So, you have an ex-marine, who thinks you owe him $100 in damages, appears honorable (but secretly watches Dexter reruns, while sharpening his knives)

LOL damn I really miss that show...I cannot wait to see the 6th season! I downgraded my package with STT Uverse and couldn't watch season 6. :face palm: That is one of the BEST shows!

 

[JimKW]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Something just doesn't sound right about this whole thing. You see the guy almost every time you go to this place. He doesn't say anything to you directly about the bill and has a mutual friend hand you a bill for $100 two years after the damage occurred? I would not pay him unless I had a conversation with him and he said what he feels is the reason you owe the money. Then I would go from there. If it was something that happened just last week I would offer to pay half just to maintain a cordial relationship, but honestly I don't think you owe him a thing.

By the way there is no such thing as an ex marine. Once a marine always a marine is what I've always heard.

 

[spoilsofwar]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

By the way there is no such thing as an ex marine. Once a marine always a marine is what I've always heard.

The proper term is "Former Marine". One would only use the term ex-marine to refer to someone who somehow dishonored him or herself (dishonorable discharge comes to mind). As an Army Infantryman with ten years (and counting) of service, I can say that these sort of symantics matter to military people

 

[sprobst]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

I lean to the side of not paying the guy. Of course, $100 isn't much money, but if you pay him $100, aren't you (in a sense) admitting responsibility? I'm sort-of paranoid about legal issues like this. Interesting situation, though. Luckily, it sounds relatively minor no matter which way you decide to go.

 

[DuckHunterJon]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

My 0.02 - pay him. As other's have said, $100 in the grand scheme of things isn't worth the elevated blood pressure it creates. Legally - I don't have a clue, but I would guess that if his boat was damaged and yours was not, you will be held liable. Again, just a guess, but as other's have said, I'd rather give the guy $100, than a lawyer one dollar. No offense to lawyers that might be on here, just the way it is.

Good luck and let us know what you decide.

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

$100, 3 years later. I would tell him to get stuffed!! If he wants to persue, tell him to take you to small claims court and take your chances. He wont because it not worth the effort and, well, its been 3 YEARS!!!!

 

[mnypitboat]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

I say ask him for the name of the shop that fixes gelcoat for $100!

Seriously, though, i think it's a bit rich faulting you for a rafting problem. It takes two skippers to agree to do this and make fast your vessels in a way that movement doesn't cause damage.

Throw him a bone and offer half to keep the peace if you have to hang in close proximity regularly but otherwise steer well clear from here on in. :facepalm:

For $100, I bet they bought some boat wax and used an orbital polisher on it. But you are right, who does actual gelcoat repair for $100??

 

[ONEGA]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Honorable guy? give me a break, the guy sounds like well like someone I wouldn't want for a friend, I would give him the $100 and move on, tie up on the other side of the tie up. Seriously this would just irritate me and its not worth the $100 so I would give the guy that handed you the receipt a $100 bill with 2 receipts of the settlement one for him and one for you. then I would stay away from him.

Mistakes are made all the time if its a big deal to him he can have a fine day, over there.

I'm with Lipp.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

I'll tell you a story that might relate: Last year duting a violent windstorm, a large 30 year old tree on my property was toppled onto my neighbor's garage. It severly damaged the roof and then bent the windshield frame of his Mustang convertible parked inside. I immediately called my homeowner's insurance. Their reply was that since it was an act of God and since it was a healthy tree, AND I had never before been told that the tree was a danger, I had no liability.

Now this guy (with whom I was friendly to a small degree) tried to extort me for half his 1200 dollar deductable. I put him off a bit because I was worried that if he took me to Small Claims Court I would lose a like amount in overtime lost from work. That would be a no win situation and I debated just paying him. But finally, when he became persistant I refused flat out. He was not happy but nothing else was said.

SO: Investigate your liability and if there is none, simply don't pay. He tied off to you, but it was with your implicit consent so to me it is not clear cut.
However, there may be a statute of limitations that applies.

At any rate, for me it is not the 100 bucks, it is the principle of the thing. And --I don't think you want him for a friend. Perhaps an on-water acquaintance but certainly not a beer buddy.

 

[rivermouse]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

If you told the guy you would pay him you NOW OWE HIM . At least now you know what can happen when you associate with jerkwads. Do what it takes at this point so the guy wont be an enemy if you have to be around him from time to time but do yourself a favor and stay away from this guy and any of his friends you dont know real well...Maybe ask the guy when you pay him if he might buy you some metal polish so you can remove the marks HIS boat put on yours and laugh ......note if drinking adult beverages was a big part of this raft party ignore my advice.Reason is you cant explain stupid and apply sober logic to what people drinking do or say.

 

[spdracr39]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

You are concerned with disturbing your friendship apparently he was not. 100.00 is pocket change and a "nice guy" would not have even asked you about it. give him 50.00 and tell him to stay at least 100 feet away from your boat from now on.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

If you said you pay him and it's only $100 to fix a boat I'd say pay him. Also go to the toy store and buy some hopping balls to use as bumpers. At $15 or less they'll be useful for rafting.
Really, if you tie up with someone damage to your boat is your damage. The guy at the stock car track does not expect the fellow he's racing against to pay for damage that might happen.

 

[moosehead]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Of course you do not owe him a cent.

However, in the grand scheme of boating things, $100 is nothing.

So, you have an ex-marine, who thinks you owe him $100 in damages, appears honorable (but secretly watches Dexter reruns, while sharpening his knives)

If I was 30 years younger, I'd be standing on principle. He is owed nothing, so he gets nothing.

Now that I'm 55, I kinda like throwing money at a problem. $100 is a cheap fix. Make the marine happy, then he feels he owes you. All is good. HE will know that you went above and beyond the call, or that you are on his side, etc.

You never know, that may come in handy someday.

You may not think this relates, but I have an ongoing feud with my downstairs neighbor at my beach condo, for the past 10 years. Apparently, we make noise when we walk. If I could go back 10 years and give this jerk $100 to appease him, and get him on my side, I would do it. Not that he deserves it at all, just to make my life easier.

Your guy doesn't deserve a cent. Give him $100. It either does not matter in the long run, or it keeps a nutcase off your back. When you're dealing with a nutcase, let the nutcase think you're his friend. It's not right, but it's cheap insurance.

Choose your battles. This one's not worth it. And you never know, sometimes it's handy to have a nutcase on your side, looking out for you.

^This. Good advice.

Also let him know that you know that he knows it should be his responsibility right when you hand him a crisp benjamin. Make sure he looks you in the eye, this Mr. Honorable.

 

[shrew]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Whether you pay him or not, I certainly would NEVER tie my boat to his again. In fact, i'd be hesitant to even allow him to board my boat. What's next? A slip and fall? ("Oh I fell and hurt my back due to the inherant instability of your boat as a result of wake traffic").

The fact that it took 1 year for him to notify you is sketchy. That it took a total of two years to get an invoice in your hand is ridiculous. The fact that the damage was a grand total of $100 is pathetic. At this point, how can anyone even prove the damage was a result of that days events? If you do decide to pay him, I would look into having him sign a waiver of any and all future liability.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Thanks for all the input very interesting points.....to be clear he said my toon tore the seat on his boat.....I believe that was possible. When I agreed to pay the guy they were friendly and it was the beginning of boat season 2011 and I wanted to keep the peace and he told me it was $100 so fine give me a receipt and I will pay ya....., it happened end of 2010 he told me in 2011 and gave me the bill in 2012......I was happy to pay in 11 just to keep the peace.....waiting to 12 to give me the bill....anyhow I will probably give him a new bumper instead of cash since that is what he or I should have had in the first place.....kind of symbolic

 

[Vegas Naturist]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

The proper term is "Former Marine". One would only use the term ex-marine to refer to someone who somehow dishonored him or herself (dishonorable discharge comes to mind). As an Army Infantryman with ten years (and counting) of service, I can say that these sort of symantics matter to military people

Well said, and thank you for your service!

John, MSgt (Ret), USAF

 

[rschap1]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Lots of different angles here..
Plenty of reasons to or not to pay him, but...
you did say you would (personally I would not want to go back on my word 3 years down the road)
you said you want to get along and will see him again
you mention his honor and former marine (include a thanks for serving as you hand over any ca$h and mention that is part of your motivation)
I can easily see that rafting is an at your own risk type of event, but think each party shares responsibility too.
Overall if it were me, I would make the gesture of extending $50 and hope that the other guy's honor may just not pick it up and say he wanted to see my reaction. $50 not $100 because each is sharing the responsibilty.
I do not (or have the means to) toss ca$h around just to look like a big shot or impress others. I am sure that some folks may flip him a hundy just to do that, but I personally would have never made the promise to pay or taken responsibilty way back when. Apologies maybe, cash and admit guilt ? I do not think I would have.

Good Luck.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

I'm having trouble understanding why anyone would expect to 'raft up' (over and over, it seems) and never inflict or receive damage ...

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

Life's too short to associate with people like that. Except for one thing, I wouldn't pay him or hang out around him.

But here's what concerns me--you initially said you'd pay. Maybe you shouldn't have, but you did. He probably took a whole different meaning away from the incident, right or wrong. We've established that you have no legal obligation whatsoever. What is now involved, is your honor and reputation, as well as your relationship with this guy and whoever he talks to about it.

How about this: say to him, "a lot of water is over the dam since three summers ago when our two boats bumped; I don't see it as anyone's fault but I did say I'd help out with the repairs to yours. I suppose you'd do the same if mine was the one damaged. Next time we'll go together to find the guy who caused it. All things considered, what's a fair amount to you, so we can stay on good terms on the lake?"

I'll bet you that with that approach he'll ask for less than you'd expect. maybe "fagetaboutit" but the air will be clear. By shifting it back to him, he establishes the "honorable" thing to do and you now have the "honorable" reputation.

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Rafting Damage Who Should Pay

If what you say is true, i wouldn't pay him a dime. I would personally tell him to his face. If you are willing to tie up then you have to accept that there might be a possiability of damages. If kids are jumping off your platform, its all part of rafting. He needs to get over it and learn how to repair gel coat. We were getting ready to raft up last year and when this 33ft Silverton came along side so did a wake. Yes it gouged me gel coat. No big deal. I repaired it. It's part of the game.