Immediate Help Needed

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Hey guy....you probably know that insurance usually does not pay new replacement cost but pays out actual cash value (depreciation) minus the deductible for comprehensive coverage like hitting a moose, or breaking through the ice...or having a tree fall on machine....

At $5000., that seems like some fast easy money for Gulbicki....and probably insurance pays for all the $5000 as a cost of recovery which has no deductible for the policy holder...

I can tell you FLL that it was not fast and it was not easy to pull that thing up. They had the right equipment and people to do the job right, and they were right there immediately when I needed them. Two divers in the freezing water for a couple hours with all their gear and equipment not to mention the fact this was a weekend day so premium time expenses are incurred and expected. The $5000.00 was worth every penny considering the fines that the D.E.S. imposes if it's in the water more than 72 hours!!

I do not expect replacement value as the Ranger was not new. My insurance company knows what I paid for it and what extras were added and at what cost. All I expect is what I paid for it + extras, minus any depreciation and the deductibles. Not looking to gain anything, that's just not my way...

Dan

[tis]

OMG, what a terrifying experience! I am so glad that you and your friend are ok. It must have been you LUCKY day.

[lawn psycho]

Wow that's quite a machine. How much does it weigh? Can you get some images to show the area where you went through? This is another example of why I have no intentions of ever driving on the ice.

I'd at least have them pull the plugs and drain the block. I'll bet that machine can be made to run without issues. Change all your fluids and your good. Any hydraulics and fuel lines that are under pressure are probably untouched.

Glad too see no one was hurt.

[Pineedles]

Dan,

Glad to hear you and your passenger were OK. Pretty frightening episode.

Pineedles

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Dan,

Glad to hear you and your passenger were OK. Pretty frightening episode.

Pineedles

Thanks Pineedles!

Dan

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

Wow that's quite a machine. How much does it weigh? Can you get some images to show the area where you went through? This is another example of why I have no intentions of ever driving on the ice.

I'd at least have them pull the plugs and drain the block. I'll bet that machine can be made to run without issues. Change all your fluids and your good. Any hydraulics and fuel lines that are under pressure are probably untouched.

Glad too see no one was hurt.

L.P.

It weighs about 1300 lbs. I have no better pictures of the surrounding area but as stated earlier, this happened directly between Locke's and Pig island. This is about 1/2 mile out directly in front of Marine patrol.

As far as driving on the ice...I have no problem driving snowmobiles, ATV's and UTV's on the ice and will continue to do so. (I do not take my auto's on the ice) There is more than enough ice to handle the weight of any of these vehicles and then some. These are the same types of vehicles that Fish & Game use to get around in on the ice.

Pressure ridges are a different thing however and this year for whatever reason they are worse than ever! I have never seen as many and as tall as they are this year.Simply walking over them in the wrong spot and you could go for a swim. I have literally crossed thousands of them safely over the years. Sometimes however, the laws of probability will kick in!! Hopefully that was my last lotto winner!!

Dan

[jmen24]

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

Wow that's quite a machine. How much does it weigh? Can you get some images to show the area where you went through? This is another example of why I have no intentions of ever driving on the ice.

I'd at least have them pull the plugs and drain the block. I'll bet that machine can be made to run without issues. Change all your fluids and your good. Any hydraulics and fuel lines that are under pressure are probably untouched.

Glad too see no one was hurt.

The problem at this point is that it will sit in an impound yard until everything is paid up and squared away. The time to start the flushing and drying process was yesturday, it is possible that someone could still get it running but at a considerable investment, beyond the price at auction. Dan, you are taking the only road that will ensure you piece of mind. After it sits for a week or two or more, I would not touch this with a ten foot pole.

The process to rid an atv of a bath is easy but time consuming. Lots of things to drain and dry out and many, many fluid changes.

Dan, good luck shopping, I was going to say a RZR would be a nice replacement, but after looking at your setup, it would not have enough work in its blood for you. Glad you guys made it out and all is well, you now have quite a story to share.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by jmen24

The problem at this point is that it will sit in an impound yard until everything is paid up and squared away. The time to start the flushing and drying process was yesturday, it is possible that someone could still get it running but at a considerable investment, beyond the price at auction. Dan, you are taking the only road that will ensure you piece of mind. After it sits for a week or two or more, I would not touch this with a ten foot pole.

The process to rid an atv of a bath is easy but time consuming. Lots of things to drain and dry out and many, many fluid changes.

Dan, good luck shopping, I was going to say a RZR would be a nice replacement, but after looking at your setup, it would not have enough work in its blood for you. Glad you guys made it out and all is well, you now have quite a story to share.

Jmen;

You are 100% correct. The time for drying out was immediately after it was pulled. You are also correct that the recovery company hangs on to the vehicle until they are paid by the insurance company. I was actually thinking of paying the recovery people cash myself then submitting a bill to the insurance but not sure that would be the best thing to do at this point.

The other issue is if the Ranger was not kept in a heated garage while in storage. The water in the engine I am certain would have froze and caused all kinds of damage. I think I am doing the right thing by simply allowing my insurance company to handle the entire issue their way.

The RZR is a nice rig, but I need the bed storage area of that the Ranger offers as well as the plowing and pulling aspects I need.

Hopefully I'll have another soon and will be back out enjoying the winter sports again!

Thanks!

Dan

[fatlazyless]

Definately, not having insurance teaches that it is better to have insurance. But, if not insured, probably you never would have gone out to help in the first place, or something like that(?).

[ishoot308]

"That's the way that the uninsured 41% seems to get by, and it usually works out ok."

FLL;

It works out O.K. for these people until someone is injured or killed either in their boat or ATV or the other vehicle which they hit and damaged.

Insurance for boats and ATV's is extremely short money. My fully covered Ranger premium was about $100.00 per year. If you can afford a boat or ATV you certainly should be able to afford the insurance to go along with it.

Dan

[hazelnut]

WOW! Just got back from a trip out west and what a lot of reading to catch up on.
Dan first off I am so glad you and your passengers are all ok. I did read your posts on the ice conditions and I was wondering if the lake as a whole is safe? I want to get back up and out there but I was looking for reports from different parts of the lake. Is there a general thickness around the lake now. Has the lack of snow had a positive or negative impact on what was half decent thickness prior to the rain storm that cost us 2 +/- inches of ice?

Thanks for the info and thank god Dan you are safe and dry!!!!

[ishoot308]

Hi Hazelnut;

Thank you for your concern.

I can only comment on the ice in the areas where I have physically checked. That area is around Welch island, Lockes island, Smith Cove and Belknap point. There is plenty of safe ice in these areas for walking, snowmobiling, ATV'ing, etc, etc. Yes vehicles are driving all around these areas but I do not recommend that.

From the holes I have cut there is anywhere from 14" - 18" of solid black ice is in these areas. Obviously in and around dock areas with aerators and especially pressure reefs which seem much worse this year than in years past, care needs to be taken.

Probably the area with the thinnest ice would be the broads side of Rattlesnake island. I know it's frozen but have no idea how much ice is there. I have been told by fisherman how much is there, but really would rather not pass on second hand information where someones safety may come into play. Better off to hear it from someone who has physically checked it.

The lack of snow in my opinion has allowed the lake to freeze a little quicker. We have not had any extremely cold days as of late, yet the ice keeps increasing every week we go out and it's good solid ice.

Please be careful around the reefs!

Dan

[dpg]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I can tell you FLL that it was not fast and it was not easy to pull that thing up. They had the right equipment and people to do the job right, and they were right there immediately when I needed them. Two divers in the freezing water for a couple hours with all their gear and equipment not to mention the fact this was a weekend day so premium time expenses are incurred and expected. The $5000.00 was worth every penny considering the fines that the D.E.S. imposes if it's in the water more than 72 hours!!

I do not expect replacement value as the Ranger was not new. My insurance company knows what I paid for it and what extras were added and at what cost. All I expect is what I paid for it + extras, minus any depreciation and the deductibles. Not looking to gain anything, that's just not my way...

Dan

Sorry to hear that Dan...I agree with you, I would not be happy trying to dry it out and get it running again either. I just always "would know" it was in the water. And maybe when you most need it, it would decide it didn't want to start for you. If it's do-able for you get your payment and look for something else. Maybe you can find a left over '09 heading into the spring. I don't know but assume it's your (only) mode of transport in the winter to your place. Well...Chin up...Your still around to tell the story anyways!!!

[fatlazyless]

I've read in one of those backpage articles in the Union Leader that about 41% of NH boaters are boating with no insurance, so it seems likely to apply to snowmobiles and atv's too.

Removing a Ranger from 15' wihout insurance probably ends up costing a whole lot less than Gulbicki's $5000 removal fee when the uninsured owner calls around and chat's up the tow removal-diver co; "Ranger down 15'-no insurance-whatcha gonna deal me buddy?" You can alway, always, always find someone from Groton or Thornton or Alton or somewhere who will do a good job for a lot less. There's always someone willing to do it for less, when it's cash with no insurance, plus you end up with a Ranger that came back from the deep and still runs.

That's the way that the uninsured 41% seems to get by, and it usually works out ok.

[dpg]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I can tell you FLL that it was not fast and it was not easy to pull that thing up. They had the right equipment and people to do the job right, and they were right there immediately when I needed them. Two divers in the freezing water for a couple hours with all their gear and equipment not to mention the fact this was a weekend day so premium time expenses are incurred and expected. The $5000.00 was worth every penny considering the fines that the D.E.S. imposes if it's in the water more than 72 hours!!

I do not expect replacement value as the Ranger was not new. My insurance company knows what I paid for it and what extras were added and at what cost. All I expect is what I paid for it + extras, minus any depreciation and the deductibles. Not looking to gain anything, that's just not my way...

Dan

I agree with you, I'd be nervous keeping this thing after it spent so much time in the drink.

[Webbsatwinni]

Dan,

I am just reading this now, I'm glad everyone is ok. It is good to know that there are people like you on the lake that are willing to help others.

There is an ice ridge over near the north side of Rattlesnake (near Diamond), that we were warned about this weekend. I heard a few snowmobiles went in there. I never really understood ice ridges before this year, but was warned to stay clear as much as possible. Seeing them up close and hearing your story, makes me respect them even more.

Again, I'm glad everyone is safe.

[Island-Ho]

Dan, Glad everyone was safe after that scarey experience. Looking at the picture you must have been somewhat south of Lockes to see that much of Round Island. We often see a pressure ridge between the north end of Lockes and Belnap point, sometimes with some water exposed. I expect to be crossing there on Saturday and am looking for a report on the ice surface condition. It may change with today's snow, but is it currently suitable for an ice boat and long distance skating? Usually we ski out to the island, but it doesn't look like will work this year. Anyone else care to comment on the ice before and after Tuesday's snow?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by Island-Ho

Dan, Glad everyone was safe after that scarey experience. Looking at the picture you must have been somewhat south of Lockes to see that much of Round Island. We often see a pressure ridge between the north end of Lockes and Belnap point, sometimes with some water exposed. I expect to be crossing there on Saturday and am looking for a report on the ice surface condition. It may change with today's snow, but is it currently suitable for an ice boat and long distance skating? Usually we ski out to the island, but it doesn't look like will work this year. Anyone else care to comment on the ice before and after Tuesday's snow?

Island Ho;

I was just off the East side of Locke's island directly between Lockes and Pig island. Yes there is a pressure reef that goes from the East side of Lockes all the way to Belknap Point.

The ice between Lockes and Welch island is absolutely flat and couldn't be better for skating. There is another reef once you get close to Welch that also goes all the way to Belknap point but it is very close to shore on Welch. The ice is perfect for what you want to do now, not sure what the snow will bring in however.

Here's a couple pictures of the reef taken from my camp on the West side of Welch. You can see the reef stretch all the way to Belknap point. The pictures really don't do justice to show how tall these reefs really are!

Enjoy!!

Dan