You Can’t Insure Old Sailboats… Right?

Comments · 222

• JE

  @jeffperkett6978 · 7 months ago

  Insurance is the biggest hustle in the U.S., in my opinion.

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• WT

  @wteulon · 7 months ago

  When sailing around the world back in the 90s on a Spencer 35, no one would insure us because there was only 2 people running the boat. Also, no insurer was interested when they discovered we were going via the Red Sea. We tried to get insurance in Europe, but when they discovered we might transit the West Coast of the US, they refused. So, we just self insured, and bought the best ground tackle available.

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• CU

  @cullypettigrew · 7 months ago

  My old boat is 53 years old. Ive sailed her every year since 1979 on the West coast of Scotland but Ive only third party insurance. The insurance company insisted on surveys and lots of improvements well beyond the value of the boat. But at least they have agreed to thord party. And that is sufficient for my old faithful companion.

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• GO

  @goodfivebuck · 5 months ago

  I went through an annoying runaround several years ago when Liberty Mutual exited the boat insurance business. I ultimately decided to go with liability insurance through Progressive after they declined to provide full coverage. Given the paltry value of my 36-foot 1977 sailboat, I feel no need to chase around for coverage with exorbitant premiums to cover low-probability scenarios. I'd rather spend my energy and money keeping the good old boat seaworthy and safe.

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• OL

  @olavthyvold2288 · 7 months ago

  a very good rational explanation of insurance and old boats.

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• EY

  @eyeworksphoto · 5 months ago

  I bought my 1983 Morris Leigh 30 in 2018 and got a survey as required to obtain a marina slip.  Last year - 2025 - multiple boats at my dock incluiding mine were required by GEICO to complete a survey due to age of boat.  One was a 1976 Cal 34 MKIII, the other was a 2002 Nor’Sea 27 in astonishing MINT and BRISTOL condition. We all got surveys.  The Cal 34 passed and insurance continued.  The Nor’Sea 27 surprisingly had insurance denied!  I was stunned and knew for sure they would deny me.  I had survey done and completed a huge list of small fixes and improvements.  I was already shopping for new insurance when they sent me the approval letter - albeit at a higher rate.  It was sort of a pyrrhic victory as I was sad for my Nor’Sea 27 friends but it posed many questions about what makes insurance companies tick.

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• OZ

  @ozziepilot2899 · 7 months ago

  Not only is this channel educational (for us non boaties) it’s entertaining, some of your humorous quips leave me in stitches. Loving this channel 👍👏

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• RA

  @raydaugherty3046 · 7 months ago

  Tbh, a good self-preservation video. Insurance has gotten extremely more difficult. I'm in the insurance industry, though not marine. Insurance is about what happens to a group as a class. They run numbers and act accordingly. It has gotten much harder to insure older boats. The 40-year mark is a big deal. The 20-year mark not as much (except for standing rigging). But this reality has slowed both sales and interest. I love sailboats and sailing. There is however a hard truth many are trying to gloss over. Not placing blame, just stating the reality as I see it.

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• DA

  @DavidInscho-l7v · 5 months ago

  I have a 1982 Newport 33 in Bellingham, WA. Insurance wasn't a problem with a survey in-hand. A marine survey works as a valuable punch list for things to work on year round. The boat is better than ever now.

• AM

  @amandamillar9616 · 5 months ago

  Thank you again fornyour logical straight shooting information. Love your channel. Old boat owner.

• JO

  @johnnylightning1491 · 7 months ago (edited)

  Surveys aren't a bad thing, besides keeping the insurance company happy they also let you know of some maintenance issues you may have overlooked. It might be interesting to do a video on synthetic rigging and whether it can be insured.   Keep the good stuff coming Tim.

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• ST

  @stephenburnage7687 · 7 months ago

  The issue with insurance is that it relies on surveys. The trouble with surveyors is that while they are competent to look at things like rigging and hulls, they have no competency to look at wiring (or engine's) "Recommend you hire a specialist". Fire risk is now one of the greatest causes of boat write off's, due to poor and amateur wiring, and yet surveyors mostly fail to pick this up.

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