Fix It or Ignore It?
CiriglianoAgency
Insurance & Financial Services
Michael J. Cirigliano
631-714-7222
mike@ciriglianoagency.com
www.ciriglianoagency.com
FALL 2020 boatingmagli.com 9
Rain was in the forecast and
your cover had a small tear,
so you grabbed the duct tape.
That happened a week ago, right?
Wait, no, that was months ago!
Temporary fixes sometimes turn into a
season-spanning part of the background.
The tape worked to halt the leak, so what’s the
big deal aside from the look of that green strip
on a navy blue canvas?
If you’re not a boater who cares all that much about aesthetics,
there are plenty of items on a boat that may be repaired with
a touch of tape or a dab of glue. For example, rips and slashes
to canvas or isinglass don’t affect a vessel’s seaworthiness,
though temporary fixes may still let the elements in and
hasten damage.
However, when it comes to structural and electrical integrity,
and power and other mechanical issues, tape or glue usually
won’t do. When seaworthiness or safety is at stake, you need to
eliminate perils such as a seacock failure, a non-functioning
bilge pump, or a soft spot in the deck.
Even if the boat isn’t about to sink and you’re pretty sure you
could stay out longer, it’s still the better course to end your
day and address any electrical or mechanical issues right
away. Left unattended, things that are small problems now
usually lead to big (i.e. expensive) bills down the road.
Another way to think about when and how to act when something
breaks or tears: if you know it will sound ridiculous to the
insurance adjuster, the mechanic, your banker, or your spouse as
to why you didn’t fix or replace something when it first happened,
don’t reach for any of your array of colorful duct tapes.
Finally, remember to take care of all those “quick fixes” you
made during the season before the next season begins!
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