An unhappy BWCA vacation!

[Lee Borgersen]

                           An unhappy BWCA vacation!

Unfortunately Borgie & I were on our annual vacation in the BWCA when the big blowdown hit our area at 3:15 am. I was asleep when the weather radio started beeping and I jumped up as it was flashing bright red and blasting the alert. It was right on the money when it announced a major storm headed our way. They announced severe winds and lighting with hail to hit our area at 3:15 am and that was the exact time she hit.

The cabin was shaking and a freight train was howling outside. I had planned to remove our boat and put it on the trailer that morning not knowing about any storms being on the way Pryor to that time. Our boat was trashed 3/4 full with water, sand, clay, and stones. She was listing on her side and resting against huge rocks. Damage was serious and not just limited to the boat. the motor had prop damage, skagg and stabilizer fin broke off. Busted rods, lost, rods, tackle, and equipment lost. I could go on and on but I'm sure you could imagine the rest. The 14 gal built in gas tank (under the floor) has water in it because of the overflow being pounded with huge waves.

The follow up reports stated winds of 70 mph gusting to 90 mph. Some of the folks blamed me for the storm because I was also there in 1999 when the big blowdown came through bringing winds over 100 mph.

[deadeye]

Ouch, that's a kick in the butt for sure. 

[glenn57]

ouch!!!!!!!!!! that bites!!!!!!!!!! hope all works out for ya Lee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Boar]

wow! glad you guys are ok. it coulda ended much worse. really sorry the bad trime and damaged  to the boat, hope yu had insurance. this makes on appreciate all the good times. hang in there lee.

[dew2]

Holy  Moly!!! what a happenstance!! in hind sight I bet you wish it was tailored! But would the trailer been blown away?? Insured? salvageable??
 Hope it works out the best it can for you!!

[Lee Borgersen]

Two campers died during this storm. A lady and a young lad who was a scout. Rescue teams from the whole area were launching boats & rescue equipment and also someone was air lifted to Duluth hospital.

[dew2]

Two campers died during this storm. A lady and a young lad who was a scout. Rescue teams from the whole area were launching boats & rescue equipment and also someone was air lifted to Duluth hospital.

That was in the local news and newspapers,A Texas scout troop enjoying the north woods.Turned sour mother nature can be wicked!!

[Lee Borgersen]

Holy  Moly!!! what a happenstance!! in hind sight I bet you wish it was tailored! But would the trailer been blown away?? Insured? salvageable??
 Hope it works out the best it can for you!!

One boat and trailer already on shore was flipped over with the trailer being on top of the boat. If it would have been hooked on to a vehicle at the time it may not have flipped. Although that would be just a guess on my part. I have insurance but that boat is a 1997 so who knows how they will value it. I only use it for vacation once a year because it's rigged perfect for the BWCA.
Crossing the Prairie Portage daily to Basswood it can't be over size including motor limit of 25 hp.

I would rather of lost my larger Lund guide boat than my 16 ft BWCA boat. It would be easier to replace.  Borgie and I love that 16 ft Lund. It was in almost mint condition. I had that boat rigged with everything I would ever need or want set up for Basswood Lake. I had folks at the camp with new Lunds' complement me on all the upgrades my Lund had v/s the newer ones.

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[dew2]

 Lee got any pics of the boat? after the damage. You think it is repairable?
 I've done a few that fell off trailers,Never look sleek again but kinda like auld pharts they are yet usable just a bit worn but serve the purpose.

[corny13]

Bummer Lee ! Sorry about your boat. Mine was ok but resort 3 doors down a guy's Lund proV had a 3' diameter pine go right over the middle of it. 

[Lee Borgersen]

Lee got any pics of the boat? after the damage. You think it is repairable?
 I've done a few that fell off trailers,Never look sleek again but kinda like auld pharts they are yet usable just a bit worn but serve the purpose.

My camera was in the boat at the time so I couldn't shoot any photos of it. However the resort owner was taking photos of damaged stuff including our boat. I paid one of the dock boys $30.00 just to shovel out the piles (and I do mean piles) of stone, clay, and gravel from the floor of the boat once we got it out of the water. When we got home there was more piles of the same crap on the floor that was stuffed up under the gunnel and broke loose as the trailer hit any bumps. Under the flooring the shell is full of crap also. I'm figuring that my pumps are also imbedded with sand and crap and won't last long.

Dew,
I have no clue if the insurance company will consider it repairable. 

[dew2]

Lee got any pics of the boat? after the damage. You think it is repairable?
 I've done a few that fell off trailers,Never look sleek again but kinda like auld pharts they are yet usable just a bit worn but serve the purpose.

My camera was in the boat at the time so I couldn't shoot any photos of it. However the resort owner was taking photos of damaged stuff including our boat. I paid one of the dock boys $30.00 just to shovel out the piles (and I do mean piles) of stone, clay, and gravel from the floor of the boat once we got it out of the water. When we got home there was more piles of the same crap on the floor that was stuffed up under the gunnel and broke loose as the trailer hit any bumps. Under the flooring the shell is full of crap also. I'm figuring that my pumps are also imbedded with sand and crap and won't last long.

Dew,
I have no clue if the insurance company will consider it repairable. 

I'm sure the drive home shook more material down (kinda like a gold sluce) DONT run any pump they are easy to clean. The chit in the hull needs washed out. Hows the boat look to you?Usable? if cleaned? A 29 year old lund to a insurance company is probably worth next to nothing.BUT cleaned right and made close to its condition before the storm is worth to you (I believe much more) and anyone looking for a great boat worth more than any insurance company would assess it's worth. send some pics when possible all angles top to bottom front to back.The motor Thats a different story,soundsl like a lower unit or just a lower case with gears switched out is inorder fer that. Fuel tank is easy to purge.

[Lee Borgersen]

I just received some photos from La Tourell's where we stayed when the big downburst blew through on July 21st. As you may notice the 70 mph winds gusting to 90 mph were not kind to the Borgersens'. The actual boat damage is not visible in the photos because it's below the water line. However, the motor lower unit got pounded. If you can imagine the huge waves pounding the craft violently against those large boulders you might just be able to visualize the hull and side walls damage.

I'm considering taking it to an auto body shop for an estimate on the aluminum work. I don't even know if they would even look at it. The storm hit at 3:15 am.

Our camera was in the boat

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[HD]

Man, that sucks Lee! I feel for ya dude! 

[The General]

Yes what a bummer.  I hope everything works out.

[glenn57]

WOWZER!!!!!!!!!! that bites. like the general said.............hope everything works out for ya!!!!!!! looks like borgie is gonna need to hit it big at the bingo parlor!!!!!!!!

[Lee Borgersen]

Here's a few shots of the damaged Lund parked next to the house. I did contact an auto body shop and asked if they would take on the body repair work. They said NO boats or cycles.

Click on photos to enlarge:
           
     

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[Fawkinnae]

Oh Lee - I am so sorry to hear of all the damage to your beloved boat and motor, not to mention tons of gear. What a sad deal.

[Lee Borgersen]

Oh Lee - I am so sorry to hear of all the damage to your beloved boat and motor, not to mention tons of gear. What a sad deal.

At least my FAW. KINN'. AE & MNO stickers were not damaged

[Moon Lake Refuge]

silver linings