Month: November 2016

Powrtran Pro Lynn Niklasch Makes it Two in a Row with Win in the 2015 AWWS Warrior Boats National Shootout.

June 2, 2015

15 two-man teams converged on La Qui Parle near Montevideo, MN this past weekend with one goal in mind, to take home the beautiful Warrior 1898 with a trailer and a Yamaha 150 HP motor valued at over $50,000. “This is the largest purse for a 15 team tournament I have ever seen” Powrtran Marketing Director Steve Hiemenz remarked “and with no entry fee, it really is something special.”

Niklasch and his partner Mark Kumorkiewicz battled the harsh Friday conditions to bring back an astounding 5 fish bag totaling 32.20 lbs.-roughly 18 lbs. more than the second place team.  Day 2 was a different story as the leaders struggled early and watched the team of Chaz Dobias and Ryan Hylla from MN pull in several large fish.  “Unless you’ve experienced it, it’s impossible to describe” Kumorkiewicz remarked when asked how it felt to watch competitors pound the big fish while they had one small one on the card.  The stress of protecting a lead with such a huge purse on the line was starting to get to them. “We just put our rods down and had a little powwow, we needed to regroup” Niklasch said.  And regroup they did as they rebounded to pull another outstanding 5 fish bag of over 18 lbs. to win the tournament by almost 21 lbs.

This victory marked the second straight for Niklasch and Kumorkiewicz as they took the top spot at the AWWS Wisconsin Division Nitro Boats Open May 17th besting the field of 85 boats.  This has them currently sitting in second place in the Wisconsin Team of the Year race (The Shootout results don’t count) and in great position to make it back to the National Shootout next year.

Niklasch, from Oconomowoc, WI is also a full-time guide on Green Bay. His company, Your Fishin’ Pal Guide Service is one of the most popular guide services in the area.

“We are very excited about what Lynn brings to the table” Hiemenz says “He is a remarkably versatile fishermen who can adapt his game to the water and conditions he’s facing and that is evidenced by his coming from the big water trolling he is used to and winning a tournament on a smaller lake.”

Up next, Niklasch and Kumorkiewicz face off against another large field on June 28th near Petenwell County Park in WI for the third AWWS Wisconsin Division Qualifier.

Fishing for our Heroes Tournament on Gull Lake Brings in More than Fish

A total of 32 teams hit the beautiful waters of Brainerd’s Gull Lake June 20th and 21st to try and hook some big fish.  For most (if not all) involved however, the tournament was about more than how many fish you could find, they were there to help raise money for the Heroes at Home scholarship fund which supports military and law enforcement students and helps them reach their dream of defending our country.

The scholarships are awarded by the Daniel Drevnik Memorial Fund which was founded in 2012 by Ken and Julie Drevnik just three years after their son Dan was killed in Iraq.  Dan was a member of the National Guard and was pursuing a career in Law Enforcement to achieve his goal of becoming a Minnesota State Trooper. “Dan’s dream was to be a police officer,” Ken says “It would be his hope that his mission of service did not end that fateful day.”

The tournament was hosted out of Cragun’s resort right on the shores of Gull Lake and several companies, including Powrtran donated weekend stays at the resort for the many veterans who came out to witness the event. “It really is the least we can do,” Powrtran Marketing Director Steven Hiemenz said “every one of these guys gave so much, we needed to let them know how much we continue to appreciate that.”

The tournament has a unique format as it is open to both walleye and bass anglers.  Each team declares which species they will fish for ahead of the tournament and then the biggest 6 fish bag from each species takes home a check for $1500.  In addition, the largest fish from each species takes home a check for $700.  The prize for biggest walleye was donated by Powrtran. “Once we knew we wanted to get involved, we knew we wanted to award the biggest fish, we are all about catching big fish!” Hiemenz said.

The tournament weekend also includes a day of taking vets out on the water to fish, a banquet and silent auction.

For more information on how you can get involved, check out their website www.HeroAtHome.org, and like them on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/drevnickfund.  “Without a doubt one of the best causes we have ever been fortunate enough to support,” Hiemenz says, “we cannot wait until next year!”

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Boat Insurance Coverage Considerations from Fellow Angler Justin Schneider

One of the worst days I’ve ever had on the water was the morning I walked out to the dock to see my dock line had slipped overnight and the wind switched directions, leaving my brand new boat with a plethora of deep scratches from an exposed dock pole.  Although tears had literally filled my eyes, I quickly reminded myself “that’s what why you carry insurance,”. In the matter of a week, my boat was repaired, looking good as new.  Being an independent insurance agent who specializes in outdoors related products, I’ve taken the time to research and thoroughly understand marine insurance coverages.  As a result, clients of Woods & Water Insurance and most recently myself, have enjoyed the peace of mind that our watercrafts carry adequate insurance coverages.  In this article, I’d like to share with you a few specific items that you may find helpful when you decide to insure your next boat or review your current boat insurance coverages.
Isn’t all boat insurance coverage the same?
Contrary to what some insurance carriers would like you to believe, not all insurance companies offer the same watercraft insurance coverages and it’s important to understand what coverages exist in your policy.  Watercraft insurance policies are typically available through 3 different types of coverage; Actual Cash Value, Agreed Value, or Total Loss Replacement coverage.  Actual Cash Value policies offer repair or replacement of your watercraft minus depreciation.  Agreed Value policies offer repair or replacement of a partial loss at no depreciation and pay market value of the watercraft up to the coverage amount listed on the policy in the event of a total loss.  Total Loss Replacement offers agreed value on repairs or a new boat entirely in the event of a total loss.  It’s recommended that you read your policy thoroughly or speak with your agent directly to understand exactly how your boat will be covered in the event of
a claim.  Not all insurance carriers treat Agreed Value and Total Loss Replacement coverage the same.  For instance, certain insurance carriers utilize an Agreed Value settlement method that pays the lowest of the amount necessary to replace the stolen or damaged property, or the amount necessary to repair the damaged property to its pre-loss condition.  This can result in aftermarket or used parts which could have an adverse effect on your boats performance, resale value, or potential issues with voiding the warranty.
Chain Reaction” Type Losses
There’s nothing worse than cutting a day on the water short due to a break down or equipment malfunction.  What’s worrisome is that some insurance carriers will only cover a portion of a watercraft loss in the event of a “chain reaction” of damages within the scope of the claim.  It’s important to seek out a policy that provides coverage for indirect physical loss, in addition to direct physical loss.  Damaging your lower unit by striking a rock is an example of a claim that would constitute direct physical damage since the loss is directly related to the object it came into contact with.  This type of coverage is the basis of which most watercraft insurance policies are written.  What is not covered under most marine insurance policies are indirect physical losses.  For an example, a boat’s impellor sucks up some weeds, which then causes damage to the impellor.  Any further damage that derives from the damaged impellor such as damage to a water pump or worst case scenario a powerhead, would not be covered under insurance policies that only cover direct physical losses.  Since the damage to the water pump or powerhead in this particular scenario would be considered an indirect physical loss, only the impellor would be covered.

Fishing Equipment Coverage
If you’re anything like me, you have enough fishing tackle that would rival a small tackle shop and your significant other has now idea how much all that “junk” is worth.  Undenounced to some, this particular coverage is a highly contested coverage issue that leaves most anglers unpleasantly surprised after a claim occurs.  It’s important to understand that most insurance carriers only cover fishing equipment when the said equipment is physically onboard the watercraft.  In the event fishing equipment is damaged or stolen in your garage, motel room or vehicle, coverage is not available through most watercraft insurance policies.  Instead it would need to be claimed under your homeowner’s policy which is typically susceptible to a $1,000 or more deductible and an increase on your home insurance rates for the next 3-5 years.
Living the Dream
I think a majority of us anglers would love fish for a living, but the reality is very few individuals are fortunate enough to do so.  This leaves most of us anglers fishing the occasional derby or guide trip with hopes that one day we can make this dream a reality.  What’s concerning is that under some boat insurance carriers, any act that is deemed for profit can result in coverage being denied, which would
result in a large coverage gap.  Surprising to some, not all insurance carriers allow tournament pursuits under their policy either.  They consider it a commercial use of the watercraft since the boat is being used for a monetary gain.  Insurance claim adjusters are increasingly keen on social media and the internet as a basis of gathering information for claim purposes and A simple tournament results sheet with your name on it could constitute coverage being denied if tournament use is excluded on the policy.  In addition, most personal boat insurance policies exclude guiding pursuits, although a select few insurance carriers do allow this to be added by means of a policy endorsement for a nominal fee.  If you’re engaging in these activities, it’s always a good idea to have this discussion with your agent to make sure you’re property covered when engaging in these activities.
In conclusion, reviewing your boat insurance policy and having a conversation with a knowledgeable agent regarding your insurance coverages should be high on your list this boating season.  As an insurance agent, spending a few minutes to review your coverages to ensure your possessions are properly coverage is the best advice I can give.
Tight Lines!
-Justin Schneider, Woods & Water Insurance