Breaking News. Katz’s Marina On The Cove Storage Building Flattened By Heavy Snow!
Katzs on the cove photo Karen Fucito Lake Hopatcong News
Lake Hopatcong, Katz’s Marina on the Cove: The roof under 30 inches of snow collapses onto 2nd floor, 2nd floor then collapses on bottom floor. Inside the historic building are some of the top show boats in the world, including “Absolute” a Chris Craft Racer, Tripples, Model 99, several Continentals, Corvette performance boats, Rare Donzis, several U22’s, Sths Mothers first boat a Correct Craft, , the “Bat Boat”. The list unfortunately goes on and on. But roughly 22 boats are lost. many owners have yet to be notified, so we are just reporting numbers. Reports are coming in late since Seth Katz was out of the country when this happened and flew home to assess the damage. For those unfamiliar with the Katz’s Marinas, there are two. Both are historic buildings. This one on the Cove was the first Chris Craft dealership on the lake. The part flattened is primarily storage.
Vintage shot of the building in question
The original Katz’s Marina is OK and in tact and business as usual. .. Katz’s Marina boasts the largest inventory in the world of antique and classic boats. “Thankfully no one was hurt” said Seth in a brief phone call on the way to see what happened. The roof had been replaced a year ago when the building underwent a restoration. On a personal note, I feel sick to my stomach, not only are these some very important boats damaged, but personal friends are in some pain right now and our hearts go out to them. The reports are so fresh that we are just reporting right now what we are getting info on. We will update info as we get it. Stay tuned.
The first floor used to be a grocery store. Now is boat storage.
Model 99 crushed
I loved just waking through his building and seeing the goodies in them. What a shame.
heartbreaking.
Glad no one was injured, but heartbroken about those boats. They deserved to go out better than that. Condolences to the owners and Katz’s Marina. I’m done with this winter.
Oh nooooo!
Carla ain’t gonna like this phone call. That said it’s a chance to compare Apple’s to Apple’s. Let’s follow how the owner’s different insurance companies handle these same exact claims AND how quickly. Hell of a phone call for Seth to get and now he has to notify the owner’s.
Next to Seth and owners, you’re right – a terrible call for Hagerty. But – Hagerty will have this re-insured in all likelihood, which limits their losses. I don’t know much about insurance, other than to expect it to be there when I need it. I have made one claim with Hagerty, it was a big one and I have no complaints at all about the claims handling service. I hope the folks that had boats in there had them insured. I suspect a number of them are owned by Katz. I’d be shocked if Katz did not have the building and the boats he owned insured.
Lets hope that some of these boats can be saved. Strange days, like the 8 Corvette’s lost to the sinkhole under the Corvette museum in Kentucky.
This is a sad day in WoodBoaterville, very sad!
This is bad news. Can we in Woodtboaterville perform an Amish style “Barn Raising” and rebuild all those boats???
It’s time like this I wish we could all help. Seth has done so many amzing things for the hobby. I can see a new restored building in the near future.
Add another “donate button” for Seth. I will hit it.
A very sad day for many owners. My 48 deluxe was delivered to that marina when it was new.
Arrrrrgh what a mess. Terrible thing.
I feel their pain, we had a storage building collapse under a snow load at my family’s marina back in the 70’s. It took a long time to repair the damage. A sad day indeed.
Sad on so many counts. The loss the historic building, the boats, the history.
So thankful no one was hurt. That is always the main thing in an accident like this. Hopefully, the stored boats will be repairable, possibly protected by floor lifts or storage racks.
Oh, man…what an ugly punch from this rotten winter. Hope some of those hurt boats are going to be restorable.
I just saw the post from Katz on the cove Facebook page ad 3 other photos. This is sad and even sadder was the got negitive comments from neighbors there about Karma…honestly Seth went out of his way and probably didnt really make any money from the job he did for me but he seemed more than happy to help out…it’s a sad world we live in when people act like that…I hope the best for Seth and I’m sure it’ll come back better than ever.
I don’t think anybody in our hobby would wish this sort of thing on anyone, regardless of personal feelings. Classic, collectible and valuable boats are lost and a historic property is destroyed. There is a loss here that should transcend petty personal grievances. Seth Katz is a very smart man and I would be certain that he’s insured for whatever damage he has sustained.
I have enjoyed Seth when I have spent time with him and he has gone beyond reasonable expectations to restore and preserve a number of boats that are extremely important and special to our hobby. He did this out of passion, when many others with the available means to do so did not. That alone commands my respect, and I hope he re-builds, salvages what boats he can and does better than ever going forward. Unlike some of the vindictive, morally dispossessed folks you mention Kevin, I wish nothing but the best out of this sad situation for all those who have been impacted.
Paul very much agreed…Seth is one of the most stand up guys out there and went out of his way for me…of there was anything I could do for him I’d go out of my way for him
Even here in Michigan where we routinely shovel snow off our roofs there have been building collapses and we’ve not really had much heavy wet snow. So sorry for the Katz’s and all their customers. Do hope we’ll see the building rebuilt and then many wonderful stories of many of these boats being restored again.
SAD. I feel the pain
A roof collapsed at my Beaverhausen Bog a few weeks ago under snow load 🙁 a shed full of classic boats too. One boat is smushed. Others appear OK.
NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!
I did not check in last night, this is not a good way to wake up on Tuesday morning.
Please tell me I overslept and this is actually an April Fools joke.
OMG Sorry for all the pain and splinters. Just read this. More snow right now. Getting dressed to go out and pull snow off shed roof.
Makes one sick to the stomach to read about this. Please keep us updated as this plays out. Although perhaps original wood,etc may be ruined, in most cases wood boats can be restored (or reproduced), thankfully.
Words can not express the heart felt sadness Karen & I share for you & Renee and everybody else. Just too much to absorb, but anything I can help w/ don’t hesitate to call. Best t
Very sad to see the old Hockenjos Marina cave in. My father, Robert (Bob) Begraft worked there for many years. He also was a Chris Craft repairman. I’m sure Mr.Katz’s knew my dad. My heart breaks for him. When you’re a Mahogany wood man, it’s in your blood.
~Sandy
So sorry to hear this news but glad no one was hurt. I only know the Katzes by their website but the reputation I’ve read about suggests they’ll handle it in fine form. Best of luck!
Katz’s has always done an impeccable job with restoring wooden boats. I have no doubt the same will happen with this classic building and what lies within. It’s going to be a busy season in Great Cove. Good luck.
Wow! I am glad no one was hurt! Boats can always be restored or repaired and that is the business we are in because we love the work. I wish I lived closer so I could help out. Wishing you the best of luck from Michigan.