Zo, glad you survived it. I'm sure there are less fortunate victims of river obstructions.

Just a note on the lawsuit thing. When you sue someone, you get to claim damages. Your damages (besides the defective boat) are the lost rod and reel and perhaps some tackle. The total amount of your claim might be $5-600 (?) if you went full goose loony on the rod and reel. You didn't lose an arm or anything and you are alive, so what other real damages did you have? You were scared (justifiably so), wet and cold, but unless you went to the hospital and missed work, you came out pretty lucky. If you hire an attorney you will be past your damages real quick with his bill. The principle of the thing doesn't justify throwing good money after bad.

It is best to inform the company and be reasonable. They should take care of you. If they don't, your only real recourse is small claims, but if you claim damages above a certain limit (it used to be $250, you'd have to check now), then the defendant can simply ask for a jury trial and then you are off to the races with your pocket book and further frustrations.

Good luck. Try to work it out yourself and leave the attorney out of it.