Boat U.S. - January 2009 - (Page 73)

PHOTO RON PITTMAN (TOP LEFT) until the pump clogs or the battery dies. Seaworthy examined 100 claims for sinking and found that for every boat that sinks “at sea” in open water, four sink at the dock. One important point evident in claim file after claim file is that you can’t stay away from the boat for months and expect it to take care of itself. And if you do use your boat, but never examine fittings in the bilge, you may as well be 1,000 miles away. All fittings and hoses at thru-hulls should be examined in the spring and at least once during the season to make sure they’re watertight. Any leak should be taken seriously. Even a seemingly insignificant drip can accumulate a gallon or two an hour, which has the potential to sink a boat if it’s ignored. (four), and drain plugs (four). There were two sinkings each from air conditioning fittings, gate valves, transducers, mounting bolts, and mufflers. One boat went to the bottom as a result of a leaking speedometer impeller. It’s certainly possible that more than one fitting had been leaking. Outdrive Boot: 2. Fittings Above the Waterline: The finger was pointed at fittings above the waterline in nine percent of the sinking claims. How can a fitting above the waterline sink a boat? Fittings above the waterline aren’t always above the waterline. More on this later. 3. Rain and Snow: Water falling from the sky — either rain, snow, or sleet — accounted for a whopping 32 percent of the sinking claims. Everybody has seen a rowboat or two awash, so this shouldn’t be a surprise. What may be startling is that all of the claims involved boats with self-bailing cockpits that should’ve shed the water overboard. 4. Poor Docking Arrangements: Boats that sank after getting caught under a dock or bang- Examine outdrive boots regularly. Thru-Hull Above The Waterline Where The Water Came From 1. Underwater Fittings: In 50% of the sinking claims, water found its way into the bilge through leaks at underwater fittings. The majority of the leaks were at stuffing boxes (12), followed by outdrive or shift bellows (11), failed hoses or hose clamps (eight), sea strainers Thru-Hull Below The Waterline: Aside from making sure scuppers are kept clear, it’s important to inspect fittings above as well as below the waterline and replace hoses or fittings that are loose or damaged. BoatU.S. Magazine January 2009

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Boat U.S. - January 2009

BoatU.S. - January 2009 Contents At The Helm Reader Forum BoatU.S. Reports Brokerage Boats Invasion Of The Access Snatchers Don’t Move A Mussel Tech Connection BoatsGearWheels A Defect And Its Aftermath Obama Onboard? Fast-Water Fly-Fishing How I Got That Shot A Loop Through The Heartland Why Boats Sink At The Dock Install Your Own Trim Tabs BoatU.S. Exchange At Your Service/Mbr. Benefits

Boat U.S. - January 2009

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