uh oh, day after launch

rooferdave · Post by **rooferdave** » Mon May 02, 2011 10:02 am

went to the club on Sunday, and it appears there is a problem with a boat on "k" dock, this is the same dock I am on

the last photo shows the oil booms we had to put down to avoid a significant spill, when I took the first pics the rear line was holding but a while later the holders on the boat tore out and it went almost to the bottom, I would imagine when the last two let go it will be completly submerged, really sad to see

k9th · Post by **k9th** » Mon May 02, 2011 10:38 am

Sad sight - looks like he may have forgotten the plug.

RWS · Post by **RWS** » Mon May 02, 2011 1:02 pm

The famous Trojan BILGE ALARM might have prevented that !

RWS

Paul · Post by **Paul** » Mon May 02, 2011 4:45 pm

That's terrible. I feel bad for the owner of that boat. I couldn't imagine how I would feel if after all of the years of work on my Trojan, I showed up at the marina to find it sitting on the bottom.

But then I also do a thorough inspection after launching to ensure that it doesn't happen to me. My 4 auto pumps also help give me peace of mind.

aweimer · Post by **aweimer** » Mon May 02, 2011 4:59 pm

Any word on what the failure was?

Salt or Fresh?

rooferdave · Post by **rooferdave** » Mon May 02, 2011 5:57 pm

the insurance people hired a firm to recover the boat but the attemp with airbags failed. A crane on a tug showed an hour ago and left claiming wrong machine for the recovery. It is in freshwater and the plan is to have it up tonite, a trailer is hired on standby on the shore waiting for it, will keep you all posted

Stripermann2 · Post by **Stripermann2** » Mon May 02, 2011 6:12 pm

That scenario definetly sucks. Post recovery pics if you can.

Heefus · Post by **Heefus** » Mon May 02, 2011 6:25 pm

That sucks.

I fondly recall Dad leaping into the water, on numerous occasions, after launching

Things like this make me happy to have a shallow marina. We rarely have more than 4' of water, even at high tide. It makes you have to pay attention to the tides, for leaving and returning, but it is well worth it.

x2 on more pics.

prowlersfish · Post by **prowlersfish** » Mon May 02, 2011 6:33 pm

Dave , Why do all the sailboats in the water have no masts ? the ones on land do .

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon May 02, 2011 8:12 pm

'Optical conclusion' as my father-in-law would say.

Most sailboats around here pull and store their masts and rigging over the winter. But more and more people are opting to leave them in place to save costs and hassle. What you are seeing is a few of the 10% that left things in place. You just don't see how many on land are mast-less because of the trees.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon May 02, 2011 8:13 pm

Oh yeah - was talking to a friend at the marina on the weekend and he just sold his old boat (36 SeaRay aft cabin), and just bought a 30' Sundancer or Express from Toronto area... hope this ain't the one!!!

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon May 02, 2011 8:41 pm

Has any body else but me had nightmares of this very thing happening to thier boat? I remember the feeling I have in those dreams. Though the incident probably boils down to neglect, I wouldn't wish that feeling on anyone.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon May 02, 2011 9:04 pm

Not necessarily neglect... sometimes freaky things just happen. Had a well maintained boat go down in our marina (many years ago now). Stern drive. The bellows cracked and it only took about 15 minutes for her to go.

Big D · Post by **Big D** » Mon May 02, 2011 9:43 pm

I'm pretty hard to convince that accidents with mechanical things "just happen". There's usually a human or animal component involved IMO (not talking about Mother Nature here like lightning). The cracked bellows for example would raise a red flag for me. I know my stern drives, and unless the batteries died due to not being on charge or bilge pumps failed, on it's own, a leaking bellows would not sink a boat. There is actually little room in that cavity for water to come rushing in. The opening is covered with a greased bearing and a shaft fitted in it with O rings. In front of that there is also a grease seal. You may get a constant drip, but never enough to sink a vessel if pumps work properly. All of this providing of course that previous bellows work was done correctly. The other question of course is why did the bellows crack? Usually attributed to age though the critters also love to chew through that stuff, but that's one of the reasons why it's recommended you keep the drive in the full down position. IMO, there's usually something that could have been done or was missed. Not saying we all need to be perfect, it's just the way it is. Hindsight is always 20/20.

captainmaniac · Post by **captainmaniac** » Mon May 02, 2011 10:10 pm

Hey... boat was about 10 years old at the time. Things were good, then things were not so good... just sayin'.

That's a bit better than the guy who was doing engine work over the winter (inboards) and disconnected his exhaust hoses from the risers and propped them up on top of the engine or tranny.

The problem : the actual exhaust port on the boat was under water. One of the hoses decided to 'fall off' of whatever it was propped up on, and down she went.

Again, not necessarily neglect, but dumb.