Should a boat completely sink?

[cah412]

I have an 1992 18 ft Bluewater ski boat that sank for some reason while tied off to a dock. It had been tied off for a few days and checked regularly when in about 6-8 hours, it somehow made it's way to the bottom with only the bow up because it was tied. My question is, is it right for a fiberglass boat to sink all the way to the bottom? Even if it were taking on water, my thoughts are that the boat should go to water level then float. Anyone know? Thanks.

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Usually they don't sink completely.
automatic bilge pumps are inexpensive and worth having.

 

[turbodriven]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

I'm no expert here but a boat of that size weighs over 2000lbs with a motor on the back. And the only thing keeping that above water is displacement. Unless your boat is constructed with a boyancy foam (like one of those bay boats they used to saw in half and remain afloat for their ads) it won't remain neutrally boyant.

 

[DJ]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Boats built after the mid-seventies had to have "level" flotation built in.

If your boat is beyond that date and carries a BIA certification, it should have sunk to the gunnels only.

All bets are off if the foam was waterlogged and ignored.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

having the bow tied tite throws the displacement off, if there had been enough slack for the bow to drop it. might have been level.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Whether it should float or not is kind of a moot point at this stage. Did you get the boat refloated and engine started? If not, each day you wait increases the chances the engine is an anchor.

 

[cah412]

Thanks for your input everyone...

Thanks for your input everyone...

Whether it should float or not is kind of a moot point at this stage. Did you get the boat refloated and engine started? If not, each day you wait increases the chances the engine is an anchor.

Very true, the only reason I really asked is that I bought this boat in April and while I definitely can't afford to just throw it down the drain, I can't afford to put more money in it if it's still gonna be going down the drain.
The boat was with my parents as I'm in the military and wasn't able to take it with me at the time. I expected to get it a month or two later and my brother used it a few times, which is why it was docked off, when it sank. The boat sat from about early June until early July when I emptied out the water from the interior of the engine. I planned on bringing the boat home with me to continue working but the hydraulic pump wasn't working so I couldn't keep the lower unit up and, again, had to leave it behind. My family promised to fix it but as far as I know, it has sat now another 2 weeks with all plugs out and no fluid in it as noone has touched it. What do you guys think, would I be better off just jumping ship now or would it still be ok? As I said, I can't really afford to just give up but don't want to waste any more on it if it's a lost cause. Thanks for your input everyone, it's really, really appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Was this Saltwater,.??... Or Sweetwater,.??.....

Has it been a couple of Weeks,.??... Or a couple of Months,.??....

All of your Driveline,.....
Engine, Drive,... Everything should be pumped full of Clean Oil,+ Flushed,+ Pickled,.....
Soon,... Actually Now......

There May,.. or May Not be any Salvage there Now,.........
But I Wouldn't walk away just Yet......

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

I wouldn't waste another dollar on it. It's never gonna go at this stage. When they sit that long after being submerged, rust takes over quickly inside. It's a loss at this point....

 

[cah412]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

It wasn't saltwater, just a normal lake.

What do you mean by pickled?

Thanks for the input

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Pickled means preserved. Anytime a vehicle or engine is to be stored for an extended period of time (say four months or longer) there are a number of things that should be done to prevent it from deteriorating. In the case of engines, seizure is the main concern. Seizure occurs when pistons rust tightly in the cylinders. Piston rings become rust covered and tight in the grooves. Crankshaft journals become rust covered rendering them useless. Valves can stick in the guides. Lifters stick in their bores. In other words the engine is frozen and has become useless. The same thing can happen with the lower unit on outboards and stern drives. Water intrusion rusts gears and bearings. There are many products and procedures but basically it involves changing fluids and using protective lubricants in cylinder bores. Treating fuel or draining it completely to prevent scum and varnish build-up. When an engine is sunk, it is necessary to get it drained, all fluids changed, started and run for at least an hour to get it dried out. The sooner this is done the better. If more than a few days elapses the engine is pretty well considered toast. In this case, water in the cylinders with the plugs out has ensured the engine is now seized. I would have some serious words with your brother since it apparently was his neglect and lack of concern over the sinking. True, he may not have known what to do but my gosh, he should have enough sense to know its not good to leave it sunk. All too late now and I feel for you. Thanks for your service and all you do. (Ex Air Force myself).

 

[bamadave]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

God Bless all Military personel.
Save the money, get rid of the boat, and start over when YOU have the time to devote to boating.

 

[Ripfence]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

I think I read somewhere that all boats under 21 feet built after the mid 70s should have floatation foam. It should have sunk to the gunnels and stayed there.

As for the boat as it stands now, I hope you have insurance.

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Yes, all but a tied off bow can sink. I took these pictures of another boat as I returned to the doc last summer.

 

[jake069]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

wow, your boat was left sunk at a ramp? I'd ditch it

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Actually it is a great demonstration of how some bean counter saved $10.00 using a non closed cell foam or the tech was not avaible at the time................... I dont like bean counter's if you can tell, they have no place in business other than counting........ Enough said ........ sorry for your loss.

 

[John_S]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Aquski, is that a ramp at the lake just north west of Phoenix? Pleasent Lake maybe the name? Biggest boat ramps I'd ever seen.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

Man, that is one gianormous boat launch!!

I've never seen anything like it. It's amazing.

It's like a superhighway! No waiting on lane 11...

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

It's like 9 or 10 spaces!

 

[AguaSki]

Re: Should a boat completely sink?

That was not my boat or my loss. I saw this sunk boat as I approached the doc/ramp from my boat. I am still the proud owner of a boat that floats.

Yes, that is the 10 lane boat ramp at Lake Pleasant near Phoenix, AZ. Sometimes all 10 lanes are being used with a line of boaters waiting to launch. Even with 10 lanes I waited 3 hours to retrieve my boat following this years 4th of July fireworks show.