Mako Sinks

[roustabout]

Hi,

I was wondering if you had any information on any other Mako 212 CC sinking? I purchased a new 2004 model in 2005 and kept it in the water at my home dock here in Savannah, Ga on a protected creek. I had taken the boat out 3 days prior and all systems were fine. We had a rain storm with winds all day on June 2, 2007. I checked the boat before leaving for work and all was fine that morning. I received a call from my neighbor around 8:30 pm that night to inform me that my boat had sunk. I returned home to find her still moored portside to my dock and her starboard submerged at approx 180 degrees. I was informed by my insurance co. that the surveyor has determined that the splash well could not drain properly because the engine bracket blocks the drain. The control cables enter the inner hull inside the splash well and it seems that the entry location is not water tight allowing water to flow into the inner hull. The floor drains do not drain above the water line but instead drain below through rubber scuppers. I question how water from an interior drain can over come the pressure from the water surrounding the boats exterior? But then I am not an engineer. I have only found a few manufactures that install deck drains which discharge above the water line in this size boat. I visited the local Mako dealer,(Tracker Marine @ Bass Pro) where I purchased the boat and discovered that a new 212 boat on the lot had a splash well half full of water, I assume the rest drained into the inner hull through the cable entry point. It had rained earlier that same day. I will be contacting Mako about this after I have received more settlement information from my insurance co.(USAA). I cannot understand why a manufacture charges over $40,000.00 for a boat that cannot even drain water properly on a trailer! I would appreciate any information you may have and my hats off to Tow Boat Capt. Dana Rutland, he and Bubba,( the other Capt.) worked in pouring rain and wind to raise my boat and tow it back to the marina.

Thanks,

David

 

[roustabout]

Re: Mako Sinks

Update;

I spoke to the manager at the local Mako dealer,(Tracker Marine) ,(Bass Pro Shop) today and he agreed that based on the surveyors report Tracker Marine should be notified and they would probably work with me. I contacted customer service with Tracker Marine and guess what he said? "Your boat sank because of an act of God, just because a surveyor says it a design flaw doesn't mean it is." I anticipated this reaction, I stopped expecting service from American manufactures years ago.

I suppose everyone should keep in mind that Mako boats are not equipped for acts of God,ie..rain storms! The boat had an operating bilge pump with charged batteries, but it seems that 12 volts will not last all day in a hard rain while water is entering the inner hull through the cable entry point. The boat was designed as many boats are today in the 23 ft and under range to discharge the floor drains or scuppers below the water line. Perhaps someone can explain how the water draining from the inside of the boat can overcome the pressure exerted by the water pressure on the exterior hull and rubber scuppers? I would suggest that if you own a Mako don't leave it in the water during a rain storm until you increase the splash drain holes and insure the engine brackets are not restricting the ability for it to drain. Also check your cable entry point for water tightness. I have noticed better made boats use 2 splash well drains and they seal the cable entry point better than Mako. It is a shame that a boat that once was such a fine craft has became just another low end boat. Thank God I was not offshore!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Mako Sinks

i suggest consulting an attorney. yes with self bailing boat the water being higher in the boat should have equalize with the water on the exterior. the only thing i can imagine, that would do this, is if the wind and waves were coming from the beam (side), at such a rate and height, that the scuppers could not drain fast enough. it would have to be awfully rough. was there signs of dock rash on the side of the boat, if it was that rough, i would think there would be that evidence.