Sinking at the Dock

[sub2010ss]

Saw another first today. A little four person drag boat sunk in a hurry when he forgot his plug. I was backing into the ramp while he was unloading. Unfortunately the ramp was crazy busy and everyone was probably feeling rushed. His trailer was gone almost as soon he was in the water and sinking. My wife took this picture. It was really messed up that everyone pulled out their phones to video and take pictures. I was the only one who jumped out of my truck to help out. What's worse is some jack hole and and asked me to move my truck so we could get the line moving again. Crazy!!

 

[gm280]

WOW, obviously he will save the boat, but there is going to be a LOT of work to get everything dried out and working properly again....

 

[Tnstratofam]

That's amazing it went down that fast. Rear engined with a shallow hull I would assume is the reason for it's quick descent. It's easy to get rushed and forget the little things. Best practice is to put the plug in before you leave the house, along with the keys, the batteries, gas, the Admiral, the First mate and all his or her gear, etc etc.:facepalm:

Spoken by someone has forgotten his share of things on the way to the ramp.

 

[sub2010ss]

WOW, obviously he will save the boat, but there is going to be a LOT of work to get everything dried out and working properly again....

Exactly. Add the incredibly busy lake with lots of incoming waves. That first one hit and down she went. I can even imagine. At least it wasn't running when it went down.

 

[sub2010ss]

That's amazing it went down that fast. Rear engined with a shallow hull I would assume is the reason for it's quick descent. It's easy to get rushed and forget the little things. Best practice is to put the plug in before you leave the house, along with the keys, the batteries, gas, the Admiral, the First mate and all his or her gear, etc etc.:facepalm:

Spoken by someone has forgotten his share of things on the way to the ramp.

I told my wife as we were pulling up, deep breathes and stick to our routine. Plug, check. Straps, check. Drinks, check!

 

[H20Rat]

**DELETED**

 

[Stingray185GXi]

Wow, that would ruin your day but I can certainly see how it would happen. Here in Minnesota it is illegal to trailer a boat with the drain plug in, supposed to prevent people from transporting invasive species through contaminated water in the bilge.

 

[kawakx125]

i always leave the plug in the cupholder next to helm, that way i'm sure to see if i forget it when one of us in in the boat while backing it down

 

[sub2010ss]

I've heard the it's illegal to leave it in here too, so I never do. I always have two plugs. Both in my cuphder!

 

[sasto]

It's sad that so many value their own boats and have absolutely no regard for others. Ay least our member was there to help as much as he could. sub2010ss needs an iboat t-shirt as he represents this community of real boaters very well. Thanks for your effort!

 

[Maclin]

It's sad that so many value their own boats and have absolutely no regard for others. Ay least our member was there to help as much as he could. sub2010ss needs an iboat t-shirt as he represents this community of real boaters very well. Thanks for your effort!

I like this idea!

 

[sub2010ss]

Ehhh. It was nothing. I like helping people. My daughter later told me that it was the worst fathers day ever because it took us so long to get into the water. I looked at her and said no way! I enjoyed helping them. I cant even begin to imagine how they felt with their boat sitting in the water like that. I know I would sure want the help to recover it. This guy was definitely a seasoned boater that just made a huge mistake, but I was out there not to long ago with absolutely no knowledge except what I learned here and in books. Every time I go out I learn something new.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Good for you for helping him, and for teaching your daughter about priorities!

 

[WIMUSKY]

Doesn't surprise me at all it sank that fast. Tunnels are notorious for being tail heavy. I'm assuming while sitting still part of the rear deck is covered by water. Wouldn't take that much to have it start coming over the transom, especially as it fills with the plug out.

Hopefully he pulled the plugs right away when it was back on the trailer to drain the cylinders and sprayed WD-40 or the like to coat the cylinders/rings to keep them from rusting. Turn it over more to get everything coated, repeat a couple of times, and run it briefly providing the gas wasn't full of water. Maybe someone would offer an auxiliary tank to run it. Sounds highly unlikely with the crowd that was there.

Good job sub2010, I would have been right beside ya. I would hope someone would help me if I was in the same predicament. Sounds like a Father's Day to me......Helping our fellow man in distress....

 

[Captain Caveman]

As a Minnesota boater who can't have the plug in during transportation, I keep the plug hooked onto my transom strap. When I pull the transom straps off, there is the plug dangling around screaming at me to put it in the boat. Those busy landings create a spider's web of problems for everyone.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Can't run it or even crank it over till the oil is changed or you pump water all through the engine including pushrods and lifters.... Bad news FAST!

My buddy sank one while he was also dealing with the loss of a loved one... Very low night for him....

We rescued him and the boat... Sent him with another buddy and I took his boat home...
3 gallons of oil, 2 filters, a 6 gallon gas tank, a battery, got it running after I pulled the plugs, the distributor cap, and the carb to drain water....

The next day I had to pull the starter and tear it apart... Dump water and apply lube where needed...

The boat was a total loss since a busted hull (due to a "soft spot in the floor" and thus rotten stringers) was the reason it sank but I managed to save the driveline for him.

Sub2010ss... Kudos for jumping in to help... I only wish I coulda been there with ya....

 

[smokeonthewater]

Btw I too think he deserves a T-shirt and if helps I'd be happy to chip in a couple bucks so we can buy him one...

EDIT: I hope that isn't too much against the rules

 

[WIMUSKY]

Can't run it or even crank it over till the oil is changed or you pump water all through the engine including pushrods and lifters.... Bad news FAST!

sub2010ss... Kudos for jumping in to help... I only wish I coulda been there with ya....

I was assuming it's an O/B........

 

[sasto]

Where do we find an iboat t-shirt at?
Thanks from a fellow boater and proud member here.

 

[smokeonthewater]

I was assuming it's an O/B........

Oh yeah... Duh prolly so an prolly a 2 stroke too....