Sank my boat....

[morgro269]

Bad news... A few friends and I were out on the CT river a couple weeks ago. We were cruising along about 30- 35mph and hit what felt like a sandbar and the time. The boat jerked a little and slowed a bit but otherwise kept going. I figured it would leave a mark but we could worry about it later. Roughly 5- 10 minutes later we stopped to swim for a few minutes. As I was swimming up to the back of the boat, we noticed the swim platform was about an inch under water and the bilge was pumping. My buddy reached under to feel the plug and realized the plug was gone. We yelled to my brother to start the boat to get it moving again to try and get the water moving out. The engines cranked a few times and then died. What we didn't realize at the time was that the motors were already under water. We immediately put life jackets on and started swimming and pushing the boat to shore. We got it to the point where we could walk with the boat and started walking it back to the boat ramp. I called some friends who came out and towed us back in. I learned that these boats are hard to sink. They seem to hit a point where they are neutrally buoyant. There was about 1/2 of water in the main cabin and it never went higher than that. Another thing I learned... I'm not sure what the drain plug is for in the engine compartment. The floor of the engine compartment doesn't connect to the transom... the engine compartment looks like it would've filled with water with or without the drain plug.

The hole is roughly 13' long, the entire keel is pretty much ground off of the boat. The articulating keel is gone. The pumps must've sucked up some rocks and they're damaged. I would be surprised if the motors aren't hydro locked. God knows what might have happened to the electronics.

I'm really bummed but glad no one got hurt. I'm thinking the boat is going to be totaled. I'm still shocked at the damage that was done and how it really didn't feel like a big deal when it happened. The boat surveyor hasn't completed his estimate yet but thinks the fiberglass work alone on the bottom will cost in the vicinity of 40k. My question is if they try and fix, will the repair be safe? Any of you fiberglass guys have any input on what that repair would consist of or if it can be safely done?

 

[ToddW850]

HOLY SMOKES!!! Hate to hear that for you.

 

[subysti]

Holy crap? When did this happen? Where on the river? I know its real low right now but I cant see a sand bar doing that, I'm thinking a submerged log or rock stuck in the sand. I'm going out sunday and want to make sure I'm not in that same area. I have seen some huge logs sticking out of the water in places.

 

[Murf'n'surf]

$40,000???! I could have a custom 40' boat hull made for that. I really hope that's a typo and its $4,000 in hull repairs. That would be more in the ballpark. I would be more worried about the motors.... They need to be cleared of water and ran like yesterday!

From the pics, it doesn't look too bad. A skilled fiberglass guy can repair this and be good as new when done.

Did the surveyor mention of the stringers/ structural members were damaged?

Got better wider shots of the damage?

 

[octavio3311]

Holy Crap - I just got sick looking at these pictures.
I feel for you!

 

[Julian]

Wow....that totally sucks! I hope to heck the boat is totalled! Not sure you would want it if it is fixed. As for your questions, I'm sure they can fix the fiberglass without too much of a challenge, I'd be more concerned about the engines and electronics. I wonder what the heck you hit?

Hoping the best for you!

 

[Speedling]

Wow man. When I saw the title I was hoping for a joke or a gif or a toy boat or something. I guess the keel may not have paid off in this one random situation? I was afraid of something happening to the keel for those that beach it, but that really sucks!

 

[Matty Slice]

Sorry man. That sucks...

 

[Topper232]

Very sorry to hear about this damage. Did the articulating keel make the damage worse? Just wondering

 

[Bruce]

Ouch! That is a crazy amount of damage!

I believe that our boats are built with a legally required amount of flotation so that they do not sink.

 

[scot71]

WOW! So sorry to hear about your misfortune. I sure hope your insurance takes care of you in the best way possible.

 

[Britboater]

Holy shit! That's truly mind blowing that what you thought was just a sand bar, but was obviously something more sinister, can do such damage.
Glad all your party were ok, I'd be gutted, hope your insurance looks after you.

 

[Noko]

Sorry to see this happen to you. I hope the end results with insurance work in your favor. Good luck.

 

[McMark]

Dang! That is unbelievable! Very sorry that happened to you.

 

[McMark]

Did the keel take part of the port nozzle with it or did the heim joint come apart?

 

[morgro269]

The joint came apart....

 

[Big Shasta]

Wow, that's nasty. Sorry to see it.

For a reference,

 

[4x15mph]

Sorry to hear about the wreck but great to hear that you were close to the shore and everyone was okay. I hope the insurance pans out and you get the boat/engines completely replaced.

 

[Julian]

Looking at the leading edge of the rudder it might be a good idea for Yamaha to round off the leading edge of it so it doesnt have as sharp an edge that could catch so easily......

 

[rkluck]

I am glad everyone is safe. That is so hard to believe the amount of damage and yet clearly didn't seem to be a big deal when you hit it. I am sure the insurance will take care of this for you. Again glad everyone is OK and it is near the end of the season so you have some time to get this all worked out. I would be dying.​