My boat sank

Last Tuesday was my Birthday. Happy Birthday!
This is what I saw as I turned the corner that afrwenoon, in my skiff.

 

comiserations...how long were you gone? Did you get a chance to try and figure out what happened?

Steve

 

AAAAKKKK!! That's terrible! Glad you were somewhat prepared since:

I guess this is the equivalent of boat PMS rage.

By the way, Happy Birthday.

 

Vandals pulled the plug for kicks?

 

Might be a good case for a bilge alarm that calls your cell phone?

Really sad to see.

 

Not sure. Based on eyewitness accounts it was a combination of things.
The main suspect is a above waterline thru hull, used to vent a battery box. Only 12" above water, it looks as if she was "tilted" a bit by a aft anchor I'd set. This kept the boat sideways to a 50 mph wind on the strdbd side, (where the vent was), That, combined with the swell the wind raised on the water, & I "think" it pushed into the hole and on into the bilge. From that point, the water in the boat aided in helping lower the access point.
I don't think vandals were involved. It was floating Saturday. The people across from her, said she strained hard against the wind & leaned, for hours. We were busy in town over Easter.
In August or later, they will lower the water. then I will have a rim to pump over.
She is for sale, by the way. As is, where is, $2,000. , Dandy diesel outdrive and 8K diesel genset.

 

Will your insurance cover this loss?

You could at least make a claim.

I saw vandals in the area just last week.

 

Insurance? You don't get insurance in Louisiana after Katrina!!!!
It had to be in a marina, it had to have an alarm system, it had to be surveyed periodically, it had to.... blah, blah. The bar was set so high, only millionaires could get insurance & afford the premiums.
NOPE, total loss! Life savings.
.
My friend in Michigan blamed it on "Eco-Alligators"

 

Sorry for you losses, I had a similar set back on father's day a couple years back. So I can feel your pain.

Have you a chance to evacuate the water? It almost sounded like you needed to wait (till August)??? Don't give up on her. Get that water out. I'll send pumps if you need them.


Lot's of luck and well wishes

 

Thanks Grady. The problem is, "No rim", to pump over. The deck, (rim), is under.
I'm old & worn out and not up to the rigors of a refloat. While wading in her yesterday, in the salon area, I realized I can't restore her. The smell & feel of sewage, diesel & stagnet swamp water is a jolt of reality one must experience first hand. This is now a young man's challenge.
My purpose here is visually remind us all, that boats sink in some of the damdest ways.

 

Sorry mate to see that.

Please note, whenever above waterline outlets are used, always put in a loop at least 12" higher again. It is quite common for boats without loops to sink in high wind/wrong tide situations, we learn by our mistakes unfortunately.

Engine room vents have also sunk boats in wind/tide situations at anchorages too.

 

Sincere sympathies from afar... I hope you recover and persevere in being a boatie...

 

I am seeking a well to do client which can finance the construction of a "HoverYatch" or Hover-House boat. And you can store the craft on your lawn if the neighbors don't complain too much. I don't know if I'm kidding or not, the 4-1/2 long RC model is not yet finished.

I've heard that keeping a boat in some canals is not allowed in some areas, this idea of a hovercraft will get you around that too.

My hovercraft is on my homeowners policy, Lake States Insurance in Michigan.

FYI:
http://www.lsic.com/loc/loc.html

Opps, looks like they don't cover your area.

 

Ted, I feel sorry for your loss. There is nothing worse than seeing a sunken boat.
Wish you strength mate.

 

That's worse than divorse, which by the way can be the most liberating thing for a male..
I could spread word about new wreck diving site and you could earn your hardly earned bucks back..
Just trying to pick you up.. Need some ping ping balls?