Bugger

[jhr]

The boat is out of the water for the winter.

I went down to the yard yesterday to check that everything was OK, to find the engine bay full of (fresh) water, nearly up to the cockpit sole. The yard appear to have neglected to remove the transom bung when they took the boat out and somehow - presumably the cumulative effects of ice, snow, rain etc - water has got under the tonneau cover, into the cockpit and drained into the bilges, though I find it hard to believe that so much could have got in. I bailed out what I could yesterday (no tools with me, so I couldn't take the bung out) so that the engine is now above water level. Rang the yard first thing this morning and they have gone to do whatever they can to limit the damage, though I fear there could be major problems. I suppose at least it wasn't salt water. They're ringing me back later.

I've warned the insurers that they could be facing a claim, but there was something about the attitude of the guy on the phone ("have you been down to check your boat regularly, sir"?) which tells me I could have problems. Ironically, the only reason the boat was out of the water was because the insurers insist on it in the winter. If she'd been in the water, the float switch in the bilge would have set the bilge pump off.

Bugger, bugger and thrice bugger.

 

[fireball]

Hopefully you'll be lucky and the only thing you'll need to do is get a heater and a couple of dehumidifiers onboard to dry her out ...

I assume the electrics were all off - so it's only any non-submersible electrical item that were below the waterline that could be affected - remove, clean, dry, WD40 .. may find that it still works.

 

[fergie_mac66]

check inlet exhaust mnifolds crankcase breather and thence pistons if they are clear should be ok

 

[jhr]

I'm hoping I will be lucky. As you say, the electrics were off and the boat had been winterised, so WD 40 had already been sprayed around fairly liberally and the Yard are now (I hope) adding loads more, as well as getting some heat and dehumidifying going.

It's a heart-sinking moment when you lift up the engine cover to find that you have a paddling pool instead of an engine bay.....

 

[Kipper]

You should be ok. I saw this happen to s sports boat a few years ago it even flooded into the cabin. We dried the boat with heasters and towels and a dehumidifier in the cabin for a few weeks and all was well.

 

[spannerman]

Why didn't your float switch work anyway, being in or out of the water should have no bearing on its function.
We frequently see them working when moving boats around on land and suddenly you get a drenching from the pump outlet if you are standing in the wrong place!

 

[jhr]

Why didn't your float switch work anyway, being in or out of the water should have no bearing on its function.
We frequently see them working when moving boats around on land and suddenly you get a drenching from the pump outlet if you are standing in the wrong place!

The Yard take the batteries out for storage, and to charge them up occasionally (the boat's on the hard for 5 months over the winter). Everything about this situation reminds me of the adage that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

It's only a small (22ft) boat, so we tend to keep things simple, but I will be reviewing what we do over the winter, in the wake of this little débacle

Kipper: thanks for your reassuring words - I hope you're right

 

[oGaryo]

I had a similar problem with "The Ex".. a Bayliner with one of those cheap all over nylon covers.. I was amazed at how quickly the condesation filled the bilge with water and moreso when it rained.. even by making tents with poles there was always a little puddle formed somewhere in the cover and that leaked through after a while. Left the bung in once and it accumulated enough to go above the hole in a matter of weeks, a few more an it'd have definitely been up to the engine.

My current boat has no drain and is on the hard but has a fantastic all over cover that has a mesh vent to combat the condensation and I've never had any water accumulate over the winter... I can send the contact details of the makers if you're interested.. may be worth it if the marina can't be trusted to do the job properly

Hope the boats good to go once dried out btw

couple of shots of the cover on my current boat (no connection with the makers, just recognise it's a quality bit of kit):

 

[oldgit]

Did the starter motor go under ?
When I bought my boat there was a barely noticeable but very curious "Tide"Line round the engine bilge,the boat had been stored ashore for a year or so.
No problems for about 6 months then one of the starter motors packed up,so shagged could not be rebuilt.
On pulling it apart it was obvious that it had been under water at some time,however it took 6 months for it to disintegrate completely,the brush holders had totally disappeared.

 

[sterntube]

I must admit i totally agree with your insurer , its YOUR job to make regular visits to check YOUR boat.

 

[Scubadoo]

The Yard take the batteries out for storage, and to charge them up occasionally (the boat's on the hard for 5 months over the winter). Everything about this situation reminds me of the adage that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

It's only a small (22ft) boat, so we tend to keep things simple, but I will be reviewing what we do over the winter, in the wake of this little débacle

Kipper: thanks for your reassuring words - I hope you're right

I keep my batteries connected when on the hard, the domestic is connected to a solar panel to trickle charge (all year round) which cost me around £160 for a 11watts. When I visit the boat to do the usual boat maintenance for the day I connect the engine battery to a charger for 8hours while I'm there (not every time though). So things like the bilge pump will work if required, anyway I thought it might interest you rather than disconnecting your batteries.

I can understand what a heart stopping moment that must be, I really do hope no harm done and you have time to really dry the engine out - good luck.

 

[jhr]

Update

The yard have sprayed stuff everywhere, and checked the wiring. The engine turns over by hand, so that's looking encouraging. Looks like the starter motor has had a bath, so it's being sent off for inspection. The wiring appears to be OK, and most of it is above "water level" anyway.

So far as I can tell, there's no water in the fuel lines or tank (hard to see how there would be, but who knows)?

Insurance forms have arrived. I'm with Haven Knox-Johnston, who generally have a good reputation for dealing with claims - I'm about to find out if this is justified or not......

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and reassurance. Fingers crossed...

Gary: will PM you

 

[carlton]

Here's hoping for a good outcome.

BTW - why not get 'em to stick yer new risers on whilst they're at it? (Always happy to be spending your dosh...)

 

[sailorman]

The yard have sprayed stuff everywhere, and checked the wiring. The engine turns over by hand, so that's looking encouraging. Looks like the starter motor has had a bath, so it's being sent off for inspection. The wiring appears to be OK, and most of it is above "water level" anyway.

So far as I can tell, there's no water in the fuel lines or tank (hard to see how there would be, but who knows)?

Insurance forms have arrived. I'm with Haven Knox-Johnston, who generally have a good reputation for dealing with claims - I'm about to find out if this is justified or not......

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions and reassurance. Fingers crossed...

Gary: will PM you

i would be interested in how HKJ perform as i am with them as well. fingers x

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I must admit i totally agree with your insurer , its YOUR job to make regular visits to check YOUR boat.

Odd thing to say. Whether they require regular visits or not is down to what is written in the policy.

Mine reads: "General Conditions:

• You will maintain and keep her machinery, sails boats and equipment in a proper state of repair and seaworthiness and shall at all times exercise due care and diligence in safeguarding them.

Two years ago I called my insurers to ask them if the there was a problem with leaving the boat in my berth while I spent four months commuting to and from Australia from October to end of January.

The said, it was in my berth in a 'safe harbour' and there was no problem over the insurance.

Unless the policy states the frequency you have to check on your boat, 'frequently' is not an adequate term, as it is open to interpretation, then you have a claim.

If they refuse to pay, go to the insurance ombudsman.

 

[ian38_39]

I agree that unless they have specifically stated a time period for the boat to be checked then it would be wrong to duck the claim, the Idea of winterising your boat is that it is in a state of storage.

May have more problems with the fact that the boat is equipped with a means to drain out water (the bung) and this device has not been activated. Bit like not closing the seacocks on a boat in the water.

Hope everything is fine and you don't need to find out about the claim.

Ian

 

[jhr]

Here's hoping for a good outcome.

BTW - why not get 'em to stick yer new risers on whilst they're at it? (Always happy to be spending your dosh...)

Yes, that's what I'm intending to do. I spend my dosh fast enough without getting other people to do it, thanks....

Ian: yes; I'm concerned about the fact that the bung was in, and can forsee arguments about whose responsibility it was to remove it (though the Yard have always done so in previous years). One thing's for sure - I doubt this will be quickly or simply resolved

Boats: doncha just love 'em.............

 

[carlton]

James - I may be wrong here ( - there's always a first time - ) but your insurers have a responsibility to settle your claim, and, if they so desire, to chase up the yard for recompense. It really shouldn't be your problem/concern assuming they pay for any repairs.

I hope they come up trumps for you in this instance.

(BTW - do you think there could have been a chance they ruined your risers by their negligence? )

 

[Major Catastrophe]

I agree that unless they have specifically stated a time period for the boat to be checked then it would be wrong to duck the claim, the Idea of winterising your boat is that it is in a state of storage.

That is an interesting point. I use my boat all year round. In fact, there is a hard core group of all year using up here, mainly because we have quite a few miles of sheltered water in the Menai Strait and a very safe harbour, so full winterisation cannot be done. Again, my insurance policy does not specify my boat must be winterised.

 

[ian38_39]

Major Catastrophy, mine is also specified in service all year round as it is berthed on the Norfolk Broads. Given that I don't put it into a stored state I would say it is fair to ask that I check on my boat from time to time but if it is stored surely the idea is it is sleeping and does not need constant care.

Word of caution though, it is unlikely that your insurance will pay out for frost damage unless every possible precaution has been taken every time you leave the boat, that does not mean you can rely on tube heaters.

Ian