normally i agree 100% with the title. all tho today i would have rather been at work! the day started off great, the sun was out low winds, no fish but just being on the water with my family is something i normally live for! but the wind picked up something fierce and i decided to bring it in for the day, so we cruised down from bushy area back to the ramp under 526 taking the creek down because the cooper was quite choppy. we crossed the cooper and made it all most to the ramp, coming under the old railroad bridge i turn around and i see we are taking on water.I did the only thing i could do and tried to beach it on a mud mound but i didn’t make it in time the boat sunk. the motor took on water and stalled out. Me and the wife jumped in the water and began to push the boat to where i could start bailing the water out. we got the boat to a area shallow enough that the boat would not take on any more water over the back and started bailing. about this time another cf member came along NorthChuckTiger him and his family were very very helpful and gave me a huge helping hand! they towed me the rest of the way in and help me get it on the trailer,they took my son on there boat to ensure his safety and even got in the water and helped every way they could and for this i am so grateful! and over this experience i’m not sure what i’m going to have to do to fix the motor but one thing is for sure i am so grateful and counting every one of my blessings that me my wife and my 5 year old son are safe and sound! and i’m also so grateful for the kindness of this sites members. thanks so much Jason!
as for the boat i’m not sure what to do, i have no clue why she took on water in the first place, the plugs were in and blocking water, after we manage to get the boat on the trailer and pull her out there was no water coming from any crack or hole from the hull just the plug. does any on know a good affordable place i can take it to to get it tested and the motor repaired?
I’m glad I got to the ramp when I did! Anytime man. That could have been catostrphic. My girlfriend and I were shaking our heads the rest of the evening about how much worse it could have been. SO glad you guys are ok. Great family you have!
Man that’s some scary stuff! I was out in the harbor a few years ago and my plug fell out on an old boat of mine. We were idling near Shutes Folly and just kind of looking around for signs of life. All of the sudden I felt water on my feet and then my ankles. I turned around and saw my gas cans floating. I tried to get her up on plane by gunning the throttle, but she had too much water already to self-bail. I ran up on the island beach, same idea as what you did running ashore. Luckily the tide was going out, and I kept the motor dry. We bailed the water out and used a piece of coozie as a plug to get us home.
I would check the owners manual on the motor getting wet. I know Yamaha has instructions for that situation. You can look up manuals online on the manufacturer’s website. Post over in the boats and motors section on it too. I’m sure you can get some solid advice from the guys in there.
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
This is the kind of read we wish not for (having problems with the boat) and yet a good outcome with the family safe and we as boaters helping one another out. Drain the water out of the motor. Theres a small plug on the left side of the carburetors and full the motor with oil for the time being(pull plugs also). I had one go down on me a few years ago in the dead of winter and nearly froze/hyperthermia (excuse the spelling) and after recovering I filled the motor with oil and the mechanic said that saved the motor. Thank God your family is safe!!!
“Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education”
This is a bad situation to find yourself in, I am so glad to hear that everyone is safe! I just posted on friday asking about the through hull in my boat for the bilge asking opinions if everyone thought it was necessary to have a shut off valve for the through hull for the bilge? some said carry plugs at least and some said every through hull needs a valve. I may get her replumbed for a valve. The one thing I think we can learn from this post is how quick it can happen…
Sure glad that story had a happy ending This is a bad time of year to be in the water for long. Good on the Tiger man too!
I would also suspect the live well system as the culprit, they are famous for sinking boats.
Please people, install cut off valves on your through hull fittings, and keep them turned off when not using them, and install an automatic bilge pump, a big one. This will alert you to a problem and buy you some time to fix it before you sink.
Edit: And inspect everything below the water on a regular basis. I’m replacing a fuel tank in a Grady White right now, and every hose on the bait well was rotten. They break in half when you flex them, and the thru-hull fitting broke off in my hand when I started removing the hose from it. It was a disaster waiting to happen.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Small craft surveying and repair
thanks guys so much once again, a small update, i took HoofArded advice and found the manual online, i’ve pulled the plugs they were dry but i still sprayed them down with heavily a lubing starting fluid, also drained the oil and there was not a drop of water or milk in it at all thank god! but i’m starting the fuel system now, i’ve pumped the gas from the tank… about 10 gallons >.< but i filled a large mason jar to see if it separates and has water in it. thanks so much for the advice given, and i’m hopping and praying shes still good, also when i took the cowling off after the the incident i don’t recall any pooled water where the power head sits on top of.
also id like to add that there is no live wells on the boat and the only threw holes are the plugs but all i can think of is i took on water going over the 2-3’ swells and didn’t notice it till it was to late.and i slowed down enough for it to catch up but i will be doing some water testing if the motor ends up ok witch i’m keeping my fingers crossed for and sending my prayers up. thanks again guys once again this forum saved my tush.
This is a bad time of year to be in the water for long. Good on the Tiger man too!