Shops & Yards: Sinking Ships

BoatU.S. has statistics and tips from a study of 100 sunken sailboat insurance claims. So the optimists think, “These sailors are getting out on the boat a lot.” Pessimists ask, “Can my boat really sink just sitting there at the dock?” And for both, BoatU.S. has statistics and tips drawn from a study of 100 sunken sailboat insurance claims. Nearly half of the dockside sinkings were “the result of deteriorated or damaged or corroded fittings such as intakes, seacocks, and drains below the waterline,” reports BoatU.S., which is based in Alexandria, Va. Stuffing-box leaks accounted for another third of dockside sinkings. Among sailboats under way, 40 percent sunk after striking a submerged object.       BoatU.S. suggests five ways to prevent your sailboat from sinking:   1. Any time your boat hits bottom, immediately inspect the bilge and keel bolts or centerboard pennant and hinge. To be safe, inspect again an hour later.     2. Routinely, twice a season, inspect all below-the-waterline fittings, hoses and hardware. If the fitting is long enough, it is good practice to have two marine-rated stainless steel clamps on all hose ends. Any hoses showing signs of rot should be immediately replaced.     3. When at rest, stuffing boxes should never leak. If leaking persists after the packing-gland nut has been tightened, the packing must be replaced.   4. Don’t ignore thru-hull fittings or hoses that are installed above the waterline. While they may appear to be safely above the water level, they can leak when heeled over in a seaway or when snow or ice forces the boat under.   5. A winter haul out is the perfect time to inspect the prop shaft and cutlass bearing.

 

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