Ensure your boat is in good shape

[fixb52s]

http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/water/article856954.ece​

These guys were lucky they made it. They are also lucky their boat was recovered. It started with a broken steering cable, and ended up with the boat capsized.​

Is it me, or does the transom look a little worse for the wear??​

This is a great example of why you need to have the life vest on at all times.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

a case of poor maintenance, and not checking the weather. they were extremely lucky.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

That must've been one scary (and long) swim knowing they were chumming the waters behind them.

They were extremely lucky for sure.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

I wonder it they had steered the motor manually. whether they could have avoided capsizing. Although 5' waves are a challenge for an 18 footer, that boat is generally pretty seaworthy.

It would have taken a good skipper and good coordination with the "steerer" to pull it off.

 

[captquest]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

WOW .
1) The boat looks a bit small for venturing much further west of Egmont, it's condition looks questionable also.
2) They should have checked the weather and stayed in the Ft. DeSoto Park area, would have been much calmer.
3) Where are the life vests?

Here are some interesting facts I did not know. Am I reading this right?
There are more registered boats in Florida than California?
But there are more accidents in California?

http://www.floridaconservation.org/law/boating/2007stats/review.pdf

 

[dave11]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

I launch from Ft Desoto a lot. I remember the forecast for that day. 15 to 20 MPH winds. I stayed home for a couple of days because of the weather.

 

[BSIGS]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

Check the weather before heading out ...

Good day.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: Ensure your boat is in good shape

It looks like a jack plate or something behind the motor. The transom looks like it may have been painted with bottom coat which is wearing off.

Either way, too little boat for the conditions and poor maintenance. A lesson learned the hard way.