Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

UPDATE:<br /><br />Went up to the marina last night (Monday). Saw that the repairs to the boat must have been done as she was back in her slip. Got on board... turned on the batteries... fired up the engine... shut it down... went to open the cuddy... stepped down... SPLOSH. Ankle-deep water!<br /><br />I lifted up the engine cover and the bilge was full, water just below the floor line. The Marina told be the repairs to the stern drive (bellows and impellor) were done Friday night and that she went in her slip on Friday. When I get there on Monday she's taking on water! I immediately switch on the bilge pump and jump in my car to go around the marina to the shop. The mechanic rush over, get in and bring her to the launch while I run up into the yard and find my roller trailer. We got he out of the water and now she's sitting airing out.<br /><br />So is the marina responsible for any damage to her? I left the boat in their care, they never called me too tell me she was fixed so I'm assuming it was technically in their care still. II have a call into my insurance broker and I'm waiting on a call. Seeing the boat is still in their care I just want to make sure that a third party checks out the reason why she took on water.<br /><br />Comments from anyone?<br /><br />PS. For you superstitious boaters, last year the person that occupied my slip had his 16 footer sink while docked. I'm starting to believe this slip is jinxed.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[tommays]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

if there repiar work is the cause of the leak it would seem clear cut<br /><br />if it came from something they did not touch it would be hard to blame them<br /><br />eather way i would get and automatic bilge pump switch it would have kept it a much smaller problem<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[sea wolf]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

Get in the cuddy & shop vac the water out asap. Air drying won't do it. Sounds like the marina is on the hook for this one. Maybe u should consider installing a depth sounder if u don't have one. Good luck.

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

Jeff...couple of questions. Does the boat not have a auto bilge pump (float switch)? If it does is it wired correctly so that it still has power even if you turn off your batteries? Does the boat have a cover on it as we had some pretty good downpours Sunday and Monday?

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

Tommays - the boat has been dry ever since we've owned her (3 years now). She sat in her slip for 2 days after the engine mishap and was still dry.<br /><br />Sea wolf - thanks, maybe I should take the day off and get up there.<br /><br />Boatin Bob. Yes. She's got a fully covered (and brand new) camper top. When I went to the marina on Friday around noon, they had put up the camper top before the rains we got over the weekend.<br /><br />I don't have an automatic bilge pump, just the standard electrical one that is on the control panel. Is there a way to install one that still utilizes the manual switch and still can run from the battery?<br /><br />I would think the marina would be on the hook for these damages. Question is... will they get in there, see the problem that they are responsible for and fix it and then claim they don't know what happened?<br /><br />Jeff

 

[tommays]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

i cant see getting mad UNTIL you have some idea what is leaking<br /><br />there are many hoses and fittings and other things that can leak suddenly and not be the boat yards fault<br /><br />once you have and idea what happened you can go forward with the FACTS<br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[Boatin Bob]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

Jeff...I think you need to take tommays advice, let the marina figure out what the problem is and then take the appropriate course of action. I realize it sounds very coincidental right now. As far as the float switch goes, yes you can add one to your existing pump, wire it up to your battery switch so it always has power along with a fuse and you'll be good to go.

 

[Doug Durako]

Re: Fatal Mistake? (Merc 5.7 AlphaOne)

Ask you insurance company to investigate. Sit back and wait. This water was sudden and accidental------either the marina will make it good or your insurance will.<br /><br />Consider a lift----much easier on you and your boat hull.