I've got a major problem

[incrediblened]

I winterized the boat a couple months ago and covered it up for the winter. I just went over and checked on it, and I'm pretty sure I've got problems.

1) I lifted up the cover and smell gas.
2) I look at the bow, and there's frozen water in there.
3) I go to look at the bilge plug AND IT'S STILL IN THERE!!!
4) I pull the plug and NOTHING comes out. It's frozen solid.
5) I pull the doghouse and there's frozen water up to the floor of the boat.

I gotta find a place to let the boat thaw. It's gonna take absolutely forever.

But what kind of problems am I looking at? Ruined engine? Ruined starter? Ruined hull/floor? Cracked gas tank? Shot bilge pump?

Anyone want to buy a boat?

Signed,
Frustrated.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: I've got a major problem

I winterized the boat a couple months ago and covered it up for the winter. I just went over and checked on it, and I'm pretty sure I've got problems.

Yeah. you do.....have problems that is.....

But what kind of problems am I looking at? Ruined engine? Ruined starter? Ruined hull/floor? Cracked gas tank? Shot bilge pump?

It's not going to make much difference what you do now though. The damage, if any, is already done.

if you can find a garage, you could put it in there long enough to thaw it out and drain but if the water filled "under-floor" compartments/voids etc.......

there may be structural damage in the floor, stringers, fuel tank, as well as water damage to the starter, trim pump, etc.....


In the worst case......you have a total loss except for the engine and drive (which you winterized?)


Sorry about that......



Rick

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: I've got a major problem

If the cover is over the top of the tank vent you will surely have gas fums inside the cover.
As for the water/ice in it. You can take it to a heated garage and let it thaw out, but what ever damage there is, is already done. If she's solid ice its not going to get worse, I would just leave it with the plug out and when it warms it will thaw then you can look at it.
Unless the ice if over the top of the engine I can't see how it would have hurt it. Bilge pump, maybe. But once its thawed you will know.

I guess you wont be making that mistake again. Kind of a reverse forgetting to put it in.

 

[45Auto]

Re: I've got a major problem

If the starter or altenator was under water they'll probably be bad. Other than that, everything else will probably be fine.

 

[sethjon]

Re: I've got a major problem

I winterized the boat a couple months ago and covered it up for the winter. I just went over and checked on it, and I'm pretty sure I've got problems.

1) I lifted up the cover and smell gas.
2) I look at the bow, and there's frozen water in there.
3) I go to look at the bilge plug AND IT'S STILL IN THERE!!!
4) I pull the plug and NOTHING comes out. It's frozen solid.
5) I pull the doghouse and there's frozen water up to the floor of the boat.

I gotta find a place to let the boat thaw. It's gonna take absolutely forever.

But what kind of problems am I looking at? Ruined engine? Ruined starter? Ruined hull/floor? Cracked gas tank? Shot bilge pump?

Anyone want to buy a boat?

Signed,
Frustrated.

At this point its anybody's guess. In my opinion I doubt if you'll have a problem. The engine is in good shape. I think the stringers are strong enough to weather, no pun intended, the freeze. You won't know until you thaw it out and take it on the water.

 

[GLENN M]

Re: I've got a major problem

same thing happened to me,except a piece of crap blocked my drain.it cost me a starter,luckly theres give in hull so nothing cracked.even my bilge pump was okay.good luck and hope for best

 

[mercrewser]

Re: I've got a major problem

Same thing happened to me. If this is in I/O, pull the drive, there is water now in the bellows that will ruin the top oil seal. Nothing bad happened to my boat. Took a week to thaw out in a heated shop.

 

[incrediblened]

Re: I've got a major problem

Its in the garage as we speak... dripping away. I thought about running hot water in it break it up because I've got about 4 days for it all to thaw out, and I can't completely close the garage door b/c of the tongue.

To answer your questions about the engine...

Water is up over the oil-pan & over the starter.

Luckily (or unluckily) the weight of the water sank my jack where it was parked and all the water ran to the bow of the boat and froze, so there is no water that's up over the drive-shaft, alternator or trim pump.

Underneath I found a stress crack (not a complete buldge, but almost like scaling) where it looks like water froze in the inner bilge and put pressure on the hull. There were a couple of water drips coming from a crack in this area, but no steady drips were present.

The engine was winterized and it looks good. It's a JB welded job from a previous owner anyway.

Man, do I ever regret not giving the boat a name. :|

 

[NYBo]

Re: I've got a major problem

A portable heater plugged into a GFCI and placed in the boat may help, as would the judicious use of a heat gun.

 

[Adjuster]

Re: I've got a major problem

Wow this is apparently a pretty common occurrence! Who would have thought????

 

[incrediblened]

Re: I've got a major problem

Kind of a reverse forgetting to put it in.

lol.

 

[incrediblened]

Re: I've got a major problem

Wow this is apparently a pretty common occurrence! Who would have thought????

Lol, does that comment have anything to do with your name?

 

[sasto]

Re: I've got a major problem

Lol, does that comment have anything to do with your name?

Bet it does.....based on the humor.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

Re: I've got a major problem

Underneath I found a stress crack (not a complete buldge, but almost like scaling) where it looks like water froze in the inner bilge and put pressure on the hull. There were a couple of water drips coming from a crack in this area, but no steady drips were present.

That's probably a big issue. If water is getting through then that's a pretty significant crack and needs to be repaired.

 

[NYGiants]

Re: I've got a major problem

Are you sure its coming from the crack and not just runoff or something? my advice is to wait till the boat completely drys and then put water in the area again and see if it still drips

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: I've got a major problem

I winterized the boat a couple months ago and covered it up for the winter. I just went over and checked on it, and I'm pretty sure I've got problems.

1) I lifted up the cover and smell gas.
2) I look at the bow, and there's frozen water in there.
3) I go to look at the bilge plug AND IT'S STILL IN THERE!!!
4) I pull the plug and NOTHING comes out. It's frozen solid.
5) I pull the doghouse and there's frozen water up to the floor of the boat.

I gotta find a place to let the boat thaw. It's gonna take absolutely forever.

But what kind of problems am I looking at? Ruined engine? Ruined starter? Ruined hull/floor? Cracked gas tank? Shot bilge pump?

Anyone want to buy a boat?

Signed,
Frustrated.

Don't panic, and let your fears go. Your boat is going to be fine. You wouldn't believe how much your boat can flex. It's going to be fine.
Pull the plug, and put a halogen work light or two pointing into the open engine compartment.
And check the outside of the hull where the ice is. look for bulging and stress cracks in the gelcoat The gelcoat ALWAYS fractures before the glass does.
Your bilge pump and float switch are probably gone as is likely the case of anything else encased in ice. But as that water froze it expanded the most towards the area of least resistance.

 

[superbenk]

Re: I've got a major problem

My boat gets some gas fume smells under the cover after sitting for awhile. I think, as a previous poster mentioned, that the cover is covering the vent and the fumes collect some. In my case, it's very slight, but I can see how that'd be cause for concern.

If you have strong gas fumes, then you'll want to be VERY careful before you stick work lamps or heaters in your boat. Maybe run a fan outside your boat blowing fresh air into it for awhile first (or turn on the blower motor) to vent it out (remember, gas fumes sink - heavier than air).

 

[fat fanny]

Re: I've got a major problem

Man!!!!!! sorry to hear about your issues but it happens. Had it happen on my 1st rig left plug in all winter and was suprised to find water all the way up to the steering wheel in the spring luckily it was an O/B and was sold with full disclosure a month later it took 4 hrs for the water to drain out cleaned up like new suprisingly the water was almost cristal clear never did figure that one out! Good luck and hope for the best Oh yea ! making a winterization list brings a whole new meaning now

 

[Summer Fun]

Re: I've got a major problem

Shrink Wrap Shrink Wrap Shrink Wrap !! and you wouldn't have that problem.

 

[DECK SWABBER 58]

Re: I've got a major problem

I winterized the boat a couple months ago and covered it up for the winter. I just went over and checked on it, and I'm pretty sure I've got problems.

1) I lifted up the cover and smell gas.
2) I look at the bow, and there's frozen water in there.
3) I go to look at the bilge plug AND IT'S STILL IN THERE!!!
4) I pull the plug and NOTHING comes out. It's frozen solid.
5) I pull the doghouse and there's frozen water up to the floor of the boat.

I gotta find a place to let the boat thaw. It's gonna take absolutely forever.

But what kind of problems am I looking at? Ruined engine? Ruined starter? Ruined hull/floor? Cracked gas tank? Shot bilge pump?

Anyone want to buy a boat?

Signed,
Frustrated.

That boat is junk. Where do you live? I'll come and haul it off for you.