Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

[golf101]

In the floods in Atlanta this week, my Four Winns 224 was flooded with water up to the windshield. I have pressure washed it out, and am waiting for an insurance claims adjuster to come out and look at it, but a few questions:

1. The water was a combination of rain water, run-off and sewage. It sat in the boat for approximately 18 hours before the waters receeded enough that I could get to it. Are the seats, cushions and sidewall padding salvageable, or will they have to be replaced? (I have cleaned them with an all purpose cleaner, but I'm worried about the sewage water having gotten in through the seams.)

2. The batteries work, but the engine does not. How much damage is there likely to the engine, and what will likely need to be done to get it working again? (Volvo Penta 5.0). Any estimate of the cost?

3. Will all the wiring in the boat need to be replaced?

Thanks for any thoughts you can offer.

 

[salty87]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

you don't want to try to salvage or re-use anything that could have absorbed that water. not healthy, will stink to hell when it gets hot or gets wet again.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

iwas fresh water, even the sewage, not as bad as salt water, on electrical. if water got above carbs, the motor is full on water. full rebuild or replacement. adjuster may just TOTAL it.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

Don;t worry, it will be totalled out. It cannot be repaired without gutting it and starting over.

 

[golf101]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

I'm actually hoping it won't be totalled out. I'm emotionally attached to it, and have only had it since February.

 

[Fordiesel69]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

Working in the carpet cleaning business (very briefly) I quicky learned what could be cleaned and what had to be tossed. Your interior will be smelly even if you shampoo the crap out of it. All the fabric and vinyl could possibly be saved, but the cusions and foam cannot. You would also need to do a complete teardown of the engine / drive.

 

[golf101]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

Would marine carpet be different? Other than the seats and padding, everything else is fiberglass and would seem to be something that could be cleaned.

 

[jeff_smith_0423]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

You may not like the idea now, but you want that boat to be totaled out. You'll be chasing smells and gremlins from now until the end of time.

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

I wouldn't have touched it. The insurance adjuster should have seen the damage as-is.

Hopefully (s)he will total it. You'll receive a check from the insurance company.

Everyone has an emotional attachment to their boats, my friend. When you get the checkfrom the insurance company you'll have to make one decision: Buy your totalled boat back and try to fix it, or buy the next emotional attachment.

 

[TiMe_1]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

I wouldn't have touched it. The insurance adjuster should have seen the damage as-is.

Hopefully (s)he will total it. You'll receive a check from the insurance company.

Everyone has an emotional attachment to their boats, my friend. When you get the checkfrom the insurance company you'll have to make one decision: Buy your totalled boat back and try to fix it, or buy the next emotional attachment.

This is what I would have done. The insurance needs to see exactly how bad it was. Let em total it and buy a new one.

 

[golf101]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

I took good pictures of it, but, in case they didn't decide to total it, I wanted to get the sewage water off it as soon as possible.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

i believe you did the right thing. something in the line immediate care. like getting a tarp, and putting over a hole in the roof.

 

[walt-oxie1]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

Once a boat is sunk it will never be the same. They will start to rot sooner than you think. Most boats are not totally air tight (stringers, bottom of floor, etc) and will hold up fine during normal use. Let them get too much water in them and they go to crap quick. Not to mention, replace "ALL electrical" and a total rebuild of all drive components. The foam and carpet are trash too. If the floatation foam got wet, it may never dry out.

 

[MrBigStuff]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

i believe you did the right thing. something in the line immediate care. like getting a tarp, and putting over a hole in the roof.

I agree. You actually have an obligation to try and minimize the damage. The OP did the right thing- take pictures, then try to stop any further damage from occuring.

 

[golf101]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

Well ... I just heard from the adjustor, and they have declared the boat a total. I'll therefore be looking for a 2006-2008 deck boat or bowrider in the 22-24 foot range that's within 250 miles of Atlanta. Let me know if you know of anyone looking to sell.

 

[And-Con]

Re: Questions Regarding Flooded Boat

well i hate to say it but you're way better off with it being totaled. supposedly selling your boat, is the best day of boat ownership-insurance checks definitely beat selling though.