Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

[Vere]

Ok, firstly let me set a preface to my stupidity...I love boats, I own a boat, I just don?t understand them !

I have a Picton 159gt that used to have an old Johnson Sea horse 115hp on it. It was old, drank petrol and way too unreliable (for a non mechanic like me). This summer I changed it and put a brand new Mariner Optimax 90 on. All lovely so far...

Well last week we had some really bad weather, and the long and short of it was my boat became a submarine...My only theory is that it sits low in water and was tethered (too) tightly at rear so when water rose etc it came in over the back.....It spent about 12 hours underwater.

Got it out and straight to a dealer who checked engine and got it running. It seems the engine block is fine, but they say all electrics will need replacing as they are no longer reliable. I just today got the quote back and nearly threw the boat back into the water myself....

2 questions:

1. Anyone out there have similar experience (and not too ashamed to admit it !) can give some kind of feedback on what can /should be done ?

2. The quote for repairs comes to pretty much what the whole new motor cost me (and Im only talking motor repairs, not boat repairs), have they gone over the top ? I can understand why some stuff needs changing, but cables etc ???

This is the list of items they say need replacing (may be wrong terms as I have translated it from Spanish, combined with my lack of technical knowledge...):

Compression sensor
Trim switch motor cover
Crankshaft position sensor
Motor cables harness
Coils (ignition ?)
Starter motor cable
+BA cable
Spark plugs
Spark plug cables
Alternator fuse cable
PSI sensor kit
PCM Motor control module
Relay?
Starter relay ?
Trim harness relay ?
Neutral switch
Alternator
Injector
Air filter
Oli deposit sensor
Pilot cable?
Temperature sensor
MAP sensor?
Starter motor
Fuel sensor
Fuel filter
Remote control
Smart craft display SC 1000
Display harness

Im hoping insurance will cover me, but waiting on feedback...

Half way through the recovery....

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

so obviously you have a newer engine... Those get VERY expensive to bring back to life, and yes, if you want a reliable engine, every single piece of electronics/wiring needs to be replaced. It might run fine now, but you will be chasing random electrical gremlins for the rest of that motors life. It will NOT be reliable, might run great one day, and then leave you sitting the next.

Was it fresh or salt water? With fresh, sometimes you can get away with pulling all the connectors, cleaning, and greasing them. Some things like stators, alternators, starters will still need to be replaced either way.

 

[r.j.dawg]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

All electronics on the boat will have to be checked out. From bilge pumps to the stereo. Might be a good time to call your insurance company.

 

[Vere]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Salt water....located in Spain.

I actually shipped the engine over from uk as it saved me about 4k on local prices ! Repair quote for motor parts and labour is about 7k and 4k for boat parts (euros).....

I have insurance but I fear at that price they will class it a write off....

 

[mommicked]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

You should have at least 2 auto bilgepumps and fresh batteries onboard if you store it on the water. Salt water, I would think a total loss,replacement but I'm no expert.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Salt water....located in Spain.

Its most likely a total loss... Even if the block is good yet, the bearings have taken a beating and probably have a very short life. ALL electronics are now on borrowed time and will fail relatively quickly.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Salt water....located in Spain.

I actually shipped the engine over from uk as it saved me about 4k on local prices ! Repair quote for motor parts and labour is about 7k and 4k for boat parts (euros).....

I have insurance but I fear at that price they will class it a write off....

Ayuh,... That's about the Best you can hope for...

After bein' dipped in brine, that boat is pretty much Junk anyways...

 

[oops!]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

the motor will be a constant source of headaches unless replaced. so...as bondo said......this is an insurance claim.

i fix boats that have been totally sunk in salt all the time.
this is always done on boats over 25 feet with a final sales price of over 50k, or its just not worth it.
the motors need replacement or re build. all electronic items on the motor need replacement.

to do it properly.....every wire must be cleaned or replaced.....if they ran current thru the wire before they were cleaned.... they will corrode from the inside out.

your boat, being small.....will need every gauge, terminal, and switch cleaned or replaced..

the interior must be taken apart and cleaned and dryed out.

the hull it self......must be dry docked and flushed with fresh water, then dryed out.

 

[oops!]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

by the way......the list is a little extreme......some items can be cleaned with a vinegar water solution......but most are correct.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

by the way......the list is a little extreme......some items can be cleaned with a vinegar water solution......but most are correct.

That's how they get you. You and I would clean them off. Repair shops like to toss and replace. If you asked them to clean them instead, they's simply charge you more to clean than it costs to replace. In addition to the obvious, it helps their liability/warranty if something goes wrong on cleaned parts, versus replaced.

Lots of boats get sunk and resurfaced, but they have to start off as sturdy and simple rigs--minimal electronics, commercial or bare-bones use (hunting, fishing, etc.) and then the owners know they are taking a chance, and inevitably will see the effects. Truthfully, 15 years of salt air on wiring and fittings is worse than a day under water. But for a "nice boat" like this one, I agree that a rebuild is asking for trouble down the line.

If insurance won't replace it, if you fix it, sell it after a season. But disclose the circumstances.

 

[Philster]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

File a claim and get your own adjuster, if you have that right in Spain. In the States, the guy who shows up will be a marine surveyor or act as one. He'll give you a headache.

Mechanics want to do the work, so they can make money off of parts and labour. Don't look to them for opinions!

 

[YZ165]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Love the look of that boat, sorry for your loss. I searched iboats, and google, seems to be quite rare...I'd do what Home Cookin' said, get it rinsed/dried out...use it for the season, and flip it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

if the electronics are rinsed in fresh water, then dried with alcohol you may be able to save them. however salt water submersion is usually an insurance claim.

Sorry for your loss.

 

[YZ165]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

So oops!, What's with the vinegar thing? I'm interested for my own knowledge, and I'm sure the OP is as well. On a side note, I bought some boat wax called "BoatJuice" a while back after a friend recommended it.... It's basically wax and vinegar combined, somehow...it works great! I couldn't believe how easily it removed water spots! There has to be some connection here, I'm just not experienced enough to see the connection...Hmmm....

 

[Philster]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

mild acid: vinegar. Helps clean/disolve.

 

[YZ165]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Interesting...thank you sir!

 

[jimbo_jwc]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Take to freash water lake sink and bring home and dry out under top with heater ,drain motor water ,oil . replenish and see what works , sea water is conductive ,preassure wash with house water and dry again with heat,spray anything electrical or electronic with wd40 ,lps that displaces moisture and try again Heck just an outboard but salt water will do it in as easy as I/O running under water to crankshaft.

 

[cribber]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

If you have an insurance policy give them a call and take the write-off. Salt water and anything acidic doesn't mix well with anything electrical. Good luck...

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

In 2007 and February 28th of this year, my workshop was flooded. Lots of chemicals in the water even though it was fresh water with lots of mud. My Lincoln welder, plasma cutter, air compressor, 12K generator and lots of commercial kitchen equipment fell victim to these floods. About 90% of all the equipment I saved. I do say it was major work and lots of time. First off, immediately you need to wash everything with fresh water and disassemble it and wash each item. Then put all the pieces in a convection oven set at 150*F. Replace bearings, relays, and any electronics that are not epoxy coated. One piece of equipment that cost $23K in the 07 flood has been in service since without any problems. I did have to replace some items that were in doubt of future problems.

Its lots of work and it had to be done for my shop as we did not have flood insurance either time. Shortly after the last flood, we moved into a new building above the flood zone. Just glad I don't ever have to think about going through that again.

I say in your case,,,,contact your insurance agent

 

[cyclops2]

Re: Sunk in port -- advice on repairs !

Well.

You are about to find out if you will stay with your insurance company. If the premiums paid all this time are worth 1 penny when you NEED THEM to deliver.

Hope they cover the losses.