Boat Floated Off Stands in Hurricane -Long

[MarkD]

Sadly, this is my second post on hurricane related problems with my boats My 1990 350/370DA, 7.4L inboards, v-drives...floated off its stands during the storm. I am told from the dockmaster, who risked life and limb to save many of our boats, that my boat was floating around the marina parking lot for quite a while, then as the water receeded, came to a soft landing leaning to one side. I "think" i was lucky that i had TAKEN PIX OF THE BOAT PRIOR TO THE STORM, had the bottom plug in, was winterized and covered her up for the winter... Keeping it a low profile to the wind. I have not been able to get up to her since my family/home/job have taken presidence. My friends have taken pictures of any damage they have seen. I also called my insurance and they told me to have the boat uprighted to insure no further damage is done. My boat has since been put back on blocks and stands. My mechanic and friends have looked it over on the exterior. Their observations are as follows:

- ripped winter canvas in stern and along the stbd side (had a HEAVY Fischer cancas)
- scratched off bottom paint along keel, chine, and other parts off hull as well as where it came to rest
- small gelcoat scratches near the waterline (likely from hitting trees and other debris)
- they dont see any major bent props or shafts (but just the weight alone laying on it could have bent it out of line)
- when the boat came to rest, they heard items shifting around the interior... Not sure what that could be?

Now, i HAD NOT completed taking everything off the boat when the storm hit and i am particularly concerned i had unbolted the battery hold downs. I wonder if that could have been the banging if they came out of their trays... I am also unclear if any water could have intruded into the engine, living space as the boat was on its side. I am also told the water came up a second time (high tide) but did not float her again. Can everyone on the board help me come up with a list of things to have my mechanic (who has a great reputation for doing great work) to check? Suggestions are greatly appreciated...

 

[fwebster]

From your description, I think you need to get someone on the boat immediately to ascertain if the batteries were dislodged enough to spill acid in the interior of the boat. If you catch it early, it is pretty easy to neutralize acid with baking soda and flushing with copious amounts of fresh water. The longer the acid sits in the hull, the more damage you are going to have to everything that came in contact with it.

I also doubt the running gear is going to get by this with no damage. Most likely the props and rudders are bent and you will be quite lucky if the struts aren't tweaked sideways and the shafts bent behind the struts.

If the plug was in, it isn't likely that the engines have water in them, but the mechanic needs to check to be sure.

The mechanic should check rudder alignment and when the boat has been relaunched in the spring be sure to have an engine alignment done. This is a legitimate part of your damage, so include the engine alignment in any claim you make with your carrier.

Sounds like you were on of the lucky ones..............

 

[MarkD]

Thanks Frank, yeah, i feel i was lucky to be sure... I totally forgot about the engine alignment. Great thought!!! I wish i could get up there immediately, but if you've been reading the news, there is a huge fuel shortage in north jersey/southern ny. I cant risk getting up there (80 miles one way) and using up all my fuel. Sad state of events...right? Look, it is what is is... Thats why i carried insurance. My mechanic stated he wanted to take off winter cover and inspect the gelcoat too... He said the same as you with the shafts/rubbers/props etc... He wanted to do a visual of the engine room & rest of boat too. He is being thorough which i find comforting since i am anal about my boat too (ask Ron DDS). He normally responds too, but has no internet right now or power... One last thing... If the boat was sitting on its side when the water came up the second time, i wonder if the air intakes might have allowed water in...but i'll never know until its inspected i guess!