Sunk Boat Any Good?

[NorCal Boater]

I recently discovered a '98 400DB with gas engines that sunk in about 8' of fresh water and was re-floated within 60 minutes of sinking.

If this thing passes a thorough survey would it be worth owning for the right price? The shop that did the recovery work is local and I could talk to them for details. Will there always be potential problems that would not be experienced with similar boat that had not sunk?

Thanks

 

[tdappleman]

So it was brought up within an hour - but what happened next? I've heard about boats sinking and being brought up immediately - having the engines and genny pickled and oil/fuel changed out and they were fine. Not sure about other systems - wiring, electronics would be suspect. At least it was fresh water. How good of a deal are you talking?

 

[fwebster]

You will be chasing electrical and electronic problems for as long as you own the boat. There is no way to get to and dry out all the pumps, wiring, terminal ends, compressors, etc., so you really need to buy it cheap to come out.

 

[Lauralex]

Seems to me it would be like those cars they salvaged from Louisiana after Katrina and tried to sell. Full o' problems. I think you should take a pass unless it's SO cheap that you could refit everything and still be ahead. Just my $0.02.

 

[tobnpr]

Man, that's a project. Total submersion...aside from the mechanical and electrical issues already mentioned, what's the interior like?
Depends on how much effort was put into preservation after she was raised...

 

[JediJD]

No experience with a boat that size, but had a bellows/battery problem on a 21' ski boat (bad combination). It completely sank twice in one season. The protocol after sinking was interesting...the mechanics actually left it in the water till they were ready to pull it up, then immediately upon pulling it, drained, fogged, dried, and ran the engine...then went about clearing the rest of the systems individually. Biggest lingering problem was the soaked "marine" plywood that endured hyperaccelerated rotting. Overall, it didn't turn out to be nearly as big a deal as I thought it was going to be. Just my $.02

 

[Bodkin Creek George]

More trouble than it's worth unless you get it for free and want a project boat. The mechanical things can be repaired or replaced. The electrical will have to be totally removed and replaced. Not the end of the world if you can find a new wiring harness. I wouldn't do it again. Been there done that on a much smaller scale 28 footer.
George

 

[K-9]

:smt009salvage title not good,resale you must notify of sinking or risk buying it back.HID will have history,WHY DID IT SINK IN THE FIRST PLACE!??:smt009

 

[K-9]

:smt001no the boat sank in freash water and floted in 1 hour dry with NO POWER CONNECTED! and test each component 1by1

More trouble than it's worth unless you get it for free and want a project boat. The mechanical things can be repaired or replaced. The electrical will have to be totally removed and replaced. Not the end of the world if you can find a new wiring harness. I wouldn't do it again. Been there done that on a much smaller scale 28 footer.
George

 

[fwebster]

Please tell us what body or authority prescribes disclosure of a partial submersion. Who is HID and how will it have the history of a partial submersion?

 

[douglee25]

Maybe he meant HIN (Hull Identification Number)?

Doug

 

[rondds]

Wow, cool. Now the have carfax for boats? Who knew?

Shawn, not sure it makes a difference but 400DBs have cored bottom. I like that model but wouldn't buy one for that reason alone (Frank, have mercy on me!)

 

[NorCal Boater]

Wow, cool. Now the have carfax for boats? Who knew?

Shawn, not sure it makes a difference but 400DBs have cored bottom. I like that model but wouldn't buy one for that reason alone (Frank, have mercy on me!)

Ron, I know the bottoms are cored but there are a lot of cored hull boats out there that are pretty good.