T&T: Boat sunk at dock

[Bob Clinkenbeard]

Keep in mind that anything through your hull below the waterline is suspect. 
Just because it looks ok, does not mean it is in proper working order.  If 
you cannot find the cause then you must thoroughly investigate each 
situation to determine if one caused a siphon to start.  Exhaust at or below 
the waterline included.  I hope you will be able to find a definite answer. 
If it were me, I wouldn't give up until I found the problem or replaced all 
of the below waterline pumps and connections and installed proper vented 
loops.
One problem may have started the lowering of the boat until another 
situation caused the sinking.  I am very suspect of exhaust in the latter, 
but also check air-conditioning raw water outlets and anything else just 
above the waterline.
I had a friend that had a similar situation...the cause was his bilge pump 
failed to remove bilge water(dripping shaft seal) but was running...possibly 
an air lock,  and allowed the boat to lower itself until the exhaust outlet 
was under water...here failed hose clamps and water pressure caused the 
exhaust hose to separate enough to allow the water to flow.
Another thought...check the water tanks to see if they are in the same level 
as when you left.  A tank emptying it self could also lower the boat enough 
to allow another situation to occur.

Good luck and keep us posted....great to hear it was in fresh water...if it 
had to happen at all.  I once restored a boat that had partially sunk in 
salt and all of the electrical wiring and electrical equipment had to be 
replaced due to the salt.  That was an awful job....not to mention the 
coating of oil on everything in the boat.

Bob Clinkenbeard
24' custom trailer trawler
http://home.bellsouth.net/p/PWP-aboardbobbinalong





>I do not keep the boat connected to the dock water line for exactly this
> reason. We fill our water tanks and use it from there.