Just had a boat (fortunately not mine) sink in its slip in a freshwater lake. I imagine it will go for salvage now. It has a '87 Universal 18 that I know was running good with low hours, and had been winterized before it went down. I'm considering trying to buy & rehab it since it was a nice boat, and I can handle everthing except maybe the engine work.
My questions-- how long can the motor set in this cold water, what must be done and how quickly to the engine, when it comes back up? It has been under about 48 hours, but due to ice on the lake it is going to be there at least 2 months.
Thanks for any replies.
snichols@dstream.net
underwater Universal
Moderator: Jim Walsh
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sloopjohnl
Re: underwater Universal
saw a catalina 22 raised from the bottom in a freshwater lake in pa a few years ago. it spent about two months underwater also. not worth much after it was raised - delamination, water-logged, etc. as for the engine, it might be best to speak to a good marina mechanic with some "underwater experience".
skip wrote: Just had a boat (fortunately not mine) sink in its slip in a freshwater lake. I imagine it will go for salvage now. It has a '87 Universal 18 that I know was running good with low hours, and had been winterized before it went down. I'm considering trying to buy & rehab it since it was a nice boat, and I can handle everthing except maybe the engine work.
My questions-- how long can the motor set in this cold water, what must be done and how quickly to the engine, when it comes back up? It has been under about 48 hours, but due to ice on the lake it is going to be there at least 2 months.
Thanks for any replies.
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Mark Yashinsky
Re: underwater Universal
You should probably figure that the engine should get a rebuild. All the machined surfaces are going to get an immediate coat of rust (all the bearings, cylinder bores/pistons, camshaft, injector pump/injectors (if diesel)!!!, etc. The transmision too. Dont think that the engine block is sealed and water wont get in. HA! It will. On the other hand, if you know someone that will give you a good price on an engine rebuild and willing to tear the engine down and reassemble part of it (sweat equity) and can get the engine itself for a song, this can be a good deal. Look how much a new one is.
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Kurt
Re: Atomic 4 can survive sinking and run again
I know of a C&C 30 that sank (fresh water) at the dock years ago...the Atomic 4 was drained/flushed/refilled and restarted after the boat was refloated...I think it was undewater for only about 24 hours...the engine ran fine and continued to give the owner excellent service...I also read the OMC recommended procedure for an outboard motor that's been submerged is to leave it underwater until repairs can be arranged. As far as a diesel is concerned...I disagree that rust would form so quickly inside the engine that a rebuild would be necessary...although the fuel injection parts/pump/injectors might be a different story
kjlgpw@aol.com
kjlgpw@aol.com
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Mark Yashinsky
Re: underwater Universal
Dont know about the OMC (2 cycle, w/ larger internal clearances???), but 4 cycle engines have internal clearances in the thousandth's range and (hopefully) are very smooth. Think how rough and how raised a rust spot is. Not saying you could get lucky, if you are quick and other conditions (low oxygen in teh water, etc), only saying what an engine rebuilder would probably say. Think how quickly thinks rust in the marine environment and how much is spent on specific stainless, bronze products. Look at the threads about the prop shafts and crevice corrosion. Thats stainless!!! Look at the internal of an engine, lots of steel (yes, some aluminum). When an engine is machined, (cylinders bored, decked, etc), a film of light oil is suppose to be applied to any of these machined surfaces to REDUCE rust until the engine is assembled. Many factors there,too. A shop by the sea, will have more problmes than one in the desert. Look at the military aircraft graveyard out in the desert. Look at a shop book on the engine to see the tolerances of bearings, piston/cylinder, rings, valves guides, etc. What about marine growth???
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Ken Coit
Re: Atomic 4 can survive sinking and run again
I know of a Graymarine 160 HP diesel on a Coast Guard picket boat that got rather wet in salt water back in the '50s. If I remember correctly, the only mechanical repair we did the first time was to rebuild the injectors and change the oil; the second time, I don't think we rebuilt the injectors. It ran fine after both dunkings, but who knows how much of its life was given away.
For those who might be curious how one can sink a CG picket boat, while it is hanging on a mooring, it is simple: let the seal around the exhaust pipe break down and then wait for a current that opposes a good wind and let the waves lap the exhaust pipe which is normally above the water line. Without constant power to run a bilge pump, the boat slowly settles until the damaged seal is below the water line and, viola!, you have a sinking boat on your hands.
Those were the days that sucked me into this wonderful diversion!
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
on the bottom: I know of a C&C 30 that sank (fresh water) at the dock years ago...the Atomic 4 was drained/flushed/refilled and restarted after the boat was refloated...I think it was undewater for only about 24 hours...the engine ran fine and continued to give the owner excellent service...I also read the OMC recommended procedure for an outboard motor that's been submerged is to leave it underwater until repairs can be arranged. As far as a diesel is concerned...I disagree that rust would form so quickly inside the engine that a rebuild would be necessary...although the fuel injection parts/pump/injectors might be a different story
parfait@nc.rr.com
For those who might be curious how one can sink a CG picket boat, while it is hanging on a mooring, it is simple: let the seal around the exhaust pipe break down and then wait for a current that opposes a good wind and let the waves lap the exhaust pipe which is normally above the water line. Without constant power to run a bilge pump, the boat slowly settles until the damaged seal is below the water line and, viola!, you have a sinking boat on your hands.
Those were the days that sucked me into this wonderful diversion!
Ken Coit
S/V Parfait
on the bottom: I know of a C&C 30 that sank (fresh water) at the dock years ago...the Atomic 4 was drained/flushed/refilled and restarted after the boat was refloated...I think it was undewater for only about 24 hours...the engine ran fine and continued to give the owner excellent service...I also read the OMC recommended procedure for an outboard motor that's been submerged is to leave it underwater until repairs can be arranged. As far as a diesel is concerned...I disagree that rust would form so quickly inside the engine that a rebuild would be necessary...although the fuel injection parts/pump/injectors might be a different story
parfait@nc.rr.com
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skip
She is up and running
The owner stuck a pump in the cabin and brought her up after 3 days. Changed oil etc. on the diesel and got her running again.
snichols@dstream.net
skip wrote: Just had a boat (fortunately not mine) sink in its slip in a freshwater lake. I imagine it will go for salvage now. It has a '87 Universal 18 that I know was running good with low hours, and had been winterized before it went down. I'm considering trying to buy & rehab it since it was a nice boat, and I can handle everthing except maybe the engine work.
My questions-- how long can the motor set in this cold water, what must be done and how quickly to the engine, when it comes back up? It has been under about 48 hours, but due to ice on the lake it is going to be there at least 2 months.
Thanks for any replies.
snichols@dstream.net
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Bob Pence
Re: underwater Universal
Contact Hansen Marine in Marblehead, Mass. 800 343 0480, John or anyone in their technical support department can advise. Their prices are reasonable and they have a great arrangement for economical shipment, just bolt the engine to a pallet by the motor mounts and ship.skip wrote: Just had a boat (fortunately not mine) sink in its slip in a freshwater lake. I imagine it will go for salvage now. It has a '87 Universal 18 that I know was running good with low hours, and had been winterized before it went down. I'm considering trying to buy & rehab it since it was a nice boat, and I can handle everthing except maybe the engine work.
My questions-- how long can the motor set in this cold water, what must be done and how quickly to the engine, when it comes back up? It has been under about 48 hours, but due to ice on the lake it is going to be there at least 2 months.
Thanks for any replies.
sixpence@dmv.com