That 'Sinking feeling'

[adelleandlee]

Whilst enjoying a day out with some of our family we went for a meal and a look around at a Marina, we had a look at the boats on brokerage and saw a little ex-day hire boat up for £13,995 which my elderly-ish aunt liked the look of and kind of has the bug after being on our NB.

I went and enquired and picked up the keys,(I had noticed that it was slightly listing) got down onto bow opened up and assisted my aunt down the steps and she sat in the chair having a good look around.

My 2 young nieces started to come aboard and I went back out to the bow to find to my horror the canal gushing into the bow section from the drain holes level with the deck!

Its is fair to say that I then politely and calmly asked my aunt in to leave the boat via the nearest exit!(yeah right!) whilst removing my nieces at the same time.

The water then stopped and receded, Horrified was an understatement! I then checked and the drains were only maybe 2cm above the water line, I lifted the deck on the stern and I could not believe my eyes, the bilge was overfull of oil and water, the prop shaft was hardly visable! I then noticed the water seeping through the laminate flooring inside! What a Bargain, I informed the marina who quickly responded with pumps at the ready, it had only just arrived with them.

My auntie has now decided that a life on the water is not for her, the girls thought what a great game and I changed my underware!

I pray that is the first and last experience of such a thing, what a god awfull feeling and it was not our boat! It brings it home though and I will be doubleing the maintanance schedule of our own.

[Boat&Bikes]

It must be just the worst feeling.I get worried when my litre tin under the stern gland is more than half full,god knows what a full on leak would be like.

 

Ian.

[Ray T]

Lucky escape.

 

You want to try that at sea - or perhaps you don't

 

A few years ago (2003) with a group of friends we chartered two yachts from Brixham and went across The Channel.

 

On the way back, the other yacht to the one the I was skippering, developed a leak. Both boats kept in touch by VHF untill the water covered the other boats batteries. At that point I decided a Pan Pan message was in order.

 

Not only did we get the Brixham AWB but RFA Argus also appeared in attendance.

 

The Lifeboat escorted the yacht back to Brixham whilst her crew pumped and bailed furiously.

 

The cause:- a split hose to the sea toilet. The split was not initally apparent as it was beneath the floor of the heads.

Edited August 9, 2012 by Ray T

[Zayna]

While we were on our boat last week, I kept dreaming that I got out of bed and put my feet in water.

[MtB]

It must be just the worst feeling.I get worried when my litre tin under the stern gland is more than half full,god knows what a full on leak would be like.

 

Ian.

 

 

Lol, when I bought Reginald, I found a casserole dish under the stern gland with an automatic bilge pump in it.

 

I subsequently discovered the stern gland was leaking so badly because it was packed with grease only....

 

While we were on our boat last week, I kept dreaming that I got out of bed and put my feet in water.

 

Always best to sleep on a boat with one arm dangling out of the bed. Then if the boat is sinking while you sleep, you get an early warning. A wet hand definitely wakes you up.

[loubyscooby]

Always best to sleep on a boat with one arm dangling out of the bed. Then if the boat is sinking while you sleep, you get an early warning. A wet hand definitely wakes you up.

 

I thought that made you wee

[leeco]

 

 

I subsequently discovered the stern gland was leaking so badly because it was packed with grease only....

 

 

 

 

Why, what else should it be packed with?

 

[Ray T]

Why, what else should it be packed with?

 

 

This: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuffing_box

[Zayna]

Always best to sleep on a boat with one arm dangling out of the bed. Then if the boat is sinking while you sleep, you get an early warning. A wet hand definitely wakes you up.

 

I thought that made you wee

 

That's what I thought. I shan't be trying it.

[adelleandlee]

Ha Ha, until we get a new bed I think the dangling arm may work fine, the bed is that small I have been safe all along! but I better fore warn the wife about the wee thing!

[Chertsey]

Lol, when I bought Reginald, I found a casserole dish under the stern gland with an automatic bilge pump in it.

 

I have consided this as it would be easier than lifting the floor and emptying the basin manually. However, I am not sure how the pump would cope with the gobbets of grease.