Just like your shoes and boots, if not inspected and cared for, they will dry rot and LEAK! The same holds true on your I/O boats. If the boot seal and /or throttle cable on the stern drive that penetrates your transom keeping water out of your boat, becomes dry rotted & worn, it will fail. This can cause your vessel to SINK! In this case (1997 27ft Formula Fastech) our owner may have suspected he had a problem, but thought keeping the boat on a "lift" and having a battery charger plugged in to shore tie would prevent major problems from occurring - - LIKE SINKING - sort of a plan - but as usual, Murphy arrives on scene and - - - - - .
1. Lift fails due to rough water & wakes, boat is now in water - - and is taking on water - -.
2. Battery charger is NOT plugged in. (Note: Battery charger is NOT guarantee your bilge pumps will work forever).
3. Vessel sinks by stern due to leaking "BOOT" and - - - - you get a visit from the guys with the bags and pumps.
This is the 2nd one of this type failure in less than a week and happen quite often on I/O boats in the 15 year plus age range.
CHECK YOUR MARINE INSURANCE POLICY WELL, THIS TYPE OF FAILURE (Generally related to normal wear and tear / lack of maintenance issues) MAY NOT BE COVERED AND YOU CAN BE FACED WITH A HEFTY RECOVERY BILL.
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