After purchasing a boat, boat owners may be concerned about the boat sinking while underway, which is often preventable. This article has compiled a list of 7 ways to prevent your boat from sinking, from checking float switches, bilge pumps, boat fittings, and cockpit drains, replacing specific parts, testing seawater valves, and much more, each of which relates to the safety of sailing. We'll explore these 7 methods in more detail next.
Check float switches and bilge pumps
Many boat owners are unaware of the float switches and bilge pumps on their boats. As a boat owner, you need to check that the automatic float switch is working properly if you want to avoid sinking your boat. This is done by turning off all battery switches and looking for the bilge pump and floating in the bilge of the boat, usually at the very back of the boat, although some boats have them in the front, center, and rear positions. When you find it, trigger the float switch. Under normal circumstances, the bilge pump should be in operation and will not stop working until the float is returned to its original position. If the bilge pump is not working, find the boat's gauge and try to turn the pump on manually. If it opens manually, then it is likely that there is a problem with the float switch. If it won't open manually either, then you need to find a multimeter and test the float manually.
Checking boat fittings
Checking boat fittings is something that most people will leave to a professional surveyor, but you shouldn't turn a blind eye to lose fittings yourself. There are times when boats have new plastic fittings, but occasionally they break (this happens on some hulls above the draft line). If you notice a break, the repair process is very simple, and dealing with it in a timely manner can prevent a lot of trouble from ensuing, and better yet, prevent the boat from sinking due to these problems.
Checking the cockpit drains
In the course of everyday use of your boat, the cockpit drain can sometimes become clogged with bottle caps or dirt. Although this problem will not sink the boat immediately, the water will continue to collect and flow into corners that are difficult for people to notice. In this case, the hull of the boat adds extra weight to this standing water, making it more difficult to navigate. Worse still, the water will also flow to the top of the engine instead of draining down the drain, which will start to corrode the engine from the outside, and in the event of engine failure, the performance and service life of the boat will be seriously affected, and the boat may even be at risk of sinking.
Replacing the bellows
Many people like to buy boats with stern drives because they are inexpensive and save fuel. Bellows is a rubberized component that is effective in stopping water from entering the boat, but it also helps the stern engine to steer flexibly, whether it's turning from side to side or adjusting up and down. However, bellows have a lifespan, and it's best to replace them every 2-3 years. If the bellows break, water can enter the boat from the back and cause it to sink. Also, avoid barnacles growing in large numbers; the barnacle shells may puncture the bellows when the boat is turned.
Checking shaft seals and bellows
A bellows-like component on the shaft drive is the shaft sealing device. This device is attached to fiberglass and consists of a bellows and a shaft seal, and its main purpose is to keep water out of the bottom of the boat. It generally relies on the engine for water cooling, but water-cooled fittings are prone to corrosion or damage. Once this happens, the seals can be damaged by overheating, which can destroy the bellows and could eventually cause the boat to sink.
Although the shaft seals are said to last much longer than the stern drive bellows, they need to be replaced every five years to ensure safe navigation. Checking the shaft seal for leaks is done while the boat is in motion (not when the boat is stopped). Note that if the shaft seal is in the form of a packing gland clamped in place, it is normal for 2-3 drops of water to seep out per minute when the shaft is turning.
Keep a piece of cork on board
This is important if you plan to take your boat on a long sea voyage. Even if it's not a long trip, it doesn't hurt to keep a common sized cork on board. If your boat's seawater valve malfunctions, a cork can be of great use. You can use the cork to plug the leak and keep the seawater from coming in. And wood plugs can also come in handy when doing some repair work, such as replacing a sea pump impeller.
Testing the seawater valve
Testing the seawater valves every 6 months will effectively prevent them from jamming. Generally, turning clockwise closes the seawater valve and turning counterclockwise opens it, depending on how it is installed. In fact, there are probably more sea water valves on a boat than one might think, each engine comes with one, the toilet and air conditioner each need one, the bigger the boat the more sea water valves are required, it is vital to double check that these sea water valves are working properly in order to prevent your boat from sinking.
