In another post I listed Boat/US reasons for boats sinking underway.

The top reasons for boats sinking at the dock a

Where the Water Came From
:
Reason Percentage
Underwater Fittings: 50%
Rain and Snow: 32%
Fittings Above the Waterline: 9%
Poor Docking Arrangements: 8%
Other: 1%

Underwater fittings include : "In 50% of the dockside sinking claims, water
found its way into the bilge through leaks at underwater fittings. The
majority of the leaks were at stuffing boxes (12), followed by outdrive or
shift bellows (11), failed hoses or hose clamps (eight), sea strainers
(four), and drain plugs (four).

There were two sinkings each from air conditioning fittings, gate valves,
transducers, mounting bolts, and mufflers. One boat went to the bottom as a
result of a leaking speedometer impeller. It is certainly possible that more
than one fitting had been leaking. "

An interesting note concerning claims due to rainwater/snow was:

"Water falling from the sky, either rain, snow, or sleet, accounted for a
whopping 32% of the sinking claims. Everybody has seen a rowboat or two
awash, so this shouldn't be a surprise. What may be startling is that all of
the claims involved boats with self-bailing cockpits that should have shed
the water overboard."

"The real ME" wrote
"Water falling from the sky, either rain, snow, or sleet, accounted for
a
whopping 32% of the sinking claims. Everybody has seen a rowboat or two
awash, so this shouldn't be a surprise. What may be startling is that all
of
the claims involved boats with self-bailing cockpits that should have shed
the water overboard."

No surprise there. The self-bailing design is only intended to clear the
partially enclosed cockpit from wash over the gunnels or transom. Many or
most of the engine compartment and/or bilge-access hatches are either not
waterproof, or develop leaks over time. Sitting unattended for two or three
months of winter rains is more than enough for any slow leak to claim it's
victim.

Jack

Jack,

The problem I have seen is the scuppers get clogged with leaves or trash and
the water then floods into the engine compartment or bilge.


"Jack Painter" wrote in message
news:Ih97e.7012$5J3.5861@lakeread01...

"The real ME" wrote
"Water falling from the sky, either rain, snow, or sleet, accounted for
a
whopping 32% of the sinking claims. Everybody has seen a rowboat or two
awash, so this shouldn't be a surprise. What may be startling is that all
of
the claims involved boats with self-bailing cockpits that should have
shed
the water overboard."

No surprise there. The self-bailing design is only intended to clear the
partially enclosed cockpit from wash over the gunnels or transom. Many or
most of the engine compartment and/or bilge-access hatches are either not
waterproof, or develop leaks over time. Sitting unattended for two or
three
months of winter rains is more than enough for any slow leak to claim it's
victim.

Jack

Jack,


The problem I have seen is the scuppers get clogged with leaves or
trash and
the water then floods into the engine compartment or bilge.


****

Precisely.

My boat may yet be sunk by a maple tree, 30 feet from the water.
There's a big maple tree
near my slip. In autumn, the leaves blow in behind the bulwarks and
tend to collect atop the scuppers. I check the boat every couple of
days when I'm not actively using it, and I have arrived to find a *lot*
of water accumulated on deck after one of the fall monsoons moves
through.