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Chuck Gould

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Scott Croft, 703-461-2864,
Date: January 9, 2007

REASONS WHY INBOARD/OUTBOARD POWERBOATS SINK

BoatU.S. Goes to the Insurance Claims Files for Answers

After publishing a recent study identifying the causes for accidental
outboard powerboat sinkings, Seaworthy, recreational boating's damage
avoidance magazine, has combed through the BoatU.S. insurance claims
files to identify the reasons why inboard/outboard (I/O) powerboats
sink. Interestingly, while outboard powerboats are similar in design to
I/O's -- and often made by the same manufacturer -- the study found
vastly different reasons why each accidentally sinks.

Outboard powerboats tend to sink at the dock due to poor cockpit
designs that trap water, but an I/O's weakest link is the delicate
connection between the inboard engine and the outdrive unit, called
bellows.

"The use of bellows or boots -- pleated, flexible rubber membranes --
that run between the inboard engine and partially submerged outdrive to
seal the transom where cables and shafts pass through have one
weakness: a limited lifespan," said Seaworthy Editor Bob Adriance. He
says that bellows should be inspected annually -- and more often in
hot, sunny climates. "Any bellows that is over five years old is living
on borrowed time," said Adriance.

He adds, "Many boats have more than one bellows (driveshaft, shift
cable, exhaust, etc.) any one of which has the potential to sink the
boat. And if one shows wear, they all should be replaced."

Here are the top reasons why I/O's sink:

At The Dock:
#1 (44%): Leaking bellows. A surprising number were attributed the
small shift cable bellows.
#2 (23%): Failed below waterline fittings, hose clamps, and melted
hoses as a result of overheating.
#3 (15%): Failed above waterline fittings. Heavy rains overwhelm
cockpit scuppers.
#4 (11%): Poor docking arrangements: Boats or outdrives that snag on
docks.
#5 (6%): Uninstalled drainplug.
#6 (1%): Miscellaneous such as a cracked engine block.

While Underway:
#1 (36%): Struck a submerged object such as rock or logs.
#2 (24%): Failed below waterline fittings.
#3 (20%): Leaking bellows.
#4 (12%): Swamping.
#5 (8%): Miscellaneous.

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