WHY SAILBOATS SINK AND FIVE TIPS TO PREVENT IT
BoatU.S. Opens its Insurance Claims Files

Alexandria, Va., Dec. 6, 2007 - A study of 100 sailboat sinkings from
the BoatU.S. Insurance claims files could help prevent your sailboat
from becoming a statistic. "The sinkings were found to be divided
evenly into two broad categories - those that sank at the dock and
those that sank while underway," said BoatU.S. Marine Insurance
Technical Director Bob Adriance.

"However, when it came to sinking underway, a sailboat's deep draft
became the obvious factor," Adriance continued. Striking a submerged
object was found to cause 40% of the sinkings while underway. Next on
the underway list was a broken prop shaft or strut (16%) and damaged
or deteriorated fittings below the waterline (16%). "Prop shaft
corrosion seems to be a bigger issue with sailboats than with
powerboats as auxiliary sailboat engines are not run as often,
allowing corrosion to set in," added Adriance.

The most common cause of dockside sinkings were found to be the result
of deteriorated or damaged or corroded fittings such as intakes,
seacocks, and drains below the waterline. Stuffing box leaks were
number two on the dockside list.

The complete study results are as follows:

Sinking at the Dock
Below waterline fitting 44%
Stuffing box leak 33%
Keel and centerboard 7%
Rain 7%
Head back-siphoning 3%
Above waterline fitting 3%
City Water hookup 3%

Sinking Underway
Struck submerged object 40%
Prop shaft or strut 16%
Below waterline fitting 16%
Grounding 8%
Stuffing box leak 8%
Storm/knockdowns 8%
Above waterline fitting 4%


Five Tips for Prevent a Sailboat Sinking:

* Any time your boat hits bottom, immediately inspect the bilge and
keel bolts or centerboard pennant and hinge. To be safe, inspect again
an hour later.
* Routinely -- twice a season -- inspect all below the waterline
fittings, hoses, and hardware. If the fitting is long enough, it's
good practice to have two marine-rated stainless steel clamps on all
hose ends. Any hoses showing signs of rot should be immediately
replaced.
* When at rest, stuffing boxes should never leak. If leaking persists
after the packing gland nut has been tightened, the packing must be
replaced.
* Don't ignore through-hull fittings or hoses that are installed above
the waterline. While they may appear to be "safely" above the water
level, they can leak when heeled over in a seaway, or when snow or ice
forces the boat under.
* A winter haul out is the perfect time to inspect the prop shaft and
cutless bearing.