Fishing Q&A
Merc 150 Submerged Outboard Motor In Saltwater Sunk Boat?
I let some friends borrow my boat and they basically sunk it 20 miles offshore. When it got back on dry land (motor submerged) I immediately pulled the plugs blew out the water, rinsed with fresh water, coated with wd-40 and it started up shortly there after. I took it out 3 times after with absolutely no problems. The sinking is still a mystery and a story for another day (I'm thinking they forgot to put the plugs in the boat and when they got fish and stopped the boat, down she went, but I digress) It is a 20' center console and it had water thigh high at the helm. This in turn means both batteries were under and who knows what else. I unfortunately have not been able to see the boat since October (8 months) and am wondering if much more damage could have happened since? It has been sitting on the trailer the whole time. What can I expect when I go back to the boat? I'm sure batteries are toast and but am wondering if everything else may still be in working order? Thanks.
Public Comments
- Your batteries will be toast. The corrosion will have probably eaten up the terminals and the contacts as well. If your gauges were under water there will most likely be corrosion on the backs (contacts) of the gauges. As long as the engine was flushed thoroughly after the sinking and after every trip out you should be fine. Salt water will corrode an engine over time even with flushing it every trip so don't be worried too bad about that. Make sure you wear gloves when removing the battery and cleaning the compartment as battery acid is HIGHLY corrosive.
- One good thing you did is rinse and coat the interior of the cylinders. Keep in mind salt water is very corrosive, the electrical system will give you problems beings it's been eight months of just sitting there. I would bet that the underneath of your flywheel is corroded with rust. You have your charging system under there. The stator even though it's coated copper wire windings will corrode. The flywheel has maginets that is glued to it. The starter may have built up with corrostion and froze up. The on board computer could be affected as well. I would take this to a dealer or a qualified mechanic and get this motor checked out. I've been dealing with alot of outboard motors that has sunk,flipped,etc. from hurricane Katrina, i reside in the new orleans area, there is alot of salt water in these parts. Don't take any chances or you might be the next guy stranded in your favorite fishing hole. Good luck and safe boating
- Wow, if the salt water was rinsed out, I wouldnt anticipate much else. There may be a musty smell from water trapped somewhere, perhpas upholstery or carpeting. What were in there for electronics? GPS, fish finder, radios, etc? Those might be toast along with your batteries. Mechanically you should be ok, sounds like you took care of all that.
- you may as well replace every bit of electrical wire and components. I have restored vessels that have sunk and even if you rinse it down right away the salt water has gotten into it and it is toast. At least you got the engine running right away so you are ahead in that area. I hope you coated it in silicone spray before you put it away. Good luck!
- You've got a lot of great answers here. One thing I did when my boat sank. I clipped the end of each wire when I replaced guages, fishfinder, etc. The wiring should be okay as it is insulated, but the connection ends will corrode. Everyone else hit it, batteries are no good nor are the guages, battery switch, etc. Careful with the batteries as salt water and the acid are very incompatible. Your engine should be fine, but do repalce ignition components. Good luck. My boat sank and I had great luck with it thereafter.
