Tips To Stay Afloat

Each year we recover many boats from Lake Norman that have sank. We always have people ask "what should I have done to prevent my boat from sinking?" or "how do I keep this from happening to my boat?" Below we have provided some helpful tips on how to prevent your boat from sinking. We have also included information on choosing the best insurance that will keep you covered if something does go wrong with your vessel.

First of all boats do not sink for no reason; however, they will sink if you think you do not have to check on them very often. Boats rarely sink due to accidents or unexpected holes in the fiberglass construction. They do however have multiple holes in them for some necessary water to travel through the hull of the boat. These holes include, but are not limited to, raw water cooling system for the engine, water cooled exhaust and holes for the drive shaft and shifting rod to travel through. Bigger boats get even more complex with generator cooling systems, air conditioning and raw water wash downs. Fishing boats are also at risk with live wells and wash downs. Pontoon boats are less likely to sink without some sort of help, however a good bump of the dock or hitting a rock on the bottom of the lake will sink your pontoon fast because there is not a bilge pump to help keep the water out. Here are a few tips to keep this from happening to your boat.

1. Keep your steering straight and your outdrive down. Muskrats sink boats by chewing through the drive shaft and shifter bellows.
2. Keep up with your bilge pumps; test them often to ensure they come on automatically if water builds up in the hull of your boat. If they are old or not functioning properly have your mechanic replace them.
3. Fully charged batteries are just as important as the bilge pumps. Without charged batteries your bilge pump will not turn on and pump out the water in your boat.
4. A battery charger is a must! Your battery is only going to keep your pumps running as long as they are holding a charge.
5. Through fittings are the "necessary holes" in your boat for engine cooling. The through fittings are also connected to wash- downs and air conditioning systems. They all need to be checked often to ensure they are not worn out or broken and they need to be sealed properly. If they are damaged they need to be replaced quickly.
6. Boat covers are great if they are new enough to keep the water out of your boat. Check them often for leaks.
7. Always dock boats facing away from land. The bow (front) of your boat should be facing toward the main channel. Be sure the boat is always facing into any wind driven waves.
8. Keep our number handy 24/7! If you contact us quick enough we may be able to save your boat from going completely down! 704-200-1930 If it does sink we will raise it up!

Insurance Tips:

Read your policy! Make sure you know the difference between agreed value and actual cash value policies. Click here for more information. Make certain the salvage, wreck removal and recovery is covered separately on your policy. If you do not have coverage for the recovery and removal of your boat it will be up to you to pay for this service.

If you need help with towing, check out our Boat Towing Services