Terrance Phillips -- The harbor column

Rain, rain go away, come again another day. The water is supposed to be

under the boat, isn’t it?

With all this rain, many boat owners have experienced more water inside

the hull, than underneath it. Several boats have foundered in our harbor

because of the recent weather. Most of these sinkings, or partial

sinkings, is a result of the lack of appropriate maintenance on the part

of the boat owner.

“There are some [boat] owners that turn off their automatic bilge pump

switches because they’re aware of the environmental and governmental

consequences,” said Jesse Selem, manager of the Newport Harbor Shipyard.

Although it would take an awful lot of rain to sink a 30-foot boat, the

rainwater can find its way into the bilge and trigger the bilge pumps.

Fines can be assessed up to $10,000 for boat owners caught pumping an

oily discharge into the harbor. Be aware, the fine may be imposed whether

the discharge was intentional or by accident.

The sun is about to book a flight into Southern California therefore that

means it’s time to make reservations for your boats annual safety

inspection and haul out.

“There’s more reasons to haul a boat than just slap on some bottom

paint,” said Selem.

Hauling out your boat could save your life. The Newport Harbor Shipyard

suggests that now is the time to educate boat owners about issues and

concerns regarding the side of the boat they rarely get a chance to see,

the bottom. Sure, those little frilly curtains in the head look cute, but

what do you do when you see water flowing in the bilge faster than your

bilge pump can handle?

“Every time we haul a boat we diagram the outside of the hull showing

approximately where all the through-hulls are located,” Selem said.

They leave the diagram on board for the owner’s review. All owners should

know exactly where and how many through-hulls are on their boats. In the

event of an emergency, an owner should know exactly how to access the

fitting, and have rubber or wooden stoppers and a mallet on board.

Through-hull fittings must be opened and closed, lock-to-lock, at least

every month. When a leak or hose breaks you’re supposed to reach down and

simply shut-off the value.

However, after a winter season of crud and corrosion, half the time the

value is frozen in the open position, hence, why God gave us thumbs. The

three most common reasons why boats sink are through-hull fittings,

exhaust and shaft-log leaks.

A 30-foot boat haul out at Newport Harbor Shipyard will run $6.50 per

foot plus labor estimated at $8.50 per foot and around $350 for

materials. This would include one coat of copperas oxide paint (60%

copper) on the bottom and two coats at the waterline. In addition, they

conduct a thorough inspection of your fittings, shafts, propellers,

exhaust system and through-hull hoses. Make an effort to acquaint

yourself where your through-hull values are located, how many and what

they’re connected to. Check your bilge every time you set foot on your

boat.

Splish Splash:

* Newport Harbor Shipyard: 949 723-6800

* South Coast Boat Yard: (949) 675-2830

* Basin Marine: (949) 673-0360

* Larson’s Boat Yard: (949) 650-2688

* Terrance Phillips is the Pilot’s harbor and boating columnist. He can

be reached at his e-mail address, [email protected] .