Tim Gus’s thread regarding the “Wet Compartment” had a statement in it regarding the “auto bilge not working” that I wanted to pass along thoughts on. With all the goofy storms that we are having lately, this is a friendly remeinder that the auto bilge doesn’t work all the time. If you are parked on a pier that has incoming winds/no harbor, it is always beneficial to park your boat bow out. This enables the boat to ride the waves rather than have them start to accept water from the stern.
Two cases in point: 1) if you have a heavy rain, no auto bilge, then those waves start up and are likely to little by little put even more water in your boat. 2) If you have a stiff breeze blowing you could liklely run in to a scenario where little splashes put more water in, no auto bilge, and as the boat starts to fill and get lower those waves have an easier time overtaking the stern, thus sinking your boat.
We did have a scenario this summer during one of our heavy storm sessions of Father’s day weekend. First we had over 6″ of rain in the same day, then we had that storm that sent waves crashing into the dock area. Boat owner was in town, then that storm came in… when you’re trying to turn the person’s boat around in blinding wind/rain, so much so that the dock sections are being blown off the dock. We were able to keep the boat from drowning, but it was quite the event to be invovled in.
Just a friendly reminder to be cognizant of this during your resort stays in our lovely Midwest!!!
Mark
