So thought I'd take my 2000 20i out for a quick early season spin to make sure all was running right before going out with a gaggle of people next weekend. I was very psyched, beautiful day, had spent some time last week really making her shine. Backed down the ramp, boat started like a charm, offloaded her, tied her up & parked the trailer.
I came back about 5-6 minutes later, untied the boat and jumped in. As I took the couple of steps to the driver's seat & started her up and threw the throttle into gear to get away from shore, I suddenly became aware of the unmistakable sensation of water sloshing around my feet.
It took me but a few seconds to realize the unthinkable: I was headed out into the river with a boat that was taking on water FAST due to not one - but TWO - missing plugs (which were both sitting in the cup holder right in front of my nose).
Now I am generally not a panic-inclined person as someone who has worked in medical emergency situations as an EMT/First Responder for many years here in VT. But I have to admit, this caught me SO off guard that there was definitely a moment of panic here as I had to figure out FAST what I was going to do (other than run the bilge pump which felt a bit like trying to bail out a bathtub with a teaspoon.)
Thankfully the engine was still able to crank and I turned the boat around as fast as I could and yelled to some kid who was fishing on the shore that I needed his help. At one point I tried to open the engine cover with the idea that I could perhaps somehow reach through the water & install that plug and/or manually bail some water to move things along, but the cover was pretty much suctioned shut due to the amount of water accumulated inside. In fact, when I was able to crack it an inch or so, I noted a gush of water escaping into the cockpit of the boat and decided to leave that water where it was - in the engine compartment - in hopes of maintaining better buoyancy rather hah having it all rush to the stern of the boat.
I threw him the bow leader and asked him to hold the boat while I did my best OJ sprint to get the trailer (remember it was 5-6 minutes away the first time but I cut that down to about 2.5 minutes on the flipflop). I was able to get the trailer backed down the ramp and instructed the kid to pull on the bow line while I jumped in the water and guided the bow of the boat between the trailer guides. Normally I would have used engine power to nudge the boat into position, but for obvious reasons I did not want to try and run the engine at this point.
We were able to maneuver the boat onto the rails pretty fast and this was one time I was INCREDIBLY thankful that I have an electric winch. I inserted the key into the winch, crossed my fingers it would start (first attempt of the year), and also prayed it would have enough juice to pull my 20i and a "boatload" of river water up an out of the drink.
With some coaxing, the winch worked well, and i breathed a huge sigh of relief when I secured the boat to the trailer and pulled up the launch. Passersby had of course gathered to watch (there was no-one else there when I started - OF COURSE - except the kid fishing!) and were amused by the gushing water emanating from both drainage ports.
So, near disaster averted. I was lucky on a few counts, most notably that no one else had oulled down the ramp in the intervening few minutes. Needless to say, don't think I will make THAT mistake again, especially given the sign my son is going to make me for my dash that says "GOT PLUGS?"
BUT, here's my big question: given that I had probably 7" - give or take - of water in the engine cmpt (measured from the very bottom of the compartment) do I need to have my mechanic make sure everything is OK before I head back out? I can tell you that the everything appeared to be working normally as far as electrical (I popped a breaker on the blower but that resolved once the water was drained out). All other electrical was fine. Just not sure what other damage may have occurred that would not reveal itself until I am out next weekend with my good friends the Murphy's.
Thanks for bearing with this pathetic tale and I am grateful for any advice on whether I need to worry about unseen engine damage.
Billy
I came back about 5-6 minutes later, untied the boat and jumped in. As I took the couple of steps to the driver's seat & started her up and threw the throttle into gear to get away from shore, I suddenly became aware of the unmistakable sensation of water sloshing around my feet.
It took me but a few seconds to realize the unthinkable: I was headed out into the river with a boat that was taking on water FAST due to not one - but TWO - missing plugs (which were both sitting in the cup holder right in front of my nose).
Now I am generally not a panic-inclined person as someone who has worked in medical emergency situations as an EMT/First Responder for many years here in VT. But I have to admit, this caught me SO off guard that there was definitely a moment of panic here as I had to figure out FAST what I was going to do (other than run the bilge pump which felt a bit like trying to bail out a bathtub with a teaspoon.)
Thankfully the engine was still able to crank and I turned the boat around as fast as I could and yelled to some kid who was fishing on the shore that I needed his help. At one point I tried to open the engine cover with the idea that I could perhaps somehow reach through the water & install that plug and/or manually bail some water to move things along, but the cover was pretty much suctioned shut due to the amount of water accumulated inside. In fact, when I was able to crack it an inch or so, I noted a gush of water escaping into the cockpit of the boat and decided to leave that water where it was - in the engine compartment - in hopes of maintaining better buoyancy rather hah having it all rush to the stern of the boat.
I threw him the bow leader and asked him to hold the boat while I did my best OJ sprint to get the trailer (remember it was 5-6 minutes away the first time but I cut that down to about 2.5 minutes on the flipflop). I was able to get the trailer backed down the ramp and instructed the kid to pull on the bow line while I jumped in the water and guided the bow of the boat between the trailer guides. Normally I would have used engine power to nudge the boat into position, but for obvious reasons I did not want to try and run the engine at this point.
We were able to maneuver the boat onto the rails pretty fast and this was one time I was INCREDIBLY thankful that I have an electric winch. I inserted the key into the winch, crossed my fingers it would start (first attempt of the year), and also prayed it would have enough juice to pull my 20i and a "boatload" of river water up an out of the drink.
With some coaxing, the winch worked well, and i breathed a huge sigh of relief when I secured the boat to the trailer and pulled up the launch. Passersby had of course gathered to watch (there was no-one else there when I started - OF COURSE - except the kid fishing!) and were amused by the gushing water emanating from both drainage ports.
So, near disaster averted. I was lucky on a few counts, most notably that no one else had oulled down the ramp in the intervening few minutes. Needless to say, don't think I will make THAT mistake again, especially given the sign my son is going to make me for my dash that says "GOT PLUGS?"
BUT, here's my big question: given that I had probably 7" - give or take - of water in the engine cmpt (measured from the very bottom of the compartment) do I need to have my mechanic make sure everything is OK before I head back out? I can tell you that the everything appeared to be working normally as far as electrical (I popped a breaker on the blower but that resolved once the water was drained out). All other electrical was fine. Just not sure what other damage may have occurred that would not reveal itself until I am out next weekend with my good friends the Murphy's.
Thanks for bearing with this pathetic tale and I am grateful for any advice on whether I need to worry about unseen engine damage.
Billy
I'm good to do it at least once a season 
I just take the plug, jump in, and thread it in and then let the bilge do it's thing. Sounds kinda funny, as on a normal outing, we all load them up with 2k of water, we call it ballast, any way 
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