Sink factor?

[ORION '95 Speedster]

How sinkable are the Speedsters? If they flip over, they are supposed to float, according to the manual. If they get a hole in the hull, or get split in half, do they float? Considering a lifeboat backup. Needed? I live in an area where the water will kill you in 15 minutes life vest or not.

 

[ohtenwillys]

How sinkable are the Speedsters? If they flip over, they are supposed to float, according to the manual. If they get a hole in the hull, or get split in half, do they float? Considering a lifeboat backup. Needed? I live in an area where the water will kill you in 15 minutes life vest or not.

Well, its no Boston Whaler haha. Maybe fill up the hull with foam?

 

[utah997]

I'm not an expert, but damn man.. you'd have to be doing some crazy crap to flip a speedster. (unless you are in the open ocean) Just my .02

 

[ohtenwillys]

I'm not an expert, but damn man.. you'd have to be doing some crazy crap to flip a speedster. (unless you are in the open ocean) Just my .02

Maybe he's prepping for an Atlantic crossing... ha

 

[howie099]

If you flip the boat I would worry that the boat hitting you would kill you. I don't know anyone who has flipped them over to see if they still float but they are not as sealed a ski so I think a lot of it would be under water and damage. The hull would have some air in it but I wouldn't want to try it out.

 

[utah997]

If you flip the boat I would worry that the boat hitting you would kill you. I don't know anyone who has flipped them over to see if they still float but they are not as sealed a ski so I think a lot of it would be under water and damage. The hull would have some air in it but I wouldn't want to try it out.

Plus, I don't even know how you would go about flipping it back over? I mean, it's a small boat.. but still a boat!

 

[howie099]

I don't think you could flip it over on the water unless you got to shore with it. It is just to heavy they are like a 1000Lbs or so.

 

[utah997]

I don't think you could flip it over on the water unless you got to shore with it. It is just to heavy they are like a 1000Lbs or so.

Even heavier.. I have a '98, and I was reading in the manual that it's something like 1,500lbs?

 

[Dr Honda]

These hulls are not full of flotation. SO... they will sink.

Make sure you have a good working bilge pump... and that your syphon system is clear. (if your boat has it) AND... as per USCG regs require... make sure you have a life jacket for everyone on board.

 

[ialonso]

I have not heard of one flipping over or sinking, but the fact that they are inboard and have holes under the water line make it on principle more prone to sinking that say, an outboard.

By law in the US all boats under 20ft will remain afloat when filled with water. Whether they stay upright is another matter. (https://books.google.com/books?id=N...when full of water mandatory buoyancy&f=false)

I would not trust my life to this fact.

I would go above and beyond with adding a Bilge alarm and additional significant Bilge Pump power if I was in your situation. In 15 minutes, not sure how quickly you can deploy a life saving raft, or how much such a thing would weigh. If it exists and it's light, and it gives you piece of mind, might be worth it.

I have a dash light and very high frequency beep alarm that alerts me if the bilge float I added ever trips. It warned me once when the exhaust sprung a leak. I have it wired to turn on the 2 bilge pumps (added an Attwood 2000GPH pump no longer being manufactured, with a dedicated thru hull that throws water to the driver side, so I can see the flow while I'm driving if there is any) I can hear the high pitched tone at any speed.

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

It sounds like you have a very good setup. Sounds good. I will have to get an alarm for sure, and maybe some of those other items as well. I like the visual water discharge idea. Yep... Im doing it all. Cool ideas man.

 

[ialonso]

I like multiples, so if one fails, the other still saves you...
I'm partial to low draw, so they can run longer on the same charge. Something like this:
http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|51|2234226|2234229&id=1159977

BUT the gold standard in consumer bilge is RULE.
http://store.waterpumpsupply.com/ru12vodcnobi.html

I've been happy with my Attwood addition, but Rule certainly has better reputation.

You need to match the diameter of the thru hull size to the hose, and that to the pump outlet. going smaller will reduce the flow. Use a hose that is smooth and not corrugated on the inside for greater flow.

The alarm and float switch have given me great piece of mind and probably saved me from water ingestion when I had the exhaust leak. I think this should be a standard option on every boat. They beep when the engine is hot...how about when I'm sinking??

 

[ORION '95 Speedster]

I think that most manufacturers avoid making the machine "too perfect". A bilge alarm would cost the manufacturer $5 each, plus they would lose huge profits on replacement motors and new boat sales. Why do cars continue to operate when the oil/water/trans fluid is low? So they will be severely damaged, and the car will need major repair or replacement. How about this: Trans fluid is low >>> Activate 60 second shutdown alarm, with steadily decreasing engine power. Its going to stop anyway, at least this way you know exactly how much time you have left to pull over, and when it does stop, all it needs is trans fluid rather than a $3500 transmission.