how much snow will sink it?

[dtdsail]

We live in Arkansas and usually don't get as much snow as is falling right now. We have 5.5 inches on the ground and it's still coming down hard. Is it possible to accumulate enough snow to force the drain cockpit below the waterline? If so, how much do you think it would take? We live 35 miles away from the boat, marina is closed, and we're snowed in. Please don't panic us...just the facts.....?

 

[Stu Jackson]

What kind of cockpit drains do you have? If they're the vertical thru hull type at the forward end of the cockpit, they're pretty high off the water. If you have the holes in the transom type, also not a problem since even if water gets in, it's not making the boat any heavier and the small bridgedeck between the cockpit sole and the bottom of the hatchboards gives you extra leeway. It'd have to snow more than triple what you have and also be a wet and super heavy snow to push your boat down far enough for any damage. Got anyone you know closer to the lake?

 

[Bilbo]

If you have the swing keel, it is the depth of the boat relative to the keel cable hose. If the waterline is above that, the boat's going to sink.
I would say that you could fill the cockpit with snow and she'd float fine.

 

[dtdsail]

Thanks so much; I'll sleep better tonight and so will my wife! Also...it's almost stopped snowing!

 

[Too Late Now]

I live just south of you around Shreveport and when we got that snow I went out the next day to check on the boat. My boat was fine but the South Coast that was berthed close to me had sunk under just five inches of snow. It's still sitting on the bottom.

 

[Bilbo]

.......... the South Coast that was berthed close to me had sunk under just five inches of snow. It's still sitting on the bottom.

One question that I'd ask would be, did the snow sink the boat OR was there some other contributing factor such as clogged scuppers and a waterlogged cabin/cockpit or possibly some sort of leak in the hull? Perhaps the the accumulated weight of years of a for sale sign on the owner?

I just read on another form an account of a C 27 owner in Maryland area who said that the snowfall that was in the 17" to 24" amount back in early Feb. lowered his boat about 3" in the water. He also reported that a few boats in the immediate area had sunk.

If one were to estimate the weight of 5" of snow at about 10 lbs. -This a slightly on the wet side estimate because and a loose estimate of about 77 sq ft of surface area for a Catalina 22. Then this would put the approximate weight of 5" of snow blanketing this type of boat at ~770 lbs. The displacement of a Catalina is about 1943 lbs. - 2643 lbs.. I've hauled 6 adults, two children, and two dogs....about 1200-1500 pounds of passengers at one time without sinking the boat.

 

[Too Late Now]

Sunken Southcoast

I suspect the snow alone didn't sink it since this boat has been sitting there for years and I've never seen a soul touch it. Was probably already full of water and just needed the nudge.