I have a Beneteau 39 Oceanis that has been on the bottom in 3 feet of water for 14 days. The keel is separated (as in ripped off) from the boat and it has seawater inside. We plan to raise the vessel by patching the holes in the hull (any comments on the best way to do this?) and pumping the water out. There is a crack in the starboard side of the hull. The mast is intact - Do we need to drop the mast before floating or does the vessel still have righting moment to stay up? The engine issues are large as it is submerged. What is the best way to save an engine once it is out of seawater?
On the Bottom
- Thread starter Rummur
- Start date
Not an engineer but common sense tells me the keel keeps the mast from turning the boat over. Just curious how did the keel come off?
My guess is that the mast must be unstepped.
As far as saving the engine goes... do not attempt to rotate the engine!
Once engine is above water remove fuel injectors and attempt to syphon seawater, if any, out of cylinders. Fill cylinders with engine oil. Do not replace injectors.
Drain oil (and seawater) from crankcase and replace oil filter. Refill w/engine oil and then attempt to turn engine in DR by hand to distribute oil and displace any seawater in oil lines and passages in engine.
Of course the fuel sys will have to be purged of seawater.
Seawater will etch (corrode) cylinder walls, pistons and bearings and a complete rebuild is probably needed. However, I have seen a diesel engine that was submerged in fresh water, run after it was treated as above. So an attempt to run the engine is not out of the question.
Good luck with your rescue.
As far as saving the engine goes... do not attempt to rotate the engine!
Once engine is above water remove fuel injectors and attempt to syphon seawater, if any, out of cylinders. Fill cylinders with engine oil. Do not replace injectors.
Drain oil (and seawater) from crankcase and replace oil filter. Refill w/engine oil and then attempt to turn engine in DR by hand to distribute oil and displace any seawater in oil lines and passages in engine.
Of course the fuel sys will have to be purged of seawater.
Seawater will etch (corrode) cylinder walls, pistons and bearings and a complete rebuild is probably needed. However, I have seen a diesel engine that was submerged in fresh water, run after it was treated as above. So an attempt to run the engine is not out of the question.
Good luck with your rescue.