Sunk in a fathom

[PotomacDaysailer]

This Catalina 25, a rental boat, hit a snag at low tide on his way back in, filled and sank in 5 or 6 feet (at a guess) before he could get all the way back to the dock. The boat was raised and hauled out the same evening this picture was taken. Some pretty severe damage to the swing keel and fiberglass but she'll sail again. I was going to take this boat to take out myself, ended up taking a Catalina 22 out instead.

 

[Paul Brinkley]

??? Ok, why did it fill? Was it holed? -Paul

 

[PotomacDaysailer]

??? Ok, why did it fill? Was it holed? -Paul

I didn't get the whole story, but apparently, yes, it was holed. She didn't have to settle much before she was aground and couldn't make it any further in. There is only about 4 or 5 feet of water inside the breakwater at this marina (Leesylvania State Park, Virginia, on the Potomac) at low tide, maybe another foot and a half or two feet at high tide.

 

[Freedom77]

I used to have a bumper sticker on my van that said, "A collision at sea can ruin your day." What a terrible thing to happen. Apparently no one was hurt. Fair winds...

 

[XPatriot]

I hope they took the optional insurance!!!

 

[JVB]

Have you ever thought about what you would do if your boat sank in the area you normally sail ? My home lake is 150 feet deep in places and has trees on the bottom. I think it would be difficult to locate a sunken boat much less retrieve it. The most helpful thing might be a float on a rope attached to the boat.

 

[Chilidog]

So by "hit a snag" you mean he struck a sunken log?