disgruntled CC25 owner

[92 feet down]

This site seems like quite the Carolina Classic stroke-fest. Well, I have a gripe. We used to own a CC25 w/ Volvo KAMD43. On a trip one fateful day this past July it sank. The cause... the bolts that hold the outdrive to the hull snapped, causing water to come POURING in the gaping hole in the stern of the boat. The insurance investigators determined that the bolts that snapped should've been stainless steel, but weren't.

It sank 19 miles off the coast of Ocean City, MD. I used to think CC boats were great, now I think they're junk, just like ours is now.

[Guest]

This sounds like a serious safety issue, especially for those taking the boat out in cold water.

[Capt B]

Was this boat repowered or was this the original engine and outdrive that was installed? There seem to be a lot or unanswered questions before we start slamming CC. Has anyone from CC responded to the insurance company findings?

[Johnnys Boat Sank]

Was this boat repowered or was this the original engine and outdrive that was installed? There seem to be a lot or unanswered questions before we start slamming CC. Has anyone from CC responded to the insurance company findings?

This boat was not repowered, both the engine and outdrive were original, and the props were well maintained throughout the life of the boat. CC originally told us that the only other time they had heard of this happening was due to excessive vibration from improperly maintained props - this was definitely not the case here. We have not heard from them since (which was well before the insurance finding was released). The boat was originally purchased in 1999, I believe, and those bolts were not replaced since then (to my knowledge anyway - I was only a crewmember, not the owner).

This IS a very serious safety issue, and I would implore every CC boat owner to have their boat checked. We were lucky that no one was hurt, but we were just that - lucky (well, lucky and grateful for the CG and CG Auxilliary that helped us that day).

Despite my erstwhile crewmate's angrier tone, I will not cast blame at anyone right now (although it would seem at first glance that CC and Volvo have to be the primary suspects), but rather I want to warn everyone that has one of these boats about a potentially very serious defect. It was very scary jumping into the ocean that day and very sad watching the boat go down. I hope no one else has to go through that.

[Guest]

We bought the boat brand spaking new in the summer of 1999. The dealer, the manufacturor, & Volvo were anything but helpful to us. There are a lot of unanswered questions.

[backman]

Coast Guard accident report?

Is there a link to a USCG incident report we can read?

[Johnnys Boat Sank]

Re: Coast Guard accident report?

Is there a link to a USCG incident report we can read?

I'll check on that for you, but I'm pretty sure it's not on-line anywhere. I'll try to get at least the incident report number, but I'm not sure that they will release it to anyone except the boat owner.

[92 feet down]

None that I know of. Do the post those online?

[Guest]

What did we hit???

[92 feet down]

We didn't hit anything. That's the point!
First of all, we we travelling at 23kts, if we hit something we woud've heard a sound & felt a jolt. We didn't. Second, the insurance company had experts check out the outdrive and hull. There were no indications of us ever hitting anything. The conclusion of the insurance company was that the bolts were not made of the proper material. They rusted out and eventually snapped.

I hope the same happens to your CC. We'll see how much of a smart-arse you are then.

[Johnnys Boat Sank]

Definitely hit nothing. The boat was raised and salvaged by Erie Insurance. There was no damage to the hull or any other signs of impact whatsoever. Just the failed bolts.

Again, I would implore every CC owner to check their own bolts to do everything possible to avoid the same fate as we had.

[lowprofile]

Very Sorry About Your Boat. Glad all were OK.

I was told by the Volvo Penta service guy to check these studs on my 1997 28 when I buying parts. He said they were studs installed in the transom shield by Volvo Penta and needed checking. I don't know if this is correct or not, I removed some of them and they were fine. It sounds like someone knew something could be a problem.
I have a friend that is a machinest and he is fabricating me four stainless clamp blocks the shape of the exterior transom shield for each drive that will be thru bolted with stainless bolts and 5200. Better safe than wet or worse.

Again Sorry
Brian

[Johnnys Boat Sank]

Very Sorry About Your Boat. Glad all were OK.

I was told by the Volvo Penta service guy to check these studs on my 1997 28 when I buying parts. He said they were studs installed in the transom shield by Volvo Penta and needed checking. I don't know if this is correct or not, I removed some of them and they were fine. It sounds like someone knew something could be a problem.
I have a friend that is a machinest and he is fabricating me four stainless clamp blocks the shape of the exterior transom shield for each drive that will be thru bolted with stainless bolts and 5200. Better safe than wet or worse.

Again Sorry
Brian

Thanks for your concern. I'm not real mechanically inclined myself so I don't know if you're talking about the same bolts or not, but that sounds like a prudent plan. I wish we had a mechanic give us a "heads up" on this problem beforehand.

[Capt B]

Having never owned anything but a straight inboard, I'm not aware if the outdrive manufacturer, the engine manufacturer (I guess they were both Volvo) or the boat manufacturer usually provides those bolts. A few things seem very clear
1) It was a very unfortunate situation - regarless of whose fault it was
2) Thankfully no one was injured, although I'm sure it was a death defying tragedy no one would ever want to experience
3) There definitely seems to be a problem with these bolts, and everyone with I/O's better check their units
4) Virtually everyone on this site is very supportive of Carolina Classic and it's management. Personnally, Mac and Keith have spent hours with me on the telephone during my recent repower, and I purhcased my CC used. No other mass produced manufaturer supports their clients in that manner. They have always taken the time to go the extra mile, and I'm sure your situation will be resolved once the source of the problem is identified.

[92 feet down]

Thanks, Capt B. This has been a very frustrating & upsetting time for our family. However, our experience with CC has been far different from yours.

BTW, I was airlifted to shore by the USCG because of an injury that occurred during the ensuing mayhem.