2009 260 BR capsized on mooring


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clarkefunk

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We purchased a used 260 BR last year and had a great first week on Lake Tahoe with this boat. Was called by the marina people on Friday and the boat had turtled on the mooring. Weather was moderate with a little rain and none of the other 100's of boats had problems including other 260 BR's. Has anyone else had this problem with these boats? Love the boat just don't want to have to do this again!!
 

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Boat was on a buoy with a new mooring line (can't remember length) with mooring covers in place. The bilge was full when it was removed and on the trailer which is odd as the float switches should work even with the batteries off. They did pump out when I turned them on manually. I just wasn't sure if there was an intrusion issue on these boats somewhere that caused problems??
 
I would think you have a unique incident and the boat probably was in the process of sinking before it turned over. That's how boats usually end up once they get too low in the water.
 
Pumps should still handle leaks. Any video cameras around that might have caught someone driving by and swamping it?
 
Still not back on the water. Boat should be OK. Mercury switch in the rear bilge wasn't working and oddly the front bilge dumps into the rear bilge so a pretty poor design. The bigger bummer is that the Formula Dealer in Lake Tahoe (North Tahoe Marine) wouldn't even look at the boat since it wasn't purchased or stored there. Pretty sure this was a defect and they wanted no part of it. Will probably sell the boat and buy another Cobalt as they seem to be better about standing behind their boats.
 
Boat is being restored and mechanic tells me that there is no power to either bilge when the battery switch is turned off? I am not sure if this is by design or was a manufacturing flaw. I thought that bilges were the only thing that would run with the batteries switched off?
 
clarkefunk said:
Boat is being restored and mechanic tells me that there is no power to either bilge when the battery switch is turned off? I am not sure if this is by design or was a manufacturing flaw. I thought that bilges were the only thing that would run with the batteries switched off?
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Correct. The bilge pump is usually the only thing that is hard-wired to the battery. Been that way on Formulas (and most other boats) for years. Keep in mind that a continual leak will eventually wear out the battery and the leak will prevail.
 
You might need a new mechanic. Even my dinghy bilge pump is hard wired to the battery. AFAIK mooring lines are not unlike anchor lines, scope is king. I am really not sure Formula 260 bowriders are more likely to turtle on a mooring than any other vessel. I like how the Formula floats though.
 
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