I just got back home from being towed in after catching fire while riding.
It's our first trip out this summer, new baby and all, just getting the chance. We left the dock, it seemed to be acting funny. Would hit 6-7k rpms but only doing about 10mph. I thought it'd kick in any minute. It wasn't. I killed the motor. Gave it a second, then tried to start her back up. (This is about maybe 1000 feet from the docks. Not like I was running on it for any sort of distance.) When I tried starting it back up, I noticed white smoke billowing from the vents over the battery compartment. Leaned over that seat to see the smoke and melted my hand when I touch the battery compartment cover. It was hot. I immediately told everyone to jump off the boat, as this is dangerously close to the gas tank/lines. I grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed it in through the vents. We let it sit about 10-20 minutes to make sure the fire was out (while we had safely swam ashore). Then I went back to look at the damage. It obviously wasn't starting back up so I started the claims process and got a tow back. I'm back at the house now and these are the pics of the damage. I didn't post any of the actual engine compartment because (other than the residual fire extinguisher powder) it looks fine. All the damage is in the battery compartment. Any clue as to what happened? I of course had insurance and am going that route, but until that gets taken care of, I'd love to know you guys' input.
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It's our first trip out this summer, new baby and all, just getting the chance. We left the dock, it seemed to be acting funny. Would hit 6-7k rpms but only doing about 10mph. I thought it'd kick in any minute. It wasn't. I killed the motor. Gave it a second, then tried to start her back up. (This is about maybe 1000 feet from the docks. Not like I was running on it for any sort of distance.) When I tried starting it back up, I noticed white smoke billowing from the vents over the battery compartment. Leaned over that seat to see the smoke and melted my hand when I touch the battery compartment cover. It was hot. I immediately told everyone to jump off the boat, as this is dangerously close to the gas tank/lines. I grabbed the fire extinguisher and sprayed it in through the vents. We let it sit about 10-20 minutes to make sure the fire was out (while we had safely swam ashore). Then I went back to look at the damage. It obviously wasn't starting back up so I started the claims process and got a tow back. I'm back at the house now and these are the pics of the damage. I didn't post any of the actual engine compartment because (other than the residual fire extinguisher powder) it looks fine. All the damage is in the battery compartment. Any clue as to what happened? I of course had insurance and am going that route, but until that gets taken care of, I'd love to know you guys' input.