Riding in boats is one of the most popular American activities in the summer months. People purchase and rent them in all sizes and shapes. They may cost as little as several hundred dollars for small metal boats used for fishing or rowing, and as costly as millions of dollars the upper income people will spend on their elegant yachts. Besides acquiring a leak and sinking a small aluminum boat, there is not much water damage that might be done to the inside of one of these. The much more costly house boats, cabin cruisers and yachts are an entirely different story.

When these larger boats are in good shape they are so enjoyable to ride up and down the waterways in. Many people go out in them almost year round. When they are not being used, they usually always stay docked in a boat slip in a marina somewhere. Cautious boat users will check over their boats thoroughly before they are left to remain in a boat dock, many times for weeks or months before they are used again. Of course, the people who drive the really big yachts probably engage someone to do this for them, but most boat owners will probably do it themselves.

Even when a boat shows no sign of leaking as it is docked in the slot, many times due to very rough rain and wind events, boats may be rocked mercilessly to and fro in the mooring slot. This can cause it to be punctured, or when enough water gets into the boat, it can become submerged right there in the slip. Usually the water in the mooring spot will not be that deep and sometimes only one side or end of the boat will go under water leaving the other side or end unharmed. Either way it is disastrous.

Smaller boats, such as fiberglass fishing boats or pontoon boats may not develop irreparable water damage to the boat's interior. Often times the water logged motor may be rebuilt. Almost all boat owners will have insurance and it should cover the cost for a boat to be raised and the repair amount, if it is not completely totaled.

Larger boats like yachts, cabin cruisers, or house boats usually have many things such as wood, appliances, electronics and other items that when subjected to water damage and could be not logical to try and save. In the majority of events when a boat is extensively damaged will likely be written off and the owner will get a new boat. When weather is the cause for damage in many boat sinking situations, there is very little that can be done to prevent this except putting the boat in dry dock for the time it is not being used.