No drain plug, now no start

Son took boat out today, forgot to put in drain plug (Glastron 18' open
bow, basic runabout "boat"). Water got deep enough to fill ski locker
and run onto floor before noticing; I figure it was pretty deep in the
engine bay.

After draining water he said the boat would not start. When I first saw
it the starter would click but the engine would not turn over. Jumped it
from another boat - no difference. Installed new battery - no difference.

A few hours later tried to start in the driveway (with hose attached).
Nothing. No click, no sound, nothing. The stern drive goes up and down
as well as ever, leading me to think the battery is fully charged with a
good connection.

What would be wrong with it? My guess (FWIW) is, the starter was
underwater and (I'm guessing this from reading diagnostics from a shop
manual) the starter relay is dead.

1. Does this sound right?
2. How to test?
3. If "dead", is it likely to dry out and start working or should I just
plan to get another one?

[Note: pulled this over from rec.boats - there's no boat activity over
there!]

Thanks,

Terry

It sounds like - if its not too obvious - you are not getting power to the
starter - you are probably right, probably a relay - mine are $ 6 so ..
replace it !
Put power directly to the solenoid and see what you get.

"T" <notthaywood DeleteThis @chartertn.net> wrote in message
news:MgOOe.10366$1g2.9069@fe05.lga...
>
> Son took boat out today, forgot to put in drain plug (Glastron 18' open
> bow, basic runabout "boat"). Water got deep enough to fill ski locker and
> run onto floor before noticing; I figure it was pretty deep in the engine
> bay.
>
> After draining water he said the boat would not start. When I first saw it
> the starter would click but the engine would not turn over. Jumped it from
> another boat - no difference. Installed new battery - no difference.
>
> A few hours later tried to start in the driveway (with hose attached).
> Nothing. No click, no sound, nothing. The stern drive goes up and down as
> well as ever, leading me to think the battery is fully charged with a good
> connection.
>
> What would be wrong with it? My guess (FWIW) is, the starter was
> underwater and (I'm guessing this from reading diagnostics from a shop
> manual) the starter relay is dead.
>
> 1. Does this sound right?
> 2. How to test?
> 3. If "dead", is it likely to dry out and start working or should I just
> plan to get another one?
>
> [Note: pulled this over from rec.boats - there's no boat activity over
> there!]
>
> Thanks,
>
> Terry