Owner/Operator of Vessel #1 reported a collision with a submerged object in Turkeyfoot Channel at Portage Lakes State Park during the first trip of 2012.  Owner/Operator submitted a BAR to the State of Ohio and the Insurance Company.
Further investigation included speaking with the owner/Operator, his mechanic, and inspecting the outboard motor revealing that the power head gasket on one cylinder was leaking for some time; wiring for the engine overheat alarm was faulty by corrosion causing engine to overheat and fail without warning to Operator.  Engine siezed up and is no longer operable.  Cooling water was observed being discharged prior to engine failure.
New Franklin Township         