BASE ON OWNER'S STATEMENTS AND MY OBSERVATION OF THE BOAT, THE BOAT STARTED SINKING WHILE AT ANCHOR IN THE BACK OF THE COVE DUE TO THE RUBBER BOOT AROUND THE OUTDRIVE DRY ROTTED AND CRACKED LETTING WATER INTO THE HULL.  THERE WAS NO DAMAGE ON BOAT INDICATING THAT IT HAD STRUCK ANYTHING.  THE BOOT HAD A LARGE CRACK IN IT ,AND UPON INSPECTION THE BOOT FELL APART IN MY HAND BECAUSE IT WAS SO ROTTEN.  GIRLFRIEND WENT IN THE CABIN AND FOUND WATER ALREADY DEEP IN THE CABIN.  operator STARTED THE BOAT AND WAS ONLY ABLE TO MAKE IT A SHORT DISTANCE( APPRX. 50 YARDS) BEFORE THE MOTOR DROWNED OUT.  HE THEN AND TO JUMP IN THE WATER AND PULL THE BOAT TO SHORE BY SWIMMING IT THE REST OF THE WAY IN.
MT JULIET                     