RedactedNarrative: Operator advised while cruising he noticed V1 was overheating so he stopped to let the motor cool down for about 30 minutes. He then started the motor and decided to head back to the ramp.  On route while going around the curve at Cutshaw Creek, the motor overheated and died at which time the operator lost steering control.  Operator stated when he lost control, V1 banked, cut hard and struck a cypress tree head on.  
  
  The passenger/victim was sitting in the operator's lap and upon contact with the tree both the operator and passenger were thrown into the front deck with the passenger/victim sliding across and also making contact with the tree and entering the water.  The operator called for help and the passenger/victim was taken by POV to Neighbor's Emergency Center to get checked out.
  
  Damage: The bow eye was pushed in and the surrounding metal bent in.  The impact shifted the motor and fan forward causing the ends of the propeller to protrude through the wire cage.  The muffler was also detached from the stern of V1.  Also upon inspection it was noted the engine coolant reservoir was completely empty - potentially the primary factor for the overheating.
  