RedactedNarrative: V1 plowing southbound in shallow water. V1 operator felt prop dragging, came off plane. V1 began taking water at stern, rolled to starboard and flooded.
  
   OPERATOR1 stated that he had recently purchased the vessel (7/16/19). His inexperience navigating the local waterways and entering shallow water were factors. The vessel was found 300 yds outside the Marler Bayou entrance. His intent was to return the vessel to Joe's Bayou, the next bayou east of this location. 
  
  The vessel would be 'bow high' (plowing, rather than on full plane) with the weight on the stern. OPERATOR1 estimated his engine speed at 1500rpm. The skeg mark left behind on the sand bottom indicated the main engine's lower unit dragging. The stopping of the vessel after a soft grounding may have caused a breach of water over the low transom. 
  
  The 21" transom had no splash panel to prevent water intrusion over the stern. When the engine was placed into reverse, this may have caused additional water to splash over the transom into the vessel, causing flooding. The weight of the two engines lowered the vessel's transom height. OPERATOR1's lack of knowledge of the five console switches, combined with his limited knowledge of the condition of the Lowe vessel's installed live well and bilge pump systems, were factors in flooding the vessel.
  