Yachting and Boating World forums: Submerged starter

My new starter submerged... sob sob.
For a rounded picture of my bank holiday weekend first read my previous post.
Got on the boat to find 12" of water sloshing around. Pumped out.(using domestic batteries).. where did all that oil come from?? Tried the starter which had been well and truly submerged.. no go of course. Removed starter and tested on deck.. feeble attempt by toothed wheel to fly up shaft, stripped starter cleaned brushes and contacts, put in oven for an hour, rebuilt and tested, still seemed weak.
dug out trusty B&Q genny charged battery for 8 hours and also the domestic bank another 8 hours ( 3 cheers for the cheapo genny lobby) I was cleaning the bilges for that 16 hours ( and looking for the leak)
Still no real thrust from the starter so decided to bring it home.
Havn't found the leak !! but I suspect that I turned the raw water sea cock on rather than off ( how? thats another story!!)
and there is a slight drip at the heat exchanger.
Questions... will my starter be salvagable if proffesionally stripped and dried?
How do you really test the thrust on a starter (4108 engine)
Bearing in mindthat the harbour launch patrols the moored boat would a low voltage ( flashing LED?) water level alarm be of value?
I will go back to threads about warnings via your mobile and see what I can set up but possibly the above would be a simple low tech solution.
I hope the rest of you had a good bank holiday!!
Regards

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