Bad Day

[oldboatsal]

Well I decided to go out to the lake today. Hooked the boat up, drove to the dock, and launched. The boat motor would not start, as it was jammed in gear. So after an hour of adjusting, I got the engine to go out of gear. I tried starting the engine but soon found out that the starter died. I pull start it and get the black sooty stuff of the cord all over me. A 6cyl outboard is very hard to pull start! We take off across the lake and hit a stump which knocks off some of the gelcoat. We start fishing and dont even catch a thing. The gas guage broke and we ran out of gas, no problem we had the trolling motor. Next we tie the boat to the dock. Some how the rope comes loose and the boat floats away. So I wade out and bring the boat back to the dock. Trailer the boat fine and get almost all the way home without incident, and BOOM there goes the tire. I pull the boat home on the blown tire and go inside. Days like this make you scared to go boating!

 

[JB]

Re: Bad Day

Howdy, OBS.<br /><br />Some days are like that. But you asked for this one. The boat ramp is not the place to find out if your rig is ready to fish.<br /><br />When I get ready for my first Spring fishing trip, I start the engine (on the hose) and check it out. I also check every piece of gear on the boat before I pull out.<br /><br />From your post on the Trailers Forum, I guessed that you had a small, light boat. That wouldn't be a boat for a 6 cylinder engine.<br /><br />Your 8" trailer tires, and probably the whole trailer are a bad day waiting to happen with a boat big enought for a 6 cylinder engine.<br /><br />Think about this: You bet your life on that trailer every time you pull out of the drive, and on that boat every time you launch.<br /><br />Sorry to lecture you, but I have seen or known too many dead former boaters who didn't take care of their equipment or keep safety at the top of the list.<br /><br />You got lucky this time, you survived.<br /><br />Good luck.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[12Footer]

Re: Bad Day

What J.B. said. And to make matters worse, "stuff happens" out there,even to brand new boats.<br />But the thing is to narrow-down the chances.<br />A bad day of fishing is still better than a good day at the salt mines...At least it is in 12Footerville.

 

[62_Kiwi]

Re: Bad Day

Wow OBS - what a day! At least you got back alive with your boat in one piece (sort of)....<br /><br />The last thing you'll want after a day like that is a lecture - but sorry, I agree with JB.<br /><br />I look at all boat problems as "learning experiences" - so long as I'm lucky enough to survive them and I guess I've been lucky so far in that respect. Any time something goes wrong (or not as I would want it) - it causes me to ask, how can I make sure that doesn't happen again? Take whatever action is required (refer JB's list in your case) and then you've gained something out of the bad experience - so it's not wasted!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Bad Day

We have all had a day or two like that. I like getting the bugs out early in the season too but, I feel for you.<br /><br />At least your laundry list of things to do with the boat is near complete. I am sure you will have fish filled and no incident days ahead.<br /><br />Bob

 

[DJ]

Re: Bad Day

All,<br /><br />The stories are truly; LOL! However, JB, makes good sense-as usual. I've been boating a long time and I've NEVER suffered the following:<br /><br />1. Trailer flat.<br /><br />2. Burnt trailer bearings.<br /><br />3. Out of fuel. (kind of, didn't switch tanks soon enough.)<br /><br />4. Had mechanical failures (other than a sheared pin on the old Rude 3.)<br /><br />But, I've seen it all-I think. My best freind, arrived home three summers ago only to have his his wheels literally fall off his trailer-burnt bearings. Another freind BLEW UP his boat after flicking a cig. butt out the window and having it land in a gas tank tank he forgot to put the lid on. <br /><br />BE CAREFUL OUT THERE!!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Bad Day

yea, there's a million an ten things that can happen... an when none happen it's not by accident...

 

[Spidybot]

Re: Bad Day

No doubt care is essential.<br /><br />Those who THINK seems to eliminate almost all possible risks thus saving a lot of trouble (and money).<br /><br />When watching people boating I sometimes wonder how they survive on plain luck without even appreciating it.

 

[88spl]

Re: Bad Day

Yes we have all had some like that. I remember <br />dad and I went to the lake to do some serious fishing, I say serious because <br />my dad (retired USAF 25yrs) took his lesure time <br />very serious, well after an hours drive to the lake, motor will not start, then battery dead, dads hot by now, then he steps and brakes the eye<br />off his best and only fishing pole ,<br />he then tries to start motor with rope.....no luck......, i was told to get in the truck.<br />About that time he grabbed his beer can and went to finish it off.....(it was the can he had been putting his ciggerett butts in ) I emediatly headed for the truck, did not say a word!

 

[crab bait]

Re: Bad Day

it's human nature for self preservation !

 

[Boatsrule]

Re: Bad Day

When my father and I were working on my first car (1978 Chrysler Cordoba!) He would occasionaly ask me to go inside for a while, He said he needed to talk to the car....<br /><br />hmmmm