CalicoKid
Lieutenant Commander
- Joined
- May 27, 2002
- Messages
- 1,599
My first boat was (and still is) an old fiberglass fishing boat built not far from here equipped with a 1959 Sea horse 10hp. First time out a friend and I got way down the river from home when the untested motor started to sputter and died. Started up, died. Started up, died. We found the motor would run for 20 sec. at a time and had to time the 13 mph drag race across the channel-lane so that we wouldn't die in the path of any of the 80 mph bass boats or 600 hp Scarabs using it. Took the rest of the day to get home and about 20 minutes to clean the crud out of my 40 year old gas tank. Dirt burns not good.<br /> Next time out, got further away than last when the same thing happened. This time we learned that by pumping the ball on the fuel line we could keep the motor going about half throttle. Got home and learned that an old motor with no fuel pump needs a perfectly sealed tank to get fuel pressure.<br /> Weeks later called friend to go try fishing again (still hadn't casted a bait). He'd have nothing to do with that old boat. Learned who my friends are. Called another friend who sat and watched as my shift linkage fell apart inside the shaft housing leaving us with reverse only. Reversed all the way to the nearest bait shop to call for friend number one to bring me my truck (which he did). Remembered trolling motor and trolled over to landing which finished off old car battery. Learned: Stuff happens, Don't judge your friends too quickly, car batteries are not made for trolling, and you get what you pay for (my rig cost 100 bucks).<br /> Next weekend I headed for the same Bermuda Triangle that always sucks me in with a little lady luck in the form of a little sister and a wife. Also armed with a brand new set of oars. Got out there, motor died, no tools. Asked old man on the shore for a rusty plyers to get plugs out. No spark on one Cyl. We took turns rowing and saying "row faster" for the next 3 hours till home. Learned I had a bad coil, learned my little sister isn't so little and that when side-by-side rowing the boat always made a large arc in my direction because of her stronger arms. Learned that my wife was going to make a fine copilot after keeping cool through the afternoon.<br /> Next week out, stayed within a few hundred feet of home, left motor home, took the ladies down the canal under oar power to a good spot. Baited thier hooks and took off thier blugills till it got dark out. Learned that persistance pays. Motors don't catch fish. A broken boat is better than no boat.
<br /><br />That's why she keeps putting a few $$$ into the boat account!