Felt like a Newbie ...

[aspeck]

Decided to go for a little cruise yesterday afternoon. Since it was Labor Day we waited till 4 PM to get to the ram ... usually most of the campers and travelers are gone by then. YIKES! Boats were stacked up to come in off the lake and the parking lot was almost filled to capacity.

With the long lines waiting to pull their boats out of the water, I put a little more kick in my step in getting the boat ready, not realizing that I had not given my wife enough time to get the back tie-down strap off the boat. :redface:. Yep, I sit there in the water trying to back off the trailer, and the boat just will not go! YIKES.

When I realized what was going on and had to pull out to undo the strap I really felt like a jerk! Pulled out and around so as not to take up any more time at the ramp and let others go ... of course that put me at the end of the cue again and another wait for the ramp. Almost the most embarrassing time at the ramp ever. Got out on the water and all the cares and embarrassment faded away. Nice to be cruising ... great ending to a busy, but good, weekend!

 

[dozerII]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

It never fails when there is lots of people around it is even harder to stick to ones routine for launching and retrieving. "OH" and Murphy's law comes in there somewhere as well.
Glen

 

[rndn]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

There is nothing like being on the water to cure your day. I have also done that once, but it took several tries before I realized I had left the straps on the transom. Of course the ramp was busy for me as well.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

Back the end of March I was removing the rear straps and transom saver and got distracted by my buddy. He goes to back me in and for some reason it's hanging on the trailer and now floating across the side runner. It was somewhat cool that morning and I was trying to reach the release for the starboard back strap. Finally I have him swing me back around with the net and he pulls me out. Undo the strap and off we go to sling a lizard at spawning bass.

I won't go into how many times I've forgotten to put the plug in. Only realized it after taking off and sitting down on the first hole once. That was also the day my prop shaft sheared several miles from the ramp...lucky for me I had the plug in by then.

 

[Jarrod B]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

Forgot the plug once also. Easy trick to stop that. Tie the plug to the key if you remove it. That way you never forget to put it back in.

 

['96 Charger]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

Forgot the plug once also. Easy trick to stop that. Tie the plug to the key if you remove it. That way you never forget to put it back in.

The float my key is on says..."Is the plug in?" Great tip though.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

Don't feel bad. Happens to us all at sometime.
Did you read my "Where are the keys" thread :redface::redface:

 

[dlindeblad]

Re: Felt like a Newbie ...

At least you did not yell at the wife. I did at my son for not being able to pull our boat off the trailer while launching. Come to find out I forgot the rear ratchet strap. Won #1 Dad of the year and ate come crow.