After reading a bunch of threads about plugs, blowers, and bow straps/chains, I feel required to reserve my own spot here for future incidents. I am by no means new to boating. We have had a Whaler 13 Sport for 30 years and I've been taking it out every summer for the last 14, since I was 16.
The problem is, this boat is somewhat idiot proof. It will float in about 4" of water, and forgetting the plug just means you plane around for 5 minutes while the water drains. It is an OB, so blowers were never even mentioned. The hull stick to the bunks like glue, even though it also sits on rollers in the middle, so the bow strap was always removed prior to launch; there isn't even a safety chain to backup the winch. Lastly, the lake I have always gone to is a beach launch and you can end up at least 10' into the water to launch, that is the front bumper of the truck is 10' from shore. It is on a magic tilt trailer, but I never bothered to tilt to launch, always floated because it was easier. Never got stuck, even with 2wd and open diff.
Now that I am looking to get an 18'-21' I/O I am certain to forget the drain plug, the bow chain, the blower among the multitude of SHT to be performed with a less idiot proof boat. Not to mention that now the boat and the tow vehicle are substantially more expensive.
So, this is my space for pictures of sunken boats, boats left on the launch ramp, stuck tow vehicles, and all of you getting mad at me for poor ramp ettiquete.
Cheers!
The problem is, this boat is somewhat idiot proof. It will float in about 4" of water, and forgetting the plug just means you plane around for 5 minutes while the water drains. It is an OB, so blowers were never even mentioned. The hull stick to the bunks like glue, even though it also sits on rollers in the middle, so the bow strap was always removed prior to launch; there isn't even a safety chain to backup the winch. Lastly, the lake I have always gone to is a beach launch and you can end up at least 10' into the water to launch, that is the front bumper of the truck is 10' from shore. It is on a magic tilt trailer, but I never bothered to tilt to launch, always floated because it was easier. Never got stuck, even with 2wd and open diff.
Now that I am looking to get an 18'-21' I/O I am certain to forget the drain plug, the bow chain, the blower among the multitude of SHT to be performed with a less idiot proof boat. Not to mention that now the boat and the tow vehicle are substantially more expensive.
So, this is my space for pictures of sunken boats, boats left on the launch ramp, stuck tow vehicles, and all of you getting mad at me for poor ramp ettiquete.
Cheers!
