Yesterday was a good and bad day out on the river. I took the wife out with me to fish a little and then the plan was for her to watch as I did a couple of dives, well that was the plan lol.
We caught a few good fish, she out fished me and caught a couple of really good catfish. Then as we were heading towards one of my dive spots we came up on an older couple who were stuck on a very shallow rocky area (this area of the river is anywhere between 3 feet to 2 inches deep and very rocky for about a 1/4 mile). They were fishing and didn't pay attention and got stuck, usually they power through there with their jet o/b no problems. I got out and pushed/pulled them out. I mention this because they come into play in this long story later lol. We then continued on for about five miles down river.
I decided to show the wife an area where there is an eagle nest before my diving. We then leave and go to my diving sight. FIRST PROBLEM of our day happens. The handle pops out of the TM (like others on here have experienced, Minn Kota endura maxx 55) for the first time. It happened at the worse time (was dodging some rocks and getting away from a sand bar). Luckily it popped back in ok. Then 30 minutes later happened again but this time it snapped back in like it was new.
Going to have to check it out tomorrow.
Then we stop at an island for a quick walk around to see what was there. Then we headed back upstream towards my dive site and the SECOND PROBLEM happen about 1/2 mile away from the island. We lost total power. Battery charge was still showing 2 bars on the TM. The prop was not spinning. I took it apart and found out a) the pin in the prop shaft broke and b) I did not bring my spare one!!! So here we are about 4 1/2 miles down river, no spare pin, no cell coverage to call anyone, and nobody else out on the river and no houses until about 3 miles up river and a semi-fast current. I tried rowing but could not make any progress against the current. So I had to wade and pull the boat. Thankfully the river was shallow by the banks. Long story short (well a little short), after about 3 hours of pulling/wading (about 3 miles or so, and the wife riding in the boat most of the way lol) and cussing myself for not bringing those spare parts, we came upon the older couple's camp site (they help run and rent a camp site for their RV for about 7 months a year). They yelled for us to come over. So we did, and the lady drove the wife to our truck at the boat ramp so she can get our truck and load the boat there. The guy was also a veteran like me, so we hit it off really good. Got the boat loaded up and we sat around for about 3 hours BS'ing. They offered us a spot that has about 100 ft water frontage for $20 a month (and electrical) for 7 months a year (the owner hunts the property during the off season so nobody stays there for about 5 months a year). An awesome deal because it usually goes for $100 a month or even more. They said we saved them because they could not have gotten out without us and nobody else would help them, then they saved us from another hour or two of pulling the boat. VERY NICE PEOPLE.
MORALE/LESSONS of this long winded story: A) Always carry backup/spare parts. B) If you are going to a remote or semi-remote area where there are very few people have a portable radio to call for assistance if needed (I have one but lent it to my brother in-law, and I figure we could wade the majority of the trip back if something happened) C) ALWAYS help other people out on the water (I mention this for the rant to follow after this), D) Make sure you are in good physical condition to be able to self rescue if need be (I am in decent shape, but have had neck surgery/fusions so pulling the boat was not fun and the wife is not in great health...) and E) Bring sun screen because I am burnt up lol.
Even though we had these issues, we enjoyed the fishing and being out on the water. Also, we met two new friends and will be enjoying their company!
RANT: We had one boat pass us about 1/2 mile from the campsite. I was pulling the boat and he stopped a few yards away and asked if we broke down, I said yes and what the issue was. He said "sorry about your luck" and took off. Now don't get me wrong, I did not expect help or a pull for a half mile but that was BS. I always help others whenever I can especially out there on the river (I have pulled others for miles in my other boat and have given rides back to the ramp in this Mariner4 because of course I can't pull with it lol). I was taught when I first started boating that you always help others out there on the water or at least send help if you couldn't help. I told the our new friends about this and they said he is an a_^%*&^ and come flying through that area and almost swamped a couple of kayakers.
Sorry for the long post. This adventure was only supposed to last from 6am to about 1pm but lasted until about 7pm. Thankfully I told the inlaws our "boating plan" and estimated time return (I told them to get our other boat and come looking after 6pm but called from the camp site).
Tomorrow I will start working on the issues!
