Michigan rescue mission.....

[classiccat]

Like a BOSS!

 

[oscarvan]

Don't make any sharp turns. It looks like stern is close to the van.

Got something red or lights hanging off the boat trailer tongue?

I'm less than 4 feet over on the stern....... Don't tailgate! I took the swim ladder off and verified that I can turn well enough.....

And, for the AHA! moment of the day..... I've had 5000 pound cars on there..... I have a pretty good idea of what my cargo weighs... And this one just didn't add up.... 1600 for the boat, 600 for the trailer, some lumber.... Let's be generous and say 3000 pounds. Well, it felt like more. Then it dawned own me. There was water in the bilge.... I never quite ascertained how much. So..... at 10 at night in a sparsely populated rest area, headlight on my head, I took a modified gallon water bottle and a five gallon bucket and started scooping.......and scooping......and scooping...... 13 buckets....

Lets do the math here... 13x5 = 65 gallons x 8.3 ppg = well lookie there..... 500 pounds!

We move on.

 

[Watermann]

I don't know how you drug that boat and trailer up on there like that by yourself but it all looks road worthy :thumb:

 

[garbageguy]

Great rescue underway! Looks like a great adventure, thanks for sharing. I don't get the water in the bilge - wouldn't drain?

 

[GA_Boater]

Usually we say don't forget the plug. In this case, forget the plug. LOL

Pull it and more may drain out as it sloshes during braking and speeding up.

 

[oscarvan]

Is there a plug on this model? Didn't see one.... will have to look again tomorrow. BTW, losing 500 pounds made a notable difference, and the mpg went up by .7 I'm sniffing 9 now! (The Twin Turbo 3.5 Eco Transit pulls like a dream, but boy is it thirsty)

Nap time at Wallymart.

 

[GA_Boater]

There is a plug. I think on yours it's slightly to starboard of the deepest part of the vee, under the drive.

 

[garbageguy]

I didn't want to say plug, but ya, there's gotta be one. I've never had that exact boat model, but there's gotta be...

 

[oscarvan]

Got a needed good night's sleep in a Wallymart parking lot in Lansing MI. After I have some coffee I'll do my walkaround and find said plug!

 

[classiccat]

Got a needed good night's sleep in a Wallymart parking lot in Lansing MI. After I have some coffee I'll do my walkaround and find said plug!

We understand the challenge of holding back the involuntary regurgitation reflex when looking at the W.L.O.D.
uke:

You're gonna have to fight back the hurl tooth-and-nail in order to locate that plug!

 

[oscarvan]

THERE IS A PLUG! Actually, there was no plug.... there was a hole. With a "natural" plug in it.... Did I mention the red squirrel that was warehousing food stores in the boat?

Now in my defense, I've only owned sailboats in my life. The last one 42 feet. And there were no plugs, so that item is not in my routine. It is now.

 

[oscarvan]

I was able to carefully pull the soaked and somewhat spongy "natural plug" through with pliers..... Yes.... I know what this looks like....

(If you're still wondering..... it's a pine cone. :laugh

 

[Watermann]

:lol: a pine cone would make a great natural plug from the inside.:cocksure:

 

[oscarvan]

So poked in there with a screwy driver and got the flow going. Probably another 10 gallons or so! That's another 80 pounds. Much better. And hey look GA, I even put flag on it....just for you!

 

[GA_Boater]

I should give better directions. :;



I know I've been saying about lights or red rag, but some states look for a reason to pull over out of staters. Given you are already backwards towing and raising a few eyebrows, no need to :boink:any LEO's :smile:

Any better gas mileage after dropping a few more pounds?

 

[garbageguy]

...Actually, there was no plug.... there was a hole. With a "natural" plug in it...

That's kinda what I suspected, but didn't really want to comment as it looked like oscar is not new to this game.

 

[oscarvan]

Oh Oscar is pretty good at a lot of things but he got there by screwing up a lot and he's not too proud to hear the obvious as that is frequently what gets overlooked..... so if you're wondering, say something. I appreciate all the help I can get.

Yes, the mileage is up! Started out 8.3mpg yesterday, managed to get it up to 8.9 this morning after the Jenny Craig moment and now on the flats of Ohio with a slight tail wind I'm looking at 9.3...... That and I found Sams Club gas for $2.31..... Every little bit helps.

480 miles to go.....

 

[oscarvan]

Almost home. First day above 70F in these parts aaaaaaaand, the AC in my one year old van craps out. Always something. Clutch appears not to be engaging. Two fuses located appear OK. Relay located, R&R'd, tapped...... nope.

Oh well, there's no AC in the boat....guess it got jealous.

Last "On the road" shot. The next pictures will be "the ugly".

 

[M2HB]

Looking good on the trip.
im glad you got it loaded without any major issues.

i can’t wait to see it rebuilt.

 

[Watermann]

AC, 70 degrees April oh man :lol:

You should be pulling in any time now. Reminds me of my trip to Sweetgrass Montana for my V5 SS!