JSGOLD
Chief Petty Officer
- Joined
- Sep 22, 2009
- Messages
- 609
after quite a number of succesful launches and returns I felt pretty comfortable yesterday heading to our regular lake. The day started out on the wrong foot as weather and getting the old boat out from under the carport (where some "dummy" parked it wrong) but we figured to get a few hours of fishing in regardless. Put the boat in, jumped in and noticed the wind was a bit strong, as a front was still moving through. We got blown around a bit while I got ready to start the motor. Started it up and realized it was in gear. It went forward and popped into the front of the right side of the dock, but no damage, just frustrating. Fishing was slow but we did OK and when we went back we saw dozens of people lining the bank and the ramp....It was free fishing weekend here and anyone was allowed to fish without a license. A lot of newbies. One family had taken the ramp and from what I saw chose not to move when boats came in. Here is where things went wrong..
The wife normally jumps off the front of the boat to the ramp to hold the rope while I guide it in. She has a hurt foot so betwen trying to make it easy as possible and watching the adults on the side I had to come in on I missed the mark, and stalled the motor and drifted into the ramp with a small thud. But with the man in the way the wife could not get off the boat in time and we drifted back again so I restarted and back up. Getting more frustrated I again went in and missed the mark. What I should have done at that point was reverse and get my head out of my arse but instead I got frustrated and turned the boat around.....bad idea. The kicker motor does not turn the boat on a dime. But it seemed to be OK until I heard dragging from something underneath. One of the motors dragged a bit on the concrete under the water. When I was clear I opened it up and finally brought it in correctly. By this time the newbie family got the message and moved. However I can't really blame them. I have never done such a poor job as this and am still frustrated about it. I did not see any damage on the motors but will check closley in the next day or so to be sure a prop was not bent. maybe I just had an off day, or maybe I need to figure better options on this stuff.
The wife normally jumps off the front of the boat to the ramp to hold the rope while I guide it in. She has a hurt foot so betwen trying to make it easy as possible and watching the adults on the side I had to come in on I missed the mark, and stalled the motor and drifted into the ramp with a small thud. But with the man in the way the wife could not get off the boat in time and we drifted back again so I restarted and back up. Getting more frustrated I again went in and missed the mark. What I should have done at that point was reverse and get my head out of my arse but instead I got frustrated and turned the boat around.....bad idea. The kicker motor does not turn the boat on a dime. But it seemed to be OK until I heard dragging from something underneath. One of the motors dragged a bit on the concrete under the water. When I was clear I opened it up and finally brought it in correctly. By this time the newbie family got the message and moved. However I can't really blame them. I have never done such a poor job as this and am still frustrated about it. I did not see any damage on the motors but will check closley in the next day or so to be sure a prop was not bent. maybe I just had an off day, or maybe I need to figure better options on this stuff.
I don't condone this behavior, but dam# it felt good. As for the bad landings, heck its not an exact science as some may lead you to believe. Wind, chop, as#hol$# at the dock, etc make it an adventure everytime. As long as you and the family make it ashore ok there is nothing a few adult beverages won't fix