What an absolutely rotten day.

[blifsey]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I think everyone has had a day like that!

Our first "real boat" was a 17' fish and ski. On our 2nd or 3rd time out we were anchored in a cove and kids were jumping off stern casting deck. Wife and I were standing near back also and suddenly realized our feet were getting wet! Not really being experienced with what to do, we got kids back in boat and took off toward boat ramp (which was fairly close). Boat would hardly move. Oops!!! Pulled in the anchor and took off again. Got about halfway there and got as close to shore as possible and let bilge pump empty bilge. Sat there a little bit, rechecked and still taking water. Pump out bilge and head toward ramp again. Got it loaded OK and headed for the house thinking "Oh my, what have we just wasted all that money buying!!!" When we got home I opened all the hatches and started looking for signs of the leak's source. Found a livewell hose that had dry rotted and split. With all of us in the back, the split ended up below water line and started taking on water. Put in a new hose and she was fine for next year or so until we traded.

 

[MPII]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I've been boating for 20 years and just this summer, yep, forgot to put the outdrive up, chewed up a prop.

There are several threads on this site about the stupid things we have done while boating. One day, things can go smooth as all get out, the next, all kinds of problems. That's the fun of boating???

Keep at it and just remember, things will always happen regardless of how long you've been doing it!

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I saw a pontoon loaded to the max with "guest" being towed in on what should have been a beautiful day this past weekend. No smiles in the bunch. I have gotten into the habit of inspecting and testing the important stuff before I go out.
Oil dipstick--check. Oil mix-, belts, hoses, fuel, , lights, battery gauge, trim, power steering fluid. When you get on the water, before getting taking, check under the dog house again while the engine is running. Look at the instruments and see if the battery is charging. Look for oil pressure being normal. Look for water in the bilge
You can still do all that and something you can't see will go wrong. So keep a good charged cell phone in case there are no fellow boaters out there to tow you. Maybe get a towing service.
I still get upset, like you did, when things go wrong. Your day is ruined and now you have your toy in the shop$$$$ You can try and limit the bad things that can happen. But you can't stop all of them. Boat mechanics on here can fix the really technical stuff, while we are at the mercy of the Marine shop. You do feel a bit of helplessness and loss. Oh ya and service your boat every year. Have you a honest, trustworthy, quick turn around mechanic on your speed dial and treat him like royalty You will be back out boatin in no time!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I just got back from dropping the yacht off at "Bubba's Fish and Boat Shop" in Sneeds Ferry, NC. They come highly recommended.

Bubba wasn't there when I arrived. Brenda confided he'd gone fishing and would be back tomorrow. Was I in a hurry?

Well, I guess not. I'll need time to regird my loins for my next battle with the sea.

Film at 11....

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I just got back from dropping the yacht off at "Bubba's Fish and Boat Shop" in Sneeds Ferry, NC. They come highly recommended.

Bubba wasn't there when I arrived. Brenda confided he'd gone fishing and would be back tomorrow. Was I in a hurry?

Well, I guess not. I'll need time to regird my loins for my next battle with the sea.

Film at 11....

Not a good sign when the mechanic goes fishing during regular business hours/days

 

[Skiwi]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Not a good sign when the mechanic goes fishing during regular business hours/days

IMHO you've got you priorities screwy, Its not a good sign when a fisherman goes mechanicing during the fishing hours

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

IMHO you've got you priorities screwy, Its not a good sign when a fisherman goes mechanicing during the fishing hours

Looks like his priority will be fishing instead of getting the boat repaired and back to the owner
Can't you have it done fast and done right? Some boat places around here want to keep your boat for months

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Maybe Bubba took a day of vacation. I know sometimes I do that and then I come back ready to work. Don't be so judgemental. By the way, if you want to get really good service from Bubba, ask, in a nice friendly tone, how the fishing went.

TerryMSU

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Maybe Bubba took a day of vacation. I know sometimes I do that and then I come back ready to work. Don't be so judgemental. By the way, if you want to get really good service from Bubba, ask, in a nice friendly tone, how the fishing went.

TerryMSU

Yea that is possible too. When you are taking it to a one man show or even a big shop, then it is best to ask "when can you get to it?" "About how long will this take?" I don't mind waiting a couple of weeks. But when it runs a month or more I get ticked off

 

[anymanusa]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I watched dozens of youtube videos on what to do and what not to do so I wouldn't have that happen on my first outing a few weeks ago.

It sucks about the equipment problems though.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Maybe Bubba took a day of vacation. I know sometimes I do that and then I come back ready to work. Don't be so judgemental. By the way, if you want to get really good service from Bubba, ask, in a nice friendly tone, how the fishing went.

TerryMSU

I will. And to be fair about it, all the federal and bank employees got the day off as well. It's Columbus Day, America's Least Celebrated Holiday!

 

[DayCruiser]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I didn't even know it was a Holiday until I kept going to the mailbox and the wife told me it was a Holiday after she got home from work. I don't think Bubba knows it either

 

[zippoo]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I hear you weekend downer! 1st time I took the new to me boat out 800 yards crunch-clank-zip-pop was that my outdive yes it was crap! Just 2000.00 and two weeks in the shop all was well.

 

[jayhanig]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day. (Update)

Re: What an absolutely rotten day. (Update)

I hear you weekend downer! 1st time I took the new to me boat out 800 yards crunch-clank-zip-pop was that my outdive yes it was crap! Just 2000.00 and two weeks in the shop all was well.

Well, it's been a while and I finally got the word from Bubba's Fish and Boat: my transom is rotted. They felt like it would cost a good $2000 to fix just the hull. That's how much I paid for the thing! Then I sank another $2000 into electronics, accessories and upgrades. So now it looks like all was for naught and I got burned but good. The good news is the motor sounds good.

I didn't talk to Bubba himself but hopefully he's going to call me so I can discuss further options. I should have stuck to motorcycles.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day. (Update)

Re: What an absolutely rotten day. (Update)

Head down to the restoration section. You can fix that transom yourself for a couple hundie.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Or...save the engine/outdrive/electronics/anything else worthwhile and junk the hull. Get on Craigslist and pick one of the dozens of boats that are good hulls without running gear.

Have someone trustworthy to verify the hull condition and rebuilt the boat you want.