What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

[Tom Maslar]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Sander, if that is the case, then why would you mention not having a back-up motor in your original post? I am putting your name in my notebook under "instigator" do not entertain posts.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

You guys laid right into the OP without helping him out. He has a legitimate question and most of you spouted off with half wit answers.

Most lakes do not offer a tow service. A few years ago I was in my girlfriends boat and the engine quit. We threw the anchor and dialed 911. The Dallas PD put thier boat in the water and towed up back to the ramp ....free of charge.

Best thing to do in an emergency is to keep a cool head and don't panic.

 

[BRICH1260]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

I think the answer could be different for almost everyone depending on where and what type of water you boat on. Where I boat, an inland lake of only 25k acres, the answer could be different from someone that boats in salt water or a flowing river where you might have much larger barges or ships to worry about. If my motor konks out, worst case senario I would have to worry about might be a lonely, cold night aboard the boat, waiting for someone to eventually come by and tow me in.

Everyone needs to make sure that they are prepared for the situtation that they might find themselves in and try to have their equipment in top working order.

 

[kahuna123]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Funniest one I heard. Sat afternoon and a guy is 25 miles out and is stranded. 4 people on board and no Seatow. I'm about 30 miles away catching fish. The Coast Guard WILL NOT come and get you if you are not in distress. He was arguing with some wet behind the ears has to work weekends coasty. The guy keeps telling the official rules of the coast guard for boats not in distress. Keeps telling him to call Seatow. Anyway he tells the coasty it is an emergency. "I have no money and no credit card, they won't come get me"

Then the coast guard starts asking him for gps numbers.

And you will rarely if ever see a kicker motor down here.

 

[hog88]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Drop anchor and drink beer. Someone will come along eventually...

 

[jigngrub]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Ok Sander, I see by your post in another thread that you just bought recently for $400 and it has a 100 hp. 'Rude on it. I take it this was a package deal for boat, motor, and trailer? I hate to break this to you but a $400 boat with a 100 hp. motor is an iffy motor at best! There's a few things you need to do to this boat before venturing further than you would care to paddle back to the launch.

1. Have your carb(s) cleaned and synchronized, dirty carbs will rob a 2 stroke of much needed oil and will burn your motor to a crisp! You should let a professional do this if you're not familiar with cleaning carburetors.

2. Have your compression checked, you can do this yourself if you have or can borrow the gauge.

3. Change your impeller (water pump), like the carbs this will rob your engine of much needed cooling water and will burn your motor to a crisp if it fails. You can do this yourself with the help of the motors forum here and by watching vids on youtube about it.

After you've done these things you should travel upwind or upcurrent from where you launch so you can drift back to where you started if you have to until you gain confidence in your motor.

In addition to the safety gear you already have you should also purchase a canned air horn, these are very loud and can be heard for miles on the water. 3 sharp blasts and a pause of a minute or two and 3 more blast is a distress signal that an experienced boater will recognize.

Investing in a good trolling motor and deep cycle battery will also help.

Remember, the further you stray from your launch point... the further you're going to have to paddle until you are sure of your motor.

Now, do you get my point... the point I've been trying to make all along.

 

[lncoop]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

So how long til it's locked? Who's got odds?

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

I boat in some remote lakes. There is no one to call. On a weekday, I am often the only boat out there. There is no "towing" (never even heard of that)... there is no coast guard or police, except maybe once per summer on a long weekend, the OPP will throw a boat in and collect some taxes. Last time I broke down, and before I mounted a kicker, I drifted/paddled to a nearby cottage and after getting stuck in weeds and bullrushes trying to get to their dock, and then jumping in to the muck thinking I could kind of swim or walk on it or (I don't know what I was thinking), I was so grossed out, I climbed back onto the boat with my pockets full of slime, and used a series of anchor tosses to "winch" my boat in. I walked about 4.5 miles to the highway. I had called for a ride home and knowing where I was really helped that situation. Next day, I got my inflatable, went back and towed my boat full-o-muck to the ramp.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

So how long til it's locked? Who's got odds?

I've been following this thread because I have had the "tow of shame" and since upgrading, have had the chance to pay it forward. He has a legitimate question and i dont think he deserves some of the responses he's received. P.S. I'll give it 3 more posts.

 

[BonairII]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

The key is "Hope for the best....and plan for the worst".

Have tow insurance(if available). Invest in a trolling and/or kicker motor. Have all safety gear and a cell phone w/ gps onboard.

Your safety gear and safety plan should be commensurate with the body of water you're on and the passengers on board. If you have children and/or people who can't swim(or swim well) or are grossly obese/infirm etc onboard...make sure you have the appropriate gear to handle them in an emergency.

 

[Sander]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

You guys laid right into the OP without helping him out. He has a legitimate question and most of you spouted off with half wit answers.

Most lakes do not offer a tow service. A few years ago I was in my girlfriends boat and the engine quit. We threw the anchor and dialed 911. The Dallas PD put thier boat in the water and towed up back to the ramp ....free of charge.

Best thing to do in an emergency is to keep a cool head and don't panic.

I also live in Dallas area, thank you for this information.

 

[jmarty10]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

I boat in some remote lakes. There is no one to call. On a weekday, I am often the only boat out there. There is no "towing" (never even heard of that)... there is no coast guard or police, except maybe once per summer on a long weekend, the OPP will throw a boat in and collect some taxes. Last time I broke down, and before I mounted a kicker, I drifted/paddled to a nearby cottage and after getting stuck in weeds and bullrushes trying to get to their dock, and then jumping in to the muck thinking I could kind of swim or walk on it or (I don't know what I was thinking), I was so grossed out, I climbed back onto the boat with my pockets full of slime, and used a series of anchor tosses to "winch" my boat in. I walked about 4.5 miles to the highway. I had called for a ride home and knowing where I was really helped that situation. Next day, I got my inflatable, went back and towed my boat full-o-muck to the ramp.

That 4.5 mile walk would have put a quick end to my boating season. Anyways, I started boating in the evenings on a river. I said to myself..............."self, what if I break down and the lights go out?" I now invest in boat us tow insurance. Local marina serves as a towing contracor. No worries for $30 per year.

 

[oops!]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

So how long til it's locked? Who's got odds?

i dont think it will..
its starting to move in the right direction now.

was a little iffy a few posts ago

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

I also live in Dallas area, thank you for this information.

Where do you boat? When I was stranded in my prior example, I was on Lake Ray Hubbard. We mostly boat on Lake Lavon nowadays......less, drunks to deal with.

 

[PiratePast40]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Start asking around to see what help is actually available in your area. If there are marinas on the lake, store their numbers in your phone. You can also call the sheriffs department (or whoever has juristiction in the area) and ask them what you should do. They'll probably tell you to call 911 or they might even monitor the marine channels. You won't know what's available on your lake until you ask.

Those are the things I did. The marinas, sheriffs department, rangers station, and marine board were all helpful and glad to answer questions.

 

[Sander]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Where do you boat? When I was stranded in my prior example, I was on Lake Ray Hubbard. We mostly boat on Lake Lavon nowadays......less, drunks to deal with.

Lake Grapevine for now, its the smallest lake around here and I am comfortable on it. I know what you mean with young drunk people. I do my best to avoid them.

Looks like Game warden can come out in a sticky situation and help out, that is a good sign! I will now save all the important numbers, as mentioned by Pirate.

 

[Sander]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

i dont think it will..
its starting to move in the right direction now.

was a little iffy a few posts ago

I don't see a reason for that, but its up to the mods.

There is plenty useful information in here, not just for me, but for everyone to share, especially people new to boating

 

[relocyo]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

Im not sure if its been mentioned yet, but, you should also always tell someone responsible on land your float plan,i.e. Where your general boating area will be, number of people onboard (unless your Tony Soprano), and when you are expected to return (u may want to extend this a cpl hours in case the fishing is off the chains!) So of you do not return in that timeframe they can get a rescue plan going for you in the case you cant... Very important, I think that would have helped a number of people lost at sea...

And can you imagine... Lost at sea for weeks on end, eventualy the beer and beef jerkey will run out! I file a float plan with my father every time I shove off... And I pray he remembers that im out there eventualy :redface:

 

[phone sails]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

I would use the safety gear you are required by law to carry on your vessel! You should have a flare gun, whistle, mirror etc. Put a spare lifejacket in view at the front of the vessel and make sure everyone is wearing there vest. You shoul have a distress/marine weather radio and a cell phone if possible. In my opinion you should not be on the water at all! until you take a boater safety course--these questions would have been answered for you! You need to learn a lot before you take your life in your hands by boating--that is exactly right--take your life, and your companions on the boat, in your hands. Please do not go on the water until you take a boater safety course--good luck to you.

ok thats a little much dont you think boaters saftey class is good but really 1 question like that and your already sending the man back to the dock ,,

 

[ewenm]

Re: What TO DO if you get stuck on the water???

had a couple of experience with iffy motors, i had an old V4 outboard that would intermittently loose a ignition pack on one cylinder, gees
when that happened it just pumped fuel over the side , took me a while to figure out which one it was , only happened when hot.

next one was a near new VP 4.3 gxi, just got it serviced and went for a run, just got out of the 6 knot zone and opened it up and it ran great for a moment and then seemed to starve for fuel and die, that was scarry as i was in a smallish channel.

i found that i frozze for a few moments before i sprang into action to see if i could see what was wrong.

easy fix the mechanic had left/ kicked off the power lead to the high pressure fuel pump, stuck it back on and away it went

last one was easy but none the less a pain, i now have a boat with twin engines and after a day out one wouldnt start, so we had to motor home on one engine, turned out the electronics in the dissy had died, apparently if i had cooled it with ice it may have temporarily fixed it . biggest drama of that day was that the dead engine also ran the power steering,

i used to always bag people who went on about having two engines and being good for redundancy , however i now can see that the piece of mind we have knowing that the chance of loosing both is virtually nill is worth the added costs of service

oh each motor feeds from its own fuel tank as well so contaminated fuel in one wont kill the other