Dumb Moves
- Thread starter TyBoo
- Start date
Heh...there was this dopey guy at the ramp one day, and...ok, it was me.
I was launching my 19 single-handed, at a ramp I'd not used a whole bunch. Backed down a bit, disconnected the safety chain/winch strap, then hopped back in the truck to back her all the way in.
Got to the point where I was pretty sure she would float off, and put the truck in park. Had the boat within a foot of the dock. Grabbed the bow/stern lines, and proceeded to give the boat a tug. The boat moved, but not enough to release from the bunks.
Back to the truck, backed in right up to the rear truck tires. Back to the dock, grabbed the lines, and gave it a tug...nuttin'.
I was sure I was in enough water...got down on my knees and grabbed the stern cleat, and really started shaking the boat back and forth...I thought perhaps it was just a very shallow ramp, and was dealing with bunk stickage. However, the boat moved easily back and forth....at which time, I noticed the trailer was moving right along with it.
Damn trailer tie-down straps.
Actually, the above just got me to thinking. One could keep the bow strap connected along with the stern straps, then disconnect the trailer from the truck. Launch with the trailer attached. Then, have your spouse drive the tow rig onto the ferry, while you putt slowly across Puget Sound, meeting them at your destination. Truck comes off the ferry, hitches back up at a local ramp, and you're on your way.
One could save a bunch on ferry fares...those extra length surcharges are nasty. Any rednecks in Puget Sound wanna go first?
I was launching my 19 single-handed, at a ramp I'd not used a whole bunch. Backed down a bit, disconnected the safety chain/winch strap, then hopped back in the truck to back her all the way in.
Got to the point where I was pretty sure she would float off, and put the truck in park. Had the boat within a foot of the dock. Grabbed the bow/stern lines, and proceeded to give the boat a tug. The boat moved, but not enough to release from the bunks.
Back to the truck, backed in right up to the rear truck tires. Back to the dock, grabbed the lines, and gave it a tug...nuttin'.
I was sure I was in enough water...got down on my knees and grabbed the stern cleat, and really started shaking the boat back and forth...I thought perhaps it was just a very shallow ramp, and was dealing with bunk stickage. However, the boat moved easily back and forth....at which time, I noticed the trailer was moving right along with it.
Damn trailer tie-down straps.
Actually, the above just got me to thinking. One could keep the bow strap connected along with the stern straps, then disconnect the trailer from the truck. Launch with the trailer attached. Then, have your spouse drive the tow rig onto the ferry, while you putt slowly across Puget Sound, meeting them at your destination. Truck comes off the ferry, hitches back up at a local ramp, and you're on your way.
One could save a bunch on ferry fares...those extra length surcharges are nasty. Any rednecks in Puget Sound wanna go first?
It took me a while but now I remember my dumb move on our boat. I usually try to forget the dumb things I do.
I was at Riffe Lake putting around when the engine started sputtering. I knew exactly what it was. I was running out of gas so I disconnected the fuel line from the tank I was using and plugged it into my other tank. The engine caught and we continued on our way. Half a day later, I headed back to the ramp and loaded the boat onto the trailer. A very un-eventual day except for just about running out of gas. When I reached under the engine well to un-plug the gas line, I noticed the 6-gallon fuel tank was flat as a pancake. I forgot to open the vent to the tank when I switched. I thought it would return to its normal dimension when I removed the cap, but it was so flat and creased it remained flat.
I was at Riffe Lake putting around when the engine started sputtering. I knew exactly what it was. I was running out of gas so I disconnected the fuel line from the tank I was using and plugged it into my other tank. The engine caught and we continued on our way. Half a day later, I headed back to the ramp and loaded the boat onto the trailer. A very un-eventual day except for just about running out of gas. When I reached under the engine well to un-plug the gas line, I noticed the 6-gallon fuel tank was flat as a pancake. I forgot to open the vent to the tank when I switched. I thought it would return to its normal dimension when I removed the cap, but it was so flat and creased it remained flat.
Alyssa Jean
New member
I know I have done a dozen of these, but I can't remember , can't remember, mmmmm, can't,
What was the question?
What was the question?
Years ago, I had a nice new powerboat...Not a C-Dory... and was pulling up to a ramp that did not have a dock... I was worried about scratching the keel, so I was carefull..... and pulled in real slow...and told Susan to jump in and hold the boat... she said it was too deep, angered I yelled Jump....and jump she did.... into about 8' of water...and held the line...
Damm it sure looked shallow, from where I was ,it looked less than 2'...
needless to say...I don't yell anymore and think long and hard before I ask anyone to do anything............ diden't know she knew genuine navy language. Dinner was late that night...
Joel
SEA3PO
Damm it sure looked shallow, from where I was ,it looked less than 2'...
needless to say...I don't yell anymore and think long and hard before I ask anyone to do anything............ diden't know she knew genuine navy language. Dinner was late that night...
Joel
SEA3PO
Hi Folks,
This is a great list of "learning experiences".
Here is mine. A couple of years ago, on the first trip out on Nantucket, I was fiddling with the radio trying to get it to work. I looked up and saw a bouy about 45 degrees off my port bow. I was cruising at a very slow speed. I continued to play with the radio and WAMB, I side swiped the bouy and left a mark on port side. I forgot about the cross current. I left the mark on the boat to remind me about checking the tide chart every time I go out. The bouy number. 13, what else.
I had a near miss this summer. After leaving one of my daughters with two grand daughters, I left the dock and turned to go where I had come from. I forgot that a channel goes parral to the dock, and turned in front of a boat coming down the channel. I goosed the engine and just avoided a collision.
Every time we read, or become part of these stories, we become better boatmen, I hope.
Fred
This is a great list of "learning experiences".
Here is mine. A couple of years ago, on the first trip out on Nantucket, I was fiddling with the radio trying to get it to work. I looked up and saw a bouy about 45 degrees off my port bow. I was cruising at a very slow speed. I continued to play with the radio and WAMB, I side swiped the bouy and left a mark on port side. I forgot about the cross current. I left the mark on the boat to remind me about checking the tide chart every time I go out. The bouy number. 13, what else.
I had a near miss this summer. After leaving one of my daughters with two grand daughters, I left the dock and turned to go where I had come from. I forgot that a channel goes parral to the dock, and turned in front of a boat coming down the channel. I goosed the engine and just avoided a collision.
Every time we read, or become part of these stories, we become better boatmen, I hope.
Fred
Docking in a tight slip, Mary on the gunnel ready to step to the dock, complete with a breeze pushing away from the dock. I made a nice turn into the slip but suddenly lost way. Goosed the throttle, revs but no joy. Revved higher. Breeze catching the bow! Arghhh!!!! Turned around and the damn engine was tilted fully out of the water, prop catching air.
Note to self: never clutch the control in a "clutch" situation because the tilt button is too easily clutched as well.
Breeze (and my over reaction when the prop submerged again) almost threw Admiral into the water which, had that happened, I wouldn't be here to tell the tale. :roll:
Note to self: never clutch the control in a "clutch" situation because the tilt button is too easily clutched as well.
Breeze (and my over reaction when the prop submerged again) almost threw Admiral into the water which, had that happened, I wouldn't be here to tell the tale. :roll:
Not one of us (I hope) but couldn't resist copying this one seen on the internet.
WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 15) - A botched kidnapping ended with one of the assailants shooting himself in the groin, Wichita police said. The man had just stuck the gun back into his waistband when it fired, shooting him in the left testicle.
He cringed, causing the gun to fire again and strike him in the left calf.
When the shooting ended, the 23-year-old man managed to walk himself into the hospital for treatment, police said. He and his two accomplices, ages 18 and 20, were arrested for aggravated attempted kidnapping and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
The men were attempting to kidnap a teen in a dispute over stereo speakers, police said.
Bet he's now definitely in the mono business as opposed to stereo !!
Merv
WICHITA, Kan. (Nov. 15) - A botched kidnapping ended with one of the assailants shooting himself in the groin, Wichita police said. The man had just stuck the gun back into his waistband when it fired, shooting him in the left testicle.
He cringed, causing the gun to fire again and strike him in the left calf.
When the shooting ended, the 23-year-old man managed to walk himself into the hospital for treatment, police said. He and his two accomplices, ages 18 and 20, were arrested for aggravated attempted kidnapping and conspiracy to obstruct justice.
The men were attempting to kidnap a teen in a dispute over stereo speakers, police said.
Bet he's now definitely in the mono business as opposed to stereo !!
Merv
starcrafttom
Active member
Oh hell here I go.. In the last 40 years of my life around small boats I have seen or been involved with all of the "classics" mentioned above. Forgot the drain plug on almost every boat I have owned and have witnessed many others. Even had my son holding the bowline of a 12fter while it sank to the bottom of the ramp while I parked the car. He did not notice, was feeding the ducks. I have lost one boat off a trailer on the road, not the parking lot or ramp but the road. Have run out of gas and or battery several times on large windy lakes. Note wind never blows towards ramps. Does not matter where the ramp is located the wind will not blow there. I have Swim/towed a 18 ft tri hull ski boat 4 mile to a ramp against the, you got it, wind. I have torn apart a boat trying to figure out why I was getting no juice to the motor even thus the battery had a full charge only to notice my son was wearing the brightly colored " over board safety catch" around his wrist....I know sailor language too. I have left some very nice fish, salmon, sturgeon, trout catfish... tied to the rail and hanging over the side while running wot back to camp. I have lost more then one unattended net over the side while running to a hot spot. I was second mate on a small boat that tried to get going while still anchored. I have water skied a anchor once, Cut the line with the prop. I have seen it all or been involved in the act. I have even thrown a flasher combo, a crab pot and an anchor over board that was not attached to the boat!!! (Not at the same time) but below are two of my all time favorites.
Back in the mid 70's my folks owned a 30 ft Chris Craft on the Chesapeake. We kept the boat at a marina on middle creek in Essex’s Maryland. We had a lot of good friends there and the memories of that place was a big reason we bought the Susan E. Well while anchored up with three other boats one weekend I witnessed one of the funnier things in my life. At 7 am I was already out of bed and sitting on the back deck reading. Our's was the last of four boats tied together. The other three where two searays and a Trojan. One guy (names concealed to protected the stupid) in the boat right next to us gets up and with coffee in hand steps out on to his swim step. He says "hi " to me and turns toward the other boats to wake them up, Stepping from one swim platform to another. After harassing the other owners he comes back my way to talk fishing. Again stepping from one swim step to another at full stride. My folks boat, Nore K, does not have a swim step. He hit the water at full stride while taking a sip of his coffee. If any one could have slept thru the scream of him hitting the cold water, they where not sleeping thru me laughing my ass off.
Now for number two. In the summers of my teenage years My brother and me would spend a few weeks with my grandparents at Little grass valley res. in northern ca. Little grass is at 6000 ft or so and at that time was the end of the road, dirt road the last ten miles or so. Great place for kids to wander around on foot and boat unattended and learn how to fish. Well while out fishing on evening we got in to the best trout bite I have ever seen. We were just drifting across a point and tossing rooster tails at shore. Every cast landed a fish or two. I was getting two fish on one lure every fifth cast. With me, brother pat and my grandfather on board it did not take long to get thirty fish on a steel stinger, the ones with the big round clips. My grandfather had not gotten around to explaining limits or why the game warden called him a poacher every time we saw him. The limit at that time was 10 trout but we had no plans of stopping at thirty. Well we are putting fish on the stringer so fast that my brother pat, age 12 at the time, forgot to attach the stringer to the boat. About this time a guy in another boat was trolling just outside us and was keeping a close eye on the action. Well grandpa looks at pat and says " You can swim down and get the fish or you can swim to shore but you are not staying in the boat with out them" So pat looks and me and I offer to hold his shirt and shoes. Pat strips and goes over the side while grandpa and I keep tossing fish in the bottom of our sears 14ft alum boat. Well pat had to dive several times in 20 ft of water before he found the stringer and hulled it up to the boat. As I am standing up to raise the stringer into the boat while grabbing pat by the shorts into the boat the troller comes by. I look him in the eye and say " You do it your way and we'll do it our way" The guy just looked at me in disbelief Total for the day was 42 fish landed and many more lost.
Back in the mid 70's my folks owned a 30 ft Chris Craft on the Chesapeake. We kept the boat at a marina on middle creek in Essex’s Maryland. We had a lot of good friends there and the memories of that place was a big reason we bought the Susan E. Well while anchored up with three other boats one weekend I witnessed one of the funnier things in my life. At 7 am I was already out of bed and sitting on the back deck reading. Our's was the last of four boats tied together. The other three where two searays and a Trojan. One guy (names concealed to protected the stupid) in the boat right next to us gets up and with coffee in hand steps out on to his swim step. He says "hi " to me and turns toward the other boats to wake them up, Stepping from one swim platform to another. After harassing the other owners he comes back my way to talk fishing. Again stepping from one swim step to another at full stride. My folks boat, Nore K, does not have a swim step. He hit the water at full stride while taking a sip of his coffee. If any one could have slept thru the scream of him hitting the cold water, they where not sleeping thru me laughing my ass off.
Now for number two. In the summers of my teenage years My brother and me would spend a few weeks with my grandparents at Little grass valley res. in northern ca. Little grass is at 6000 ft or so and at that time was the end of the road, dirt road the last ten miles or so. Great place for kids to wander around on foot and boat unattended and learn how to fish. Well while out fishing on evening we got in to the best trout bite I have ever seen. We were just drifting across a point and tossing rooster tails at shore. Every cast landed a fish or two. I was getting two fish on one lure every fifth cast. With me, brother pat and my grandfather on board it did not take long to get thirty fish on a steel stinger, the ones with the big round clips. My grandfather had not gotten around to explaining limits or why the game warden called him a poacher every time we saw him. The limit at that time was 10 trout but we had no plans of stopping at thirty. Well we are putting fish on the stringer so fast that my brother pat, age 12 at the time, forgot to attach the stringer to the boat. About this time a guy in another boat was trolling just outside us and was keeping a close eye on the action. Well grandpa looks at pat and says " You can swim down and get the fish or you can swim to shore but you are not staying in the boat with out them" So pat looks and me and I offer to hold his shirt and shoes. Pat strips and goes over the side while grandpa and I keep tossing fish in the bottom of our sears 14ft alum boat. Well pat had to dive several times in 20 ft of water before he found the stringer and hulled it up to the boat. As I am standing up to raise the stringer into the boat while grabbing pat by the shorts into the boat the troller comes by. I look him in the eye and say " You do it your way and we'll do it our way" The guy just looked at me in disbelief Total for the day was 42 fish landed and many more lost.
A
Anonymous
Guest
The other day a fellow told me "I always thought Higher Education was a joint and a dictionary". I thought that was cute having not heard that one before. After reading some of these post I have to wonder how many other people think like that! 
Mike on Huda Thunkit
Mike on Huda Thunkit