Topic: Maiden Voyage (Read 2793 times)

left_turn56 · « **on:** July 19, 2004, 08:54:45 AM »

Hello all,
After a long weekend of cleaning, fixing, grumbling, and bleeding (I forgot that I am a bit taller when standing in the boat...Darn garage opener!) the boat is ready for its maiden voyage with me as an owner. I know that I am overlooking some key items in my excitement, and was hoping you guys (and gals) could give me some insight. I was also thinking it would be cool to exchange some fun boat ramp stories. I look foward to your help!
Thanks
Left_turn56

jtholder00 · « **Reply #1 on:** July 19, 2004, 09:40:52 AM »

Hope you didnt forget the plug.. Heres a fun boat ramp situation.. Got in the water the other day with my wife and friend.. was about to enter the boat from the dock and oh look.. the transom saver still snuggly attached to the motor with what has to be the tightest bungie in the world.. took a little while for that one to come off. The other day I was getting into the boat, and as I pushed off, my adidas sandal fell off in the water. lucky for me. it floated.. had a wet foot for the rest of the day.. but still had a shoe.. The other evening we were getting ready to go a little early because we had somewhere to be.. Look up and a very old truck was loading a boat.. thought no big deal.. we will just cast a few more times and give him a chance to get his stuff out of the way.. well as he ties his boat off and jumps back in the truck.. all we he is erererererer.. dang truck would not start.. stranded on the boat ramp.. luckily.. after about 15 minutes of messing with it.. he got it cranked.. These stories have all happened in the last 2 weeks or so.. its been a fun one..

Trey · « **Reply #2 on:** July 19, 2004, 11:46:07 AM »

Here's an embarrasing one for ya.

It was the first tournament I ever fished in my boat, and we were putting in at Plum Orchard Lake Bisteneau. I was a little excited to say the least. I am a very routine-oriented person, and the first time in a tournament, waiting in line to launch and everything, I got a little out of order on my mental checklist.

First I backed the boat in without a plug.

I noticed something was wrong when the automatic bilge pump was running before I even got in the boat. So I get out and pull the boat up the ramp to put the plug in. Take two on the boat ramp. I started the motor and proceeded to back off the trailer. No joy.

I couldn't figure out why the dang boat wouldn't come off the trailer. Keep in mind that there are 15 other boats waiting in line behind me. All I can think about is that the other guys are probably wondering who this retard is that just got a brand new boat and doesn't even know how to get it off the trailer! One guy gets out of his truck to help, thinking that I just needed to back the trailer in more. Wrong. Like a retard, I left the boat hooked up to the trailer! Take three on the boat ramp was a little more successful.

I then docked my boat at the pier next to a large houseboat to await the start of the tournament. Now we are ready to start. The group was going to motor out to the opening of the marina to blast off. As I start to back out of my "slip", the boat next to me backs out.

I had to throw my motor into gear and punch the gas to keep from hitting him. My boat doesn't maneuver very well at slow speeds under the big motor. Thinking I have avoided a collision with another boat, I turn back around facing forward only to see the stern of the big houseboat coming right at me!

I wasn't able to stop it in time, and luckily the deck of the houseboat was high off the water where I hit it. I took the corner of the stern deck right through my windshield! Bye, bye windshield!

That led to me loosing ALL of my lake maps (including Lake Bisteneau!) because that was where I kept them. I didn't loose them right away. Nooo..., I stuffed them under the gaping hole in my windscreen only to let a gust of wind blow them overboard while I was running. Those lake maps may be waterproof, but they sure don't float! Now I am on a lake that I know nothing about with no map! As I was running from one of the two spots I know about, the lower unit gave out on me.

Luckily I was in sight of the ramp, so I used my trolling motor to get me home. The boat was still under warranty, so I left a note on the tournament director's truck and went straight to the dealership. How's that for a great ramp story!?

Trey

Mike Noble · « **Reply #3 on:** July 19, 2004, 12:17:36 PM »

Left turn...good luck with the boat. I just posted in a topic to get it at the top..."ramp entertainment"...you need to read the posts there.

left_turn56 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 19, 2004, 03:13:41 PM »

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction, Mike. Those are some great stories...but now I am sure that I am gonna make a fool of myself on Saturday!!! Just have to remember to NOT get rushed at the ramp.
Left_turn56

Ranger375 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 19, 2004, 06:28:20 PM »

I think we have all had that "rushed" feeling at the ramp. I have a mental exercise by count that I go through when I get to the ramp...
you wouldn't think that you would forget 4 or 5 things but it does happen. I am sure everyone of us has forgotten a thing or two. I don't think you will look like a fool...unless...the people there aren't willing to admit what they have done and wished they had gone slower. Enjoy your day on the water...and just relax...the world won't come to an end if somebody has to wait for you to get your boat "safely" into the water.

Mike Noble · « **Reply #6 on:** July 19, 2004, 07:47:57 PM »

You can handle it left turn. Just take your time and be safe. I hope you have a GREAT maiden voyage...don't forget the champagne for christening (but don't drink it).

Mike Noble · « **Reply #7 on:** July 23, 2004, 05:39:18 PM »

The countdown can be done in HOURS now....I have a feeling that you are driving your wife nuts with excitement. Have fun and we want a FULL report.

MotherNature · « **Reply #8 on:** July 23, 2004, 06:06:25 PM »

I just hope that when Monday rolls around we aren't reading about left_turn's ramp entertainment.

I am sure that by now you have thought of absolutly everything that you need to do so good luck and make sure that you take some sun screen and lots of water. The sun is a lot hotter than you might think when you are out there on the water.

Tight Lines,

Laurie

left_turn56 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:01:49 AM »

Well, the maiden voyage went great. I had a bit of a problem with some wiring that I "fixed" the night before (I tried to start the boat at the staging lane and caught it there, only cost about 10 minutes, and I didn't block the ramp). The weather was cold and overcast so the ramp was not too busy. The boat launched easy! "Dutches" and I rode around the lake for about an hour, then I droped her off at the dock (she was getting ready for my surprise party, unbeknownst to me!). I fished for about 3 hours, but only caught 1. I think I caught the smallest large mouth in the lake (bout 6 in.). Load out went just as smooth...drove it right on the trailer (even remembered to tie it down!). I did find out that stuff will fly out going down the road. At least it was just a towel. I do have some more work to do...the engine does not pull like I think it should...trolling motor wired backwards...seats loose. I was really glad that "dutches" had a good time...so good that she sugested we take it out again Sunday. We went out for another 3 hours, and had a great time. also found out thast my dog LOVES riding in the boat.
Thanks for all the encouragement! Updates to follow.
Left_turn56

Mike Noble · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:06:42 AM »

Absolutely AWESOME! I am so glad that everything went well. Even with a few minor problems, it sounds like you had a great time. I'm glad your wife and dog had fun too....that means more time on the water.

Good luck with getting things fixed.

I don't guess you took a picture of your catch....

How was the "surprise" party? Great wife!!!!!

left_turn56 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2004, 11:26:44 AM »

Mike,
You are so right...dutches is the BEST! The party was great...I was totally surprised. I even got a state park pass so it doesn't cost me anything to launch!! lol...I should have taken a pic. I caught it with dutches's pole (the Zebco) on a fly with a clear bobber (was looking for some of the trout that were jumping). Looks like a have a few things to learn about bass!
Left_turn56

Mike Cork · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2004, 12:08:05 PM »

Left Turn, learning how to catch bass in your area will come with time. The most important thing is that you caught a bass on your first trip, that sets the tone and now you have a "bass catching boat"

Glad everything went well on the madien voyage, sounds like you have fewer problems than some of us have on a daily basis.

Mike Noble · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2004, 12:02:56 PM »

Hey Left Turn....haven't seen much lately on how the boat is doing. I sure hope all is well with the boat and fishing.

Mike Cork · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2004, 01:36:20 PM »

hopefully the boat is running good and the fishing is so good that it leaves little time to post

When you get a chance give us an update there Left Turn 56

left_turn56 · « **Reply #15 on:** August 19, 2004, 06:05:16 PM »

Hey guys,
Thanks for the concern! The boat is doing good. I have plenty to fix (getting a new prop this weekend). I have been out 3 more time already...still waiting to catch something other than a stinking trout!! I did try playing with the trim angle. I got a bit more RPM but cavitation became a problem. Got some new tires for the trailer (the only good thing about those 8" wheels is the price of the tires...) new ropes, and my dad sent a fish finder ( need to set that up still). Sorry I have not been able to keep in touch...real life keeps getting in the way!!
Left_turn56
P.S. Dundee...thanks again for the sig!

MotherNature · « **Reply #16 on:** August 19, 2004, 09:09:34 PM »

Glad to hear that all is well, real life has a way of taking over if you blink

Thats the good thing about fishing, no matter how long it takes to get back to the water there are still fish to be caught...

Laurie

Mike Noble · « **Reply #17 on:** August 20, 2004, 06:16:30 AM »

Good to hear that you are getting on the water left_turn. Like a friend use to say all the time..."the joys of boat ownership"...there is always something to do.

This is real life....all the other is just clutter.

dave the dope man · « **Reply #18 on:** August 20, 2004, 11:39:38 PM »

Hey Left Turn, I have a story to share. Several years ago I bought a 1972 15 ft Hustler, Stick steer fisberglass with a 25 hp Johnson. The wires were a combo of speaker wire and extension cords. I put in new seats, a graph, battery, and a little glass work to fit where the wood hull had rotted and swelled and busted the glass in the floor, and new 8" tires... I took my wife and youngest daughter bream fishing during late July/ early August, I was tooloing down the lake when I heard something coming from the rear seat. i couldn't make it out too well (at a whopping 20 mph its hard to hear behind you), anyhow I turned around to see flames running the entire length of the boat along the wire path. I immediatly shut down, the only thing I had was an ice chest full of fish and water. I ended up putting the fire out with my fish which worked well enough but I thought that we would be stuck 5 miles from the launch. The dadgum thing cranked right back up and never did it again especailly since I rewired it after getting home. I used 10/2 underground wire, I figured that would be heavy enough. Needless to say, my wife refused to go back out in that boat and she soon allowed me to get a new boat, which really wasn't much better.........Good luck and continued success with the "new" boat........Dave

left_turn56 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 23, 2004, 09:30:52 AM »

Dave,
Thanks for the encouragement! I am getting ready for a trip with some guys at work to Lake McConahey in Nebraska this weekend. I got a new prop on Saturday...what a difference! I am really happy with the change. Planes faster and I bet I picked up 10 MPH. Then the Dutches came home from shopping yesterday carrying 4 new seats for the boat. Is she the best or what!!! On a sad not I did find a huge cracked weld in the trailer...need to get that fixed before Friday.
Left_turn
PS I hope things are better with the wrist. I have broken mine 3 times(one break left me in a cast for 6 months) and had 3 surgeries on my shoulder...I feel your pain. The PT hurts in the short term but will do wonders in the long run! Keep your chin up, and use lots of ice(for the arm, and in your drinks).

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Author Topic: Maiden Voyage (Read 2793 times)