luv2b0at
Petty Officer 2nd Class
- Joined
- Jan 21, 2009
- Messages
- 176
Last weekend my buddy and I were out duck hunting in the Delta near Antioch, CA. We were in my 12' Valco with a 9.9 Merc 2 stroke. I had just replaced the impeller (with the help of iboats.com forum--thank you) and the engine ran very well the whole day. As the sun set we packed up and headed back to the dock. About a mile from the dock and still on the far side of the main channel, the engine stopped dead. It would not start. Gas was squirting out of the carb, stuck needle valve. We stopped right next to a 25+ foot really nice boat. No offer to help or nothing. We didn't ask either. I got the oars out and started to row. We put the nav lights on and my buddy kept a strong flashlight handy to warn other larger boats. About 10 minutes into rowing, the nut came off the oar lock. Luckily it fell into the boat. I got it and put it back on. I rowed a little more gingerly for a while. As we got to the point where we had to cross the main channel, a 18/20 foot tri hull with a brand new (less than 2 hours) 300 HP V-8 started to circle near us. They were deciding where to go. They saw our light and asked if they could help. They towed us back to the ramp. Just as we got to the entrance, their engine died hard. Something to do with a valve being sucked through it or shot out of it or something. We were still in the current of the main channel so I got the oars back out and started to row the two boats backwards towards the ramp/dock against the current. 3 boats were at the dock watching. No one made a move to help. The lady of the boat I was towing very loudly and sarcasticly stated, "Don't bother helping or anything We'll get it." Still no offers to help. About 5 minutes into my towing using the oars, the oar broke again. I ended up paddling canoe style to get us out of the current. I guess all that time at the gym paid off---ha ha.
Once out of the current and tied off at the dock, I went to get the trailer. I waited for what seemed 20 minutes for the guy on the ramp to get out of the way. I finally got out of my truck and looked at the guy. He put his hands up in frustration. His vicisious little white dog had stepped on the door lock button with the keys inside and the motor running. Luckily he had not shut his drivers door all the way and my buddy and I were able to work together to pry the door open a little and reach in with one of the pole from my camoflage rig to hit the window button.
Did someone have bad karma or was it fate for us to break down, get help from someone who was headed 30 miles down the delta who then broke down at the ramp so we could help a guy who locked his keys in his car?
BTW, hunting was great that day and so was the sun set, but I'm still sore from the rowing. I have now oars now too and I got the motor fixed again with more help from the forum.
Once out of the current and tied off at the dock, I went to get the trailer. I waited for what seemed 20 minutes for the guy on the ramp to get out of the way. I finally got out of my truck and looked at the guy. He put his hands up in frustration. His vicisious little white dog had stepped on the door lock button with the keys inside and the motor running. Luckily he had not shut his drivers door all the way and my buddy and I were able to work together to pry the door open a little and reach in with one of the pole from my camoflage rig to hit the window button.
Did someone have bad karma or was it fate for us to break down, get help from someone who was headed 30 miles down the delta who then broke down at the ramp so we could help a guy who locked his keys in his car?
BTW, hunting was great that day and so was the sun set, but I'm still sore from the rowing. I have now oars now too and I got the motor fixed again with more help from the forum.
