so I'm new here, be nice. I bought my first and only boat about a year and a half ago. It's a 1974 Yarcraft, 50 hp, grubby little thing. But it's mine and I love it.
So I try to be methodical with everything about it, taking my time, checklists, etc. Maybe I got cocky. I was heading out to one of the local lakes a few weeks ago, a little later than I would have liked. Wanted to get a little fishing in before dark. In a hurry. And I forgot the plug. Put the boat in, go park the car and trailer. Walk back, start it up, let it warm up, not paying enough attention. Untie the line, into reverse, and turn around to see about 12 inches of water in the stern. I freak out, back into forward, onto the beach. Climb into the back, stick the plug in, turn the pump on, crisis averted. The water is draining, okay, cool. Start the engine again, back off the beach, but not far enough apparently. Back into forward, hard over to the right to spin around. And of course, I wasn't thinking just yet. Thump, thump, thump. The prop dragged onto the concrete of the ramp.
Alright, shut it off, drifting out into the lake now. Pull the engine up out the water, survey the damage. From that vantage point, it didn't appear to bad, the engine started and ran, so I went fishing. Caught a few fish, went home and took a closer look. The prop was pretty chewed up. I was able to file the worst of the sharp edges out, and it's serviceable now. I just hope the lower unit is okay. It still shifts okay though. Lesson learned. Don't be in such a big hurry!
So I try to be methodical with everything about it, taking my time, checklists, etc. Maybe I got cocky. I was heading out to one of the local lakes a few weeks ago, a little later than I would have liked. Wanted to get a little fishing in before dark. In a hurry. And I forgot the plug. Put the boat in, go park the car and trailer. Walk back, start it up, let it warm up, not paying enough attention. Untie the line, into reverse, and turn around to see about 12 inches of water in the stern. I freak out, back into forward, onto the beach. Climb into the back, stick the plug in, turn the pump on, crisis averted. The water is draining, okay, cool. Start the engine again, back off the beach, but not far enough apparently. Back into forward, hard over to the right to spin around. And of course, I wasn't thinking just yet. Thump, thump, thump. The prop dragged onto the concrete of the ramp.
Alright, shut it off, drifting out into the lake now. Pull the engine up out the water, survey the damage. From that vantage point, it didn't appear to bad, the engine started and ran, so I went fishing. Caught a few fish, went home and took a closer look. The prop was pretty chewed up. I was able to file the worst of the sharp edges out, and it's serviceable now. I just hope the lower unit is okay. It still shifts okay though. Lesson learned. Don't be in such a big hurry!
