GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

[Subliminal]

So, on Monday I called some friends, called the wife, set up an evening boating trip for last night. All week long I was antsy and ready to roll! Time couldn't go by fast enough.

So, yesterday afternoon comes. 75 degrees and sunny...b-e-a-utiful!

I get off work at 4, home by 4:20. Boat is hooked up and ready to go by 4:35, by 4:45 I'm stoked....double check everything and head out at 4:50.

Now, usually it's a 30 minute trip to the water...45 with some traffic.

Yesterday I left the house at 4:50.

Left the gas station by 5:00

Left the sandwich shop by 5:10

Met my wife half way to the boat launch and left her car at the gym.

Pulled out onto the highway and it was stop and go IMMEDIATELY. And way more stopping than going.

Now, keep in mind, it will be dark at 8:00. My plan was to have the boat launched by 6:15 and then be back at the ramp around 7:45. Just a quick hang out, eat some food, maybe drink a beer and call it a day.

7:15 rolls around and we're still not even CLOSE to the ramp. My friends have been waiting for us in Bordentown for over an hour now (I told them to be on time).

So, I have to call it. It's obvious that we aren't going to make it...there's no way.

So, about 5 minutes in no traffic from where I picked up my wife, but an hour and a half after we left, we call it. We call our friends and tell them to meet us at Hooters. They agree.

So, now I'm bummed. We've got all these stupid plans of weddings I don't want to go to, mother-in-laws I don't want to see, and housework and a transmission swap in my truck. Like bogged down...but that was supposed to be the night...didn't happen.

And to top it all off, they were paving the highway going the other way, and what should have been a 20 minute trip took almost two hours.

Sweet.

 

[ziggy]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

bummer story man. i hate it when it don't work out like that...
have ya considered boating at night. it can be done...
ya just gotta go slow.... boating at night is a whole different experience too. not like boating in the day at all. many new challenges i think. do be prepared for night boating though. ya need all yer ducks in a row so as to be safe. it sure can be fun though.

 

[RL Gman]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Hey Sub,

That does suck man, sorry to hear that...Thats how that crap goes though...

I've been reading many of your threads and I know how excited you are to get that boat on the water. As a fellow Monterey owner, I'm also excited to know how much you enjoy the boat!

Keep the hopes up high, and at some point (which I have to do as well) you have to let the hunny know that the hunnydue list may have to take a back seat to boating

 

[ezmobee]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Bummer. If it makes you feel any better I've been "winded" out on my last 2 planned outings. Looks like this evening will be the evening though. If I walk out of work and the trees are horizontal again I'm going to be pissed.

 

[NelsonQ]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Crappy news.... but look on the bright side Sub....

I had plans to be boating this weekend myself.... Found out my boat will be coming off the manufacturing floor next Monday....

I can't even get to the point where I have the boat to splash...

I know the excitement of the new boat, and can only imagine how much worse it is with the boat on the hitch and have to bail last minute.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Well, nobody died, nobody was left stranded and nothing was broken, so it could certainly be worse...but was still a bummer, none-the-less.

 

[scutly]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

you need to do what i did yesterday. woke up to 70+ degrees and picked up the phone. "hello boss? (cough cough sniffle) this crazy change im weather got me sick" i hear him chuckling on the other end. "ok man, enjoy the day on your boat, OH I MEAN FEEL BETTER!" and hangs up.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Lol...yeah, well, I could do that, but I've got nobody to go with. My wife doesn't get paid when she doesn't work...so I make her work.

Right now, though, sitting at my desk, looking out the window to calm trees, a glassy lake and pure sun...tough to be here, that's for sure!

 

[rbh]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

you need to do what i did yesterday. woke up to 70+ degrees and picked up the phone. "hello boss? (cough cough sniffle) this crazy change im weather got me sick" i hear him chuckling on the other end. "ok man, enjoy the day on your boat, OH I MEAN FEEL BETTER!" and hangs up.

+1 take the day off, leave at 0500 be the first one at the ramp, and get the best parking spot.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Ah, the joys of being self-employed and semi-retired. During the season, I wake up each weekday morning and listen to the morning news. Weather guy says, "beautiful day, with only gentle breezes" and I'm heading out the door. We have plenty of windy, thunderstormy days. I fish when it's nice and go when I wish.

It sorta makes up for being an old geezer.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Well, starting after Memorial Day I have 1/2 day Fridays and 1 work-from-home day.

That means if I take 1.5 vacation days a week, I come in for 2 days a week. Take 2.5 and it's a 1 day work week.

I have 23 days this year, so that means not much work for damon.

But waiting for the end of May is terrible. lol

 

[Subliminal]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Woot!

Trying again this afternoon...my cousin and I are going to head down at 4 and my wife and her girlfriend will head down around 6.

I can smell it!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Weather here is also good. I'm headin' out after work as well. Wish it was in my boat and not my dad's but I'll take what I can get.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Weather here is also good. I'm headin' out after work as well. Wish it was in my boat and not my dad's but I'll take what I can get.

Meet me on the Delaware! I'll buy you a beer.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Wind has ruined out weekend here. I feel your pain.

 

[Snobike Mike]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

It's snowing here right now.

At least you're boat is ready to be splashed.

Cheers.

 

[DBreskin]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

The wind is making it tough for us this weekend. I planned to go out both days this weekend. A buddy and I launched from the Pennsauken ramp into the Delaware river at about 2PM. It was so windy there were 3 foot rollers going up the river; pretty tough to go anywhere in my 20" bowrider. I was afraid I was going to scoop a wave. We gave up after about 30 minutes.
I had planned to take my in-laws out for their first ride in the boat for Mother's Day but it looks like the weather isn't going to cooperate. I guess we'll all be stuck in the house together.

 

[Kevinmcm]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

I have a similar story.

Drove 180 miles to the lake, forecast for "a chance of rain Saturday". Friday on way to lake, hit rain half way and stayed in it till campsite. First glimpse of lake and i can see an island where 30' deep water should be. Campground attendant says closest ramp is 30 miles away, our ramp is dry. Rains all night Fri night into half of saturday. Ah at last, i see the sun, jump in truck and away we go, on the 30 mile ride to the other launch. Clouds rolling in. We launch, get out of wake bouy and clouds let free a monsoon, after 30 minutes and no let up we head for dry (well not really) land. shut the boat off at dock, get trailer in water, and the boat wont start, with a dead battery to boot, had to hand load the boat, nuts deep in the water and pourin rain. Put truck in gear, eased on accel and when we broke over ramp, POP! You guessed it, u-joint. Nursed it back to campsite stoppin along way to get new u-joints. Believe it or not i babied the truck back home sunday because i didnt want to change it on the road, and the rain never let up till sun night. I hope next time out goes a little better

 

[skysurfer2010]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Like you said, it could have been worse! Give yourself more time that way you're less rushed. I know I start to make mistakes when I'm rushed.

I also go out a lot at night. The Delaware really isn't as dark as I would have assumed. I'm also extremely familiar with it since I've been on it for a good 10+ years. Just stay South of the Trenton Thunder stadium. And if you do go that far north, stay to the NJ side of the river after you pass the Fountain dealer.

So did you finally get it out yesterday? Was a great day. I'm itching to get mine on the water, but I need to pull the outdrive off to do all the yearly maintenance, bellows, and then repaint it this week. I'm aiming for next weekend to finally set sail.

 

[bhammer]

Re: GRRRR! Not the way I planned.

Wind has ruined out weekend here. I feel your pain.

Yup, I am right down the street from you.... Holding my breath for Sunday, if it's only for an hour or two. Which do you frequent more, Grapevine or Lewisville?