Back in far enough!

[LORDY611]

Took my "new" boat to a local river for a trial with a repower installation. Never had used this particular launch site before, a bit on the steep side. My son backed it in til the stern began to float off, so I loosened the winch strap, grabbed the bow line and gave the nose a shove. Nothing. I took a step closer, now one foot on the concrete and the other just into the water, pushed again, and WHAM! Down I went on my *****, shorts wet, sore ankle, butt, both elbows, and head. I went down so fast I couldnt even think. The slime on the ramp that was in the water was invisible from above, and man was it slippery. Luckily, I was ok and we took the boat out, but my wife, daughter, son,and his girlfriend wish they'd had the video camera running. We might be $10,000 richer and on TV by now!

 

[OKANAGANGUY]

Re: Back in far enough!

I don't understand why people post their finer moments on this fourm. I personally have done some stupid things in my time but usually hope that no one finds out, and I certianly don't tell other about how stupid I looked. Next time I would suggest disconnecting all straps and cables before launching the boat. Then I have the wife loop the rope around the front and back of the boat on the dock side then just hit the brakes when I see that transum float then the boat gently floats off while she controls it with the ropes. We have launched it this way for about 2 years now and never have had any problems. I don't mean to be rude but I find their are so many people at the launch that have no clue what the hell they are doing. Last weekend I watch a guy back his boat in and out of the launch 12 times trying to get it loaded strait. While the line up grew behind him. Instead of asking one of the 50 people around to help him he chose the scream at his wife until she was nearly in tears option. .......Makes me wonder.........

 

[LORDY611]

Re: Back in far enough!

Cant speak for others, but I guess I've gotten to the point where I can laugh at myself a little, especially when no one was seriously hurt, and no one was inconvenienced. I like reading funny stories about stuff that's happened to MOST of us. My guess is that others do too.
You make it sound as if I had the tires of the trailer on dry land. It would have been a perfect launch if my son went back another foot . I think he did a fine job backing down the ramp on the first try, and I was the one who told him to stop. The real gist of the story is to be careful. I never gave a thought to what might have been growing on the ramp underwater. You can bet I'll be more careful in the future!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Back in far enough!

I think we post our own mistakes to help others learn from them, and to have a little laugh at ourselves. It's a good thing to do...laughing at yourself.

I'm glad you've discovered an effective launch technique for your particular boat and trailer. It sounds very nice. Wouldn't work for me, since I boat solo almost all the time.

As for the guy having trouble backing...well, he's probably a newbie at this. Yes, he should have practiced somewhere, but there it is. Even if he had, he might still have had trouble due to the slope of the ramp. He'll get better at it.

Like the guy who posted about his pratfall, I've slipped on the slime myself a couple of times. I'm more careful now.

 

[jasonh]

Re: Back in far enough!

I'm glad this forum contains people secure enough to confess past & present mistakes made. It's all in the name of good humor and advice being passed along.

Lord knows I've had my share of "D'oh!" moments. Putting them into words is cathartic for me personally. And if it brings a smile to someone's face, then all the better. Anyone who cannot understand why somebody would reveal a past error in judgement probably has zero sense of humor.

 

[Boatnik70]

Re: Back in far enough!

I don't understand why people post their finer moments on this fourm.

What exactly would you have folks post in a forum titled "Stupid Human Tricks...." If you can't enjoy a good laugh, even at your own expense, you're missing out on a lot in life.

 

[OKANAGANGUY]

Re: Back in far enough!

The guy slipped on a slimey rock and landed on his ***. I would imagine that almost everyone here has done that. Do we all have to tell the story?? I guess...if it makes you feel better! I have a sense of humor and I am sure that it was funny to see as long as no one got hurt. It sounds more like inexperience than anything, and hey that is cool we all have to learn some how. I personally don't think that slipping on a rock is fourm worthy. Maybe I should write about the time I stepped on a fish hook and it poked my toe. I am sure you all would love to hear about that.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Back in far enough!

Recreational boating is a serious hobby, but it is for fun and enjoyment.
If you can't laugh at yourself and share the moment, you must lead a very sublime life. As far as posting on this (SHT) forum, it's a form of cleansing.
You are immediately forgiven by the boat gods for sharing your humourous escapades on the water.
OKANAGANGUY, since you have never erred, you may not understand.

LORDY611, I had to smile with the mental pic.

A friend and I were out on Mothers-day at the local Reservior. Beautiful perfect weather and everything worked fine. Was out from before 11am till 7pm, Caught NO fish! Lost my favorite hat (it sunk), lost my Cellphone somewhere, somehow. Worsed was yet to come.
In the parking lot tie-down area, I was doing my shut-down, tiedown and unload. I climbed out of the boat (on the side), onto the trailer fender, then onto a 10" freestanding curb, (see pic) twisted my foot upward and broke my ankle and ruptured my achilles tendon. Emercency Room and Surgery!
It's been crutches for me so far this summer! Not funny but, just plain stupid!! I have a swim step and ladder that I normally use to get in and out of the boat, when on the trailer. I keep forgetting that I'm no longer in my 30's.

Released by the Doc today!!

but still partially immobile. Launching Aug 1st.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: Back in far enough!

The guy slipped on a slimey rock and landed on his ***. I would imagine that almost everyone here has done that. Do we all have to tell the story?? I guess...if it makes you feel better! I have a sense of humor and I am sure that it was funny to see as long as no one got hurt. It sounds more like inexperience than anything, and hey that is cool we all have to learn some how. I personally don't think that slipping on a rock is fourm worthy. Maybe I should write about the time I stepped on a fish hook and it poked my toe. I am sure you all would love to hear about that.

The way I see it, you're coming here with 14 posts under your belt and whanging on guys who are doing what this section of the forum is about. You don't have to laugh at your own mistakes. We don't care whether you do or not.

But leave it alone when someone else finds humor in his or her own mistake. Most of us can laugh at ourselves. Nobody's requiring you to read the posts here. Nobody is requiring you to comment on every post you find here.

If folks want to tell stories on themselves, then that's their business, and none of yours. If you don't want to laugh at your mistakes, we don't mind if you don't tell us about them.

It's not all about you, my friend. Not at all. Leave folks alone and keep your disdain for them to yourself, and you'll find that everyone will be happy to answer questions you might have. Poke at folks here with a chip on your shoulder, and you'll find nobody answering you when you have a problem and need help.

If something doesn't interest you on iboats, then read another thread, eh?

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Back in far enough!

Do we all have to tell the story?? I guess...if it makes you feel better!

Do we all have to read you complaining? Apparently, if it makes you feel better.

Some of the incidents posted in here could've easily resulted in serious injury. The guy who got smacked with the winch handle... I know someone who lost their eye in a similar incident with a high-lift jack handle. The "message" is relayed through levity, but the reminder to keep your face away from the winch handle, your feet firmly planted, and to be aware of your surroundings is certainly worthy of the occasional reminder.

-E

 

[woosterken]

Re: Back in far enough!

WOW!!! okanaganguy Ireally feel sorry for you.IT must suck to be the only perfect person in the world.
TELL US ALL WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WALKM ON WATER
WOOSTERKEN

 

[OKANAGANGUY]

Re: Back in far enough!

I now see how to get a party strated here! I appreciate where the fellow is coming from telling his story. I am under the impression that a forums are a compilation of opinions. I wanted to share mine.

 

[beerfilter]

Re: Back in far enough!

Yeah,your local ramp is THE place for impromptu moments of perceptual dysfunction.

NO ONE is immune,no matter how seasoned and experienced they may be.

Don't want to advertise your foibles?
Understandable,but you have cheated us all out of a good laugh,and maybe,some wisdom.

I HAVE forgotten the drain plug.
I HAVE forgotten the bait.
I HAVE done the Bill Dance at the ramp,and,elsewhere.
Motor/fuel line/fuel tank/battery?
I have forgotten these as well!
Paddle?
Always forgotten untill you ARE up the creek.

Poles?
Tackle?
GUILTY!

Utter whatever expletives come to mind/mouth,then,LAUGH!

These things happen for a purpose(God needs a laugh,too. Maybe you have the top billing today? ).

Above all,LEARN.
If you have had to relearn an old lesson,PASS IT ON.
Chances are,SOMEONE out there needs it for the first time,or,just requires a refresher course.
That slight wounding to your pride could very well save someone thier life!

 

[QuadManiac]

Re: Back in far enough!

Here's MY opinion:

I got a lot more pleasure and wasted a lot less time reading about the guy falling on his butt then listening to you whine!

 

[OKANAGANGUY]

Re: Back in far enough!

WOW!!! okanaganguy Ireally feel sorry for you.IT must suck to be the only perfect person in the world.
TELL US ALL WHAT IT IS LIKE TO WALKM ON WATER
WOOSTERKEN

Woosterken. how does someone WALKM ON WATER.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Back in far enough!

I have a sense of humor....

We can see that!

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: Back in far enough!

"Next time I would suggest disconnecting all straps and cables before launching the boat. Then I have the wife loop the rope around the front and back of the boat on the dock side then just hit the brakes when I see that transum float then the boat gently floats off while she controls it with the ropes. We have launched it this way for about 2 years now and never have had any problems."

Now THIS procedure is prime for posting something on stupid human tricks!!! Unhooking all lines and cables before backing down the ramp is how some poeple end up with hearing a bit "THUD" as their boat lands on the ramp concrete.

When, not if....but WHEN that happens, please post your stupid human trick here, puullleeezzee!!!

 

[tnduc]

Re: Back in far enough!

I personally don't think that slipping on a rock is fourm worthy. Maybe I should write about the time I stepped on a fish hook and it poked my toe. I am sure you all would love to hear about that.

Sure it's funny. There is a reason that, 60 years later and after watching the same episode a thousand times, the Three Stooges are still funny .

 

[57whitehouse]

Re: Back in far enough!

okanaganguy, you can walkm on water the same way you can get a party strated.

have fun but be carefull poking at other people. we read these posts for many reasons. what is yours?

 

[bigmacfan]

Re: Back in far enough!

Oh that is just TOO funny!! Hadn't noticed that misspelling.....what is that my mom used to say about pointing your finger at someone...there's three pointing back at you