Re: Bearing made of sugar.
Somtimes I think an IQ test should be required at the time of purchace. I would really have liked to see the loading technique he was planning on using.
The IQ test may not be a bad idea, not just for boats either. That same type of boater is the guy that stops a the gas station before the ramp and pumps 20 gallons of gas into a rod holder or the guy that backs his boat prop first into the dock. It reminds me of a customer that bought a new $40,000 Town Car then came back the next day with brake, power steering and windshield washer problems. He said he wasn't sure which place to add which fluid, so he added a little of each everywhere. When I asked what made him think that a 4 hour old car needed fluids added he said that they always take shortcuts when they build new cars and never fill anything all the way up. (No mind to the full marks, color coded caps, or the fact that it was still under warranty either). The worst part is that the dealer warranted the repairs. Who's dumber in that case?
I watched one guy just this weekend load a boat with an I/O, he was already off the ramp and tying it down and it was still running with the prop spinning. All the while his wife and kids are still in the boat playing with the tilt and trim and gunning the throttle. Those I/O's sure make a racket when tilted beyond the run point while still running. He was screaming leave it alone, she was gunning and revving the motor and the kids were running wild all about the boat screaming and hollering.
I hollered over to him that he should shut if off before he burns it up or even worse walks into the prop and got the reply that he was trying to pump all the saltwater out. I watched it run for at least 15 minutes or so, it was still sitting there running when I left and he had pulled off the ramp as I was just pulling on my trailer. I suppose one way of preventing saltwater damage is to just blow it sky high the first time out and not worry about getting it wet again. It looked like a brand new boat, but I'm sure the New had worn off pretty quick after that ordeal. He was also tossing ropes over the boat to tie it down, I guess he had no clue how to use the retractable transom straps mounted to the trailer, or didn't want to get too close to the spinning prop to figure them out.
I usually try to avoid the public ramps like that one but its the only one with good water at low tide. I don't think I've ever not seen something dangerous or stupid at that ramp. It's usually a good one too for boats dropped on the concrete ramp or trailers dropped off the end of the ramp at low tide too. I have to admit, some people can be down right entertaining if you can stay at a safe distance.
Sooner or later I'm sure the process of natural selection will catch up with some people. In most cases, we can only hope they don't take anyone else out with them.
