Break Out Another Thousand.

[ScotWithOne_t]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

I kind of agree except that the drive side of the bellows will probably not align with the exhaust hole when you trim down and could be crimped and cause back pressure. I think I'd rather see that type of bellows removed then run unattached . . .

Noted.

If I can't contort my fingers enough to reconnect it, I may just pull it off completely, then maybe invest in one of the tube/new-style connections next year.

...or maybe this is a good excuse to run some thru-hull side-pipes?

*waits for hailstorm of rotten tomatoes*

 

[Ronder]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

Sorry to see the Damage!

WHITE BEAR LAKE ? Lake water levels hit the lowest mark in recorded history earlier this month (Aug).

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said an Aug. 6 reading registered 919.88 feet above sea level, sinking below the record of 919.896 set in 1991.

You got to know were to go when it is this low!

 

[jmarty10]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

If one can't rely on buoys, signs and other markings, then how is one supposed to know? I'm beyond complaining and feeling sorry for myself about the incident, I just want to make sure I don't do it again. People keep saying that one has to know the water and such, but how?

Regarding insurance, yes... my bad for not having it insured. Kept forgetting to call the agent during business hours all week. Saturday morning I figured, "oh well... we'll just take it easy today. What are the odds of something bad happening?" I guess I should have bought a lottery ticket that morning too.
Anyways, called the agent today and got it fully covered now.

Ask around at the dock/ramp/marina on water levels, instructions etc. Boaters are real helpful to other fellow boaters.

Did you tell the insurance agent about the accident yet?

 

[ScotWithOne_t]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

Ask around at the dock/ramp/marina on water levels, instructions etc. Boaters are real helpful to other fellow boaters.

Did you tell the insurance agent about the accident yet?

I suppose there's always word of mouth information about lake levels and such. I was kind of hoping that there was some sort of published info or even a wiki-style user-inputted database of information about known hazards.

How about electronic gadgets? Sure, there are depth finders and GPS topo-maps, but are there any more advanced systems that give you a real-time 3D visual of the bottom? Sonar? maybe I watch too much sci-fi.

Haven't told the insurance about the incident. Can't claim anything anyway since it happened last Saturday and I just got the insurance activated today.

 

[Thajeffski]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

Mine is definitely the accordion style. I'm starting to think that it didn't come off during the rock-incident. Even if they force of the hit pulled the drive leg backwards against the force of the hydraulic pistons (unlikely) then the farthest they could have extended is to the mechanical stops in the rams, which it the equivalent of having the leg in the full trailer-up position. I'm thinking the bellows was maybe just loose, and turning the steering side to side while in full up may have popped it off.

I've heard of people running with no exhaust bellows, and if I were to switch to the "new style" that is just a tube that seats upon lowering the drive it wouldn't be any different, so I don't see it as an immediate problem to fix.

I have this new style, it sucks. My boat is so freakin loud at 20mph that it's annoying. I would just run without it if I were you, the new one does NOTHING to put exhaust through the drive.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

I suppose there's always word of mouth information about lake levels and such. I was kind of hoping that there was some sort of published info or even a wiki-style user-inputted database of information about known hazards.

No such thing, especially in the land of 10,000 lakes. There are forums (like this one) that talk about specific lakes so that is one resource. Talking to other boaters as they come on/off the lake is another. Just being cautious is the biggest thing. Humans have navigated lakes, rivers, and oceans for thousands of years without any electronic gadgets to help them out. Being on the water is totally different from a road, where you have signs and certain levels of expectations. The unknowns are what lure some of us to the water. You're just going to have to get used to it.

Sorry for being harsh, but as others pointed out, there was potential for serious injury to your passengers and that is 100% your responsibility and fault. I won't mince words here by saying that if you aren't ready for that, you should consider not boating.

IMO - the mistake that you made was starting with such a nice boat. I see it time and again on this forum, people drop thousands of dollars on beautiful new boats before every getting experience on the water. The best thing anyone can do is learn on a tiny boat and work their way up. I hit my share of docks, rocks, and what-not with my $300 aluminum boat. I did a few more dumb things when I upgraded to a 25hp and then 35hp motor. All of those mistakes didn't cost me much and didn't injure anyone since I didn't have the capacity for having passengers. Now I own a bigger boat and feel confident that I can make good decisions based upon the knowledge that I've gained. You may want to consider taking a step back.

Don't consider it an insult, but just some advice from a fellow boater who's been in your shoes. Many of us have...

 

[Blue2Green]

Re: Break Out Another Thousand.

Ouch, thank goodness no one was injured. If my Mother in law hit the deck she would of said i did it on purpose...