Re: Falling overboard
My parents bought their first boat, 19" Princecraft Deck Boat. My father was very proud that he was able to talk the dealer into all the extras, (extra prop, a couple of lifejackets, 4 boat fenders, etc). Anyway, it was their first outing and we had a boatful. After a couple of hours on the water, we decided to go to the marina for restroom breaks (for the ladies) and some more drinks and ice for the coolers. <br /><br />There was a little bit of wind, but not bad. I know my dad was nervous about getting that first scratch on the boat. As he gets within about 10 feet of the dock, he tells me to get to the front and jump up onto the dock as soon as I can and pull the boat on in. I do as told, and I get one foot on the dock and one foot on the boat. (I am sure you can guess what happens next, but never again to me.) <br /><br />Anyway as I am trying to hold the bow in place, and also pull the back of the boat in place, my father is screaming at me to be careful and not let it hit, "Because I don't want any scratches."<br /><br />My mother says, here let me put one of these fenders out, isn't that what it is for. (Realize that this all happens in about 10 seconds.) She frantically flips it up out of the storage compartment and hits me right square in the face. My sunglasses and hat go flying and I slowly feel my legs spread as the bow of the boat creeps ever so slowly away from the dock. I hit the point of no return when I realize that it is too late to go back to the dock and also too late to make it back on the boat, so I just fall feet first into the water. It made the day of several spectators.<br /><br />Lessons learned: <br /><br />1) Never put one foot on the dock and one foot in the boat unless you are following immediately with the other foot.<br /><br />2) Boats are meant to be used, which means they will get scratches.<br /><br />3) Never, never ever let your mother handle the boat fenders.
