Finally!

[skargo]

Today, launching solo, like I usually do, I committed an error. Did everything like I usually do, backed it down the ramp over water, unhooked winch and safety chain. When launching alone I hook a stern line to a cleat, back up, tap the brakes, get out and secure boat. Today, no cleat where I needed, just a new patch for a rotten section of dock. I went back to the truck, to back it it further so my line would reach, started backing, she slid off like it was a roller trailer!
I threw the truck into park, stepped on the parking brake, jumped out, and just barely caught my bow rail. No leverage and only one thing to do, I went swimming, climbed aboard, and started it up, and docked it.
Still trying to save my cell phone.

Of course, the 2 fisherman watching me had a blast. :redface:

 

[tnduc]

Re: Finally!

I've learned my lesson the hard way. Cell phone and wallet stays in the truck while launching and retrieving .

 

[Blue Crabber]

Re: Finally!

I guess that it is time to get a longer dock line

Nice meeting you out on the water yesterday.

 

[Bass Tracker TX17]

Re: Finally!

I always have a 50' line hooked to the bow at any ramp. Gives you a safety valve in case things get strange. I launch at mostly dock less places so having the rope to send the boat out off the trailer and pull it back to shore keeps you dry. If you would have had a bow line coiled in the back of the truck to the bow it would have been much easier. The thing about stuff like this is nothing really bad happened and you learned something. File it away and wait for someone else to do it.

 

[skargo]

Re: Finally!

From now on I will use a longer bow line, and wrap it around the winch stand.

Still tempted to turn the phone on, but I am going to put it in rice for a day or two per a friend's suggestion and see if it dries out.

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Finally!

Glad it all worked out..

Rice huh? Haven't heard of that one. But it makes sense.
Depending on how low your oven goes, (Temp wise) you can put it on warm. (if less then 180) it will dry out there. I have dipped my phone in water several times. pulled the battery and let sit for a couple of days and fired up.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finally!

cell phone: pull the battery and set it above (not on) a light bulb. But if it was dunked while on, could be a problem.
Buy a waterproof case for the phone. You can buy one at the marine store for $10 or a box of 50 from the grocery store for $3.
Bow line: I always tie off. But once when launching alone, I tied off a bow line to the trailer, got the boat off and was pulling up when the line caught a roller edge or something and broke, sending the boat adrift. Did you know that you can pole vault from the end of a dock to a baot with a shove pole?
Now I am likely to tie off two lines if alone.
Consider getting a dock cleat: a cleat that has a T on the bottom so you can insert it between pier planks if there are no cleats in position. Look in the marine catalogues.

 

[lowkee]

Re: Finally!

I recall reading a review on ways to revive a cell phone and placing it in a bag of uncooked rice was the top method. The oven trick had mixed results and often made the LCD go wonky.

At least now you know a method of getting your boat launched if it ever gets stuck on a bunk

 

[IVAZ]

Re: Finally!

Sorry to hear about your minor mishap Skargo. We new guys get to learn many things by experience. I guess sometimes they are bad experiences.

If you take the battery out of the phone and let it sit for two days it will dry out. My old Nextel and the wife?s iphone have both been submerged before. They both work perfectly fine after they dried for two days.

 

[WTR4FUN]

Re: Finally!

Just curious if there is a reason why you dont drive the boat off the trailer?

 

[Kracken]

Re: Finally!

Skargo,

If you are going to do something like that..one word.


VIDEO

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Finally!

and if you didn't take a video, go do it again and film it so the rest of us can enjoy the experience.

 

[j_martin]

Re: Finally!

Some friends these guys are

 

[skargo]

Re: Finally!

Just curious if there is a reason why you dont drive the boat off the trailer?

Pretty hard to get into the boat after I back the truck down, hmmm, thinking about it I guess it would be easy to jump in, power it off gently.
I know there's a HUGE hole at the end of the ramp from people powering on mid pier at the end if the ramp was well over my head, there was only 4' at the end of the pier. That hole surprised me

It comes down to me being a dumbass and not wrapping my bow line around my winch at least. I am so anal about leaving the winch strap and chain on until I'm over water, but didn't expect it to slide right off my bunks like that, especially considering I have to give a good jab at the brake pedal to get her off on any other day.

Won't happen again. I'm sure I'll do something else to warrant another thread here someday.

I went and bought another phone, I was eligible as of 7-1 for a free upgrade, and actually have a camera and keyboard on this phone

 

[wajajaja02]

Re: Finally!

if you need a new cell, verizons gz 1 phone is rugged and water proof to 20 ft.

 

[david_r]

Re: Finally!

i tell you what you need................ a "kisler" rod

i was at a buddies house drinkin ........ er i mean watchin fishin shows, and we saw the guy doin the show on a commercial (or promo section or whatever you call it) and he had beached his boat for some reason or another (didnt catch it all) but the water had risen some (tide or dam opening i guess like i said didnt catch it all) and the wind blew his boat about 30-45' away from the bank........

he got a back up pole from his truck, threw a lure at it till he caught onto it, and fought against the wind with a big overpriced bass boat....... he got the boat to shore and didnt even crack the rod.

heres the rod sight http://www.kistlerrods.com/fishing-rod/testimonials.15.10.15.0.0.0.html

 

[Forgotten]

Re: Finally!

thats great except for the hole on the seat from the fishing lure and getting to dig the lure outta the seat or carpet

 

[dthrckt]

Re: Finally!

It is pretty rare for me to endorse a product, but I have this cell phone and it is great for an outdoorsman.

http://blog.planet-cell-phone.com/verizon-introduces-new-tough-phone-the-gz-one-type-v/

it routinely sits in the bottom of my boat in a puddle of gas and water and I've never had a problem. second best feature is the (little) led flashlight. third is a decent camera, for when I forgot my fuji and I catch a nice fish...

unfortunately they stopped making this one but the current models feel almost as tough.

downsides, it is big, heavy and not very cool looking, but other phones don't look too cool after a dunking

of course, you could just take your phone out of your pocket before you launch

 

[skargo]

Re: Finally!

Well tomorrow will be the first solo launch since last Saturday. I'll let you all know how it goes