Re: First time boating total disaster today.
Wow, people here are so supportive. Thanks for all the tips.
My vehicle is an 92 caravan so it is not very tall. I really didn't see much through the centre rear view mirror. I definitely need more practice on backing the trailer. I have to admit that after getting the boat back home, I disconnected the hitch and had everybody push the boat to the parking spot. I need to start driving (backing) it into the parking spot instead.
The 10' PVC pipe was a tip from the park ranger that can be used to push the boat against the bottom if I every get stuck. I think I will also put markings every two feet so I can also use it to test water depth. The problem on that lake is the water is shallow. Even I jumped out of the boat about 35' off shore, the water dapth was only to knee and the propeller stucked on the bottom. I think that's why the other boaters used their trolling motor to get further out before using their main engine.
I do have one paddle in the boat but it didn't do anything for us that day. I think that was because the prop got stucked so paddling didn't work.
I've got a bit more info from the repair forum on tuning up and setting the idle speed on the engine. I hope I can retry getting back to the water soon. Next time, I'm going to get an experienced boating friend to go with me.
-AC
Wow, people here are so supportive. Thanks for all the tips.
My vehicle is an 92 caravan so it is not very tall. I really didn't see much through the centre rear view mirror. I definitely need more practice on backing the trailer. I have to admit that after getting the boat back home, I disconnected the hitch and had everybody push the boat to the parking spot. I need to start driving (backing) it into the parking spot instead.
The 10' PVC pipe was a tip from the park ranger that can be used to push the boat against the bottom if I every get stuck. I think I will also put markings every two feet so I can also use it to test water depth. The problem on that lake is the water is shallow. Even I jumped out of the boat about 35' off shore, the water dapth was only to knee and the propeller stucked on the bottom. I think that's why the other boaters used their trolling motor to get further out before using their main engine.
I do have one paddle in the boat but it didn't do anything for us that day. I think that was because the prop got stucked so paddling didn't work.
I've got a bit more info from the repair forum on tuning up and setting the idle speed on the engine. I hope I can retry getting back to the water soon. Next time, I'm going to get an experienced boating friend to go with me.
-AC