Please add this to pre launch check list.

[asgrinne]

Had a BIG eye opener this weekend. <br />We were trolling along at night no wake speed with several friends after the RUDE went into troll sick mode. <br />We were in a basic v formation. We were in lead position. <br />Out of the blue were making an extreme right hand turn right at the hull of our friends 25 ft cruiser. (All ok they were able to swerve away.) It was fast and extreme considering the the slow speed we were at. <br />Please remember to check your steering connection rods and points. Please lock tite those connections. We had come from a river run at 40+- mph. With the narrow river at even that speed a hard right would have been extrememly violent.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

What actually came loose?<br /><br />Glad no one was hurt!

 

[asgrinne]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

Terms may be wrong. So bear with me<br /><br />On the 200 Rude, Straight metal bar that runs parelle with the stern of boat. And the bar that comes off the motor. There is a single bolt and nut holding it together. The nut/bolt seperated leaving the motor free to float While we were under tow we had to tilt the motor all the way up as it was acting like a rudder.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

That bar is the "drag link". The nut on each end should be self locking (nylock). If either of those nuts are regular nuts whoever rigged it was wrong. Very dangerous.

 

[asgrinne]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

Thats what they are now. For sure. But certainly we all check oil, fuel,watch gauges. But how often does everybody go over the rigging? Transome bolts are another were adding to the check list.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

Good point. I look at that stuff pretty regularily on my boat without even thinking about it. Old habit from the race days I guess.<br /><br />Thanks for posting that. Again, real glad no one was hurt.

 

[JB]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

Moving to Boats

 

[Rudderman]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

And make sure your motor clamps are tightened. I know from experience

 

[Terry H]

Re: Please add this to pre launch check list.

Anita...I always wondered what would happen if your motor broke loose like that...it could get exciting. Thanks for the reminder tho, I just put a motor on another boat and was not comfy with the looseness of the nut and was gonna get another one, just hadn't yet...bet I'm gonna fix that tomato...just a thought