magster65
Commander
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2002
- Messages
- 2,573
I wrote this a couple years back. While boat shopping I found and made a deal on this Sea Ray subject to a sea trial... it went like this:<br /><br />Nope, there's no boat in the driveway. You won't believe this! I get to the guys place (John) in Nanaimo about noon. We chat for a minute and head to the boat ramp in Horseshoe bay. The Sea Ray tows real nice even though it's quite big. We launch the boat easily and it starts with a touch of the key. It warms up nice and we head out at a slow cruise. After exiting the harbor he brings the RPM's up and puts the boat on plane (3000 RPM +/-). It was a very nice cruise at about 20 mph. We boogied along like that for a bit and decided it's time to bring her up to full speed, so he rolls on the throttle and we start to speed up. John has a hand held GPS and gives accurate speed so hes reading it out, 22
. 24
. As we approach 30 theres this horrendous bang. We were both looking out the front window but somehow managed to hit a friggin' deadhead that was floating just below the surface
Holy ****! I lifted the engine hatch up immediately and luckily we werent taking on any water. The engine is still idling, but of no use to us now. John shut the boat off. Were adrift in Horseshoe Bay. After looking over the swim-grid and seeing no leg hanging there John calls the Coast Guard rescue. They call a friend of his to come and get us. As were waiting we drift closer and closer to shore and of course, the wind picks up. Eventually its time to throw out the anchor to avoid going up on the rocks. Guess what? Horseshoe Bay has a flat sandstone floor in it. We drag the anchor until were about 15 feet from shore (no bull) and it finally hooks something. Were safe for now! About 40 minutes later Johns friend Al shows up in a new 28 Bayliner to tow us back to the ramp. Now its getting a windier and theres a 2 chop in the bay. As Al comes around to pass his buddy John the towline, the wind kicks up and sends him sideways toward the rocks. Now hes in trouble! With a couple of quick forward reverse actions he recovers and pulls back away from us (hehe shoulda' seen the look on his face). After a few more failed attempts it was time for new plan, and now! The wind and waves were increasing. The anchor starts slipping so Al quickly nosed the bow of his Bayliner up to the back of the Sea Ray, I stood on the swim-grid, hooked my leg on the transom and held on (with both hands) to his bow railing, he backed away slowly and that finally worked (I think Im taller now). He pulled us away from the rocks so we could hook up the towline properly and off we went. Whew! Double whew!! Upon arriving at the ramp, John backs the trailer down and we hook up the Sea Ray and pull it on the trailer easily. As he pulls it out of the water I see a nice shiny Alpha drive unit broken completely in half, the prop must have come up and cut the swim-grid in a couple spots too. Luckily, the free half of the broken leg is hanging by the hydraulic trim rams. We got a wrench and took off all the hanging pieces and headed back to his place. I looked over the transom and I couldnt see any damage other than the leg itself. I left his place very disappointed with the money still in my pocket. 
<br /><br />Note... after the repairs were completed (and another hull survey) I bought the boat. I think that sea trial cost him $2500. Any one else had something like this happen?
<br /><br />Note... after the repairs were completed (and another hull survey) I bought the boat. I think that sea trial cost him $2500. Any one else had something like this happen?
