Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

[KFS]

DH was training me to launch the boat today. In the back and forth he became distracted during his launch procedure and long story short we attempted to launch our boat with one trailer strap still attached!

Yes we are THAT family.

Kudos to the bystander who could see what we momentarily could not and came running down. Our 16 yo realized the problem and leapt out to unhook it - but not before we swung on the trailer - nicking the hull.

We had three of us involved and we ALL managed to miss a basic step.

We all love this boat and are just sick about it.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

... we attempted to launch our boat with one trailer strap still attached!... but not before we swung on the trailer - nicking the hull...

What strap was on that allowed the boat to actually get off the trailer?

Where in NE Ohio, Neighbor?

 

[roscoe]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

DH was training me to launch the boat today. In the back and forth he became distracted during his launch procedure and long story short we attempted to launch our boat with one trailer strap still attached!

Yes we are THAT family.

Kudos to the bystander who could see what we momentarily could not and came running down. Our 16 yo realized the problem and leapt out to unhook it - but not before we swung on the trailer - nicking the hull.

We had three of us involved and we ALL managed to miss a basic step.

We all love this boat and are just sick about it.

That will happen as more people get involved.
Either one person is made responsible for checking everything, or each person must have specific duties that they are responsible for.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

"We had three of us involved and we ALL managed to miss a basic step." The easiest way to error is to have more than one involved unless each has specific items to take care of.

Used to live up in NE Ohio too,,, but the boat/fishing season is too short and I hate the cold.

Never leave without hitting the submit button 1st...

 

[KFS]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

Berlin Reservoir in Portage County.

One rear strap was still attached - and that sucker held, turning a tandem axle trailer into a really big anchor as the boat was buoyant and began to float while still tethered by one rear corner like a leash. As near as I can recall with newbie inexperience it just sort of turned sideways on me and then there was running and yelling. Grateful for our 16 year old who quickly released the strap. I'm sure my novice status contributed mightily to the problem.

 

[KFS]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

We are not a "blaming" family but I do give kudos to my husband who took ownership of the mistake even though I KNOW my inexperience accounted for much of it.

To his credit he still allowed me to drive it back up on the trailer (without incident - yay!) although he would have been well within his rights to say he had enough excitement for one day.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

I might suggest that if you are backed in so far that the Bow is Floating, you are backed in WAY Too Far!

I back in, just until the Transom starts to get wet, and then slide it off.
If a Transom Strap were still on, there would be no way to get the boat off the trailer.

 

[KFS]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

Absolutely no way to get it off the trailer! with enough float you can get a pretty good twist though!

Lake was so high that Army Corps Camp ramps were closed due to flooding. We were using a nearby marina. The water was nice and deep. In retrospect an unfamiliar ramp is NOT the place to say "honey I think I would like to learn to launch the boat!" Which is why this was a "stupid trick."

Told DH that he good news (TIC) is that we did all this circus of stupid within sight of our regular marina mechanic. We won't have to explain what we did, he can say he saw the whole thing. We paid $5 to launch and surely provided 10x that in entertainment value. (That said everyone who saw it was nice. Strangers don't have to leap over trailers and run into the water to help you so it's nice when they try

We are known to maintain our boat so it bugs me that our mechanic, in good conscience, would have to say "sure they took good care of it, but there was this one time ..."

 

[TimBobCom]

Re: Stupid Human Tricks: Launch Edition

That will happen as more people get involved.
Either one person is made responsible for checking everything, or each person must have specific duties that they are responsible for.

Yup, when I have launched and others jump in to help I have forgotten (or nearly forgotten) either the straps or a plug. I just tell them they need to help load the coolers if they insist on helping while I am preparing the boat/trailer for launch.