Boat fail confessions!

[radioman]

Having spent the past 14 years at the ramp at Sheps let me share this story for whatever it is worth A number of years ago, at the close of the season, a boater presented on the ramp to launch. He got the boat and trailer into the water as if he was a real pro then things went very badly! The driver exited the car at which time he quickly realized that the car was still in reverse with no parking brake engaged!! The boat floated nicely off the trailer as the car became submerged!! All we could do at the time was to secure the boat and get this guy inside and warmed up.
A diver was called to get a chain around the front axel.

[Bear Guy]

In front the of family cottage is a shallow rocky area with some exposed rocks on the far end. Though properly marked, over the years we have watched a multitude of boats come over the shoals (on the wrong side of the spar buoy), then correct course when they see the exposed rocks. Most don't hit bottom, but we have witnessed a few notable strikes.
The most memorable strike was after dark. Two boats came through on the wrong side, the lead we later learned was a Coronado, I think; the second was larger. We saw them safely clear the shallows, and thought they were safe. Then we saw the lead boat bounce ominously by the far end, and slow to a stop. When the trailing boat caught up, we heard the clear exchange "we hit something" (but no other signs of panic or injury). The larger boat towed the smaller away before MP arrived.
With the light of day, I found, sitting atop an exposed rock ledge, the rudder AND the driveshaft with propeller still attached.

[Just Sold]

Here are 2 of my boat fails!

Last year I launched the 18' Stingray at Swains Lake in Barrington. I am very familiar with the launch ramp and knew it is shallow and there are lots of rocks around it. My wife was in the aft area of the boat as I started the motor but I neglected to ask her to move forward so the prop/outdrive could be higher and away the rocks/lake bottom. Yup, no sooner than I put it in drive I bent the prop blades and the skeg broke off on a rock. Luckily the boat ran OK for a short trip to my friends cottage with no vibrations or other issues. I was able to fix it with a new prop and SS Skeggard and I was a few $$ lighter.

In the late 70's while staying at the Bay Side Inn in Alton Bay I was starting my 15' White wood lapstrake (40hp Evenrude) with the pull start and it started OK except the motor was in forward even though the shifter looked to be in neutral. We were at the single dock in front of the office and the boat slammed into the rocks at the dock chewing a nice dent in the bow. I made a quick trip to the town ramp (wife met me with the trailer) and put the boat on the trailer see if the damage was any worse but luckily it wasn't.

[rick35]

Originally Posted by radioman

Having spent the past 14 years at the ramp at Sheps let me share this story for whatever it is worth A number of years ago, at the close of the season, a boater presented on the ramp to launch. He got the boat and trailer into the water as if he was a real pro then things went very badly! The driver exited the car at which time he quickly realized that the car was still in reverse with no parking brake engaged!! The boat floated nicely off the trailer as the car became submerged!! All we could do at the time was to secure the boat and get this guy inside and warmed up.
A diver was called to get a chain around the front axel.

My next door neighbor used to say that if you watch long enough someone will make it all worthwhile. He spent a lot of time at Sheps and was not disappointed.

[riverat]

Well unfortunately I have several, but this the most memorable.
It was a beautiful day for a ride on the big lake and so we(four adults) headed out of Wolfeboro back bay in my 18' Rinkerbilt with an evinrude 70hp. We decided to head towards 19 mile bay, the lake was calm and all was going well. We fueled up at 19 mile bay and headed back and got out to the broads and made the turn towards Wolfeboro and the engine quit, after several attempts of starting with no luck, not even a sputter, I pulled the cover. It was 92 degrees and calm, with no breeze and no shade. I pulled the plugs and so on and determined it was getting fuel but just not firing.
After an hour or so of trying everything I could, I gave up. And every time we tried to wave someone down for help, they would wave back and keep on going.
But this was also my fishing boat and I had a trolling motor on the bow and used it to get back to Wolfeboro which had to be atleast 10 miles away.
Hours later, four extremely sunburned people loaded the boat and left. Next day I tried for hours to troublshoot the problem only to find that the rubber cover that kept the emergency stop button in the "in" position had dry rotted and the button had pushed through the rubber, killing the engine.

[Phantom]

Originally Posted by riverat

I tried for hours to troublshoot the problem only to find that the rubber cover that kept the emergency stop button in the "in" position had dry rotted and the button had pushed through the rubber, killing the engine.

At least it was rotted .... better than being at the Town Docks (on completely the other side of the Lake), making a spectacle of yourself by running your battery down to where you get that dreadful sluggish cranking sound and you just know you have only one or two more attempts left .....when your teenage son pipes in and says "Dad, did you flip the Emergency Switch on the throttle back to "on" .... I turned it off when we left the boat to go shopping" ............ GGGRRRrrrrrr !!

That was the day I put my son up for adoption ........ he should be 33 by now, hope he is enjoying his new family !


.

[webmaster]

OK, I'll join in. My first (attempted) trip in my first boat did not go well.

When I was in my twenties I got a nice bonus at work and decided to buy a used boat. I had always wanted one but didn't know much about them. This was before the Internet so the wealth of information that we now take for granted was not so easily available. I bought a 1979 Marquis (IO, no manual), trailered it home, cleaned it up and equipped it with a VHF radio and all the recommended safety gear. I also started it for a few minutes and shifted it to make sure everything was working properly. Ear muffs? No one told me about that.

On a quiet weekday I trailered it down to the ramp on the Charles River for my first ride. I was so excited as I dropped it in the water for the first time. Since I was alone I pulled it to the side and tied it to a tree while I parked the SUV and trailer. I walked back, untied it, and hopped in. To my surprise it was quickly filling with water since in my excitement I forgot the plug. I tried the bilge pump but it didn't work. I dove in to the filthy water, inserted the plug and, with some help, managed to get it started onto the trailer. As I slowly cranked it up the water slowly drained out and I took a deep breath and got ready for another try.

I again launched the boat (this time with the plug in) pushed off, started it up, put it in gear and headed up the river. About 100 yards up I started to smell something and looked back to see steam pouring out of the engine compartment. Another boat pulled up and offered to help. He told me to check the water pump impeller and towed me back to the ramp. This time I hauled it out and headed back home a very discouraged boat owner.

The next day I bought a manual and ear muffs and took apart the outdrive. The fuel pump was a melted hunk of plastic. The U-joints were sloppy so I replaced those too as well as the gaskets. When I was done I understood the engine and IO much better. I ran the boat for another 15 years and never forgot the plug or to use the ear muffs. Hard earned lessons.

Anyone else?

[dpg]

Originally Posted by rick35

My next door neighbor used to say that if you watch long enough someone will make it all worthwhile. He spent a lot of time at Sheps and was not disappointed.

That's just cruel!

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by dpg

That's just cruel!

Spring is the best time to Ramp Watch. Lots of newly "Certificated" mariners with their new boats and no hands on experience. Typically they are older boats that haven't been started and or run since last season....or even longer. The most common situation is the engine won't start, and the line waiting to launch is getting longer.

I have a favorite spot to watch the proceedings from the top of the ramp where I can see the starboard side of the boat (aft) where the bilge pump discharge is usually located. If they actually get the boat in the water..and maybe even the engine started, I watch for the bilge pump to come on and start pumping water. If I see this, I make a quick sprint down to the boat and ask the owner if he put the Plug In. Sometimes just a blank stare. What plug? Most of them are appreciative of the reminder.

BTW: Don't even bother to try to put the plug in, from the boat, after the boat is in the water. It's impossible to do....especially if you have an out drive. Your arms are not long enough. Just smile at the people waiting, ...haul the boat back out...put the plug in and relaunch

My very First Launch of my last powerboat over 20 years ago is when I learned this lesson. NB

[Donzi Minx]

Actually forgot about the first incidence. As the kids were all getting a little older I wanted them to enjoy water skiing on the lake, so I purchased a used 1985 Mastercraft Ski Boat. The original owner had cautioned me that the water pump leaked a little and that I should keep my eye on it. Obsessive compulsive that I am, that was not good enough so I replaced the whole pump. This is an externally driven bronze pump off the 351 Ford. Hooked my garden hose to one side of the pump and ran it in the driveway, all seemed tight and the engine ran cool. Before heading to the "cottage" in West Alton for a two week vacation I thought I would maiden voyage the ski boat in a small lake in Hamilton Mass, Chebacco Lake, just to be sure all was well. It all seemed OK until the engine temp pinned the gauge and smoke began to billow from the engine cover. Mobil 1 was the only thing that saved that 351 Windsor. The engine got so hot it melted the cam follower on the points. One of my first experiences with Dave Ewing, the seasoned professional reputation that he has well earned and deserves, glib, but helpful, he explained over the phone that I was trying to blow water through the hull, rather than appropriately sucking it in through the pump to cool the engine. One impeller later and a swap of the hoses made things right. Again total buffoonery thinking I knew anything about boats!

[Hillcountry]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Spring is the best time to Ramp Watch. Lots of newly "Certificated" mariners with their new boats and no hands on experience. Typically they are older boats that haven't been started and or run since last season....or even longer. The most common situation is the engine won't start, and the line waiting to launch is getting longer.

I have a favorite spot to watch the proceedings from the top of the ramp where I can see the starboard side of the boat (aft) where the bilge pump discharge is usually located. If they actually get the boat in the water..and maybe even the engine started, I watch for the bilge pump to come on and start pumping water. If I see this, I make a quick sprint down to the boat and ask the owner if he put the Plug In. Sometimes just a blank stare. What plug? Most of them are appreciative of the reminder.

BTW: Don't even bother to try to put the plug in, from the boat, after the boat is in the water. It's impossible to do....especially if you have an out drive. Your arms are not long enough. Just smile at the people waiting, ...haul the boat back out...put the plug in and relaunch

My very First Launch of my last powerboat over 20 years ago is when I learned this lesson. NB

Hey now!! I will be "that guy" this spring as I am picking up my 07 H190 next Thursday from the marina. I will be taking a shakedown cruise with the salesman so I will get a "hands on" for my first launch and haul-out.
After that, I'll be on my own so I may have a story to tell with the coming season...Hopefully, they'll just be "oh shoot!" moments that I can remedy and recover from quickly.

[NoBozo]

I had a eight inch long (1/8" diameter) Dacron, (Nylon will also work) Cord permanently attached to the tail end of the drain plug. When the plug is installed in the transom drain hole, the cord will "stream" harmlessly behind the transom while underway. Make sure to "touch" the tail end of the cord with a lighted match to "seal" the end so it won't fray and come unraveled.

When the boat is hauled out onto the trailer at the ramp after a day on the water, I remove the plug and take it up to the trailer winch and tie it to the winch handle where it will stay until the next launch.....where I will SEE the Plug and remind me to install it in the transom drain immediately. NB

[radiocontester]

Originally Posted by Hillcountry

Hey now!! I will be "that guy" this spring as I am picking up my 07 H190 next Thursday from the marina. I will be taking a shakedown cruise with the salesman so I will get a "hands on" for my first launch and haul-out.

Best of luck with your new boat! Don't worry about the ramp launch peeps.....most of them are landlubbers!

[radioman]

Ok, I have another one for you: During the summer of 2003, Shep Browns sold a new 28 ft cruiser to a wonderful couple from a town south west of the lake. On the day that they arrived to pick-up the boat and get the shake
down cruise they announced that they were going to Meredith for lunch. Now this boat had a gps, vhf, a new Bizer Chart Etc.. At 3m we get a call from our new customer who says " I am very lost" Since I took the call, my first question was " What does your gps say?? Well he admitted that that he had not thought to turn the unit on!! When I informed him that he was not lost I think he felt better and I asked him for the coordinates and told him to get out the Bizer. People need to realize that Winni is a big lake but if you think that you are lost. find a Lighted Buoy and write down the number. The location of each are found on the back section of the chart.
He was one very embarrassed dude upon his return!!

[KDL]

Near the end of the '14 boating season I hit something at the ramp while loading the boat. Put a small ding in the prop, nothing major but it needed to be repaired. Over the winter I sent both props to New England Propeller for repair and balancing.
First trip out in '15 we cruise down to Alton Bay, boat is running smooth as silk. On the way back we stop at the West Alton sand bar. Drop the front anchor, drift back and drop the back anchor, and then I did something I never do, I put the boat in gear to help the Admiral get us back into position. The second I put it in gear I sucked 6' of chain into my props! Duhhh!
It is not easy getting chain out of props when it's wrapped in two different directions.
Surprisingly there was no damage to the props.
Took me about a month to get over such a dumb move.

[NoBozo]

Newport, RI: Decades ago: I think it was my C&C 32.. Sail.

I anchored at a particular spot in the harbor..I have no clew why I anchored there. As soon as I got anchored..some guy on shore was yelling at me and pointing to a Large Billboard on shore nearby that said: SUBMERGED CABLE..Do Not Anchor.

SO: I immediately hauled up short to retrieve my anchor (A CQR Plow). NO GO. I was hooked up on the cable.

ON DECK: ....I remembered a passage in a book I had read by a guy named Eric Hiscock. He and his wife had spent their lives sailing around the world.

HE SAID: When you get in a situation.... In which I was currently in, slack off to the full length of your anchor rode...and then carefully drive off to one side or the other.. under power (maintaining some tension) until you are about 90 degrees to where your anchor is...then slowly haul in your anchor. You will be hauling your anchor..Sliding Along the cable..as opposed to "hooking" the cable at some angle.

IT WORKED. NB

[Cal]

.Here's another story that will make you laugh. We were on the Chesapeake Bay and stopped at Jelly Fish Joels for dinner. My wife and I were down there for the weekend and staying with some friends who have a summer place there. It was about 730pm when we left and since it was September it was getting dark earlier as we idled out of the lagoon where it's located I snapped a beautiful picture of the sunset as it was nearing the horizon a crossed the bay, We were on the eastern shore. I figured I had about 15 minutes of good daylight and if I laid into the throttles we should be nearly back to our friends house by the time we had to slow down. It was about a 10 mile ride north up the channel. I put the camera on a small ledge next to the bolster and as I did the starboard engine died. Oh well no biggie, put it in neutral and turn the key. Crank, no start. Hit the throttle once crank again and no start. Hit the throttle again only twice this time, and again crank NO START. SOOOOOO we had a 10 mile ride home on one engine at 3000 rpm and 10 mph, bow in the air pushing water. Needless to say it was dark well before we returned home but on a brighter note I learned how to navigate the shipping channel in pretty much total darkness. It was well marked with range marks and red and green channel markers. Sunday morning I replace the ignition module, no help. Then run to the nearest open marine supply and get a new pickup for the distributor and replace that. No help! Now I'm stuck. Got 12 volts to the coil but no spark!! Sat there on the back seat for about 10 minutes pondering the problem , then just for laughs try starting it one more time. I stood up leaned over the bolster and reached down to the ignition switch which now had me looking down at the floor and the lanyard safety switch clip laying there . Well, I Put it back in place where it belongs before I knocked it off with the camera the night before and the starter no sooner engaged and it fired right up. Oh well, it was a beautiful night on the bay. Also known as the advantages of twins

[Dave R]

It was the first time using my new-to-me second boat on Winnipesaukee. I was rounding FL1 (did not know at the time that you can safely go on either side) headed toward the Governor's Island bridge from the Weirs channel on a busy Summer Saturday and the engine died. I began troubleshooting and knew it was an electrical issue rather quickly. I was busy rigging up a temporary power wire to hot wire the engine (which was proving a challenge since the wake action in that area made it like trying to work inside a washing machine) when a kind soul offered a tow to the nearest Marina. <5 minutes into the tow I spotted the kill switch lanyard and clip sitting on the cockpit sole; I had knocked it out with my knee. This was the first boat I ever owned that had one. Doh.

Later that same season was the one and only time I hit rocks with the prop on Winnipesaukee. It was right where the markers swap sides by Pistol Island and I took the "obvious" route. Forunately it was at idle speed and I had a spare prop.

[donmac]

First weekend with a new-to-me boat. Pulled up to Meredith Marine to put gas in for the first time. Removed the cap and let the nice young lady fill it up. It took very little gas. I was pulling away from the pumps wondering if the gas gauge worked and a horrifying thought occurred to me… Did I just fill the fresh water supply with gasoline? Sure enough… I had never had a fresh water tank on a boat and had just opened the cap I saw on the gunnel. Thought I’d take that one to my grave, but there it is!

Like some others we found ourselves in the Witches once about 30 years ago, but I wasn’t driving, and the boat was fine.

-don

[radiocontester]

Originally Posted by donmac

First weekend with a new-to-me boat. Pulled up to Meredith Marine to put gas in for the first time. Removed the cap and let the nice young lady fill it up. It took very little gas. I was pulling away from the pumps wondering if the gas gauge worked and a horrifying thought occurred to me… Did I just fill the fresh water supply with gasoline? Sure enough… I had never had a fresh water tank on a boat and had just opened the cap I saw on the gunnel. Thought I’d take that one to my grave, but there it is!

Like some others we found ourselves in the Witches once about 30 years ago, but I wasn’t driving, and the boat was fine.

-don

Yikes...how did you purge the fresh water system of gas?

[donmac]

Originally Posted by radiocontester

Yikes...how did you purge the fresh water system of gas?

It actually wasn't too bad, if memory serves, the holding tank was actually a small red plastic gas tank that was easily accessed and removed. More embarrassing than damaging...

[radiocontester]

Originally Posted by donmac

It actually wasn't too bad, if memory serves, the holding tank was actually a small red plastic gas tank that was easily accessed and removed. More embarrassing than damaging...

Glad to hear it wasn't too bad. Fortunately the gas and potable water fills are on opposite sides of my boat. The waste pump-out however is next to the gas fill. Getting those two mixed-up would be a disaster....

[Mrcrete]

My 1st trip to winni with my own boat My wife is wanted to rent instead of hauling our 20' center console from Boothbay area I won and hauled up the boat w/o any mishaps yet it felt heavier than normal. I nervously launched at merideth just after passing the temporary license test at merideth marine by the skin of my teeth. Hooked up the boat to the dock and someone pointed out there was water on my floor. I thanked him and explained it's just water coming in through the scuppers. I thanked him and when he walked away I got concerned opened a floor cover and realized my billge pump was not working and I had about 14" of water from two days of heavy rain. At this point impressing my wife wasn't working out. I drove it to merideth marine where they probably regretted giving me my license. They immediately lifted it out of the water and let it pour for 30 minutes Finally we're ready. Drove to Shipley and had a great meal. Upon leaving my wife asked if I've checked the weather. I said looks great. She said there's a dark cloud, I said its nothing By the time we got to rattlesnake isl
The sky was black, lightning bolts chased us to ames farm where we anchored up, ran for shelter in there office and waited it out with or golden retriever at a non pet friendly resort. They were very nice. Not my most impressive day.
I still loved being on the lake. Now it's our favorite place to be

[DBreskin]

Originally Posted by donmac

Did I just fill the fresh water supply with gasoline?

Not as bad as those who mistook a rod holder for the gas fill and ended up with 20 gallons of fuel in the bilge.