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:blush: Many apologies to the fine folks moored at depot bay this morning. I came in pretty hot and recieved some mostly deserved radio critisism. This is not normal behavior for me, but the boat was filling with water, and the motor was about half under. The problem, missing plug. This is one thing that I thought would never happen to me. I am always so careful when putting the boat in and perform a 360 walk around. I always keep my plug hanging from my safety chain, so that when I remove it, it will remind me to install it. Well, my routine was disrupted, and my well meaning crew members helped me launch the boat, due to the ramp pressure I obliged them. Mistake. They released the safety chain and didn't notice the boat plug hanging from it. We made it all the way out to the last Depot bouy before I noticed the boat behaving strangely. It was as if a lightning bolt struck me down right there. THE PLUG!!. I looked at the crew desprately hoping someone miraculously remebered the plug. After looking into the faces of my guest it was apparent that no one remembered the plug (including myself). I hit the bilge pump, turned the boat around and made a bee line back to the hole. After radio call anouncing my entry was made, and an all clear was given, I made a bee-line through the hole. By now the adrenaline was pumping, and the safety of my crew and my boat was formost in my mind. :bigshock: I did come in hot, and was hoping to make the dock before the motor quit due to being drown out. After the radio started barking at some idiot creating wakes in the bay, I realized quickly that I was the idiot. I slowed it down and appologized to the offended captains.
Well, needless to say, beyond the embarassment to myself for making such a stupid mistake, I was very happy to make it back to the dock and get my boat on the trailer. When I looked into the engine compartment, I was about half way up the motor.
assout: Still shaking, I comtemplated on whether we should go back out again. The fog came in thick and that made up my mind.
Important lesson learned. If you have a routine, don't let the pressure at the dock let you vary from that routine. Take your time and get it right. The consequences for mistakes in this sport are not very forgiving.
Again, apologies to the fine folks moored at Depot.:flowered:
John
Well, needless to say, beyond the embarassment to myself for making such a stupid mistake, I was very happy to make it back to the dock and get my boat on the trailer. When I looked into the engine compartment, I was about half way up the motor.
Important lesson learned. If you have a routine, don't let the pressure at the dock let you vary from that routine. Take your time and get it right. The consequences for mistakes in this sport are not very forgiving.
Again, apologies to the fine folks moored at Depot.:flowered:
John