A MOOKS FIRST TRIP TO THE BOAT RAMP WITH NEW BOAT

[RiskKid.]

Well here's my story....bought my new (used) bass boat (pics to follow when developed) got it to the dealer to be checked out.....had to bring it back again for electrical problems.....all that got fixed so it was to the ramp on Memorial day weekend. Being new to this phenomenom I enlisted the help of a neighbor who is experienced in these matters. That was a wise choice.

So here goes, I back up the trailer and did OK. Hopped in the boat and my neighbor drove the truck back up the ramp and I was good to go....or so I thought....started the engine and VROOOOOOOOM it runs at full throttle.....threw it in reverse and it's throwing water everywhere....the Memorial Day crowd's eyes are all bugged out and I'm now the center of attention getting all kinds of advice......so now after a few more trys with no luck we decide we gotta get the boat on the trailer using the trolling motor....we did that (almost) and drove the boat back up the ramp only to find out it's not all the way on the trailer and we can't winch it all the way on. So now I have to back it up into the water again which I did OK and winch it up the rest of the way. We get it back up the ramp and at this point I'm a celebrity with a crowd feeling sorry for me with my new boat. We now get the engine cover pulled off and everyone is checking things out. One fellow who knew his stuff went right to the throttle linkage where he found it was disconnected and thus my problem.

Now here's the good part. My neighbor is racking his brain to figure out where we can get it fixed. All of a sudden he thinks of a friend of his who lives right near the ramp. He is a helicopter mechanic. Well we go visit him and in a half hour he's got the linkage reconnected, tested and ready to go! Back to the ramp we go.....get the boat put in with no problem....and the moment of truth....it started right up and ran like a purring kitten......alls well that ends well.....took me a bit to figure some things out (like getting on plane) but I now have it down and am tooling around Lake Barkley. Just need to add some experience.

Some thoughts.....the folks at the ramp were great, everyone wanted to help and I really appreciated that. I am really looking forward to being part of the Western KY fishing/boating community. If it were not for folks willing to pitch in with advise and help I would have been in a world of hurt.

Just thought you folks here would get a kick out of this Mooks first experience putting his boat in at the ramp.

[Guest the_muddy_man]

Hey Risk Wanna co-write my boat handling pamplet with me

[roadwarrior]

Good for you!

Great story.

[burleytog]

(like getting on plane)

The things running through my mind... ;D

[Deb]

Sounds almost like "squirrel" material. Where was I with my camera?   Just kidding.  Congrats on the new boat!  If you decide to come on over to Ky Lake, let me know.  I'd be glad to show you some of my favorite spots in Blood River.

[Siebert Outdoors]

from what I hear muddy can help you out with the trolling motor.

Congrats on the new boat and the nothing major first adventure.

[senile1]

Riskkid, did you buy this used boat from a dealer?  If so, I would definitely tell them about the disconnected throttle linkage.  Maybe a free gallon or two of two-cycle oil would make things right, huh?  

[Alpster]

Hey Carl,

Congrats on the new boat! At least you didn't have one of those "the harder I push the righter I go" trolling motors.  

Ronnie

[Long Mike]

Good One Carl!  Be glad the boat wasn't in gear when you started it.

[Fisher of Men]

Riskkid,

Good to hear you had a great time with the new boat.  I can assure you that there are worse "spectators" than that at other lakes.  It sounds that having the friend there on such a busy weekend was a wise choice.

I have had lots of misfortune at the boat ramp and can definitely sympathize with you.

-Fisher

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Wow Risk, I thought we had another squirrel story for sure but you actually did quite well considering "the situation".

Different ramps require you to back down to different depths due to angle.  With this said, should you travel to another lake or use a different ramp, you may have to back down further or not as much as you did on that ramp.    You will learn how much water you'll need to float the boat or cover your trailer.  Time cures all.

Be careful, be safe, enjoy her and GO CATCH 'EM UP!!

[Cajun1977]

Good One Carl! Be glad the boat wasn't in gear when you started it.

they generally dont start with it in gear

[Guest avid]

Way cool.

Maybe your friend can get it to hover over the lake.

[Guest avid]

Sounds almost like "squirrel" material

OK deb, I give up

what's with all the squirrels?

[Long Mike]

Good One Carl! Be glad the boat wasn't in gear when you started it.

they generally dont start with it in gear

They generally don't start running at full throttle either.   ;D

[Guest the_muddy_man]

And I would be going slower than 15mph onto the trailer

[nboucher]

Congrats on the purchase, Carl. I know from experience you're a fine captain.