On the positive side, If you hadn't forgotten the straps you'd not have found the leaking hose issue until you'd parked the truck and headed out to sea which would have really made the day worse. Things seem to happen for a reason and work themselves out.

But...I'm right there with you on being pissed off, those mistakes are more forgivable if we weren't paying what we pay for these rigs, AND we plan our whole week around getting to use them once or twice a week, then it doesn't work. Usually its our own fault for lack of maintenance, but buy a new care you don't expect the wheel to fall off while driving it home:)

No auto bilge on a new boat?

I have a story that is one of the best I've ever heard.

A friend of mine took his Champion to a dealer at Fork (no longer in business) and asked for a Hotfoot to be installed. They marked where he wanted it to be and settled on a price. A few days later they called to say his boat was ready. He picks it up and goes straight to the lake for an afternoon's fishing.

He gets the boat ready and backs it into the water. He is by himself so it takes a little extra time. He climbs from the back of his pickup into the boat and starts the motor. No issues so far - let's the motor warm a couple minutes then puts it in reverse. He gently gives it some throttle. The boat doesn't move so he gives it more throttle. Still doesn't move.

Thinking he left the transom ties on he gets out of the boat and pulls it out of the water. Ties are off. Bow is unhooked. He backs in again, this time deeper. Jumps back into the drivers seat and starts it up. Guns the motor in reverse. Boat still doesn't budge. Now he is really confused.

He pulls the boat back out of the water and looks all around it to see what the matter could be. Everything looks normal.

Perplexed, he drives back to the dealer and explains his situation. They pull the boat into the shop and start inspecting it. The shop owner finds the young man that installed the hotfoot and begins to question him.

They discover he had used 4" long SS screws to affix the Hotfoot to the deck under the console.

THEY HAD SCREWED THE BOAT HULL TO THE TRAILER BUNK!!!

Wow. That is rich.

if the bilge pump failed to work or keep up .........
all you have to do is fire the motor up and take off ,,,,,,, the boat will drain as you drive.
some people do not this little fun fact of boating.

Wonder what would have happened if you had removed the straps and transom saver and left down the lake. Might have been a blessing in disguise.

Ken, talk about being mad


I have a good buddy (Justin) that has been fishing with me and another buddy (Ryan) for over 10 years. Ryan ended up buying a new to him boat and basically let Justin have his old boat. Justin met me at Lake Lavon for his virgin run.
Dip boat in.
Get in and start it
move to courtesy ramp
park truck
get to boat
do a quick circle
back to courtesy ramp
He forgot the plug on his 1st attempt. I had to call Ryan to let him know.

A week later his is fishing at night with his daughter and she kicked the kill switch
He used the trolling motor for two hours before being rescued by a friend.
He realized what happened after manually loading. He also shin kicked the trailer while loading.
I let him know that he knocked a few of the typical items off the list early.

We've all done it!

It happens to all of us. I've done the transom straps thing more than once. Forgot to remove the steering stops one time, too. Launch, back up and go to turn. Nothing. WTH's wrong with this thing???

LMAO!!

well its out of the way now...

If this were to happen to you out on the lake, just fire up the motor and cruise across the lake...the water will be sucked right out once you get on plane (speaking from experience )

I've seen that happen several times. Usually a good mechanic that does the PDI will check those hoses if they have had that happen before. I know some of them go up on but don't quite latch and seal off. Now the next boat you get you will back it in the water and open all the doors and check.......growing pains. Congrats on the new boat.

Again there is more to come , just have to learn from them because some times mistakes can get $$$$

best thread in a while Thanks for posting