So this weekend was my first chance to get the boat out on the water, and like every time I go, I learned something new.

Only this time it wasn't a fun lesson. Backed down into the water, started the boat like normal to let her warm up and noticed my bilge running water out of the hull. I definitely put the plug in, so couldn't figure out why the hell there was that much water in the hull. Open the engine compartment (it's an I/O) and lo and behold water is spewing from my raw water block reservoir into the hull. Load the boat up and get up off the ramp, the plug for the reservoir was completely gone. Turns out my marine mechanic apparently didn't feel like I needed that one. Sure glad I noticed at the ramp before I got out and my motor seized up!

Really sucked - lost one of my few chances to get on the water, plus the cost of gas/tolls/ramp fee. I should have caught it at home when I started the boat earlier this year, only the boat was angled forward, so any water would have gone to front of hull, away from bilge pump.

Moral of the story: Even if your marine mechanic comes HIGHLY recommended to you, still check every single damn thing they do. Or just learn to do it yourself.

I had that happen with my full inboard shamrock. The owner before me winterized it and never installed the manifold plugs back in. They are just 1" pipe thread so I ran to the hardware store and got some.

One time I had my boat serviced and the next time I went to get her out of my storage, there was a puddle of lower unit lube under my motor. I guess they didnt think it was important to tighten and RE-CHECK the screw. But the owner did come out and refill my lower unit so I could go fishing that day with my old college buddy (Cameron @LFM).

Seems like it's always the simple things that get screwed up.

I need to start a list of things to check for the maintenance I don't do myself.