ben2go
Well-known member
After seeing this thread. https://tinboats.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5000 I thought I would share an embarrassing experience I had about 6 years ago.Up until now, the only people that knew about it, was the girlfriend,the guy from the water company that owns and manages the lake and yours truely.Looking back I can see the humor in it now.The boat was a 16 foot fiberglass jon with a 60's model 9.9 Johnson.Read on and laugh till you cry.
I am almost embarassed to admit this but it worked for me.I spent the morning busting bluegill.I killed the battery fighting the wind.I finally gave up.I reached back to pull the cord on the old Johnson 9.9.BANG!It back fired and gas started leaking from the carb.Forgot the dang paddle back at the truck.So I am sitting there anchored and looking around to see what I have to McGyver my way out of this situation.Hunger was starting to set in and no one was around.Not many houses on the lake back then.I turned to the front of the boat and there in front of me was the key to my return.The anchor.After an hour of over thinking things.There it was,the anchor.I knew I had to stay close to shore.15 feet or less.This was going to take awhile because I couldn't go straight across the lake.I pulled the broke down outboard up,and pulled up that trusty anchor on 1/2 inch nylon rope.Ahhhh my rusty savior.The anchor I believe is a danforth.It's the one with the 2 triangular spikes on a hinge type thing.I kicked off my boots and took off my pants.Yep,took the pants off.There I was in the boat in my boxer briefs.I tossed the anchor at the shore line.Soon as it hit bottom I give the anchor a tug and slowly started pulling myself towards shore.I couldn't toss the anchor very far.Maybe 10 to 15 feet.Once I got to shore I walked the boat as far as I could,hopped back in and started tossing that anchor again.I did this for roughly a mile and a half.I got around to the ramp, the guy from the water company that owns the lake is there.He is staring at me with a dumbfounded look.He ran down the ramp,ask if I was OK and what happened.I told him and tied the boat up for me while I went into the restroom to redress.He also gave me an emergency phone number and told me what areas were dead areas for cell phones. #-o I forgot all about my cell phone and I was right under a cell tower when I started to head back in.I felt like such a dumb@$$.Even tho I didn't have the emergency number,I could have called many friends to come to my rescue.Anyway.I managed to make it back,safe and sound,with the knowledge that I can save myself,if that situation ever comes up again.I started wearing swim trunks under my pants when I go out in a boat.I also leave the paddle strapped in the boat also.
I am almost embarassed to admit this but it worked for me.I spent the morning busting bluegill.I killed the battery fighting the wind.I finally gave up.I reached back to pull the cord on the old Johnson 9.9.BANG!It back fired and gas started leaking from the carb.Forgot the dang paddle back at the truck.So I am sitting there anchored and looking around to see what I have to McGyver my way out of this situation.Hunger was starting to set in and no one was around.Not many houses on the lake back then.I turned to the front of the boat and there in front of me was the key to my return.The anchor.After an hour of over thinking things.There it was,the anchor.I knew I had to stay close to shore.15 feet or less.This was going to take awhile because I couldn't go straight across the lake.I pulled the broke down outboard up,and pulled up that trusty anchor on 1/2 inch nylon rope.Ahhhh my rusty savior.The anchor I believe is a danforth.It's the one with the 2 triangular spikes on a hinge type thing.I kicked off my boots and took off my pants.Yep,took the pants off.There I was in the boat in my boxer briefs.I tossed the anchor at the shore line.Soon as it hit bottom I give the anchor a tug and slowly started pulling myself towards shore.I couldn't toss the anchor very far.Maybe 10 to 15 feet.Once I got to shore I walked the boat as far as I could,hopped back in and started tossing that anchor again.I did this for roughly a mile and a half.I got around to the ramp, the guy from the water company that owns the lake is there.He is staring at me with a dumbfounded look.He ran down the ramp,ask if I was OK and what happened.I told him and tied the boat up for me while I went into the restroom to redress.He also gave me an emergency phone number and told me what areas were dead areas for cell phones. #-o I forgot all about my cell phone and I was right under a cell tower when I started to head back in.I felt like such a dumb@$$.Even tho I didn't have the emergency number,I could have called many friends to come to my rescue.Anyway.I managed to make it back,safe and sound,with the knowledge that I can save myself,if that situation ever comes up again.I started wearing swim trunks under my pants when I go out in a boat.I also leave the paddle strapped in the boat also.