Newbee from Everett, WA and 1st boat .... and first mistake

[SeattleDude]

Hey guys,

I am a first time boat owner of 2005 Sea Ray 185 that I got for a very good deal from the original owner with only 28 hours on the boat.

And as a typical noob I already messed up once.

During the loading her back on the trailer I got too excited or simply overwelmed with doing everything for the first time.... and forgot to lift a outdrive completely up.... result is a scratched prop protector and broke a small peice from it. :smt089

I felt like complete idiot when i started pulling her out and couple bystanders shouted... waaaait MOTORRRRR.....

Well with slightly damaged prop protector and bruised ego... i drove her home and still kicking myself for forgetting the essential thing like this ....

 

[Nehalennia]

Don't kick youself too hard. I bet you won't do it again. I did that on my first boat. It really makes you mad at yourself. I was mad, but it's easy to do, but now that you've done it you'll remember.
If you want it fixed right, call John and his crew at the Prop Shop in Mukilteo.
They are the place for that and all your prop needs.
http://www.propshopinc.com/Home.html
You're close to me.

 

[Sundancer]

I just wonder why the trailers are so low? Why not just raise them up just high enough that it won't happen? I've done it, probably will do it again but the current trailer allows for about 6 inches between the drives and the ground.

 

[Rono007]

No biggie and it certainly could have been worse. Do yourself a favor, and just don't let your brother-in-law drive your boat if you have one.

:grin:

 

[tacconelli7]

I did the same thing with my bayliner. My wife was on the dock and noticed and yelled before I got too far. As mentioned, you probably will never do it again.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Heck, that is nothing... I left my outdrive down as I left the house. My paved drive way and access road (200 yds long) had a nice 1/8"-1/4" cut in it and my skeg was about 1/2" shorter by the time I stopped after looking in the rear view and seeing the new groove...

Took several years before the groove finally wore down and finally filled enough with asphalt topper.

I don't think I will EVER forget the outdrive again...

Don't feel bad... stuff happens and you learn from it. If you are really smart, you'll learn from all OUR mistakes... :thumbsup:

 

[NoThanksDad]

Welcome aboard, and may all your issues be minor... there will be many more "little incidents". It kind of goes with the whole boating thing. :thumbsup:

 

[Tonka Boater]

I'll just echo everyone else's comments and tell you not to kick yourself too hard. You bruised your ego more than you damaged the prop and skeg. And, so you can sound cool....the prop guard you mentioned is called a skeg.

Welcome aboard! Don't let your mistake keep you away.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Wow, what a screw up! There are only two kinds of boaters...those who have done that and admit to it, and those who have done it and deny it. Welcome to the club.

Sundancer, my first boat trailer had rollers and the boat sat high enough that it didn't drag on the ground with the lower unit down. The current trailer for my 19' boat has bunks and sits much lower. I'm a member of the club with that one.

 

[SeattleDude]

:smt001 thanks guys for the words of encouragement. I will sure remember now to always make sure the motor is up before I drive it out of the water.

I can remember that I was trying hard not to forget all the little important steps before I drive into the water.... Plug.. check, straps off .... check... successful launch.

but pulling her out and having the motor up.... slipped my mind.

=)

I have been doing some research and playing with different GPS Plotters/Depth finders and stopped on Humminbird 788ci I think it will be just enough of features for my boat and the type of boating that I do.

Now I just need to be patient and wait until the UPS man will drop off the unit at my door.... and I HATE THE WAIT =)

Do you guys recommend the RAM Mount for that unit? or just mount it low on the dash board?

 

[The Bill Collector]

Welcome and I would be way toooo embarrassed to note all of things I have done in my boats.....(present vessel included).

 

[SeattleDude]

=) I am embarrased for sure =)

 

[chumbley]

Ah dude, that's nothin'. In fact, since it's your first boat, and you are bound to find some boating hazards (ones in the water), I would just take a file and smooth the edges, and leave it for now. Then, after you get some experience (and probably a few more dings in the skeg), get it patched up. If you want to...

But, you probably hurt your ego more than your skeg.

 

[Sundancer]

Just tell everyone that's an experimental unit from Mercruiser. The notch is to improve speed!! :grin:

As for the mounting location, get it and sit in the drivers seat to determine WHERE it should go. Ram mounts are good, but spendy. It might just sit right on top of the dash below your point of view.