Bummer Day on The Lake

[raythompson]

It started off with truck problems. I had the front brake pads replaced and the brakes were dragging. The brakes overheated severely on the way to the lake. Something did not feel right and when I got out of the truck I could smell the brakes and the rims on the truck were very hot. Probably cooked the rotors. The mechanic will have to make good on that one.

Then when I was putting the boat on the trailer got sideways badly. The prop hit one of the trailer bunks and this is the result. So it is off to Wes' prop shop, again.

[TeamAllen]

I'm sorry to read about your bummer day. I'm sure everyone who reads your post and sees that picture just wince and feel your pain. How long did you tow with those bad brakes? That could have been alot worse! How was the boating in between problems? (tryin to find something positive) At least the post isn't in the launch ramp stories. Thanks for sharing!

[poohpotta]

raythompson - I did the EXACT same thing last summer. I hadn't had my boat long and my wife had backed the trailer too far down the ramp. I got on the trailer sideways and powered the back back and chewed into the inner bunk. Costed about $200 for a new bunk and to get the prop bent out again.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by poohpotta
raythompson - I did the EXACT same thing last summer. I hadn't had my boat long and my wife had backed the trailer too far down the ramp.

That was pretty much my scenario. The trailer was too far down the ramp and was a little crooked and I did not realize how crooked. Got a little sideways and powered back. I don't fault my wife as she is really good with the trailer and has been backing a trailer for 20 years. We are still learning how far to sink the trailer and it varies with the angle of the ramp.

Our old boat was a stern drive and in some ways I think the trailer was better as I had the trailer custom built by a local (in San Antonio when I lived there) so it fit the boat very well. There were centering rollers and other supports that made drive on much easier. This would be difficult with a prop shaft exposed such as on the Tige.

This is not the first time I have bent the prop. Other time hit an underwater stump.

I borrow the prop puller from Wes's shop and pull the prop and take it to Wes's to have it straightened. As the owners says "if you own a boat and use it, I will eventually see you.".

I will have to order a new trailer bunk and will install it myself. Such are the costs of boating.

The rest of the day was OK. Went to watch a wakeboarding event sponsor by Tige among others.

Loudon lake is crap. There are too many very large craft that want to produce the largest wake possible, and the owners take great pride in doing so. Makes the water very rough and Tige's don't do as well in rough water as a deep V hull. I made a mental note to never use Fort Loudon lake every again. It is back to the Little Emory River and Watts bar lake for me.

I towed about 35 miles with the bad brakes before I knew they were bad. I suspect I will need new rotors and bearings plus that pads that had already been replaced. The trip back was done slowly at 40 MPH or less. I figured I could not do much more damage. Ticked a lot of people behind me but such is life.

I thought about putting the story in the launch ramp section but it was really not a lauch ramp problem. Maybe there aught to be a section for "stupid driver stories" but that may get to be a lengthy section if we were all honest.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by TeamAllen
(tryin to find something positive)

Well the day was actually much worse. I fell down some concrete steps and scraped my knees and bruised a bone. I also lost my RayBan sunglasses overboard. Then found out the same day my father has colon and liver cancer, both aggresive. I have, however, not had any contact with my father in the last 34 years so it is not so bad. I just am not happy that there is now a history of cancer in my gene line. Something else I have to watch. Of course I don't like for anyone to get cancer, but my father is effectively a stranger. He has never met my wife of 30 years or seen my son. And he never will.

But I did save $30.00 on my car insurance.

[talltigeguy]

Sorry to hear about the bad day at the lake. Luckily no one was hurt.

Does your trailer have guides on it?

It sounds like you are probably aware, but you should visit your physician about the Colon cancer risk. Having a father with it increases your risk substantially. There are effective (yes, uncomfortable) ways of screening you for it before it has advanced. Once it has entered the liver the chance of cure is extremely small, but it usually starts out growing slowly years before any symptoms occur.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by talltigeguy
Does your trailer have guides on it?

Yes, it does. But it is still easy to get side snorgled on the trailer.

Originally posted by talltigeguy
It sounds like you are probably aware, but you should visit your physician about the Colon cancer risk. Having a father with it increases your risk substantially.

Yes, I am very much aware of the risk. Up to this point I have not informed my doctor because I did not know about my father. On my next yearly physical it will become tops on my list and I will request a colon exam. I will endure a little discomfort for a little peace of mind.

Of course you do know that good health is nothing more than the slowest possible way to die!!

[lee]

The rest of the day was OK. Went to watch a wakeboarding event sponsor by Tige among others.

I thought I saw your boat Saturday afternoon.

[raythompson]

Originally posted by lee
I thought I saw your boat Saturday afternoon.

I was across from the announcers table. White bottom, blue middle (full), white top, blue bimini, white tower and supports.

I saw four Tiges on the water, the white 24V that was pulling the advanced, the red and black pickup boat, and a couple of others I think.

I was very dissappointed in the event. It was slow and poorly paced. They should have had two tow boats with the next rider getting ready while one rider was performing. I was also not impressed with the advanced. They seemed to try a difficult trick and rarely landed them. And then the time for the boat to come around and pick them up took forever.

I was also suprised that the Tige tow boat when so far beyond the course to turn around.

And the "security" people at the entrance to the cove were simply annoying. They blared their siren at me when I was coming in and slowing down. They felt it was their job to give me detailed instructions. Then when leaving they seemed to think I was going to fast when I was going less than 5 mph with no other boats around. Self important (in their own opinion) idiots is what they were.

Tige needs to find another venue for the event. I would suggest Oak Ridge by the marina. The water is exceptionally smooth and has a long straight section with plenty of shore access for spectators.

I put in at the launch on Tellico lake that is close to Loudon damn. I was not impressed the Loudon Lake. There are too many large cruisers that seem to think they own the lake. They take great joy in producing large wakes. They do not know, nor obey, the rules of the road. Nor do they apply common courtesy.

Loudon is off my list for a lake to visit.

[poohpotta]

raythompson - I hear there is a decent event at Old Hickory Lake in July called Board Bonanza. Never been but maybe you should try hitting that event next year.