I was that guy :(

[BCRider]

My destructive roll is on going. After my holidays I pulled all my sacs to get the water out and let the boat dry out. I decided to leave my bow sac out as the floor was quite wet and figured I'd just reconnect it once back on the water next outing. Nope, I forgot. Hit the switch to start filling the bow sac and didn't notice until I saw water running down my walkway. FML...Again! Had to use my throw over the side pump to get all of the water out of the cubby under the dash of the passenger side. My tool box was floating.

Before we left for the above outing I hooked up the boat to the truck to start prepping and didn't move the wooden step I've made for getting on the boat in my driveway. Well, it was placed under the platform and taps plate. So when I jacked up the front of the trailer it pushed the taps plate down on to the step. I now have a bent taps plate which I need to try and straighten out. Only upside is it's bent so that the regular side is high....it may have helped my surf wave.lol.

Regardless, I need this self destructive behavior to stop!

[Germaine Marine]

Everything can be fixed, Glad you are ok and your boat stayed afloat

[TigeFamily]

Says the guy who gets paid to fix our dumb mistakes! Just kidding, couldn't resist

[Tigeluv]

We've used an auto drain pug for years. We do all activities including floating for hours. NEVER had an issue. Don't need to remove it for traveling.

Digger Anchor Bail-R-Matic Automatic Boat Drain Plug
$44.99

[DCR20]

We have a routine checklist that has come out of all of the mistakes we have made in the past. People think I am crazy when I start going through it - Trailer Hitch Fastened to Tow Ball - Safety Chain On - Trailer Plug to Car - Trailer Hand Brake Off - Key in pocket - Battery Functional - Drain Plug In - Rear Straps On. After our most recent mistakes we have included Bimini Rods On Board and Surf Rope (or any rope for that matter) packed. The last one was fun after driving 1 hour to the lake to realise we had brought all the gear, wake and surf boards but left the ropes at home. I could write a book with all the stories!!

[Bakes5]

I count to 5 every time I'm put it...every time. And do it twice when in a hurry or things are going a little sideways.

1. Port transom strap
2 plug
3 starboard transom strap
4 winch stRap
5 bow hook backup strap

I have a similar one for trailer connections.

[ericinmich]

Check to be sure pin is in hitch receiver. I know this sounds odd, but I had the pin stolen once. Towed the trailer 4 hours up north, launched boat. A week later hooked up trailer (hitch was still in receiver), drove to ramp and loaded boat. Started pulling out and "bang", trailer was hanging by chains.

Best I can guess, someone stole pin during the week, drove truck to dinner a few times...

[Dandy]

Check to be sure pin is in hitch receiver. I know this sounds odd, but I had the pin stolen once. Towed the trailer 4 hours up north, launched boat. A week later hooked up trailer (hitch was still in receiver), drove to ramp and loaded boat. Started pulling out and "bang", trailer was hanging by chains.

Best I can guess, someone stole pin during the week, drove truck to dinner a few times...

Locking Pin! I will only use locking pins on my hitch. I have a few friends that have had their pins/receivers/ball stolen. Several years back, my uncle was heading to my Grandparents to mow their lawn. He had a riding mower on a 2 place snowmobile trailer. He stopped by the grocery store to pick up lunch at the deli to take to them. When he came out of the store, someone had pulled the pin on his receiver and simply swung the entire trailer out (he had a lock on the hitch to the ball) and must have pined it into their vehicle and took the entire setup. Yes this would be difficult with a boat due to weight. I use a locking pin, lock the trailer to the hitch and when not hooked up, put a locking hitch plug in the trailer and again lock the hitch. This is my rule on all trailers, except the boat trailer since I cannot find a locking pin for the hitch. The pin goes into the hitch, but does not pass through.

[Germaine Marine]

Says the guy who gets paid to fix our dumb mistakes! Just kidding, couldn't resist