I was not going to tell this story, but I figured if I would have read this I would not have allowed myself to make the same (I KNOW WAY BETTER) mistakes.
Yesterday after work I pulled the boat out to clean and gas her up. I do this about every three weeks, so I have a pretty good routine.
I pick up the trailer, borrow my dad’s fourrunner, and head towards the lake. I stoped at wallmart to meet a customer, and have him sign some papers in the parking lot. Then I head inside to get some cleaning supplies.
I pick up 5 bottles of “The Works” toilet cleaner like usual, and set them on the floor behind the driver seat. I get to the lake, back the trailer in, grab the boat from the dock and load it up, all in five minutes. One of my slip neighbors walks over as I am putting the last bow eye strap on, he comments on how effortless I made that look. We talk for a few and I pull the boat up to the water hose and get it clean.
As I am cleaning, some nasty looking black clouds roll in, and thunder in the distance, I double time it and get it done. Time is now 9:30pm, I finish up, and pull the boat a half mile to the gas station. I go inside and give the girl my credit card so the pump won’t shut off at $75.00 and get the gas flowing. The rain starts to come down HEAVY, winds picking up, severe lighting.
45 gallons tops it off, and I head down the road wipers full speed. I get to the ramp, the ramp is a narrow, dark, and no one to help guide me in the dark. I get the boat backed through the gate, and half way into the water.
I get out of the truck; undo the safety chain and safety straps from bow eyes and stern eyes. (see, I am paranoid about a boat sliding off the trailer) Normally I would never unhook the winch strap before I am damn ready to back of the trailer. I guess I let the rain and lighting, and darkness influence a short cut. So I made the mistake and I unhooked the winch strap.
After unhooking the winch strap I hop back in the fourrunner and back down another foot, just enough to let me lightly power off the trailer.
Here is when karma smacks me hard in the face!
I put the parking brake on, and go to get out of the truck, (I am forgetting something, right) the truck starts moving, FAST! I forgot to put it in park, so I am jamming on the gas, four wheels spinning, the four runner trying to pull it’s weight, the trailer, and boat across a broken up ramp. 10 seconds of spinning she grabs and pulls out. I think, WOO HOO made it, followed by of F*&K!!!!!! As I am watching the boat quickly floating out.
The ramp is lined by two sets of old white oak docks with exposed steel hardware, and years of rusty nails. The other side has boats tied up to it.
Remember, lighting, rain, wind!
So I am running down the dock, stripping my clothes, making sure I am not jumping in with a blackberry. THANKFULLY I was able to do a hail Jesus grab and JUST reach the bow rail, pull myself onto the boat.
The one good event is that I left the blower running from the gas station, so I trimmed down, cranked her over, and thankfully she fired right up. Then I fought the wind to back the boat out along the boat slips and got her tied up.
I walked back to the truck, feeling relived I had just survived all of that, hop in soaking wet, no shirt or shoes on. I look at the back seat not remembering when I took the shirt off and there is a puddle of liquid behind the drivers seat.
S&*t! One of the toilet cleaner bottles leaked out!
Damn if it didn’t MELT the carpet into one huge plastic glob!
Lesson learned!
My girlfriend is always calling me Mr. Saftey, and I am, especially when I have guests on board. I KNOW way better, I know to slow down and pay attention, especially when the cards are stacked against me. I am an insurance agent, I have been an insurance adjuster, and I was lifeguard, I am exposed to these events, I have been trained not to make slip ups. However, all that said, I almost won a Darwin award last night! If one other small error had happened I could be in the ER or dead.
So I admit this mistake, write the saga to let you know to watch what you are doing, don’t let the basics bite you in the ***.
Yesterday after work I pulled the boat out to clean and gas her up. I do this about every three weeks, so I have a pretty good routine.
I pick up the trailer, borrow my dad’s fourrunner, and head towards the lake. I stoped at wallmart to meet a customer, and have him sign some papers in the parking lot. Then I head inside to get some cleaning supplies.
I pick up 5 bottles of “The Works” toilet cleaner like usual, and set them on the floor behind the driver seat. I get to the lake, back the trailer in, grab the boat from the dock and load it up, all in five minutes. One of my slip neighbors walks over as I am putting the last bow eye strap on, he comments on how effortless I made that look. We talk for a few and I pull the boat up to the water hose and get it clean.
As I am cleaning, some nasty looking black clouds roll in, and thunder in the distance, I double time it and get it done. Time is now 9:30pm, I finish up, and pull the boat a half mile to the gas station. I go inside and give the girl my credit card so the pump won’t shut off at $75.00 and get the gas flowing. The rain starts to come down HEAVY, winds picking up, severe lighting.
45 gallons tops it off, and I head down the road wipers full speed. I get to the ramp, the ramp is a narrow, dark, and no one to help guide me in the dark. I get the boat backed through the gate, and half way into the water.
I get out of the truck; undo the safety chain and safety straps from bow eyes and stern eyes. (see, I am paranoid about a boat sliding off the trailer) Normally I would never unhook the winch strap before I am damn ready to back of the trailer. I guess I let the rain and lighting, and darkness influence a short cut. So I made the mistake and I unhooked the winch strap.
After unhooking the winch strap I hop back in the fourrunner and back down another foot, just enough to let me lightly power off the trailer.
Here is when karma smacks me hard in the face!
I put the parking brake on, and go to get out of the truck, (I am forgetting something, right) the truck starts moving, FAST! I forgot to put it in park, so I am jamming on the gas, four wheels spinning, the four runner trying to pull it’s weight, the trailer, and boat across a broken up ramp. 10 seconds of spinning she grabs and pulls out. I think, WOO HOO made it, followed by of F*&K!!!!!! As I am watching the boat quickly floating out.
The ramp is lined by two sets of old white oak docks with exposed steel hardware, and years of rusty nails. The other side has boats tied up to it.
Remember, lighting, rain, wind!
So I am running down the dock, stripping my clothes, making sure I am not jumping in with a blackberry. THANKFULLY I was able to do a hail Jesus grab and JUST reach the bow rail, pull myself onto the boat.
The one good event is that I left the blower running from the gas station, so I trimmed down, cranked her over, and thankfully she fired right up. Then I fought the wind to back the boat out along the boat slips and got her tied up.
I walked back to the truck, feeling relived I had just survived all of that, hop in soaking wet, no shirt or shoes on. I look at the back seat not remembering when I took the shirt off and there is a puddle of liquid behind the drivers seat.
S&*t! One of the toilet cleaner bottles leaked out!
Damn if it didn’t MELT the carpet into one huge plastic glob!
Lesson learned!
My girlfriend is always calling me Mr. Saftey, and I am, especially when I have guests on board. I KNOW way better, I know to slow down and pay attention, especially when the cards are stacked against me. I am an insurance agent, I have been an insurance adjuster, and I was lifeguard, I am exposed to these events, I have been trained not to make slip ups. However, all that said, I almost won a Darwin award last night! If one other small error had happened I could be in the ER or dead.
So I admit this mistake, write the saga to let you know to watch what you are doing, don’t let the basics bite you in the ***.
