Yep, I 've had days like that.
The worst one that frustrates me the most is this:
Summers Night on Sydney Harbour and we decide to anchor up a middle head, after an hour or so of not much action mate and I decide we should move. By this time it is close to 10PM.
Go to start the motor and there is nothing, no turn over, nothing!
Pulled the cover and tried to rip start for about an hour, nothing.
Called a more experienced boating mate, he suggests getting on the radio or a flare..... a flare with a westerly wind in front of middle head....not real keen to start a bush fire so I get on the radio. Channel 88, I finally get a response....... "suck sh%t you pommy W&nker". This enraged me as I have helped a number of people on the water.
Last call, sea tow. So $250 from middle head to rose bay and the boat is back on the trailler.
The next day I keep looking at the motor in disbeleif that my three year old Tohatsu has died, all I am thinking is why didn't I go the four stroke!
Father In-Law comes over with the owners manual in hand, I grab it chuck in on the table and throw a tanty about how crap Tohatsu are, what do you think the manual is going to tell me etc etc.
Rant over and I go to pick up the manual off the table to tell him to take it home with him, where I grabbed the book it lands on a page with a unforgettable image......the kill switch!
F% No!
I storm outside like a child throwing a tantrum slamming the back door and check the kill switch.... what do you know. Push it in fully and the motor turns over first go!
B%st%rd!
One more boating lesson learnt, I think I have about 20 other lessons the hard way and I am sure there will be many more.
Owning a boat is fun though! Now I have had a bit of experience I am looking to upgrade to a boat capable of offshore runs..... I am sure that will be a whole new frustrating and fun learning curve!
Cheers