Beginner story

[General Zod]

hi raiders, first fishing post after just readind post for a long time. sorry

After rock fishing for a long time, my wife and kids said its time to get a boat so they can come along and enjoy as well. This was the second time testing and 1st time fishing in it. First time was good, but yesterday all i had was trouble, trouble and more trouble. Its 12pm and we set out to Georges river national park for some fun.

mistake 1 we forgot to get fishing licence for my wife, AHRR!

mistake 2 then after i get boat ready i look in my wallet for my boat licence and its not in there! AHRRRR! so I pack the boat up and go home to get my licence and buy a year fishing licence for wife over the net.

This time we drive to taren point to launch but its to windy so we head to kyeemagh boat ramp. looks good only one boat launching so i get the boat ready and i launch it.

mistake 3 As I'm parking the trailer I remembered i forgot to put the bung plugs in. AHRRRRRRRRRR! I race over and can see the water at the back end of the boat filling up so I get the bung plug go over to the back of boat reach over put my arm almost my head in the water and lucky and find the plug hole. All of a sudden all these boats rock up easy at least 10 boats wanting to go home. Cause an new to this boat and new to boat fishing i wait thinking they go quickly. wrong, more boats just keep coming in, and i wait wait and wait.AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! As im waiting i help some bloke who looks new to this as well, help him load his boat on his trailer. He tells me his motor died and the boat was filling with water and it was his mates boat he was borrowing, luckily a jet ski towed him in. Finally boat ramp goes empty enough for me to load boat on the trailer so i can drain the water out, man im surprised it didn't sink with so much water in it after watching it all come out. So now water all drained out i put in plugs and launch, its now 6.30pm

So we just ride around testing the boat and its not going fast its like the acceleration is not working. never mind we anchor down and start fishing behind bridge where we are covered from the wind. Drop burly bomb and fish for about hr. nothing so we go looking for another spot.

mistake 4 forget to lift burly bomb and heading of and boat stops. AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! rope tied all around propeller. Im thinking im going to have to jump in the water to get this untied, not happy at stage. Then i remember tilt on the boat, so i tilt up get the knife and cut and untie rope from propeller. So we head off and start fishing. After its getting dark so we head back to boat ramp, but boat still going to slow for a 50hp something must be wrong. As we approaching ramp for some reason im resting my hand on acceleration lever and push it down harder then normal and what do you know boat picks up speed, so there nothing wrong with it after all. Turn around and go test it just reall qiuckly cause sun starting to go down. Only thing its a bit lat late to test it now

mistake 5 wife doesnt put rod in rod holder properly, and rod goes into the water. AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

After testing motor for a while im happen with performance, only thing its a bit late to test fully and enjoy it. so we head back to an empty boat ramp and put boat back on trailer, and head off home.

So thats my day, so much #@^% happened but we got home safe and sound and a lot learnt. In a way I'm glade it happened all today because i wont forget it. As this was happening i was thinking rock fishing is so much more easier, I can go to any rock platform and know what im doing and catch great fish, but this this a all new ball game for me. I know in time i well learn just like rock fishing, but now i just need start again something new, and learn where all the fish are all over again.

I had to tell a guy to go get &^%$!* cause he was thinking he was king %$&^.

So if you see people not knowing what to do or taking longer give them a break, we all need to learn, everyone goes through it.

Have a good new year everyone.

[The Incredible Hull]

LOL funny read mate

Have a read of this, you'll feel much better

http://www.fishraider.com.au/Invision/index.php?showtopic=53597

[The President]

I feel for you, but many valuable leasons learned. I'm sure you will look back at this day and crinch but your confidence with boating will come. Good luck.

[fryboy]

tough day at the office mate, but it gets easier. Keep at it....

[musty]

hi raiders, first fishing post after just readind post for a long time. sorry

After rock fishing for a long time, my wife and kids said its time to get a boat so they can come along and enjoy as well. This was the second time testing and 1st time fishing in it. First time was good, but yesterday all i had was trouble, trouble and more trouble. Its 12pm and we set out to Georges river national park for some fun.

mistake 1 we forgot to get fishing licence for my wife, AHRR!

mistake 2 then after i get boat ready i look in my wallet for my boat licence and its not in there! AHRRRR! so I pack the boat up and go home to get my licence and buy a year fishing licence for wife over the net.

This time we drive to taren point to launch but its to windy so we head to kyeemagh boat ramp. looks good only one boat launching so i get the boat ready and i launch it.

mistake 3 As I'm parking the trailer I remembered i forgot to put the bung plugs in. AHRRRRRRRRRR! I race over and can see the water at the back end of the boat filling up so I get the bung plug go over to the back of boat reach over put my arm almost my head in the water and lucky and find the plug hole. All of a sudden all these boats rock up easy at least 10 boats wanting to go home. Cause an new to this boat and new to boat fishing i wait thinking they go quickly. wrong, more boats just keep coming in, and i wait wait and wait.AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! As im waiting i help some bloke who looks new to this as well, help him load his boat on his trailer. He tells me his motor died and the boat was filling with water and it was his mates boat he was borrowing, luckily a jet ski towed him in. Finally boat ramp goes empty enough for me to load boat on the trailer so i can drain the water out, man im surprised it didn't sink with so much water in it after watching it all come out. So now water all drained out i put in plugs and launch, its now 6.30pm

So we just ride around testing the boat and its not going fast its like the acceleration is not working. never mind we anchor down and start fishing behind bridge where we are covered from the wind. Drop burly bomb and fish for about hr. nothing so we go looking for another spot.

mistake 4 forget to lift burly bomb and heading of and boat stops. AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! rope tied all around propeller. Im thinking im going to have to jump in the water to get this untied, not happy at stage. Then i remember tilt on the boat, so i tilt up get the knife and cut and untie rope from propeller. So we head off and start fishing. After its getting dark so we head back to boat ramp, but boat still going to slow for a 50hp something must be wrong. As we approaching ramp for some reason im resting my hand on acceleration lever and push it down harder then normal and what do you know boat picks up speed, so there nothing wrong with it after all. Turn around and go test it just reall qiuckly cause sun starting to go down. Only thing its a bit lat late to test it now

mistake 5 wife doesnt put rod in rod holder properly, and rod goes into the water. AHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

After testing motor for a while im happen with performance, only thing its a bit late to test fully and enjoy it. so we head back to an empty boat ramp and put boat back on trailer, and head off home.

So thats my day, so much #@^% happened but we got home safe and sound and a lot learnt. In a way I'm glade it happened all today because i wont forget it. As this was happening i was thinking rock fishing is so much more easier, I can go to any rock platform and know what im doing and catch great fish, but this this a all new ball game for me. I know in time i well learn just like rock fishing, but now i just need start again something new, and learn where all the fish are all over again.

I had to tell a guy to go get &^%$!* cause he was thinking he was king %$&^.

So if you see people not knowing what to do or taking longer give them a break, we all need to learn, everyone goes through it.

Have a good new year everyone.

AHRRRRRRRRRRR!!! lol

Happy New General Zod

Musty

[cjchen]

hahaha funny read, you sound asian for some reason, must be the tone your text gives of.

don't worry i've learnt a lot kayak fishing.

its all different!

[ecura]

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

[gazza0878]

Mate you made my day i never thought that much could happen in one day. Atleast you got home ok.

[Blood Knot]

Mate thats a lot of lessons to learn in one session. Good onya for fessing up and sharing your day with us. It gets easier every time you go out and you have used up most of your bad luck on your maiden voyage so its got to be better next time.

Cheers

Blood Knot

[hamerz84]

sure beats working me thinks ! dont worry it will all fall into place mate. good read aswell.

[Koalaboi]

Hi all,

How good is Fishraider...so much support!

All of you guys/gals who responded to this thread should feel pretty damn fine about yourselves. You rock!

This is what fishing is all about. Sensational stuff.

KB

Edited January 3, 2012 by Koalaboi

[tunastrike]

think we can all relate to that unless your been lucky worst time i had d shackle came lose on a three hundred dollar sarca anchor gone and same morning my mate smashed the trailer into a pole when parking and one wheel was hard up against the trailer had to drive home on three wheels and get it repaired very expensive day just one of those days.

[big Neil]

[Hi General Zod, sounds like u had a very eventful day on the water. Main thing is u survived and next time u head out will be much less trouble. Good luck and let us all know how u go... won't be long before u get into the fish and iron out the boat problems. Good luck, Big Neil.

[General Zod]

Thanks guys for all the support. Yeah it should get only easier I hope :-)

Cjchen, no I'm not Asian, but I suppose that's what happens when u marry an asian wife, you start to speak and write like them, even eat like them. But I'm a very lucky man cause she loves fishing and knows how to cook fish many ways, even scumbo's in a sweat and sour soup, mmm now I'm hungry for fish.

Cheers everyone

See u on the water.

[Keflapod]

General Zod,

You must be a superman amongst us mere mortals.

You are able to find all the problems you're ever gonna have with a rig and it's logistics in just ONE DAY.

Very efficient debugging process.

On the down side, it had to happen in front of your whole family so their confidence in you and your boating experience is probably not very high at the moment.

A bit of a blow to the ego but the feelings of embarrassment are the best incentive to learn the lessons well. The value of the lessons will be realised from next week onwards !

All you have to do now is convince the family that the last trip was also a very special test run, designed to iron out all the bugs and it was extremely successful !

Thank them for their contribution - and thank your wife for her contribution to the cost of a new rod'n'reel, complete with safety lanyards to keep it in the rodholder....

Seriosly though, this experience opens our eyes to the fact that things can go wrong on the water and the consequences can be dire.

It makes us more responsible and analytical towards what we are doing and to remain vigilant to everything that happens.

We must look for problems before they arise, ask ourselves the hard 'what-if' questions and if we find we have no answers with dire consequences, we need to find an answer.

What if a rope is tangled around the prop and the motor will only run in neutral ? Can we get to the prop in a chop / swell without falling overboard to free the rope ?

This scenario happened to you but you were able to get to the rope safely.....

This was a hard question for me to answer when I was designing a boat to build but I foresaw the problem..

The reverse angled transoms that look so good and are very popular today present a dilemma for this scenario.

You just can't get close enough to the prop to free the rope, unless you stand in the motor well / pod and risk falling overboard, whereas in a traditional angled transom, you are 800mm closer and can reach.

No points for guessing how I designed my transom.

As an interesting excercise, go to the boatramp and watch people launching and retrieving. See what they do well and what they stuff up.

See who goes into the water professionally and see who flounders.

Identify the root cause of the issue and learn from their mistakes. Take some notes. You will learn quite a lot, especially those people who launch their boat, are ready to power off and the motor won't start.

They just drifting away and have to ask someone to bring them back.....

Never push the boat off the trailer without starting the motor first....especially in the winter.

I can guarantee that you will also be thoroughly entertained as you watch the goof-balls tell eachother where the far-queue is ....

But don't laugh too loudly, they might come after you with their knuckles dragging along the ground...

Tony

Edited January 5, 2012 by Keflapod

[pdelux]

Top read reminds me of my first Day on the water as captain with my family. Also was like a comedy of errors. Launching the boat into a storm in Jervis bay. Had my girlfriend and siblings crying to let them out and bystanders on the shore yelling "WTF are you doing!" Ended up having to run the boat onto a safe beach so they can jump overboard. Left me by myself on the boat to take it back to ramp.

Scary experience for a first timer so I know how you feel, but look at it this way, you now know what not to do, so you are very lucky getting all these valuable lessons, and really nothing bad came from it.