What an absolutely rotten day.

[jayhanig]

I am a rank beginner and today was my first time out from the ramp with my 1985 Galaxy 176 Bowrider. About the only thing that didn't go wrong was I didn't sink, though apparently I was working on that.

The good: I am not nearly as inept at backing a trailer as I once was. I actually looked like I knew what I was doing. Also, my 2007 Ranger 2wd/AT/3.0 liter engine as more than enough to snatch the boat and trailer back out of the water when I was done. More on that later.

The bad: my boat has two ways to raise and lower the engine: a momentary toggle on the instrument panel and a toggle on the throttle. Unfortunately, the down stopped working unbeknownst to me on the panel and so I couldn't get the engine lowered.... or maybe it lowered part way and died... I don't know. In any case the steering was in an awful bind which once I got the engine lowered using the throttle switch seemed to resolve itself.

But I couldn't get the boat to plane and couldn't get more than 2400 RPM out of her. The prop is a 14" three blade with a 19" pitch which should be appropriate for her.

We got the steering straightened out and the engine lowered after we returned to the dock so we decided to give it one more try. I still couldn't get more than 2400 rpm out of her and worse, the engine started missing on the way back. I crept back to the ramp at about 3.5 MPH.

So we pulled the boat out of the water by basically lining it up, then winching it up by hand. The truck pulled the boat and trailer right on up without a hitch, which is amazing considering the next part.

I go to pull the plug and the second I do, a steady stream of water starts pouring out.... and out.... and out.... and out... After about 10 minutes of pouring, I decided to try the bilge pump and blew a heavy stream out for another several minutes. Obviously, water is getting in from somewhere.

When you combine all of that with the sandbars we slithered across and me forgetting to raise the engine so I dragged its skeg across a couple feet of ramp before I noticed. Just one damned thing after another.

I think the water's coming in around the lower unit so I'll be taking it to a boatyard on Monday that works on stern drives. Tonight I think I'm going to have a stiff drink.

 

[exceed]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Sounds like a normal day to boating to me. . Main thing is everyone made it back in one peice. All this stuff on the boat can be fixed.

 

[trendsetter240]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Man that is a rough start!

But look at it this way, no one was hurt, the boat made it back without sinking and you learned a lot!

A good addition would be an automatic float switch for your bilge pump. That way you will get an early indication that there is a leak when the pump turns on.

Cheers

 

[jmarty10]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

aahhh - nothing more unforgettable than your inaguaral cruise. Dont feel bad we have all been there. Its gets better trust me.

 

[boltonranger]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Yeah - my 1st day out I got stuck on a sandbar,
in about 2 1/2 feet of water.
We all got out and pushed, and my brother tweaked his back.
We got underway exhausted. Spent the afternoon recuperating eating sandwiches and cookies on the water at anchor.

Didn't occur to me back then all I had to do was raise the drive and we'd have been on our way in moments.

So because of the trouble we didn't enjoy the maiden voyage like I hoped;
but there were many more good days to come.

This is the time you make your mistakes and learn how to do things;
you go out a few times and begin to get a feel for your rig; get better at trailering; learn where to leave your keys and the boat plug...etc
Cheer up Jay;
It'll get better
-br

 

[float2]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I've had many bad days on the water similar to yours. Like said we all have stories. Unless you drive a new boat boat and pay someone else to maintain it for you, boating is somewhat of a challenge depending on your own circumstances.

 

[metalwizard]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

That sounds like a typical day boating... and you thought it was going to be fun...

Ok I'm Just kidding. Like it was said you all made it back in once piece. and the boat didn't sink, so I bet it was better than a day at work!

It's her first time out. now you know what the problems are, so you can fix them.

as for not planing and it missing that may be something simple. Don't give up it will get better.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Fix the (probably) broken bellows and if all of that water doesn't find it's way in, you will have probably fixed your planing problems as well.

 

[whitney]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Glad to hear I wasn't the only one with a crazy first time, ever, on the water Engine stalled and I worked on it all day, friend ran out of gas and I towed him in, bad storm rolled in, chipped the hull trying to powerload in lightning, forgot to trim the outdrive up and chipped the prop.

It was a good learning experience. Now after 3 months, 12 launches, and a lot of work on the boat, the anxiety level has dropped from 100% to 0% and we have had a lot of fun and relaxing weekends in a row.

Fix it, and keep going out until everything goes smooth It will come eventually!

 

[1960vw]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Boating is a continuous learning process, especially for me! Glad you made out ok! Fix it and get back on the water !!!

 

[NHGuy]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Hang in there. I have some good news for you. The learning curve is steep at the beginning.
The water in your bilge made your boat so heavy it wouldn't get up to full speed. So the motor & prop may be fine. There was so much water in there that it may have been causing the misfire by wetting the charge system &/or ignition stuff.
So find the leak. And inspect and dry the parts of the ignition and electrical system that might have got wet.
You might also read up on sinking recovery to figure out the appropriate steps. You didn't go all the way under but I bet you came close. How low on the engine is your starter, distributor, and alternator? Treat them right so they don't rust up on you. I know it's work, but work is quicker and cheaper than replacing stuff.

My plug came out in my first year with a sterndrive, I had water up in my floor area while I was near a sandy bay. Luckily I had another plug, so I just put it in and flipped on the pump. The water never got high enough to get my spark plugs and ignition so I consider myself lucky. Lesson learned, don't use a flip lever plug on the outside of a sterndrive boat. I had one more and gave it to an outboard owner I know, they are OK from the inside.

Sorry to point out the bad news. I only do it to help you avoid further issues.

Wishing you great boating, and soon!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

me forgetting to raise the engine so I dragged its skeg across a couple feet of ramp before I noticed. .

Dang glad to know I am not the only one to do that on the first run..

I always need a stiff drink after running around on the boat

 

[ingalp01]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I've actually had to paddle a boat ashore with a ski in order to keep it from sinking. The only thing that saved that boat was the beach.

So it can get worse. We have all been there, and don't give up.

In my most recent outing, I lost the reverse gear in my outdrive and I had 7 guests ready to go out on the lake. We ended up picnicing on the side of the lake and then hand loading and winching a 25ft. 7000lbs. boat onto the trailer and driving it back home.

Enjoy your winter projects, get things sorted and remember, spring is just around the corner.

 

[32_d3gr33s]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

The second time i took my boat out, i forgot to put in the plug. minutes later when i went to get in and noticed the boat was halfway full of water, i hastily ran back to the car to pull the boat out. In my panic i backed the trailer into the dock, smashing the fender onto the tire so the tire wouldnt even turn. I spent the next half hour removing the fender and draining the boat, only to get out to the lake to find that there were 6 feet waves and i had to turn around and go home. Dont worry it gets better!!! take your time, check, double check, and then check everything 1 more time. an extra 5 minutes going over everything is much better than hours fixing, or hundreds repairing just because you were in a hurry!

 

[jayhanig]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

You didn't go all the way under but I bet you came close. How low on the engine is your starter, distributor, and alternator? Treat them right so they don't rust up on you. I know it's work, but work is quicker and cheaper than replacing stuff.

My plug came out in my first year with a sterndrive, I had water up in my floor area while I was near a sandy bay. Luckily I had another plug, so I just put it in and flipped on the pump. The water never got high enough to get my spark plugs and ignition so I consider myself lucky. Lesson learned, don't use a flip lever plug on the outside of a sterndrive boat. I had one more and gave it to an outboard owner I know, they are OK from the inside.

Actually, it didn't seem all that low in the water aside from the stern when I poured the coals to it. I did see some water in the bilge but it never came up to deck level... it was just sloshing around. But that was my first clue some water was coming in somewhere. But even then, I didn't become alarmed about the water until I had the boat up on the ramp and opened the drain. The amount that came out was very impressive.

As for the flip type plug, that is exactly what I was using yesterday. Of course, it didn't come out but I will heed your warning. I have a new plug: one with a brass T coming out the end of it that I was going to keep as a spare on board. I guess I'll use it as my primary.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Actually, it didn't seem all that low in the water aside from the stern when I poured the coals to it. I did see some water in the bilge but it never came up to deck level... it was just sloshing around. But that was my first clue some water was coming in somewhere. But even then, I didn';t become alarmed about the water until I had the boat up on the ramp and opened the drain. The amount that came out was very impressive.

It didn't come up to deck level where you could see, but I can guarantee that your hull was full under your deck all the way to the bow. The bilge alone will drain in 2-3 minutes. But if it came out for 10 minutes, then the whole boat (under the deck) was full of water.

100 gallons of water = 835 lbs (equivilent to 6 extra people on board!)

 

[metalwizard]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

I agree on the flip plug. NO DON'T do it...

I have a t-handle. it is also chained to the back of the boat. so if it does come out. it does not get lost. or if you forget to put it in you don't have to panic looking for it.

Cheap insurance.

If there was little or no water in the bilge. I'll bet the hull is leaking or water is getting from the bilge to under the deck somehow.

A bilge pump with a float is a great investment.

Better luck next time. it gets funner.

I can honestly say my first time out went pretty good. BUT My sterndirve tilt did not work. and I new that. but I figured take it out find any other problems and I'll fix it later. I had a tie down strap hooked on the lower unit, and to the rear of the engine. Got it out on the water no problem. went to the back, loosened the tie down the sterndrive dropped perfect... then I realized I could not get to the tiedown to unhook it.

Of course there was a line at the launch so while my wife parked the jeep and trailer I took a little swim... oh well I wanted to get wet anyway..

Another thing to think about. even when you know EXACTLY what you are doing.. thing can go wrong.. so don;t feel bad at least you didn't need a tow in or worse retrieval from the bottom.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

Jay if it makes you feel better I winterized my boat today and you still have boating to do!!

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

sandblasted my newly painted outdrive on a mile long sand bar today.. It's just like the sticker says... ***** happens

 

[mike-the-cobra]

Re: What an absolutely rotten day.

First time out on the new (old) boat last year, just purchased. Took it out to the lake, had the whole extended family for a day of tubing and fun. Took off from the dock made it about 1/4 mile and she died. Heavy breeze took me all the way down the lake to the other shore, dragging anchor. Ended up in some reeds and weeds. Tried to signal someone to help but they just all pretended to not see us! Finally called my sister who was on shore to try and find someone at the beach area to help us. A guy came out in his jet ski and pulled us back to shore. Water in gas, a whole different story. Took about 4 trys to figure that one out (how it was getting in).

That was our day, 1/4 mile (and barbequed hotdogs)!