Battered, Bruised but beaten?

Battered, Bruised but beaten?
April 17, 2011
By Bob Zettler

I scream as my wet Croc encased foot slips off the brake pedal and my new boat and motor drags my Jeep into the water! And this is after the trailer jerks my hitch off as I am going down I-55. These scenarios and others play over and over in my head these past few days as the weekend approaches. You see, after battling my new found obsession for fishing every weekend for six months last year in just a 14’ John Boat with a 15 HP tiller outboard, and sometimes just a transom mounted trolling motor, I just had to upgrade for 2011.

Last year ended when my 15 HP Johnson blew up the lower end in October and hunting season intervened. As my hunting finally took a break three weeks ago with one last hunt for Snow geese in northwest Iowa, I had to either repair the Johnson or get something else. My “excursions” on Lake Shelbyville last year took a toll on my motor. The prop looks like shrapnel, the cowling had been flung off when I hit a stump, and I just couldn’t see paying more right now to repair it than what I paid for it originally. So, I decided to look for a replacement and larger motor!

At first, I wanted a 25 HP as it seemed to be the one most others use around this part of the state. And, it ought to have an electric start as I get tired of yanking on my rope. Thought I found one and asked a buddy what they thought and was thrown a curve when he asked, “what is your boat rated?” Say what! And that was when I learned there is actually a motor size restriction on my and most likely all other boats. Well I never wanted to throw a six-cylinder block Chevy engine on it but thought common sense among boat owners would dictate they would know if something is too powerful, heavy or too big for one’s craft. Was I mistaken…?

So, then I concentrated on a 20 HP and found one locally via Craig’s List. Went out that night and looked at it run in a water barrel. Geez, it sure could empty that water out fast and seemed to idle well while the owner and I chatted for the next 90 minutes. Sure, he cautioned me that it seemed to have some “carburetor issues” as it would bog down if you went above half speed but if my Johnson would go 18 MPH at full speed, this ought to go 10+ MPH at half-speed. Talked this one over with my friends and they cautioned me to be patient as a deal would present itself someday. Even if I had to miss out on fishing this year, a deal would come about. “Miss out,” I screamed! You got to be kidding me. Another season and me getting on in years. No way! I bought the motor the next night…

Now I have a 1972 Mercury 200 20 HP and have to get new fuel line fittings. The Boat Dock wants $42+ which I think is a little steep so I put one together for $27 from Wall-Mart and that weekend took it to Lake Shelbyville with my buddy in tow. That is where I discover it isn’t half speed, its maybe 1/3 speed as we can only achieve 5 to 6 MPH. This sucks! I didn’t tell my friend who suggested I wait about my discovery…

So now my fishing buddy has seen my torment, anguish and learned a few new “adult” words. He sure was quiet as I channeled Linda Blair from the Exorcist that afternoon but offered a solution. It seems he enjoys getting out but not the battles he has witnessed firsthand with me and my boat. And knowing how funding is tight; he offers to split the cost of a rig with me as long as I don’t force him to go every time I go o stay out as long as did last year. And as I am not in a position to say no – actually, I am but remember I am obsessed nowadays – I accept his offer.

For the next three weeks we both look around and check out several rigs but miss out on a couple of really nice deals. Hint; make sure your boat is in your name if you even decide to get divorced as the spouse just might sell it for a song! Then, I put out the word to several on Crappie.com who know of how hard I worked at it last year and what I had to work with.  Amazingly, Jerry (XXLFISH) contacted me fairly quickly and said he might have one in mind. Knowing he already sold his and got a new one, I was curious…

He told me of one, that while it was a 1988 Sea Nymph with a 70 HP Johnson, it was in great shape. In fact, it had basically been used very little and was almost a one-owner rig and had to be seen to appreciate. Not one to ignore a friend’s counsel…I said sure, and asked where I could learn more. Turns out it was just down the road at a friend’s home and Jerry drove over took several pictures and emailed them to me within the hour. Talk about a motivated salesman! Not really, as it turns out the owner was a good friend of his and had inherited the boat from his father just last year. And he kept saying you really need to see this boat as it is a gem, so my buddy and I made arrangements to look at it along with several other boats that weekend.

Now, last year was my first year on the water in my own boat.  I am not mechanically inclined and depend upon those in the know to assist me make decisions. I have been on fishing boats a number of times over the years – mostly the last several years with a couple of members of Crappie.com – but have zero experience with motors, foot-pedal trolling motors, oh Hell, really zero experience with anything to do with them and that is a lot! I never grew up around them and when I did go on a motor boat, I was always the guest and paid little attention to its operation. Heck, I was having too much fun to care most times. Just ask Nick Schafer and how I love bouncing off the waves around Rend and Kincaid, or Brian Cleland and how he would guide me around Lake Shelbyville in his Nitro. I simply was there to fish and as long as we didn’t sink, could move from point A to point B, and catch fish, I was happy. So when looking at a used boat, short of looking at the cosmetic aspects, I am like a blind man being asked to perform brain surgery.

Anyway, we finally arrive at the Sea Nymph owner’s home and the boat looks fantastic. We look it over, talk and then hook it up to his SUV, put in at Lone Point and take a cruise on Lake Shelbyville. I couldn’t get over how smooth the ride was on the water.  And getting from one spot to another was faster too! I even got to try out the foot-pedal trolling motor and didn’t hit anything! The only thing that concerned me was how big it is and the noise it made while being towed over the crappy roads. Anyway, we were happy with what we saw and made an offer soon thereafter. It was accepted and on Wednesday, April 13 we drove over and sealed the deal returning home with a new (used) rig! And the extras it came with – we were quiet pleased – and we knew it worked as we took it for a cruise! Now, this is where the demons come out that live inside me. As you recall, I fretted over the noise it made while being towed by the (now) former owners full-size SUV? Well, I only have a FWD Jeep Patriot with a 2.0 liter engine, which is probably half the size or less of what he had. So I am stressed over the weight issue as my vehicle is rated for a 1000-pound towing capacity and this most likely weighs 1300 pounds. Jeep recommends the addition of an extra oil-cooler and I haven’t got that done yet. Well, it’s evening and quite cool out so I will simply watch the temp gauge on our way back to Springfield with our new boat. Thankfully, it only moves up (warmer) ever so slightly but I am going at or under the speed limit for a change. Holy Crap! What about my hitch? I mean, I installed it myself and cannot recall if I ever put the fifth and sixth bolts on as that involved drilling into the chassis. Would the four hold it till we made it home? I was on pins and needles all the way and then realized the next day I had paid someone to do so last year. Thank God…

We stored it in my buddy’s garage and that was sure a trip as I had to back it in missing all the obstacles in my way. He lives on a cul-de-sac and there are cars parked all over (illegally) and his driveway is at an angle to his garage! Plus, it’s a one car driveway but at least it adjoins his neighbors so I have a little more room as long as I don’t hit anything. Give me some credit as I get it up and into the driveway on my first try – in the dark no less!  Get it situated after having to drop the motor down since it was six-inches too long and head home to await the weekend and its first outing. That is when the nightmares begin. You see, the last time I was over we put in at Opossum and it was a steep ramp and all I could think about would the new boat, motor and trailer drag me into the water or would I even be able to pull it out once I reloaded it on the trailer.

And, I was still concerned over that hitch and the noises it made (and the stresses it placed on the ball) while going down the road. Is this normal? I have been with others pulling a trailer but never really noticed anything. Maybe I wasn’t even thinking about it so wouldn’t have noticed anything but I have to tell you that when I am on a rough road and it is twisting and bouncing around…well, I get nervous. At least my buddy would be along as misery loves company and I would sure be miserable if either the hitch came off or the boat broke the ball and came off. And then Sunday came and my buddy had to back out leaving me to brave the journey alone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I decided to wait till late morning as that way I wouldn’t be in the way of others trying to get on the water and then there would be plenty of people there to come to my rescue when things went bad. Got it all hooked up and took off shortly after 11 AM. Headed towards Sullivan as I wanted to get that new Electric Chicken Crappie tube and then head to Wilborn after getting a few minnows just in case. The Interstate was fine until I got to the Route 51 By-Pass and got nervous due to the rough road but just slowed down and kept going. Made it to Hardee's in Sullivan and got lunch. Stopped at D&M and after taking care of some business, bought my tubes and was on the way down the road to Marv’s for some minnows and that was when I realized if I wanted to put it at Wilborn, I had gone the long/wrong way. After getting the minnows and directions to Wilborn, I started back east and it hit me, I forgot to check the boats fuel tank! So, had to head back into town and lucky I did as I put in over eight gallons.  Back on the road and pass a burning farm house and hope this isn’t an omen…

Finally arrive at Wilborn and the moment of truth has arrived. Again, this boat ownership is a new thing for me but at least I have my experiences from last year to guide me. With nothing but a mental check list, I proceed to check off the items: place life jackets and fishing gear into boat; disconnect the trailer wiring; make sure plug is in boat; find rope and connect to front hook; remove motor mount; remove transom straps; let others who arrived after you go ahead and put in the water; position the Jeep and trailer to back down the ramp. Oh crap, I am wearing my Crocs! Please God, don’t let my foot slip or the rig drag me and the Jeep into the lake! As I slowly back down in a serpentine fashion, I am thrilled (and relieved) to place the trailer in the water within two feet (parallel, not on top) of the courtesy dock!!! Miracles will never cease…

Put the Jeep in park, pull the emergency brake and review my situation. As I am alone, I have to get the boat off the trailer by myself and then tie it to the dock. First off, I unhook the winch strap after hooking the 30’ rope onto the front and then feed it through window so I can hold onto it as the boat (hopefully) drifts off the trailer. Of course I wrap it one too many times and have to reopen the door to re-feed it through JUST the open window and not around. I was told last year to always back the vehicle up into the water with an open window that way you can get out when it sinks. As I slowly and fearfully back further towards the water I hear and feel a loud snap. Crap, the rope must have broken and the boat will drift off!!! Nope, it appears I just left too much rope and as I drove over it, it snapped it like a whip and did not break. Another foot or two and voila! The boat is free-floating in the water. The Saints be praised!!!

No, I didn’t get dragged into the water but now I have to guide the boat away from the trailer and up against the dock. No problem as it rests easily against the dock and allows me to tie off using the short rope the previous owner had placed next to the console just for that purpose. Am I good or what! Just for good measure, I go ahead and tie the other rope to a cleat on the dock before parking my Jeep and now empty trailer. Make it back to the dock and I am all nervous smiles and telling whoever is around how that was the first time I had done this and now am about to try starting the motor for the first time too. That is correct. I had never, ever started this or any other boat motor with a key before. Hell, I hadn’t even watched all that closely when the previous owner started it and now I have to get it started and pull away from the dock for the first time…Oy vey!

Luckily, when I picked it up from my buddy’s garage, he was the one who pointed out the kill switch to me so I was already prepared for that. And, he too pointed out that you push the key in when starting (to choke it), so I was half way there…or so I hoped. Up until know, I had always used my trolling motor on the transom to back my John boat up and into the water so I could start the motor but now I am going to stay tied to the dock until mine starts. Make sure the ring is in the kill switch spot, bring this black lever up that I saw used before, turn the key and while pushing in the key, I turn the ignition on and on my third or fourth try it starts and I keep it started after another couple of tries. Halleluiah!

Let it idle for a few minutes all the while telling the other boaters of my new-found prowess and continued accomplishments before untying the ropes and trying to back up and away from the dock and that’s where it gets hinky. You see, I had only ever used a tiller handle to go forward and in reverse on the water and this here boat has a console steering wheel. Oh wait; did I loosen the whatever on the bottom of the steering wheel to free it up (and something else)? Nope, and get that done as I drift towards another boat where upon I put it in forward and learn that it accelerates when you push the shifter forward and not that black lever thingee and almost ram the dock. Quickly throw it in reverse and I turn the wheel first one way and then the other, and I am once again headed towards the other boat and have to throw it in forward and try and cut it so I can pull away only to head right at the concrete ramp! Oh, the horror…

Finally, I get it sideways and am about to – or so I think – pull away and out of danger from the ramp, dock and another boat, when the guy on shore tells me about the concrete step leading out into the water. “Now why would the Corps put steps out there,” I think and realize that with my John boat this wouldn’t have been a problem. Now I am parallel with the ramp with the motor preventing me from going forward and away from the dock but into the shallows, when a kind fisherman comes to my rescue. While maintaining his composure, as I am sure he having a belly laugh inside, he walks down the steps and gives me a mighty heave and I am away from danger (at least immediate) and able to trim the motor so I can idle out and away. Thank you kind Sir!

Now, its game on as I am actually motoring through the breakwater (or whatever you call it) and out into the middle where the departing rescuer yelled to me to stay as he didn’t want me to run aground or hit a stump or two. Okay, as my shaking starts to diminish, I try to get use to the fact this steering wheel doesn’t have a brake or an accelerator pedal and that the shifting lever on the side is also the throttle. I discover this takes some getting used to, and I bet there is a dent in the floor of the boat from all the times I pushed down hard feeling for that invisible brake pedal…

Now I have been this route south out of Wilborn a couple dozen times but it feels scary new this time. Almost like the first time I ever drove a car. It was my sister’s Cougar and a stick shift – two things I had never done before, driving and using a clutch. Well here I am driving down a one-way street in Champaign and I am all over the road. I mean, I am doing what they did on TV back then (the 1960’s) and that was moving the steering wheel side-to-side and I am still going all over the road, side-to-side. What gives? And then she yells out to turn right here and I take her literally and head right at a BIG steel pole before slamming on the brakes and stopping inches from demolishing her car. I mean, how come it was so hard to turn that damn steering wheel but I digress again…

So as I get the feel for the boat, I am taken aback by how when you make a movement to one side or the other, it’s not always immediate like it is in a vehicle. Still, I am making progress as I have yet to hit anything (I don’t count the concrete steps) and am cruising along towards my destination – some structure by the railroad bridge where I find nearly a dozen boats! I guess the word was out but I saw an opening where there wasn’t anyone and headed there towards where I had been told to try. As I idle in, so as NOT to create a wake to bother everyone else (or hit them), I cut the engine and get ready for another first – move the one seat to sit up front and then use the foot-pedal trolling motor.

I pull the seat out and the pipe falls out of the seat. Did I break it I wonder aloud but realize that is the way it is made, or so I hope. Place it up from and then try and put the troller in the water only to remember he had it strapped down – whoops. Get my two poles with jigs on them, sit down and place the foot-pedal where I can try and use it and nothing. What the hell! Whoops, I forgot you have to plug it in too. Now it’s running but I have very limited time and experience with a foot-pedal and even the previous owner said he had an issue with there being limited room between where you sit and the inside edge of the boat and it was the same for me. And when you throw in the fact I am still a newbie when it comes to aimi.., I mean steering the boat with a pedal AND push the button to make it move, this just makes it more interesting…

Well, I get it going and am fishing in less time than I expected. Major kudos to me and that only increases when I hook a fish within minutes of having a line in the water. Hook two more but lose them too. Am I that rusty? Nope, I hook and land one finally and begin to move around and get more strikes and catches. Life is good…that is until somehow I drop my best rod and reel (B&M pole with a Pflueger reel) over the side and as I scramble to stop it from sinking out of sight, I have to shift from one side to the other of the front of the boat as I am too fat to get down like one needs to be, and use the other pole to keep it in sight and just under the surface before being able to retrieve it. Thankfully, I caught myself before going over the side myself and as I look around to see who is laughing, I fortunately discover no one has seen my juggling and Buster Keaton routine. How I saved my rig and didn’t fall over the side as I bounced from one side to the other trying not to lose the pole is beyond me. Yet, I don’t seem to be worse for the wear and go back fishing.

I continue on in this general area for probably a couple of hours – I had finally made it on the water around 2 PM – and as many of the other boats had departed, probably due to the action dying off, so I decide to head south and an area I had just been shown. I idle under the railroad bridge and then skirt the islands south of there where I know there is shallow water before facing my next hurdle, going under and through the pillars on the Findlay Bridge. Now I have been driving a car since 1969 and have taken my John boat through there many times but here I am headed through there at speed and for some reason my nervousness has returned. I fear I am going to crash into a pillar! As I don’t want others to see me crash or be a chicken, I only slow down to 20 MPH and clear both sides thankfully before continuing on much further south where I see other boats hitting the laydowns and flooded timber along the way.

As I don’t want to crowd anyone, I make it to where I was headed and discover no one there. Praise be to God! Now I have a new worry, will my batteries hold out? You see my buddy had forgotten to attach the charger and I wasn’t sure what battery ran what and how much charge was on them. And as I had been using the trolling motor in addition to the livewell and both Humminbird depth finders, I was concerned I wouldn’t have enough juice to get me through as it was now nearly 4:30 PM. I have to say, I had a pretty good time in that cove and the only issue I had was using that damn foot pedal and seeing the fishfinder. I can remedy the fishfinder with a new unit but it will take some getting used to for me to get the hang of that pedal! And I am not only catching fish but throwing some back so it is turning out much better that I dreamed…

As it was approaching 7 PM and I had several miles to go to get back to the ramp, I started to think about leaving and that was when I noticed the livewell was silent. OMG, did I run the starter battery down and now won’t be able to get the motor started!!!! It is a long ways back to Wilborn and not that many boats are down my way...Brothers, lets pray. I get my gear pushed aside and cross myself as I turn the key and….the damn thing starts right up! Man, I am either one lucky SOB or am just plain great. Well, I put on my jacket and head back where I only see a couple of boats along the way. Now comes another first, as I have never power motored my way up to the dock and ramp. This is real scary stuff you guys. I mean you all have mucho experience and I am barely navel lint compared to you all and the thought of pulling that boat and smashing into the dock, or, Heaven forbid, that concrete ramp, just had my little heart all atwitter. To make matters worse, there were three people fishing there who I could mangle as I crashed, or, even worse, witness my errors and laugh at me!

Now, the winds weren’t too bad but on the first or second attempt I make gentle contact with the dock and was able to tie off the boat to a cleat. Thankfully, the witnesses had moved away from the impact area but at least they witnessed my achievement, which, of course, I told them as I smiled showing more teeth than Mr. Ed. As before, I went ahead and tied the other rope off to ensure the boat wouldn’t float off and made my way panting and puffing uphill to my Jeep. Rolled the window down and backed down the ramp and into place on my first attempt. Damn, I am really good! But now I am going to attempt another first, and that was to motor the boat onto the trailer. The previous owner showed me how I had to get the ribs on the underside of the boat between the trailer floor just so, or it wasn’t on right. Now this hadn’t been an issue before with my John boat as I simply used brute strength to lift and slide it into place once I got it off the water and into the parking lot but this rig weighs more than a 1,000 pounds and I ain’t Arnold…

So, I get back in the boat, untie both ropes, back up and line it up (at least twice) and finally decide to try it and with a chorus of angels exclaiming praises in the background, I not only got it on the trailer but lined up perfectly! Stopped just a couple of inches from the hitch and hooked the strap on and after walking on the trailer hitch frame was able to winch it on tighter and then walk off and into the water while holding onto my Jeep so I wouldn’t slip. Now, it ain’t over yet and with the fat lady still waiting in the wings, I have to pull the entire rig out of the water and up that incline! Say a few rosaries even though I am not Catholic and gently but firmly inch my way up the ramp and up into the parking lot.

No, I didn’t kiss the ground as I still had to make it back to Springfield, but I have to tell you I was all smiles and felt like a million dollars after all I had accomplished. Yet, I still had to prepare the boat for the highway. Pull the plug to see about water (none), strap the motor down, put the transom straps back on. Make sure the hitch strap was snug, put the one seat back down from where I had moved it to, take all the items out of the boat that could blow out, unplug the trolling motor, plug the trailer wiring back in, unplug the fishfinders, place the poles so they won’t blow out, check to see that the trailer lights work, unhook the rope I used to let the boat off the trailer, make sure the trailer was still attached properly and hadn’t been tampered with, and several other things I can’t recall right now before hitting the highway.

What a day of firsts! I mean for you all who have boating and fishing running through your veins and family, all this is second nature. You have to understand that for me, a person who had never been through any of this and had never read any instruction manual on my boat and motor (trust me, I have looked for them on Google), this was equivalent to a man landing a 747 by himself with an on-air assist from an air-traffic controller…well, maybe not quite that difficult but it was sure a major milestone in my life and I did it all by myself! And as I drove home calling everyone to let them know of my deeds and accomplishments, I am reminded of the rough Illinois highways that still face me and the one, final challenge and that was backing the rig into Darrel’s garage in the dark!

While the rough roads still gave me pause that I would lose either my hitch or my entire rig, I made it to his house by 9 PM. Now this is like that trick essay question your least favorite teacher would throw at you at the end of a test, for his driveway runs right next to his house straight back with little room on either side and he has no lights in that area. But that isn’t the problem. The problem is his garage is at an angle to his driveway!!! You just have to see it in the light to understand my anxiety. I mean the first time I backed it up there I almost hit a parked car or two as I tried to back it in.

Then I had to worry about the neighbor’s vehicles whose driveway is separated by a concrete gutter less than a foot wide in addition to Darrel’s truck in the garage and his sedan that he left parked up against the house- his driveway opens up back by the garage and his house, thereby allowing a single vehicle to park there. And Darrel is not very good at directing. In fact, as I guided it back, there was several times I worried I would run him over as he moved from one side to the other and not tell me – just saw him in the mirrors.

With just my backup lights on my Jeep, the street light out front and the one back porch light on the neighbor’s house, I was able to accomplish the impossible – I made it all the way back AND into his garage in one try and didn’t hit anyone or anything!!! Bob takes a bow. I am on cloud nine. Sure I had a couple of minor issues, or mishaps, like the concrete steps and almost losing my pole over the side. However, even though I not only accomplished so many firsts today with the boat, motor(s) and trailer, I also caught and brought home 10 Crappie! And even though I ate Taco Bell 45 minutes later for dinner when I dropped my son off at his mothers, I cleaned the fish and decided to cook them! So, at 12:15 AM, here I am savoring all my accomplishments and deeds for the day while I chow down on some fresh Crappie instead of eating crow or humble pie. Life can be good…

PS It wasn’t till the next day that I paid for my accomplishments as I discovered my body had a couple of friction burns when I went after my sinking pole and ran into the edge of the boat. Plus, as I tried to walk across the street to get lunch, my legs and ankles ached from what I surmised was from contorting my extremities to use that foot-pedal in the cramped front deck. But that is a small price to pay as I strive to join the ranks of those who have been fishing out of powered boats for years and all this comes second nature to them. You all have no idea how daunting it is to be a 57 year old newbie virgin and how in awe I am in of all that you know and do every time you take your boat out. Major kudos to you, and to me as I continue to progress and evolve into a better fisherman…

Here is a collage of the last two weeks from when I first became aware of the boat, to my (first) putting it in the water, to where I got it out for my first time, to the catch from that day, to my latenight fish fry and the aftermath...