fatrap
Well-Known Member
I finally got the Tracker Tundra on the water this afternoon but it almost turned tragic. I was parking the truck when I noticed the boat was drifting away from the dock. Apparently my knot wasn"t secure.( how many times have I tied it!!)So by the time I ran down to the dock it was just out of reach. KNOWING it was stupid but figuring I could do this anyway, I dropped my wallet, shoes, and cell on the dock and went after it. The boat just staying out reach for the longest time. Exhausted and knowing I was in trouble I got next to the boat only to realize this wasn't my old Nitro it was a Tundra and I couldn't reach over the high side and grab something to pull myself in with. My bluejeans weighed about 50 pounds and was pulling me under. as I was near the bow I managed to get around to the side that was at least heading my way figuring the boat would just push me along until I could get to the lower unit. WRONG. The damn thing just pushed me under the boat where I got trapped by the keel. Sucking water into my lungs the boat went over the top of me and I floundered to the surface got a lungfull of air and decided to let the boat go and maybe try and save myself. Resorting to training taught long ago I flapped my shirt to trap air giving me boyancy and started kicking for shore now about 100 yards away. Couldn't breath well as I was still choking on water I just tried to relax and keep the shirt inflated and maintaining a kick with my legs still in the heavy pants. Fortunately I got to where I could touch bottom and walked out on the beach into the parking lot and dropped to my knees then puked and coughed up some Lake Manawa lake water.
I'd been in the water about 20 minutes. It was 58 degrees and I was frozen. About this time a couple trolling for walleyes rounded the corner. I yelled at them to help me get my boat and they pulled in their lines and loaded me up. We pull along side my wayward boat with the Optimax still gleefully chugging away. I readied myself to jump in and take control. As it was very choppy I lost balance as I stepped aboard falling backwards. My right pants leg slid onto the throttle shaft and I fell backward hitting my head on the rescuing couple's boat. Now I'm stunned, hanging backward over the side of my boat head under water once again sucking water trapped upside down. Luckily,if you want to calle it luck, my pants leg tore releasing my leg and let me fall once again into the drink. The kindly couple fished me out and I made the transfer this time without incident. I thanked my rescuer's and flopped to the bottom of my boat.
So I'm shaking like a poodle chilled to the bone and fish out my rain gear and a sweatshirt, strip and change to dry clothes. After warming up in the bottom of the boat still coughing up water what was my next move? Pulled into a ajoining canal and caught some crappies and a small walleye.
DO I NEED TO POINT OUT THE LESSON HERE???? I KNEW better and STILL risked my life. What a dumbshit! Luck and somemore luck and my long past Navy and diver training on not to panic got me through this stupid ordeal.
fatrap
I'd been in the water about 20 minutes. It was 58 degrees and I was frozen. About this time a couple trolling for walleyes rounded the corner. I yelled at them to help me get my boat and they pulled in their lines and loaded me up. We pull along side my wayward boat with the Optimax still gleefully chugging away. I readied myself to jump in and take control. As it was very choppy I lost balance as I stepped aboard falling backwards. My right pants leg slid onto the throttle shaft and I fell backward hitting my head on the rescuing couple's boat. Now I'm stunned, hanging backward over the side of my boat head under water once again sucking water trapped upside down. Luckily,if you want to calle it luck, my pants leg tore releasing my leg and let me fall once again into the drink. The kindly couple fished me out and I made the transfer this time without incident. I thanked my rescuer's and flopped to the bottom of my boat.
So I'm shaking like a poodle chilled to the bone and fish out my rain gear and a sweatshirt, strip and change to dry clothes. After warming up in the bottom of the boat still coughing up water what was my next move? Pulled into a ajoining canal and caught some crappies and a small walleye.
DO I NEED TO POINT OUT THE LESSON HERE???? I KNEW better and STILL risked my life. What a dumbshit! Luck and somemore luck and my long past Navy and diver training on not to panic got me through this stupid ordeal.
fatrap
But since sarcasm does not always come across in a typed post, I will just say "glad you're OK". As many times as my dad said never jump for the dock, I still find myself stepping a little too far out of the boat sometimes. In the heat of the moment we tend to forget our common sense, thanks for taking the time to tell your story. I know it will go through my mind Saturday, think I will take the time to use that second line at the dock...
