Glad I don't have to plug my boat. Worse I have done is
forget tp install Tiller. Checklists are for sissies. I
really do have a checklist but can never find it!!!
Ted
Bernard Johnson wrote:
>
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> West Wight Potter Website at URL
> http://www.lesbois.com/wwpotter/
> - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
> Dammit, I sure need one! Set off to go sailing yesterday. Loving wife
> with me. Wife has strong doubts about my competence. Going to reassure
> her that all is OK....me not incompetent... Boat ready in record time. A
> bit windy so rig boat with main already reefed to be on safe side.
> Launch boat perfectly, don't even get feet wet. Stellar performance!!!
> Swing bow around with a flourish and walk boat out to end dock cleat.
> Tie up. Take trailer to parking area. Even remembered a pencil so could
> fill out payment envelope...life history, sexual preferences, mother's
> maiden name, kind of boat, destination, what had for dinner previous
> night...mustn't keep the state of Calif. in the dark..... One last pee
> and then a jaunty walk with now admiring wife to cute little boat
> bobbing invitingly at end of dock. Ah! For once NOTHING has gone wrong!
> I pause for a moment at the end of the ramp and and burst into song, an
> inspiring rendition of Beethoven's "Ode to Joy". All the other boaters
> trying hard to hide their envy of my efficiency in launching my boat and
> my wonderful voice. Get to boat. A perfect moment. Everything OK? Sure
> is! (Must remember to to put keel down, put rudder down, start motor in
> neutral, untie boat before leaving....Yes, yes, yes...). What's that
> trickling sound? Water sloshing around under dock? Noooo... Boat looks a
> bit low in water... Better check tightness of bilge plug (had not been
> tightened on last sail and taken on about half gallon of water...). Lean
> over transom, check tightness of plug. Small problem. Plug not even
> there. Boat still filling with water. Me back to being incompetent.
> Prospect of lunch at waterside restaurant vanishes. Loving wife
> disappears, replaced by very disappointed hungry female companion
> wondering what possessed her to go out with this jerk.
>
> Like I said, I need a check list.........
>
> Bernie Johnson.