Got the boat out, and took a swim, FUNNY STORY!

[Rocketman]

Funny story, the wife seemed to think so anyway. We were full of excitement to get our new (used) boat out and try it out. We watched the ice come off with anticipation, finally yesterday the day had come. Now, we have owned a 17' Lund for years, with an outboard, this boat has an I/O... I was very nervous about launching and loading. Launching turned out OK. Not that bad with the wife helping. The dock was not out yet, but we still managed. The boat ran like a dream, I could have stayed out for hours, but the wife had to goooooo if you know what I mean and so we headed in. This is where it gets. well, funny.  I had to beach the boat and back the truck in because she CAN'T do it. I got the trailer in the water, got back in the boat and tryed to drive the boat onto the trailer. I could not get it loaded the way I always loaded the outboard.It just would not go and I was afraid to give it more power as I could hear the prop scraping. (OUCH). I decided to get out and stand on the trailer rail and reach for the winch strap, when I did the boat started to slip backwards, I reached for the boat rope, lost my balance and in the drink I went! and I fell in completely submerged, and oh boy the water IS cold! After I got myself up and calmed myself down I hooked up the strap and cranked it in. This was a very scary situation. Everything they say about falling in cold water is true. Well, my wife laughed  all the way home, while I was thinking how I am putting this boat up for sale when I get home. No I/O for me!! So, today I am sitting here warm and dry wishing I had my old boat . Does anyone else have a I/O and can tell me a good way to load w/o getting al wet? Sorry for the long post, but I thought this was a good place to tell the story. Be safe out there.  btw, If anyone caught this on tape I want a cut of the $10,000 funny video prize!!!!

[kenhuntin]

I see more and more people power loading their boats.The silt stirred up from the bottom tears up the impeller. I guess if you don't mind replacing them regularly to each his own. Myself I wade in and winch it if it is too shallow to float on.