• Wanted to pass this along - by Ranger09

    Published on 01-14-2013 07:23 AM
    20 Comments Comments
    On Wednesday 2nd 2013 I was with a group of CDC fisherman (8 total) heading to Lake Wister for a day of crappie fishing in the Poteau River arm.

    I had fished the day before on Lake Eufaula in 34 degree temps and snowing. After arriving at the boat ramp (3 boats) we all stopped above the ramp in the turn around area and proceeded to get our clothes on and unlatch the boats to unload.

    After the 1st boat had unloaded we proceeded to back down the ramp and while in the boat and sitting down I heard this crunching noise and asked my fellow fisherman in the boat with me do you hear that and is that a bearing making that noise.

    That noise was the ice that had formed between the bunks and the boat breaking since the boat was no longer tied to the trailor. Well the worst case scenario happened when we got a little cockeyed on the ramp and the brakes were applied and we dumped my Ranger out on the concrete ramp about 15' from the water.

    It was a KNUCKLEHEADED occurance for sure. I knew better than to unhook before on the ramp but with the excitement of getting on the water with good freinds, and getting bit by big ole crappie it was over looked.

    Just wanted to pass this along since we are in the dead of winter and alot of us dedicated fisherman still fishing, and this occurance might save another CDC member from having the same thing happen to them.

    I was very lucky that there was 8 of us and we were able to reload the boat on the trailor with lifting, pulling, winching, and pushing after awhile, and were still able to catch some of those Wister Lake Crappie.

    This mishap was very costly as far as down time, heartache, and time lost from my guiding service, but no one was hurt and thats the most important thing. My Ranger is in the shop now getting a new lower unit and fiberglass repair at a cost of over $8,400.00.

    I have been a fisherman for over 50 years and a boat owner for over 40 and never had an accident of any kind. So with that said it can happen to anyone if we let our guard down for just a minute and don't think about the job at hand.

    Again just wanted to pass this along so maybe another member will not make the same KNUCKLEHEADED mistake I did.....Ranger

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    Comments 20 Comments
    1. "G"'s Avatar
      "G" - 01-14-2013, 09:56 AM
      Sorry for your mis-fortune.....but thank you for giving us all a heads up to remember to take all the right steps. Something similar happened to a friend of mine a couple years ago and since then I never unhook the winch strap untill my trailer tires touch the water.
    1. kyjohn's Avatar
      kyjohn - 01-14-2013, 11:25 AM
      That's terrible! I hope the repairs aren't too costly and all goes well!
    1. feeshrman's Avatar
      feeshrman - 01-14-2013, 12:56 PM
      I've witnessed this happen before, it occurs a lot more than you think. Lots of folks unhook their boat prematurely and get away with it if the ramp is not very steep, then they go to an unfamiliar ramp which is on a greater angle and it happens.
    1. Idunno's Avatar
      Idunno - 01-14-2013, 01:02 PM
      Thanks, Ranger. Never too experienced to make a plain ole human goof!
    1. BTB's Avatar
      BTB - 01-14-2013, 01:24 PM
      Thanks for the reminder and sorry about the boat. I go on a ramp by ramp basis as to unhook or not, but the lake I fish the most allows me to unhook before backing in. I may quit doing that just to get out of the habit.
    1. jordy1380's Avatar
      jordy1380 - 01-14-2013, 01:50 PM
      Good luck with repairs!
    1. blah7's Avatar
      blah7 - 01-14-2013, 01:54 PM
      sorry to hear =/
    1. RetiredRR's Avatar
      RetiredRR - 01-14-2013, 04:57 PM
      Glad to hear you didn't blame it on age........whoa.
    1. Gray Beard's Avatar
      Gray Beard - 01-14-2013, 05:53 PM
      I two have fished over 50 years and owned boats over 40. Also, I have done the same thing. Frozen carpet from several days before will dump a Jon or Fiberglass boat in a hurry. I know the pain. Good Post!!!
    1. tdcase1's Avatar
      tdcase1 - 01-14-2013, 07:50 PM
      had a friend had the same thing happen to him about a month ago at Reelfoot Lake Tenn. we have all decided to not untie our boats till in the water, sorry for your bad luck.
    1. Billbob's Avatar
      Billbob - 01-14-2013, 08:32 PM
      its ok you just had a JADA moment
    1. tight_knot's Avatar
      tight_knot - 01-14-2013, 08:50 PM
      Sorry to hear about your misfortune but thank you for sharing, I'll be paying attention to that from now on.
    1. Bowbender's Avatar
      Bowbender - 01-15-2013, 06:04 PM
      ouch!
    1. SCOTTY1094's Avatar
      SCOTTY1094 - 01-15-2013, 08:36 PM
      Where's the pictures?
    1. Ranger09's Avatar
      Ranger09 - 01-16-2013, 08:12 AM
      Failed terribly on the picture thing. After riding the Ranger to the concrete and getting that KNUCKLEHEAD sick feeling to be honest pictures were not really thought of at the moment..My Bad..Since this has happened I have heard so many times that it happened to me or my buddy had the samething happen to him. Thats when I PM'ed Slab and asked if we could put this occurance on the home page so maybe my misfortune would save another CDC member from the same experience. This is a perfect example of what happens when the excitement of the day out weighs the job at hand...Stay Safe....Ranger
    1. Danny W's Avatar
      Danny W - 01-16-2013, 10:51 PM
      Well thanks for posting. I will know this as a new boater who fishes in the winter time for sure. There will be ice between the rails and the boat, would have never thought a thing about it.
    1. Ranger09's Avatar
      Ranger09 - 01-16-2013, 11:10 PM
      Got a look at her today. My Ranger will be ready for pick up on Friday afternoon. Bad part is I can't get her til Monday since I am fishing the Kaw Tournament over the weekend. Totally can't see where the repairs had been made and the new Hamby's was laying in the floor to be put on as soon as the Ranger is buffed inside and out to make her shine like a new penny. My fiberglass people did find additional damage after it was removed from the trailor and they worked with the insurance company without me knowing. I was wondering what that extra check was in the mail when I got home this afternoon and now I know...Stay Safe and God Bless...Ranger
    1. Bayoudog's Avatar
      Bayoudog - 01-16-2013, 11:49 PM
      that hurts!!!
    1. revitup's Avatar
      revitup - 01-22-2013, 02:08 PM
      that's too bad. thanks for being willing to write about it
    1. Slabby15's Avatar
      Slabby15 - 01-23-2013, 07:47 AM
      Thanks for sharing.

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