Good Morning all fellow crappie.comers! I found something out yesterday.....

When you get your face burnt, your hair looks grayer!

Finally had the chance to get out and test my new to me boat.

I was a bit worried that I had bit off more than I could chew by myself. My jon boat looks like a bathtub toy sitting next to it. Launching isn't a problem as long as the plug is in and the straps are off. I wasn't worried about that part.

The trailer has these roller things on it, not like the jon boat trailer. I usually pull over in the parking lot and unhook the winch and straps, put my plug in, etc.

With the roller trailer, I was afraid the thing would roll off backing it down the ramp. Then of course, I was afraid once I drove it up onto the trailer, it would roll back off before I could get up front and hook up the winch to it.

It all went splendid. I loaded everything, put the plug in and did all BUT unhook the winch. Then once I was about 1/2 way down the ramp, I got out and unhooked the winch and prayed...backing slowly the rest of the way into the water. She did GOOD!

Starting the motor was SO nice with that button, instead of the heave-ho pull yer guts and cuss model I'm so used to. Took the Hog Gobbler with me and we shared a bacon and egg buscuit then the cold wind as we bopped across the lake.

We rode the lake checking out a few new gps coordinates. . Dipped a few minners and a few jigs. Caught a few crappie..Threw back most.

Once again, dip chip I am, forgot to put on some sunscreen. IT WAS COLD! Who the heck thinks about sunscreen when it's COLD?? I fried my face.

I wanted to be sure it was still good daylight to load up and go home, so as the sun was leaving the Eastern sky, I headed to the ramp. My tummy was starting that nervous "can I do this" rumble.

Oh.... I forgot to mention that I did not have the luxury of a working trolling motor. For whatever reason the damb thing wouldn't lock down when deployed! I must say; checking out specific GPS coordinates is a pain without it.

Anyway.... I pull up to the dock and tied off nice as you please. Hog Gobbler had been tying a knot in her tail for a while by then and we jumped out and ran for the grass. There are four ramps where I put in and it wasn't busy. I was hoping for NObody to witness this maiden attempt at driving a boat on a trailer. Alas, there was a boat full of ole geezers to laugh at me.

I backed the trailer in, being careful not to put it in so far the boat would be floating on it when loaded...just a little over the fenders. Put the parking brake on the van and strolled back down into the boat...push the little button..vrooooom.... LOVE that thing! Now the tummy is really fluttering...oh please don't look like a total ass doing this!

Aim for the middle.....vrooooom! Oh please don't let the motor bottom out and screw up my skeg.....hit it again...vroooom. That's about good. Cut the motor and walk to the front and hook the winch. Well Nelly! Looking good!

With much grace I launch myself over the bow and onto the tounge of the trailer. I didn't even get the leather of my tennis shoes wet!

I LOVE MY BOAT!