For those about to launch...

[Derek]

This applies to sailers' too...

Last summer, down on Lake Isabella, located in the high desert, an

hour east of Bakersfield, California, some folks, new to boating, were

having a problem. No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't get

their brand new 22 ft. boat going. It was very sluggish in almost

every maneuver, no matter how much power was applied. After about an

hour of trying to make it go, they putted to a nearby marina, thinking

someone there could tell them what was wrong. A thorough topside

check revealed everything in perfect working condition. The engine ran

fine, the out drive went up and down, and the prop was the correct

size and pitch. So, one of the marina guys jumped in the water to

check underneath. He came up choking on water, he was laughing so

hard. NOW REMEMBER... THIS IS TRUE .... Under the boat, still strapped

securely in place, was the trailer. :oops:

[capt jake]

Derek!! You weren't supposed to tell anybody that! I was still learning! Sheesh. ROTFLMAO

[Frank Hagan]

Hey, that makes my mistakes seem almost brillant by comparison!

(I've heard this story before too, in a couple of different variations, so I wonder if its a new fangled urban myth.)

[Gordy Hill]

A number of years ago I was at the launch in Lantana Florida and watched a man launching a new center counsel with two huge outboards. He was looking over his sholder as he carefully backed the boat.

You know that automatic clip-thingy on the front of power boats that clip to the trailer?

Didn't unclip it.

Pulled the trailer and brand new Ford F250 4X4 into about eight feet of water before anyone could get his attention. Salt water. Truck totaled.

.....there but for the grace of God....