Sometimes when we are staying in one spot for a few months, it can be challenging to find something interesting to do. The other day, as I was pondering just what I was going to do with myself, fate intervened and offered me some unexpected entertainment.
I had talked to the folk’s just behind us and we discussed his newly purchased fold up boat that he planned to use for fishing. I have spent much of my life involved with ships and boats big and small, but I have never had any experience with a fold up boat. So when I noticed that he was going to launch it on its maiden voyage with the help of another neighbor, I could not help but rubber neck the event.
Rarely does a new adventure such as this go off without a hitch, and certainly this was no exception. The boat had to be moved from the camp site to the beach for launching. This involved placing it on a two wheel dolly not unlike that used for kayaks. The procession was moving smartly toward the beach until they came to the first speed bump. They took this at speed and promptly separated the dolly from the boat bending the dolly pins in the process.
In order to get things back on track, the pins had to be straightened for the dolly and the outboard removed from the boat. Next there was a lot of checking and pushing, but the boat was again underway toward the beach. Getting the boat into the water proved a bit more difficult than planned. I think they made a note to themselves not to launch again at dead low tide. At low tide, the water depth necessary to get the boat floating and be able to get the engine shaft lowered into the water was several hundred yards off shore. This meant getting wet.
Finally, they were afloat and had to use the oars to push them far enough off shore to use the engine. Now the thing about using oars as walking poles is that you have to hang onto them tightly or they will pull out of your hands and be left behind. If you are lucky, they will stick up out of the water and you can go back and get them-if you have any energy left.
Finally, they were far enough offshore to lower the engine and head off. There was a slight delay in departing while they got the engine started. I should mention that not only was this the maiden voyage for the fold up boat, but also for the engine.
After a number of false starts, the engine was running regularly and they enjoyed a nice trip with no more mishaps. Luckily, I did not have to call the Coast Guard
15 comments:
At least it made for an interesting day for you!
As the Kingston Trio song goes: 'Did they ever return or is their fate still unknown?" ...
You were probably wise to enjoy the morning's entertainment from afar. :)
Too funny! Guess people will be rubber necking me when I get my inflatable kayak and put it in the water for its maiden voyage, whenever that may be, I have no idea! We have to admit we do a lot of watching others--people setting up, coming in, going out--just the goings on...you know that is! :-)
Geez...you guys had me going there. Really thought that something happened. Thanks God not! KInda funny to think you are at the water and beach while we are in the bone-dry desert, not even gettin' rain when such is prognosed.
That's just what we like. Free entertainment! I reminds me of a 3 hour tour :) Hope they made it back ok.
What an entertaining blog. Thanks for a great laugh!
You've got it well documented if they ever want a record of it. I thought for sure they would end up in the drink!
People watching is SO much fun! Unless, of course, you are the people being watched.
Sherry
www.directionofourdreams.blogspot.com
all in a day's work!..we have seen those fold up boats before..pretty nifty!!
Doesn't take much to entertain some folks lol! Sounds like a fun time and made a great blog. Thanks for the laugh.
Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers. I will miss reading your blog, and hope to get back to it soon.
Again, thanks.
Pidge
Every new experience, even your neighbor's experience, has its own little adventures to enjoy. You can enjoy your neighbor's experience more than he can right now, but years later, he can look back with fond memories.
Great entertainment for you---I too love watching people and their "toys."
I hope they had life jackets! Sounds pretty tricky.
And that's why we called it "Saving the boating public from themselves".
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