8-6-04 Another Learning Experience

[PatMyGreen]

I took out Spearboarders Mike (LuvMyRedDog) and Jeff (Daddy Jeffy) Taylor as well as my friend Adam on Friday. Weather looked a bit rough due to constant westerly winds, but we all agreed to tough it out and shoot some fish. I'm sure they realized they were in trouble when I tried to break their legs with steel 120's I managed to shake loose from my roll control rack. I accomplished this by jumping a swell at close to 30mph while adjusting my GPS and not watching where I was going. Once we got to the first drop I told Mike and Jeff they were up first, I think it was Jeff that then said something like "hey, you're not going to leave us out here, are you?" I assured them I would motor on over as soon as they hit the surface.
After they rolled on over, I let the boat drift off down current a ways. I let Adam take the wheel for a sec while I took a wiz. When I took the wheel again I tried to turn us back into the current to keep us close enough to the bouy to keep visual on the bubbles. Tried being the operative word. The wheel just spun around and around and the engines stayed right where they were, all the way to the right. We quickly threw anchor to keep our position and tried to sort out what the hell to do. Not having much knowledge about what might be wrong I called a couple of people who might be able to help me pin-point the problem and fix it if possible. Wishful thinking at its best, voicemails all the way. So I called the only people who might be able to help...the coasties. They seemed to be much more interested in why I didn't have a name on my boat than having any advice or sending a boat to make sure that my divers could make it to my boat once they hit the surface.
The only other boat in the area was about a half mile to the south and east, it was a charter "deep sea" fishing boat and didn't answer my hails. He was on top the wreck "Commander" in a 40'+ boat 11 miles from the pass. Sounds like a half day charter to me. Fortunately when Mike and Jeff did resurface they were able to see the boat (I was afraid we might be too far away to be seen from the surface given the height of the seas) and make the long swim to it. I was pretty afraid I was going to be speared at this point. Once they were back aboard we waited for TowBoatUS to show up and pull us in. The whole way back in the waves got smaller and smaller and it became a truly nice day for diving. We also noticed that people don't wave back when you are being towed back in. I didn't get a spear in the head, but I would have preferred one to the bill from TowBoatUS. $438 before my $150 per incident coverage deduction. If I had paid for unlimited coverage it would have paid for itself about 3x over.
Upon inspection it turns out blew a hose causing me to lose my hydrolics. Sorry about the crappy day on my boat guys, I'd be happy to have you out again some other time all gas, ice, nitrox and hydrolic fluid on me.

[Graham]

We have blown our hydraulics twice so far. Learned to always carry all the extra fittings, tubing, and fluid to repair. Problem is, once you put all that in your boat, you will have something else break that you are unprepared for.

[Daddy_Jeffy]

Two jugs of Nitrox 32: $10
Gas money for the boat: $20
Two bottles of Gatorade: $3
Making it back to the boat after experiencing your own personal "Primal Scream": Priceless

No worries Pat.

[LuvMyRedDog]

Not the best day on the water but at least nobody moaned and groaned. Daddy_Jeffy is a trooper. He didn't even complain too much when he fractured his index finger on Pat's kooky dive ladder.

Pat, you are a helluva nice guy that I genuinely like. You just can't get/stay mad at a guy like that. Anyway, a few more experiences like this and you'll be right on top of the boat maintenance learning curve. So, no worries Pat.

[Graham]

For some reason, every time I go out something goes wrong with the boat. Along with spare parts to fix the boat, always remember to bring extra beer. Nothing like sitting in the middle of the ocean and running out of beer.

[hornypiranha]

I'm with Graham, you can never have too much beer on the boat!

Pat, glad everyone made it home safely, better luck next time. My story cannot compare to yours, but my booze cruise out to Shell Island on Sunday involved buying a new battery and I discovered how my tilt and trim swith is broke and the trim tabs no longer work...it's always something!!!

[PatMyGreen]

Oh yeah, and we didn't have any beer. I really can't say how glad I was not to have a mutiny on my hands. Both you guys are class acts in my book.

[Graham]

Should have told to towboat to pick up a couple of cases so you could have something to do on the ride in.

[LuvMyRedDog]

I tried to buy a sixer when we gassed up. Whoever heard of a boat ramp that doesn't sell beer? Just goofy. How much do you think Boat U.S. would charge to run a six pack out to us? A thousand dollars?

[junior]

I had my hydraulic steering go out recently due to a faulty seal. You can still operate your boat at slow speeds in this situation. You can usually turn the motor from side to side if their is no internal pressure inside your hydraulic steering system. Just take it easy and have someone push the motor from side to side as you need to turn. Glad you were able to get everyone back onto the boat.

[Bobby]

Define B.O.A.T Break Out Another Thousand!

I broke the drive shaft on SAT only 1/4 from the ramp. Would have cost $389 for the tow. thank god for unlimited coverage. Finally paid for itself.

[fishnfool13]

In a pinch Dr. Pepper will work as hydraulic fluid . I know from experience .

[PatMyGreen]

Maybe $100 apiece for beer, only sold as individuals of course, $50 extra (per) if you want them cold and a $250 fuel surcharge to cover the extra gas needed to ferry the extra weight of said six pack offshore. $1,150 plus tax. With my $150 per incident coverage an even grand. This is of course for domestic cans, imports and glass bottles are not as cheap.

[Graham]

Do we get a discount for Nat Light?