well...Friday was exciting. Heading up the inlet following BT, so probably not paying as much attention as normal. You'd think if one of us was going to cream a log it'd be the boat in front...guess he had a narrow miss. Right around Headquarters, one of my buddies yells log about 1/2 a second before we hear the big thump (actually didn't get the entire word out of his mouth). Slow down, everything seems normal, continue on our way (lesson #1...check below more closely for water after a log hit). Stop to fish at SanMateo. Couple minutes into it, water starts coming in the scuppers...uh oh...open the engine cover and very nearly **** myself, run to the helm and switch on the main pump(lesson #2...test the automatic bilge pump switch more frequently), we've got water almost to the floor boards and rising quickly [:0]. Unless you've experienced this, it's tough to explain the **** that goes through your head at this point...water's about 3" from the top of the batteries...if it gets to the top and we lose the pumps we're proper ****ed! Can't start the main as the coil is submerged, even if we could with that much water we'd never get on plane...with the kicker we start heading for the nearest beach...boys, we're going down!
Right about now we realize with the pumps running (cuddy cabin bilge pump is now running) and three guys bailing, we're making a bit of headway and aren't going to sink...unless we lose electical and the pumps stop. You know those gay little orange buckets from Canadian Tire that have all the stuff in them you need to be legal on the water that everyone scoffs at?...they actually come in handy, it's a tight squeeze around an inboard engine to get to the bilge for bailing (lesson #3...get a couple good hand pumps!).
I'm on the radio trying to get a trailer ready in Bamfield or Poett that we can load onto...now the Coast Guard get interested.
Bunch of boats are now circling us handing us auxilary pumps and handpumps...really sorry I forgot everyone's names, and also forgot the name of the resort across from SanManteo that they came from.
Once we get undertow heading for Poett with 3 pumps running and taking turns with the handpump we actually had time to realize what a gorgeous day it was! Thank **** it wasn't pissing rain and blowing 30.
Time to reflect on the fact that since buying this boat in February, I hadn't taken the time to finish the paperwork for my insurance! All I'm thinking is what a ****ing moron you are...you didn't sink, but this could still be expensive!
Got the boat on a trailer at Poett, hitched a ride to Port to get my truck and trailer, head back to Poett, make the switch, park the boat, drive to Bamfield, hitch a ride across to Mills just in time to head to Osama's for a great party! Needless to say I got knee walking drunk that night!
Final tally on the damage...hitting the log with the leg bent the inner transom plate, separating the outer assembly from the transom by 1/4" at the bottom. With the engine and leg pulled to assess the damage I got good news...nothing wrong with my transom. Need a few new parts and some new wiring. Should be good as new for just over a grand.
I've been around boats my entire life, never had an experience close to this...I have learned many lessons and will be a much better prepared and competent boater because of it. I consider this a cheap wake up call, and in a way am glad it happened. Could've happened at a different time with my wife and infant son on board.
