Never did this...

[jahoward1]

I've heard a lot of stories and seems that I get more and more of the boating experience--good and bad. Let's see, I've owned two boats, blew up one engine, had a boating accident, ran aground and even saved a teenager's life... But I hadn't done this.

I was so proud of myself on Memorial Day because my family and I were only about 30 minutes late when we left the house at 6:30am (0630 hrs for you civilians). About an hour and a half later my 8 year old son Rajay and I were getting clams and spearing from the bait shop. After prepping the boat, I attempted to back her down the ramp but the trailer's surge brakes kept activating. Frustrated and losing my cool, I did some disparate sh*t. I don't want to tell you what I did but I was finally able to back the boat down the ramp. After the boat was in the water, my wife Sally and my 13 year old daughter Raquel did and excellent job tying the boat down and lowering the motor while I parked the truck. Raquel even turned on my VHF radio and my chartplotter.

This is when things go bad. I parked the truck and marched up the dock like a very important person. I was so proud of my big beautiful 225 and I was receiving so many compliments.  I boarded and then checked to make sure everything was in order. Satisfied and very excited, I started to turn the key but... But... But of course it wasn't there.  
 
After confirming that the key was not in my truck, I walked my very important self up to the very nice couple that had their boat still on the trailer right behind my boat and asked them to please move so I could get my boat. As we were leaving, my wife and daughter were smart enough to just leave me alone but not Rajay. "Daddy, what happened? Why did you leave the key at home"? he asked very loudly and obviously disappointed. I mumbled something and we drove in silence for about 10 minutes.

So we ended up back in the Delaware River... AGAIN! But it still turned out to be a great day. We caught a couple fish, ate some food and laughed a lot. But for some reason my family thought me leaving the key at home was funnier than I did. So there's something else I can now check off my bucket list--The end

James H

[Bergertime]

James - Glad to hear the rest of the day went well.  I guess one thing is for sure - You won't do that again huh?     I have never had that happen to me but rest assured if it did... it would be when I had drivin an hour to the boat ramp with my truck full of guys wanting to go fishing early... Trust me when I tell you that my friends would have no mercy on me!  Anyway - calm seas and tight lines..

B

[CLM65]

Well, at least you put the plug in   .

I'm sure you are not the first person to do that...nor will you be the last.  Chalk it up as a learning experience.  You may want to get a few spare keys...one to leave in your truck...one to hide in your boat...etc.

And at least your back-up plan got you on the water (eventually) .

[pzart]

I am sure this happens more than we think, I did it years ago.....now the only time my key leaves the switch is when I am docked in a public dock like downtown Clearwater, or working on my motor.....so no one can start it when my hands are inside.

I also hide keys.....

[fitz73222]

Blown fuse in the back up light circut or wrong connector plug without the center pin assuming you have surge brakes.

[GoneFission]

Yep, always have a spare key hidden somewhere on the boat.  Saved me more than a couple times...

[slvrlng]

OOPS!!! Glad the rest of the day turned out so nice!!!

[gran398]

Speaking of keys....all of our stuff has a magnetic keyholder stuck on metal somewhere out of sight. You don't need it often, but when you do you're real glad to have it.

[Blue Agave]

now the only time my key leaves the switch is when I am docked in a public dock like downtown Clearwater, or working on my motor.....so no one can start it when my hands are inside.

^ X2


For those that keep their boat on a trailer you should always leave the key in the ignition for two reasons.

1) To prevent water from entering the ignition switch.
2) To prevent leaving the key at home.

The only time I remove the key from my boat is when it is docked or beached.

[wingtime]

I thought for sure this was going to be a left the plug out story.

I usually always put the plug and key in the boat BEFORE I leave the house.  Also I carry a second set of keys in my truck.  And as luck would have it my 245 and the 170 have the same number OMC ignition key.

[seagate]

Don't feel bad I have left key at home,I also have forgot to put the plug in but not at the same time I would forget my head if it wasn't stuck on.

[jahoward1]

Thanks fellas. I'd admit that I wasn't laughing at the time but it's kinda funny now. I have no idea why I even took the keys out of the boat but as it has already been said, I probably won't make that mistake again.

 I've actually been having some problems with the surge brakes since I bought the trailer. I called my mechanic today and he mentioned possible corrosion, which has been mentioned before. Its hard to believe that corrosion's the problem since everything, including the hookup is brand new. I paid about $10.00 for the new connection but now I'm ready to try one made with a little better quality. I have such low confidence in the place where I bought the trailer, I really don't want to mess with them. I'll post the results. Thanks

James

[Blue Agave]

Regarding your trailer and the surge backs, first thing I would check is the ground. If the trailer and brakes do not have a good ground you will have issues backing up.

[jahoward1]

Regarding your trailer and the surge backs, first thing I would check is the ground. If the trailer and brakes do not have a good ground you will have issues backing up.

It always comes down to the ground doesn't it?  I was looking at the new wire connectors and I think I saw some corrosion. I'll see first what happens once its cleaned out.

[Blue Agave]

Once you establish that the ground is good on the trailer side don't forget to check the ground on the pigtail on the vehicle side as well.