Back in the Saddle!

[fastbackford]

I haven't posted here in quite a while because, well, honestly, my pontoon hasn't seen the water in over a year and I got pretty disgusted with the whole thing. After sitting out all of last summer and most of this summer with a flaky 1974 Evinrude 70hp that I couldn’t trust to start once the dock was out of sight, I finally squirreled away enough acorns and bought a new motor so now I'm back on the water!

I decided on the 60hp Mercury Bigfoot 4 stroke and I couldn't be happier. I’m generally in no hurry and both of my girls go to private $chools so 60hp will suffice. The boat itself is an older 20' Riviera and while it's no great shakes the logs have no dings, she floats just fine and the furniture is in good shape so we pressure washed and scrubbed a thick layer of dust and grime off her and got her ready for her maiden voyage.

Thrilled and eager, I loaded up the family, coolers and dog looking forward to a day on the St. Johns River and Silver Glen. Everybody had their dock assignments and the wife was holding the lines as I backed the boat down the ramp like a pro. But the darn thing wouldn't float off! "Hell, how far back to do need to go before the damn thing floats?" I didn’t remember it being this tough to launch.

After pulling forward and reversing several times, slamming on the brakes trying to 'pop' the boat off the trailer and wondering WTH?, my wife hollered out and asked me if I had removed the gator straps from the back of the boat. DOH! By now I’m gumming up the works at the ramp with a line of boats and jet skis waiting to launch.

As nonchalantly as possible, I pulled the boat forward got out and removed the straps so the next time down the ramp it floated off just as designed. The round of applause from those waiting in line was a nice touch. Undeterred after looking like a smacked ass in front of God and everybody, I thanked Him for the lesson in humility and continued to march, confident that the day was going to be good to go from there on out.

Boat loaded, sunshade up and vent cap open I bumped the key and the engine roared to life. I’m sure I was grinning like an idiot but I didn’t care because I was over the moon and felt like the king of the world buzzing down the river. For about 5 minutes.

No coughing, farting or stumbling, it just up and died. Oh, isn’t this great. I just dropped 8 large and now here I sit getting the stink eye from everybody but the dog. At least she was still happy. While fielding questions from my crew of questionable loyalty, “What did you do, Dad?”, “How much did this cost us?”, “Do we need to call Sea-Tow?”, I did a systems check I noticed that when I had done some rewiring that I didn’t re-zip tie the cable going to the control box and it had worked loose at the connector. I reconnected the wiring and zip tied it in place & once again what had heretofore been known as “The Good Ship Grief” was once again off and running. There were no more hiccups & no more drama. It was just a nice, mellow boat ride.

Yeah, that’s the ticket.

Now I need to rename my boat.

[curtiscapk]

WAhooooo! I know the feeling but I haven't got to take THE FLOATER out yet after the rebuild and all the electrical issues. Hopefully on the 19th we can have as good of luck as you!

[Woody]

A 1974 70, to a new 4 stroke will be a world of difference. I'm sure you will enjoy it for a long time !!

[pond tuuunes]

Glad to hear your back on the water!

[lakerunner]

Before E Tecs were born I wouldn't have an OMC for free. I had a 50 that went belly up the first week and OMC wouldn't replace it, only fix so I trade for a 85 and dealers(tried more than 1) to find why it would overheat all the time. I finally said F_ _ _K it and sold it and went Merc.
Some of my best small (25 and under ) were OMC. Go Figure.

[HandymanHerb]

[badmoonrising]

[tuned]

Funny story!
OK maybe not so funny, but well worded
All's well as ends better!

[Capt Sully]

she floats, she floats, Thanks for sharing your story

[REPETE]

Isn't it funny how quiclly "the crew" will turn on the captain when crap goes South but how seldom do you hear a thank you about the great time they are having?!

Then when something does go South they want it fixed and fixed NOW!

Great story and boy can I relate.

[katieclooney]

woot woot!

[SoCalAngler]

nice story...alls well, end well

I have a boat name that immediately came to me as I finished reading your story....

"Second Chance"