Ricochet is the best place on the internet to discuss the issues of the day, either through commenting on posts or writing your own for our active and dynamic community in a fully moderated environment. In addition, the Ricochet Audio Network offers over 50 original podcasts with new episodes released every day.
Too Drunk to Fish
It was about 19:00 on a late August evening 1978. Arlen and I had been out sailing our boats on our local TVA lake all day. We had come back to the dock, tied up, and were sitting in our respective cockpits enjoying a couple of cold beers while planning tomorrow’s sailing chatting across the finger pier between us.
A big pick-up truck hauling a very expensive bass boat came down the launch ramp, did a U-turn and stopped. Four guys piled out. Two from the cab and two from the back bed of the truck. It became obvious in an instant they had all been drinking. They were laughing, staggering around and generally having way too much fun. They were looking forward to a beautiful evening of fine fishing.
The driver, unhooked all the straps and winch line from the boat. He tied a rope to the bow eye of the boat and handed the other end to one of his buddies with the admonition, “Now you hang on to this and don’t let go. I’m gonna back up quick like and then mash the brakes pretty hard. The boat’s gonna roll off and if you let go, it’ll float way out in the lake and you’re gonna hafta swim after it.” The rope holder mentioned that he couldn’t swim. “Then you better hang on to the rope and don’t let the boat get away.” was the reply.
Did I mention that this was a very expensive bass boat? It probably cost upwards of $30,000 with a motor in the $6,000 range in 1978 dollars. The trailer was a piece of artwork in its own right.
The driver looks around surveying that all is in readiness, smiles at his beautiful boat, and climbs into the truck cab. He cranks up the engine, puts it into reverse and accelerates backwards. He slams the brakes and the boat rolls off the trailer with a thunderous wham!
The boat sat there on the launch ramp about 15 feet from the water. It seems there was a slight miscalculation in where the water started.
The rope holder was standing there looking at the trailer and the boat. He finally turned to the driver and said, “I’m holdin’ it. I ain’t lettin’ it git away.”
I have no life lesson type of comment and I’m not sure if there is even a moral to this story. But it did happen just as described.
Published in General
Thank you for sharing it. Life lesson, or not, it’s a great image.
Lots of trailer stories out there. Booze a factor.
Boat stories involving alcohol can be funny or tragic. My two favorite funny stories are as follows.
I was on my boat in the Mon river south of Pittsburgh. As I rounded a bend in the river a large cabin cruiser was sitting on the bank of the river completely out of the water. The inbound engines were still running and five or six guys were still drinking like nothing happened. I am not sure they know they were out of the water.
Another time I was anchored in a back channel of the Allegheny river near Oakmont Pa. A group of young partiers approached. One drunk looking fellow was on the bow holding the anchor. He was wearing one of those fake looking captain hats. Upon orders from the pilot he heaved the anchor upstream. The only problem was the rope was rapped around his leg. Overboard he went caught under water. Nobody onboard noticed and I dove in and got him released just as he was about to drown. It was real funny until it dawned on everyone what a close call he had.
Hahaha
Oh, golly, weren’t you a boot? From the subtle to the sublime. Wowee.
I’m told if you’re ever bored on a Saturday or Sunday, head over to the local boat launch and hang out for a couple hours. Endless entertainment.
And hand out beers!