The boat launch at the end of the Texas City Dike is well known for rapid
changes in water level due to the ships that come close to shore in that
area. One morning as we were waiting to launch an obvious "newbee" with a
brand new low freeboard boat had just launched and had his boat tied up
right at the launch making it hard for the next person to launch. A ship
was approaching and me and another helpful guy that knew the danger
suggested that the newbee move his boat to a deeper part of the pier. Well
this idiot took offence at being told to move, reeled off a few well chosen
words and stomped off to buy his bait at the nearby baitshop leaving his
boat blocking the ramp in just a few feet of water. The ship went by, the
water completely left the boat launch leaving the new boat setting on the
bottom...the water then came back in a rush, swamping the boat and
completely submerging the new engine. The floatation in the boat kept it
from completely sinking but the weight of the engine and all of the other
crap that he had loaded into the back of the boat kept the engine
underwater. A few minutes later the idiot came running back, (someone had
told him about the fate of his boat), screaming at us for not helping to
keep his boat from sinking. Our reply was, "We tried and for our effort you
just cussed at us" We did help him get his boat back on the trailer to take
it back to the dealership to be stripped down and cleaned.
I wouldn't have done that either...I'd have pulled the plugs, cleaned the
water out, squirted some oil in, cranked it over a little, drained the float
bowls, hosed it down with fresh water and back in the water.

"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
On 20 Mar 2004 08:41:23 -0800, (Ray) wrote:

Short Wave Sportfishing wrote in
message . ..
On 19 Mar 2004 20:38:42 -0800, (Ray) wrote:

You won't believe this video. Future Darwin award
winner?

http://members.cox.net/vhf2/marfolly.mov

The most amusing entertainment you can possible have is watching a
boat ramp on a busy Sunday afternoon.

And no, I usually don't help until somebody gets into real trouble,
then I will offer. Having said that, you would be amazed at how often
that offer of help is refused.

FYI-

Advice was refused - Camera turned on.

Now- Pull your bumpers in..

I wasn't criticising - I offer to help all the time and it's usually
refused - in particular if the boater has a buddy or a wife with him.

Sometimes, you can lead a horse...etc... :)

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
-----------
"Angling may be said to be so
like the mathematics that it
can never be fully learnt..."

Izaak Walton "The Compleat Angler", 1653