The Boating Forum - Memorial Weekend - Share your encounters.....

It is that time of year again!.

Fights at boat ramps
Groundings
Dangerous operation
Disabled, broke down boats
Wives being yelled at by husbands
jack knifed trailers

The 2 best stories of all time on THT yet to be topped:

1st One

roadstar99 - 5/28/2007 9:24 PM

New to boating, first year. I will be brief, went to marina to launch my 22' Rinker, found flat tire on trailer, go to store to buy wrench for trailer lugs, fixed tire, launched boat, battery dead wont start, get booster pack, 15 minutes later saw water up in cuddy, forgot to put plug in. Very quickly went to get trailer, broke skeg off lower unit. Next day replaced battery, found bilge not working, replaced bilge and float, took her out for a first run, bang, steering pully broke, no steering, back to marina. Cant wait till next weekend to try it all over again.

2nd one by racinmullet

My son and I always go down to Teaches Lair ramp while the wife packs up the camper. To start things off, I pissed some guy off by asking if his 26ft Albemarle was a 24 footer. Sorry guy, it just looked small in the water. He then preceded to watch is wife winch the last four feet of the boat up the trailer. She stuggled for maybe fifteen minutes while he just stood on the dock and gave "constructive criticism."

Then a family from Jersey showed up with their jet skis. The mom got on the pwc while it was on the trailer. Dad backed her down into the water. The jet ski slid off the trailer perfectly. Mom hits the ingnition....nothing. By this time she is in the middle of the marina. Then comes overweight son and his thin, hot as h%#& girlfriend to save mom. I guess they forgot to charge the battery and read the signs on hwy 12 stating no pwc are allowed in CHNS.

To finish off the laugh fest two lesbians with a new carolina skiff show up. The "wife" gets out and handles the rope while the "man" (sorry she looked manly) tried to back the boat down the ramp. She got the boat to the water but not before comletely jacknifing across both lanes. The whole time her partner was telling her how good of a job she was doing.

Last but not least I saw three grown men in a 17ft bass tracker trolling up and down the beach out of Hateras Inlet.

That was some funny chit.


J.

Last year, solo, stayed out after dark friday, got back to the ramp and barely found enough dock to tie up while getting the truck. A bunch of sailboats just about completely crowded the floating dock space for the night.

LOL. This thread is going to be gold at my house all weekend with the family here!

My favorite story ever: I head over to my marina around 9 a.m. on Saturday of Memorial Day weekend. A guy is getting ready to launch his Pro Line center console (forget the size) for the first time.

Things aren't going well. However, the case of beer he brought with him for a day on the water is keeping things nice and calm. I don't take my boat out (was just there to rewire an electrical connection that was a little screwy) but observe for future reference. Later in the day, I return to the marina because I've decided to go out for a ride on the water afterall, and maybe do a little fishing.

Pro Line dude is still there. The case of beer is dwindling. He's finally ready for launch. He gets 'er down the ramp, ties up, and secures his vehicle.

OFF HE GOES AT WOT SPEED - for about 100 feet, before his drunk arse lands on a sand bar outside the very first channel marker from the marina. :grin::thumbsup:

Last year I laughed may ass off when a newbie tried to pull his fender into the boat with a boat hook. Problem was it was tied to the bowrail. He was going round and round like a dog chasing its tail trying to reach it!!! For some strange reason, no matter how tight he turned, it just did not get closer.

Just go to the Islamorada sand bar on memorial weekend. Only way to get there is by boat. Typically close to 1000 boats all meshed together, 40% real boaters, 60% clowns who have no clue what theyre doing. Live DJ's, tons of drinking, tons of naked women, tons of loud arrogant dudes banging their chests, fights, sex, more naked women, lines of tied up boats all moving against each other, plenty of idiots that got there during high tide and wen for a stroll that return to find their boat on it's side high and dry, unmanned boats loose and blowing across the insanely busy channel, bunches of police and FWC keeping really busy, tons of really intoxicated people doing what they do best....entertaining me. I did have some inebriated woman get on my boat last year and start hanging all over me all slurring her words and not making much sense at all. Man my wife had her claws out and was ready to throw down! I couldnt get that chick off my boat! Took me like 20 minutes to convince her that the boat next to me was much more entertaining....later saw her passed out on the bow of someone else's boat. Did I mention the naked women? Not the kind you see at the nude beaches all 60+ and saggy, these girls are smokin HOT! ;cool;

I typically go down there every year. My wife and I go scuba diving for most the morning/afternoon and then hit the sandbar for a couple hours for live entertainment purposes. Its like being surrounded by televisions all playing a different episode of Jerry Springer Boating edition. Absolute chaos everywhere you look.

Ahh, the memories..... Could write a book about all the ridiculous things you see in just a couple hours.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/attachments/boating-outdoor-photos/110623d1271294918-lets-see-some-raft-up-sandbar-parties-imgp0509.jpg

Last year saw a super redneck family in matching jorts (jean shorts) launching what I assumed was their first boat. Have no idea what it was, but looked like it'd be from the late 80s, dual console box looking boat with carpet, around 18 feet. They've got everything you can image...multiple coolers, floats, an inflated alligator, beach umbrella in the rodholder, tow tube thing, etc. The guy guns his Vista Cruiser looking station wagon in reverse down the ramp while his wife holds the bow line and she falls over trying to get the boat to the dock. He parks the stationwagon/trailer, slams a beer, and comes down to the boat. Family, dog, and all their crapp are all piled up and ready to roll. Dad slams another beer and guns it. Wait, boats not going anywhere...still tied up. What would you do??? He puts the throttle all the way down at this point and the cleats on his boat snap off and they haul ass down the river (6 knot zone) leaving their cleats hanging off the pilings. wtf

Haha, that girls about knuckle deep in her butt on the far left in that picture

Just go to the Islamorada sand bar on memorial weekend. Only way to get there is by boat. Typically close to 1000 boats all meshed together, 40% real boaters, 60% clowns who have no clue what theyre doing. Live DJ's, tons of drinking, tons of naked women, tons of loud arrogant dudes banging their chests, fights, sex, more naked women, lines of tied up boats all moving against each other, plenty of idiots that got there during high tide and wen for a stroll that return to find their boat on it's side high and dry, unmanned boats loose and blowing across the insanely busy channel, bunches of police and FWC keeping really busy, tons of really intoxicated people doing what they do best....entertaining me. I did have some inebriated woman get on my boat last year and start hanging all over me all slurring her words and not making much sense at all. Man my wife had her claws out and was ready to throw down! I couldnt get that chick off my boat! Took me like 20 minutes to convince her that the boat next to me was much more entertaining....later saw her passed out on the bow of someone else's boat. Did I mention the naked women? Not the kind you see at the nude beaches all 60+ and saggy, these girls are smokin HOT! ;cool;

I typically go down there every year. My wife and I go scuba diving for most the morning/afternoon and then hit the sandbar for a couple hours for live entertainment purposes. Its like being surrounded by televisions all playing a different episode of Jerry Springer Boating edition. Absolute chaos everywhere you look.

Ahh, the memories..... Could write a book about all the ridiculous things you see in just a couple hours.

http://www.thehulltruth.com/attachments/boating-outdoor-photos/110623d1271294918-lets-see-some-raft-up-sandbar-parties-imgp0509.jpg

A true vision of hell.

I gave up on holiday weekends on the water back in the late 80's. Too many idiots, and even with the chicks, it's not worth the hassle.


Big Al

looks to me like opportunity for fights, BUI, damage to the boat/motors, trip to the doctors office for shot of penicillin, and a scortching case of herpies!

This is why I'm calling in sick tomorrow to go fishing so I can relax and not go stir crazy this weekend. Too much mayhem for me.

Keep them coming! This should get good!

I'll be at River Run (in a canoe) with about 500+ college students... Will report back tuesday

Wear a rubber dude!

subscribed.

hopefully will have a good story to contribute by monday evening -- should be on the boat every day starting tomorrow afternoon!

ill be in ocmd watching for idiots, but not on a boat. just sitting at a bayside bar watching. the isle of wright bay and inlet area will be down right dangerous this weekend. too many go fast morons who think they own the water

A couple years back I am pulling up to the ramp in my boat, watching a guy back down the ramp to get his boat. Once he gets the trailer all lined up and set he gets out of his truck, walks towards the boat and the guy on the boat said "just throw me the keys" you guesses it, keys went right over his head and into the drink. So now we have two guys at a busy ramp swimming for keys, make matters worse guy had his truck keys on key ring with boat key!!!! So truck not moving from busy ramp and boat stuck in the water. Not sure the out come I was able to get beside him and get out of there.

I will be nowhere near the water, infact I plan on some HI-power rifle shooting every Early AM that mabye some sewer trouting (Fresh water bass) with my son.

I am staying off the water completely this weekend although I will miss the festivities. Headed to Charlotte for the Coca Cola 600. Not a huge nascar fan drinking beer with rednecks all weekend is good entertainment in itself..I will report back monday

http://www.thehulltruth.com/attachments/boating-outdoor-photos/110623d1271294918-lets-see-some-raft-up-sandbar-parties-imgp0509.jpg

Strong sausage and whale fest. They can have the sand bar, i'll be trolling 15 miles south.

Wear a rubber dude!

well, let's see.. she f**ked Lumberg..

This is my first year as an upper Keys resident with a boat. I will be braving the Islamorada sandbar with the admiral and potentially some friends who are in town (another couple).

Planning on being there early and watching the craziness happen. Camera is ready, this should be fun! I will be sober until the boat has been washed down and stored for the evening. After that, game on.

A true vision of hell.

I gave up on holiday weekends on the water back in the late 80's. Too many idiots, and even with the chicks, it's not worth the hassle.


Big Al

Mid-90's for me. Holiday weekends are around the house.

Randy

May be crappy in So. Fl this weekend with the wx. ;?

Lots of tri hulls at the gas pump already!!

Lots of tri hulls at the gas pump already!!

LOL, I was just at the gas station and couldn't get in or out because of the the guys trailering boats that were blocking all the lanes/pumps. It was like 6 pumps and only three guys with boats on the trailer blocking all the other pumps.

And it's only gonna get worse. :)

If I go out it will only be for a boat ride. Be careful out there!

I'm going down to the marina to install a new VHF and antennae tomorrow and prep the boat for opening day of Red Snapper season. I plan on hanging out for a little while watching the traffic in and out of the marina, but will not be leaving my dock. Gave up on holidays when we moved to Florida...

Wear a rubber dude!
What's a rubber dude? Like a blow up doll?

Holidays....gave that up long time ago, to many "Googans"

Rainy weather slowed down the crazies.

, to many "Googans"

Oh no you didn't just go there...LOL ;)

Crazy stuff....

Oh no you didn't just go there...LOL ;)

I said it today as well:rofl:

We were at the Islamorada sandbar yesterday. Saw a boat capsize in the channel, and a fight between two guys that were on different boats that were rafted up together. Pretty funny to watch ppl trying to untie the boats while these two were throwing punches across the gunwale.

This was different two redneck kids wearin wranglers and rubber boots no shirts one with the word gator tattooed across his shoulders in a pos boat rattle can black on boat and motor dragging at what I first thought was a huge chum bag. Strange coming in marina as he hopped out to run up and get some fishing line I looked closer and it was ..........wait for it................a dead wild boar. We are going sparking fish was the response when I asked what the hog was for and he said it like I was the idiot.

Sometimes working men can only get out when you can get out....A 3 day weekend was great, on the boat all weekend w/no problems!

A couple of Memorial day weekends ago I was sitting on my dock enjoying a cold one watching the action at the town boat ramp which is up the creek from my dock. About 60 min before dusk a dual console with 2 guys and 2 girls comes flying in off the ICW with the radio blaring. The "captain" slams the dock into the ramp when he is letting the trailer getter and his girl off which gets my attention. I'm now fully engaged. They all laugh off the slamming of the dock but after the guy backing the trailer down takes 30min to get the trailer even near the water (the ramp area was empty thank goodness) the cool starts to wear off..the girl with the trailer getter starts yelling at him (sound carries well over water btw)..he starts cussing her...the couple in the boat start yelling at the couple on the ramp. Eventually the trailer is in a semi-acceptable position to load the boat however the "captain" is unable to drive the boat onto the trailer. He would over shoot it to the left and the right..this went on for approx 20-30min...getting dark now. You guessed it..the couple in the boat started yelling at each other and then the couple with the truck started yelling at the couple in the boat. Finally the "captain" jumps in the water approx 20feet from the base of the ramp and swims to the trailer...he grabs the winch line and swims it out the boat. From there they winch the boat all the way onto the trailer from 20ft out.

I told my buddy that story and he said.."what do you want to bet that boat was one of those girls dad's boats"?

In a busy channel, the Maryland Police wave me on in front of them. I start to accelerate and a large cruisers wake appears. First wave goes well, second wave comes we launch mildly. I proceed to accelerate to get on plane as my wife, who has no idea the MP waved us on, flips the bird showing her dissatisfaction to me about the speed. :trout:Luckily I had all safety gear on board and they understood her frustrations! After they leave and a slightly heated discussion we gracefully enjoyed the remainder of the day without incident.:thumbsup:

Wash down pump went bad, would not shut off, flooded the inside of the console...Lenco control box got wet and the trim tabs started running and would not stop. bummer

I had launched my boat other night and was sitting there rigging my baits in preparation for a few hours of fishing. It was pitch dark but there were some lights at the ramp. Another boat shows up with two fellas that appeared to be in a hurry to go fishing. One guy grabs the bow line while the other guy backs the trailer down the ramp. The guy gets 2/3 down the ramp and the boat flies off the trailer onto the cement ramp (motor was only tilted 1/2 way up) Makes a big crashing sound. Guy jumps out of the car and asks his buddy what happened? Buddy says I dont know. I look over and told them that they un hooked the bow chain on their roller trailer.... but dont worry the tide will be up in a couple hours and you can put the boat back on the trailer then.

strick

Spent the weekend in Islamorda, but stayed clear of the sandbar. But coming back threw Snake Creek we did follow a very large Intrepid with tripple 350 yamahas that had a stripper pole fabracated out of the hard top.

we spend a while yesterday watching a guy who hooked a pelican at the entrance to the marina....i could hear it snapping its pie hole from a hundred yards...

My boat is getting some fiberglass work done and didnt get finished for the weekend. It blew like hell here Sunday and Monday so I pretty much just had a few cocktails and laid low. Pretty uneventful holiday weekend.

I did get some good pictures though from the keys sand bar. My brother in-law was down there and kept texting me pictures of naked / semi naked women that were there. Looked crazy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w3JtgCLGgY&list=UU7qzWnmd21EcgsWq92tjjKA&index=1&feature=plcp

Yesterday off AMI. Pure genius at work. Luckily no one was hurt but boat's toast.

Decided against joining in the sandbar debauchery this weekend and just went out cruising instead, so no pics as promised. We went out Saturday and Monday (skipped Sunday) and idled one time through the Islamorada sandbar channel Saturday mid-afternoon. Heard several reports while monitoring 16 of injuries and intoxicated boaters. Had my parents and the wife on board, so no stopping to ogle the talent allowed.

I am new to boating and living in S FL, but after witnessing the amateur hour crap that happened on the water this weekend, I'm feeling much better about my abilities. Apparently, in the Keys if you have a sport-fish style large boat, no wake just does not apply to you. Must be nice. Some yahoo also had their mic stuck (intentionally?) open on ch 16 yesterday broadcasting salsa music to all who would listen. Hope that guy got a visit from the USCG.

On the positive side, I did get a great close up view of the African Queen as she was headed back into the Port Largo canal around 4:30-5:00 yesterday evening. Very cool to see this iconic boat out and belching smoke from her stack.

to the boat to peanut island for my first time this weekend. insane scene, the cops were weving in and out of the boats with paintball guns with pepper balls, drinks would actually cuss the cops and punch their boats, to which the got a quick pepper call to the chest.. i'm a young guy (24) so i had to give it a shot, but memorial day sand bars are even a bit much for me, next year i'll just cruise....

I hope I earned a little good samaritan credit this weekend. Leaving the house on Sun, not on plane yet, a boat approaches me. Man, wife, 2 small kids maybe 2 and 4. On the St. Johns river about 10 miles from Lake George heading to Silver Glen. He says "we're not from around here and just about out of gas. We passed several places but didn't stop and I don't think I'll make it back. Do you know where we can get some?" So I tell him to follow me and I'll make sure you get there even if I have to tow you. Thought that was kind of dangerous considering the potential for really bad weather and his passengers. Get to the glen and there's this Velocity w/ 2 cuoples on board flagging me down. Thought that was odd considering he was pretty close to other boats and the cops patrolling around. But I went and checked on them and he had a crabtrap wrapped around his prop. I didn't have all my tools w/ me so I couldn't really help but offered to do whatever. About 5 min's later a boat pulls up w/ some heavy wire cutters. I hope they kept the remains w/ them and not just throw it back in the water. Got back to the ramp Sun afternoon and a man and his wife were having trouble loading, she's in the truck. Helped them out by directing her on where to stop and him by lining him up and winching his boat in. I did ask first if he needed assistance. So hopefully if/when I need some help it will be there. Good relaxing weekend with the wife and kids. Props to all the cops, all I dealt w/ were very polite and cordial. I did see one drunk chick leaving doing a t-top/cooler dance shaking all she had for 2 boats full of law enforcement about 15' from her. Brave girl but I guess there's no law against it, lol.

I was launching at Curry Park in West Palm, it was insane but orderly. I was starting the boat when the babes from the boat on the other side of the dock were getting ready to leave....all dolled up in their bikini's and such. One girl wearing a skirt stopped on the dock and squatted down to get something out of her bag and gave me the one-eyed snapper....didn't have a camera on board though!! Looked like Sammy with his eye out....

After we pulled away, I asked my 13 yr old son and his buddy if they saw the girl on the dock and they were clueless...they asked me what??? I just said never mind...hahaha

I have a pretty good one from Sunday:

I was sitting on my dock at the lake and I watched a pontoon boat with I think 14 people was driving at a very high rate of speed in my cove make a sharp turn and run into a bass boat that was there fishing. So I got on my boat and went over there it was about 200 to 300 yards to make sure everyone was ok ( it knocked the one of the guys fishing into the water). Well the the guy on the pontoon boat was yelling at the bass boat guy. The driver of the pontoon boat said he saw the water color was light brown up ahead and he did not want to run aground (it was actually about 30 feet deep and just a cloud of red clay that had washed off from the shore along with reflection of the sun) and he turned and hit his horn and the guy in the bass boat should have moved out of his way. I dont think he ever slowed down. The bass boat was pretty messed up and he had to beach it because it was gashed where the pontoon hit it and someone from my house gave one of the guys a ride to where he put in so he could get his truck and trailer and pull out at our neighborhood ramp. Everyone was ok but I could have been very bad. The driver of the pontoon boat wanted to leave but by this time we had called DNR and they said they were on their way over. DNR came and gave the guy a field sobriety test back at my house and he somehow passed (nobody else on the boat could have passed) issued him a ticket for having not enough life jackets on board, no fire extinguisher on board, and no throwable. I acually gave him a kids life jacket because he did not have one for his 5 or 6 year old to which he never said thanks. They escorted him back to the marina where god knows what happened but it was a pretty wild day all in all.

Peanut Island was very quiet...

http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cZDyIUVwxkM/TNYtQ-DO6LI/AAAAAAAAAX8/B7S8FiWbAb4/s400/sandbar.jpg

Spent Saturday at Ft George Island. Getting the boat anchored while the tide was rolling hard was interesting but once we were rafted-up it was a great day. That area of Jacksonville is a shining example of how great a boating community can be. Lots of friendly strangers, kids can play without being exposed to music and behavior they shouldnt be and it is just a pretty place to be on a sunny day. Another thing I like about Jacksonville is rarely do you run into a-holes at the ramps. Most seem to be experienced and courteous when loading and unloading and that makes even the busiest of boat ramps run smoothly. Sunday HOWEVER was a different story. On my way home I decided to put in on the Suwannee River and run down to the local sandbar to see what was happening. I found all the incompetent, inconsiderate idiots I had missed the day before. After about thirty minutes of dealing with waverunners, what appeared to be several 5 year olds on a tube being slung dangerously close to docks, shore & other boats and boaters who couldnt decide which side they should pass on (or if they were coming or going) I decided to take out before the circus started at the boat ramp. Didnt make it in time. Me and four other trucks got behind some guy in a very nice SUV that was attempting to load a very expensive ski boat and obviously was not the owner of either (or it was all new to him). He couldnt back the trailer, couldnt get the trailer brakes to release in reverse but that didnt discourage him from blocking the ramp for 15 minutes. Once he was loaded he stopped right at the top of the ramp and proceeded to unload and unpack the boat. While everyone else looked on in awe of just how clueless and discourteous this guy was. Next Memorial Day I may just leave the boat on the trailer.

I spent my weekend holiday working the Black Bike Week festival in Myrtle Beach. I'd share some pictures but I am sure you have all seen whales before.

Was out Sunday and Monday.

No drama here.

Hit the local anchor/swim/island spot without incident.

Went fishing Sunday nite, high tide, was down right quiet out there.

Went to Anclote Key on Saturday. Only thing I saw was a poor guy having to anchor four times before his wife was happy with the spot................oh wait...................that was me.

Wind blew on Saturday, Sunday was uneventful. Did see one 70 footer go through the bridge fenders while laying on the horn. Really only room for safe passage of one large vessel at a time with current and wind. The yacht approached nice and easy, hit a short blast and began to pass through. Half way, some idiot on plane, approaches from his starboard and cuts across his bow. The captain is mid channel and no room to maneuver, lays on the horn. Idiot realizes he can't make it under the bridge and at the last second, turns away from the bridge.

I took my boat out to Nantucket for Figawi. I won't share any stories :)

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538719_10100913781346660_907659_58540165_153844417 3_n.jpg

I took my boat out to Nantucket for Figawi. I won't share any stories :)

http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/538719_10100913781346660_907659_58540165_153844417 3_n.jpg

be careful, theres a guy in a pink shirt trying to steal your radome!

I ran into this guy,
What a turkey ;)

Seriously, we fished Friday and sat. Repaired the damage and recovered on Sunday and Monday..







http://i1166.photobucket.com/albums/q609/Ahankster/4ef7e148.jpg

Amatuer weekend down here. Only surpassed by the winner of the biggest clown. it also brings out the worst in too many people.
We keep big boat tied to dock and small boat on trailer till mid week.

be careful, theres a guy in a pink shirt trying to steal your radome!

Naa...he's just trying to get a better look at his flag pole. :grin:

be careful, theres a guy in a pink shirt trying to steal your radome!

I'd be more worried about the guy in the blue shirt thats got his pants pulled down, unless he just spent time with the girl in the blue shorts.

Well, these gatherings can be a lot of fun, but they usually get ruined when you combine too much alcohol with stupid people trying to prove something !

it is cheap entertainment though, kind of like sitting at a busy boat ramp and watching all the people.


LOL

I was launching at Curry Park in West Palm, it was insane but orderly. I was starting the boat when the babes from the boat on the other side of the dock were getting ready to leave....all dolled up in their bikini's and such. One girl wearing a skirt stopped on the dock and squatted down to get something out of her bag and gave me the one-eyed snapper....didn't have a camera on board though!! Looked like Sammy with his eye out....

After we pulled away, I asked my 13 yr old son and his buddy if they saw the girl on the dock and they were clueless...they asked me what??? I just said never mind...hahaha

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

Spent the weekend at the local southflorida redneck hangout (river ranch). No sandbar this year. Best was riding the trail to the swimming hole and having some finely intoxicated women with some large tatas cruising around in a jacked up golfcart not understanding that clothes are important.

Yesterday off AMI. Pure genius at work. Luckily no one was hurt but boat's toast.

AMI as in Anna Maria?