DropTop5.0
Well-known member
I became a member in November in order to learn a little about Checkmates. Found my first boat (Top Enticers) in Michigan on this forum and learned a bunch about what to do and what not to do. Saturday was time to be safe and have fun.
I went to Smith Mountain Lake in Southern Virginia. My wife an I with a few friends rented a home on the water, it was beautiful.
I've practiced backing up in several parking lots and I felt pretty comfortable but now I have to do it with a crowd...what pressure...trying to not look like an idiot. Side note: I did remember to put the plug in.
So I get to the ramp. I am out of the way as I put my bumpers on and removed the transom saver and I have all my gear... and I back her down in the water as smooth as could be. I'm like this is easy. I had to stop once and get out to see if I was in far enough. It wasn't floating so I backed up another foot or so. We grabbed a couple of lines and tired her up the dock and all was good.
Now its time to start her. I chocked it and turned the key like 15 times and nothing. Then it hits me...I have to pump that damn ball thingie
We didn't have these on submarines, we had reactors. I pumped it a few times and turned they key and it fired right up after a few seconds. Ahhh the smell of 2 stoke. Love it.
Backed her off the dock and idled out of the no wake zone and then put the hammer down. I definitely have the boating bug. Man thats fun. I can tell I'm a noob though. I need to figure out the trim a little better and I need to read the water a little better but I felt good.
I had her up to 51 (gps) with four people in the boat and only turning 5k or so. That felt pretty darn fast!
I went to Smith Mountain Lake in Southern Virginia. My wife an I with a few friends rented a home on the water, it was beautiful.
I've practiced backing up in several parking lots and I felt pretty comfortable but now I have to do it with a crowd...what pressure...trying to not look like an idiot. Side note: I did remember to put the plug in.
So I get to the ramp. I am out of the way as I put my bumpers on and removed the transom saver and I have all my gear... and I back her down in the water as smooth as could be. I'm like this is easy. I had to stop once and get out to see if I was in far enough. It wasn't floating so I backed up another foot or so. We grabbed a couple of lines and tired her up the dock and all was good.
Now its time to start her. I chocked it and turned the key like 15 times and nothing. Then it hits me...I have to pump that damn ball thingie
We didn't have these on submarines, we had reactors. I pumped it a few times and turned they key and it fired right up after a few seconds. Ahhh the smell of 2 stoke. Love it.Backed her off the dock and idled out of the no wake zone and then put the hammer down. I definitely have the boating bug. Man thats fun. I can tell I'm a noob though. I need to figure out the trim a little better and I need to read the water a little better but I felt good.
I had her up to 51 (gps) with four people in the boat and only turning 5k or so. That felt pretty darn fast!
