Today was a bassfishing day...Yayyyyy! We caught a few, despite the water being a bit turbid due to rain, but the bonus was....
We launched in the pre-dawn dark and began fishing near the ramp, humming along on the bow-mounted electric trollmotor. Note: Use of gas engine forbidden, save in an emergency, on this little jewel of a lake=NO Lake Lice (Skiers, Jetskis, drunks on pontoon barges! Double Yayyyyyy!)
Well, an emergency there was!
While it was still dark, we saw another vehicle, a Jeep, towing a boat, arrive at the ramp. After a few moments of fussing about, the two geniuses involved were ready to "back 'er in." Well, they did just that.
The driver backed carefully until the trailer was at the desired depth and then left the cab to push the 18' bassboat off...no gas engines, remember? It was then that things became rather entertaining.
Suddenly; "Holy Cheet! De Jeep ees rolling!"
Sure enough, it was. By the time the idiot got back in and set the brake the Jeep was almost swamped.
Soooooo...ever the fun person, I secured the trollmotor, hopped gracefully into the the driver's seat, started the big beast (250 HP) and made for the stern of their boat, as my partner called the local gendarmerie on my cell phone to alert them.
Now, the boat, still tethered to the trailer by the bow hook, was bobbing above the no longer visible trailer (just the winch post showing). I yelped at my partner to use the quick-release to dismount the TM from it's mount so that it would not be in harm's way (when stowed, it pokes out a bit over the bow.)
So, ever so gently. I eased our 21'-er up to the stern of the other boat which, thankfully, was still directly over the trailer. My partner held a flotation cushion over the bow and I nudged same against the left stern of the other boat and then slowly pressed the HotFoot(TM) pedal 'neath my console.
Our cushioned bow engaged between the hull and the motor mount on the other boat and so there was no slippage. I increased power, making a huge seething boil astern, until the boat, trailer, and Jeep moved toward safety.
About that time, the Game Warden and Deputy "Barney Fife" showed up and ran down the ramp. The cop was seemingly unaware of what we were about and shouted "Shut that engine off! You're getting a citation!" The Game Warden said "Don't mind him, Yoli, just keep it up!".
Once the front of the Jeep was above water, the GW backed his truck down, handed the driver/idiot one end of a tow strap, and the rig was hauled to safety. I idled over to the dock, secured, and partner and I walked over to where the lifeless Jeep and the others were.
The two fools offered profuse thanks. I turned to the County Mountie and asked "Was there something you wanted with me?" He just shook his head, muttered "Nope. Ya done fine." I then suggested that the Jeep pilot open the door of said Jeep. Niagara!
The GW, a fine man I've known for a few years, and often encounter on that lake as he paddles about in his "patrol kayak", said "Yoli, you must be some sort of lightning rod. When you're around something ALWAYS happens!"
Then we all laughed, just like at the end of every rerun of old "Lassie"
episodes.
Not a mark on our boat, thank God.
All in all, a good morning!
Yoli
Fifteen minutes of fame.