08-27-2025, 04:25 AM
(08-22-2025, 07:01 PM)PACMEN Wrote: Location Strawberry Res.
Date. Wed. 8/22/25
Time. 7:15 A.M.
Forgot to put in the drain plug. Ran boat up into the mud ashore. I was laying on the back of the boat hanging over the transom. I slid head first into the lake.
I spent next 2 hrs fishing with no pants on. Finally it warmed up enough that I figured I could put my wet pants on. When we got home at 6 P.M. my feet were still wet in my shoes.
Air temp. was 37 degrees 15 minutes earlier when we got to the lake.
Up until the laws were changed about drain plugs, I always left ours in. When they required us to remove drain plugs while in transit, I started putting the ignition key in a cup holder as a reminder about installing the plug, when I went to start the boat. I guess this year I had gotten out of the habit. Just as a side note when we loaded the boat the key got put in the cup holder.
My plug can be installed from inside the boat and even my little T. rex arms only get a little wet. Takes my bilge pump approximately 4.5 minutes to clear the boat once the plug is installed. Don’t ask how I know!
You aren’t alone my friend. I have a pretty strict routine but we all slip every now and then. Be honest with yourself and learn from it.