WetWilly’s idea sounds good. A trolling motor may not get you where you want to go, but it can get you away from where you don’t want to be ( like out of barge traffic). I boat a lot on the Ohio and they either don’t or can’t move for anything!

AMEN!!! Two years ago a houseboat with four guys onboard fishing had motor trouble. They didn't think anything of it, At 3am, they continued to fish and noticed the oncoming barge. Unfortunately they had no radio, lights, or recommended CG gear other than lifejackets. The barge ended up hitting their boat, just as one of the men was able to jump onboard. He ran all the way down the 6 barges and went up banging on the wheelhouse window telling them to stop. Of course, by then it was too late, three people died, and the 36' houseboat had been dragged 2 miles up river where the barge finally was able to stop. I have to admit, it gave me chills every time I passed the area, and still does to this day. It happened around a mile from my harbor, and I pass that area everytime I head downtown. It took over two weeks to get the boat salvaged and removed... Here's two pics of the boats holding the houseboat in place until the investigation was closed.

Lesson: Stay out of the way of barges and commercial traffic!!!

The guy I know with the 302 takes long river trips to the gulf. Last summer he locked through with a barge. 3 wide 5 long. One barge in front of the tug was missing so that’s where they put him. Coming out of the lock the current kept sucking him into the barge. He said he could see the captain laughing at them instead of slowing down.

Most boating accidents happen this way ....

http://www.joe-ks.com/archives_oct20...gAccidents.jpg


Ummmm, dont view if your wife or gf is nearby ... or are you are at work.. :wink_thumbup:

Sorry bad pic bayliner in the back. I know why would i be looking at the boat.

there was a boat in the back ? .. :p

Yep been there done that. Probably do it again
 

Having grown up on a lake I’ve helped many stranded boaters and have been stranded many times for many reasons but now I’ve grown up and have a 1991 Mariah 1900z with a 4.3Ltr HO.
A few years ago my wife, three kids and I went for a weekend campout at Lou Yeager Lake in Litchfield IL.
The first day out, second trip of the year about 2 miles from the ramp an oil line from the aux oil filter gave way. With no way to fix it on scene and swimming back out of the question we put up the top broke out the drinks and sandwiches left the engine cover up and made the best of it. After thirty minniuts or so I was really surprised that a boat pulling a tube stopped and asked if he could help. After talking with him he said I’ll drop off the wife and kids and see you in about 20 minuets. Thinking too my self yea right, I did turn down several offers for help putting much faith in this one man. Sure enough he did return, pulled us all the way down to the other end of the lake and never asked for a dime. It took me quite some time to talk him into letting me pay gas but he finally gave in.
It turned out to be a very expensive day but a really good day all the same.
Now that my friends is what boating is all about looking out for the other guy because too some one you are the other guy.

wow, those are some good stories. I have quite a few exciting ones. Ill share my most recent one.
I had just picked up my mariah, the next day I took it out. I found out that the battery was shot. well wasn't that just exciting. So i had no tools or tool box on my boat. so i figured if i can just get to the filter i can spray some starting fluid and it will start. so the nut was a ***** to get off. i flagged down most people and they wont stop, just stare. I have multiple waverunners also, and a modded seadoo rxp that goes 75+.
so mr, joe jackass goes by on his eliminator with girls and acts all cool not stopping. i finally see a guy on a sail boat and he gives me pilers and viola, it works.
2 weekends ago i had my rxp up there and there was the guy with the eliminator broken down, and I went up to him and asked him if he remebered us being stuck and he said yeah, and i said that was me, thanks for helping me. now in return for that, im not gonna help you.

I know it was wrong of me, but it felt so good.

That's awesome! Way to stand up!! :wink_thumbup: I've found the @ssholes that own speedboats never help. Yet they're usually one of the first ones to have their hatch up with some kind of engine problem... They have no common sense when it comes to CG rules & regulations, mariner's law, and general "Rules of the Road" on the water. Loud Exhaust, Top Speed, Bikini Clad Women & Cheap Beer is all they ever think about.... You'll always find someone with a sailboat willing to help, as they're probably the most skilled and knowledgeable people on the water.

Good for you man! Hey, that guy had it coming and i'm sure he won't leave someone stuck again. Only way that could have been better would be if you had driven up in your Mariah then driven away with his women :yes_grin: