It happened to me-but I got lucky-be careful out there.

[KI Jim]

This past Saturday, I was out by myself (which is awful unusual) on Erie. I took my 14 foot Lund out just north of Kellys and ancored down to do a little perchin'. I was fortunate enough to get on top a school and I had my 30 fish Ohio limit in just under an hour.

While I was out, the wind came up a little and it was running 2-3' out of the east. No big deal, I am only a mile out and will be running in the troughs south into the shelter of the bay. Anyway, I pick up anchor and start my run in. I go about a minute or so with the boat just barely up on plane. One of the waves surfs me a little (not a lot-just a little). Evidently, a cruiser had left the bay and there was a fairly minor residual cross wake in the trough of the wave. The front end of the boat hits the wake and the boat broaches badly. Next thing I know, the boat is standing on it's starboard gunnel and my butt is going over!!!

Well, I fought it for just a couple seconds, but I realized it was inevitable and I flipped over the side, with my weight out of the boat, it righted itself. Fortunately, I have always used the kill switch lanyard when I am in my small boat(but I don't wear a life jacket)-so, when I went over, the engine killed. I collected myself in the water (I was lucky to grab my glasses as they were heading to the bottom). I swam over to the boat and rolled in over the side, wet, a little scared, but really fortunate. I'm still here, no injuries and didn't loose a thing (except maybe a little pride).

Anyway, this is the first time I have ever been tossed off a boat. I am no rookie when it comes to handling a small boat and it happened to me! Please be careful out there. Now that I am older and wiser I'm going to get a good comfortable life vest-and actually wear it. Thanks to the Lord for watching over me and thanks to whoever started putting those kill switches with the lanyard on boats.

The little bit wiser (and humbler)...

Jim

[sfw1960]

I guess I better start wearing my "wrist band" too -- it's not hard to get 'er torqued outta shape when you're flyin' & all alone...
Glad to hear the worst of it was some extra bleach in the whites , down in the laundry room....
:yikes:
Robert

[icefishermanmark]

I've worn a lifejacket for all 16 of my years on a boat. It's pretty much just a reaction now. I fish by myself most of the time, and I know that ***** happens. My dad lost a friend who capasized, 20 years back, and the recent boaters who died up in Lake huron were my neighbors so its even more reinforcement to wear one. There's no reason not to. Get one that has mesh around the chest. Those are comfortable. Glad to hear you're ok, but I believe that everyone should wear a lifejacket and attach the kill switch.

[Ed Michrina]

Good reminder, thanks.

When I'm out in my big boat, by myself, with no one around (and it's to hot to wear a vest) I'll tuck a folded plastic garbage bag in the rim of my shorts, to use to collect air and float on in. Its not as good as a vest but one of my fears is falling over and not being able to swim or catch the boat drifting in the wind. On cold water days like this I tether my self to the boat :rolleyes:

Glad everyting worked out for you.

[Dedge]

Real glad to hear you are alright man. And although I have never gone over, I have lost the motor with a stong offshore breeze. And of course the kicker was in the shop. I know I really had no business out there without it, but we figured what the heck, we were only fishing 50 feet so we let er rip. And rip it did. Never again. Man I just wish you could learn from good things and not just the bad.

Dan

[The Whale]

Very happy to hear it came out the way it did for you ! God was with you on that one for sure. I'm typically ALONE when I hit the Bay and keep my mind on staying in the boat at all times, just goes to show that stuff DOES happen. Lately I've finally decided to pick up one of those "suspender" style life vests to wear when I'm out there. I too have a lanyard system, but I honestly don't wear it. May have to re-think that too. :bash: :cool:

[ESOX]

Glad you came out OK. Whenever I am out alone or with just the kids, or when the water temps are in the 50's or lower I wear SOSpenders all the time. They are pretty comfortable.

[NEMichsportsman]

I'll tuck a folded plastic garbage bag in the rim of my shorts



Thats funny!:):lol:





If nothing else it is sure to impress some of those scantily clad bikini babes on nearby vessels!;)
"Hey Buffy check out that guy over there on the yacht with the huge............bag in his shorts!"

[maxemus]

:yikes: God was watching you! Glad you lived to warn us all.

[Ed Michrina]

Thats funny!:):lol:





If nothing else it is sure to impress some of those scantily clad bikini babes on nearby vessels!;)
"Hey Buffy check out that guy over there on the yacht with the huge............bag in his shorts!"

OK you got me sometimes I also bring my plastic bag to the bar :p .

but on a serious note I tried it in the swimming shallows and it works to keep you afloat. When your 5 miles from any land and there is not a boat in site. you will thank me for that silly little idea

[RichP]

Glad you're ok. Since it's a smaller boat did you have any troubles getting back in the boat without further tipping it too much?

[mwp]

I just recently bought my first boat(used).I fish alone alot of the time and have never hooked that lanyard to me.I do carry the floating seat cushions,but have the life preserver under the seat.The last time out I was in some pretty big swales and got tossed around pretty good.On the ride home was just thinking about how I should have that preserver at least within reach of me and the kill switch hooked up in rough water.I am an excellent swimmer but really dont want to be put in that situation.My wife and two small kids agree!!!Anyway glad to see everthing turned out OK for ya!!

[GONE FISHIN(LARRY)]

Jim ,

WOW !

Glad your alright , thank god the boat righted itself and water is still fairly warm . Had to hard getting back in . Did anybody come to your aid ? Good thing you were by yourself or maybe better said non of your kids were with you . I bet next time you take the GRADY when your alone .

LARRY

[KI Jim]

Getting back in the boat was actually not too bad. When I grabbed the gunwale and pulled down on it, the boat tipped up real far so ther was only a couple inches of freeboard on my side. I just kinda rolled in.

As far as the Grady goes, yeah-maybe, I really like the Grady-it is a great boat, but I love the Lund. I guess the main reason is the size. It just seems so much wilder in the small boat. For an hour or two of close in fishing it's just more fun. The biggest problem I have is that after sitting in the Lund for a couple hours, the back starts aching, the legs start kinking up...you know the drill. The Grady just tames down everything, it is incredible how good that boat rides and handles. For a 19' boat, it is an awesome machine.

Jim