I posted this on WMI.org (fishing website) back in '09. I thought I would share it with you guys via 'copy and paste.' I learned a lot on this experience.

Last summer, I owned a Tracker 170 with a 25hp fourstroke. I took my boat by myself to Harris Lake in NC, back the boat in at the ramp, park the truck, get in the boat and head out into the lake. I head a mile and a half out or so, cut the engine, drop the trolling motor and start jigging. Oh about 10 casts later I want to see what else I have tied to my other rods. I look back in the boat and the ass end is almost completely submerged, and the water is almost up to the seats in the boat. Yep, forgot the boat plug.

I hurry and swicth the bilge on, pull up the trolling motor and crank the engine. I put it at full throttle, and when you have a boat full of water, and a 25 hp engine, it makes a very slow stressful process back to a ramp. I am only going about 10 miles an hour, and I am trying to get to the ramp as fast as possible. Well, all of a sudden the engine cuts off. I was like, "Oh NO!!!," I try to turn it back on, and it just cranks. Well at that point I notice I am in less than a foot of water 30 yards from the bank. I trim the motor up, and it cranks right up.

Well I finally get to the ramp after about 25 mins, pull up to the shore, jump off and just pull the boat a bit on shore. I get to my truck and see my boat starting to drift out into the lake beause the ass end was so heavy. I jump out running to the shore, pulling out my wallet, I wade in knee deep, grab the line and pull the boat back in, all while still taking in water. I run back to the truck back it in, get the boat on, and pull it out. Great, no damage, nothing lost (but my pride) now where is that boat plug? Well I had plenty of time to look, it took another 25 mins to get the boat dry. Can't find the plug, great got to get to the bait shop 10 miles away.

I get to the baitshop, found a boat plug, get to the counter, and realize, my wallet is on the shore back at the ramp. I drive all the way back to the lake, find my wallet, drive all the way back to the baitshop. But now I need gas, and the only thing they have is Premium at $4.15 a gallon. Freaking great!!!

Well after all this, most would call it a day, not me damn it! After all this I am going to go fishing. Went back to the lake, fished for 6 hours, and GOT SKUNKED!!! Worst day ever.

Well I got rid of that boat and got a Nitro NX 882 with 150 Optimax, and I couldn't be happier, though I still get skunked a lot. I guess it keeps me coming back, I am determined to catch something bigger than 2 lbs out of Harris.