There are some things you just don't post on social media. But the reality is, life isn't all fun and games, and neither is boating. The key to getting through those times - and staying married - is to be ready, be patient, add humor, oh and, be prepared to fork over some big bucks!
Luckily for me, Tad is an even-tempered guy with years of boating experience. When something goes wrong, he's calm (well, usually) and knows how to fix the issue. And, because he has a sense of humor, I'm going to share a few tips we learned from "incidences" that happened on our last trip.
1. Check your dinghy thoroughly before lowering it into the water.
This is Tad prepping the dinghy that hadn't been used in over a year. We have an automatic lift, so he just lowered himself down with the remote. What you don't see is Tad in the water with a rapidly flooding dinghy!
I was doing my own thing when I heard a panic cry, "Baby, hit the UP button, hit the UP button!"
I know I should have been a concerned wife when I heard him screaming for help, but I was laughing so hard, it just wasn't in me. It appears the remote had just enough juice left to lower him down, but not enough to bring him back up. The back-flow hose had somehow been dislodged through our travels and caused a major hole. He was going down fast! Yes, I went to the lift button in the cockpit, and yes, I saved him from going down with his ship - it's the least I can do for my captain!
After I rescued him, he plugged the back-flow hose back in, drained the boat and we piled in to make our way to shore. But, the battery was also dead, and the steering was frozen. Tad was able to get things repaired enough to go on to shore, but it wasn't pretty as we plunged forward and back under the power of one gear stuck in fast mode.
Point learned - When you're doing your annual maintenance, include the dinghy!
2. Go ahead and post that little sign warning guests not to flush anything but marine grade T.P. down the head. Why, because your filter will clog, and the lovely smell of rotten eggs will take over your boat.
It was amazing how small Tad could make himself when a backup strikes!
There is no way to fully articulate the eye-burning, rotten egg smell of a backed up waste system in an enclosed vessel. We opened portholes and windows long enough to get some fresh air, but not long enough to keep sea bugs out of the boat.
Another note to self, being on the water does not deem you free of pests - they are everywhere!
We docked at the first marina we could find with a West Marine store and biked to the store. My hero changed the filter, and all was good!
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