Crappy day on the lake yesterday

Started the day off by launching the boat and tying it to the dock while I parked the rig. Drove past the no wake zone signs and begain putting away my fenders and lines.

I noticed some water on the floor near the inspection cover. I thought to myself, "none of the lines were wet where's this water coming from?" Then it dawned on me........Oh SH!T....the drain plug......I for got to put it in.

Lifted the cover and the bilge was almost full. I switched on the bilge and headed towards the shore. Took me several attempts the get the drain plug in, but I finally managed as the water was covering the deck.

The bilge pump finally drained the bilge and we were on our way to get some wakeboarding runs in.

I wasn't in the water 2 minutes when I made my first jump across the wake. Wiped out pretty good and felt some weirdness in my knee. Brushed it off and boarded for about another 15-20 minutes.

By the time I got home 7 hours later, my knee was pretty sore. This morning it was even more sore.

2 doctor visits later (PCP and Orthopedist) I'm in a knee brace for 6 weeks due to a stretched and slightly torn MCL. No more boarding until the spring for me.

Could have been a lot worse with both the boat and my knee. I never thought I'd leave the drain plug, but alas I did and feel pretty stupid about it as well.

I'll try to post the wipeout video in a bit.

Here's the vid. I need to work on my landings.

JPASS wrote: I noticed some water on the floor near the inspection cover. I thought to myself, "none of the lines were wet where's this water coming from?" Then it dawned on me........Oh SH!T....the drain plug......I for got to put it in.

Most of us have done that - forgotten the plug .... Glad she stayed afloat and your knee isn't too buggered.... Heal well, and be careful - ligaments don't always heal like new....

Looks like left knee, correct? Seemed to really get crunched. Glad to hear it's the MCL, they do heal, but sorry your season ended like that.

Can't believe you left the plug out, I haven't done that since .... a week ago Sunday. Not the Sport, it was the jet boat, where the plug goes in from the outside of the jet housing. Realized just as I was launching so no amount of water, but caught me by surprise because I'm pretty good about a last minute mental punch list. I've done it a bunch of times over the years, and somehow doubt I will forget any less with age ......

JPASS, sorry to hear about the knee!
I have the boat key and plug in the same storage box (the plug is tied to the key)
That way, before I crank the engine, I'll see the plug (and hopefully react)

Guess how fast a boat fills with water when you forget to hook up the trans cooler hose after winterization, start the engine, forget the plug, and park the truck.

I can answer that for you.

Guess how I know.

Bri892001 wrote: BTW, how fast where you going in that vid? That looks like you were moving pretty quick for boarding.

We board at 18 mph. I picked up some speed when I edged in. I've crashed many times at similar speeds with no issues. It was the bounce and twisting of my torso that did the knee in this time. Oh well, live and learn I guess.

I put the plug in ...t handle threaded...I thought just snug would do it since I didn't want to need a wrench to get itout...brand new engine to break in...get out a couple miles stop hear something open doghouse and a small geyser is filling the boat up...plug is gone somewhere inbilge...slight panic ...where can I beach ? Get ahold of yourself stuff mcdonalds paper bag in hole ...fish around bilge til Aha...I found it
    alls well that ends well.

Take care of the knee

You get a pass on the plug deal, it happens.

The knee sucks though, I've avoided knee injury for 50 years and over the last 2 seasons I've torn the MCL on both knees. Right knee last year and left knee this year. Luckily both were a level 2 tear which means yes it's torn/stretched (technician called them micro tears)but it will heal on it's own. I wear compression sleeves all the time when I'm on the boat now, get a good one they feel great and help prevent that painful twist.

81nautique wrote: I wear compression sleeves all the time when I'm on the boat now, get a good one they feel great and help prevent that painful twist.

I was thinking along the same lines. I wear a compression sleeve for my elbow from time time when it acts up. I was looking into a knee brace I could wear when boarding in the future. I'll see what the orthopedist recommends when I see him next.

2nd day in and the knee feels a lot better. The brace helps, but it's night and day compared to Monday morning.

I've worn a variety of knee braces over the past 15 years. What works for me right now is a heavy neoprene with 2 straps, one above and one below the knee, hole at the knee, and no metal in it. There's a bunch of brands, go to a d*ck's Sporting Goods and take a look. I find the ones without straps just don't provide enough support. They have similar models with a metal hinge that gives a bit more lateral stability.

This year I didn't wear them to ski, and was OK.

That Mueller brace is exactly what I use, just different brand. It looks so similar that I think it's the same brace re-labeled.

JPASS wrote:

left knee needs replaced per the dr..got one of those 'mini-tears' in the right one 2 years ago at Thanksgiving time.....wear one of these on each knee everytime I get in the water. love 'em.


add in the neck brace..extra shorts under the BF suit..nose tape and it is no wonder Eddie gets bored waiting for me to get ready!



john

KRoundy wrote: Nice slow-mo on the video.

I thought it would make the crash easier to see. Very helpful when I went to the Drs.

We usually run a GoPro off the transom when we ride. GoPro software is easy to use to zoom and slow down video.

And to add even with my carfully positioned pumps they will consistantly leave a half gallon or two in the bilge. But a couple days in the hot garage it evaporates.