First trip... The good the bad and the ugly

[hotairgypsy]

Well the first trip is nearing the end ald I feel like I need some serious mental help. Well the good went like this. I did drain the gas and got all new fuel and mix and after a bit of cranking the engine started up and has ran most of the weekend with minor hickups. As for the bad my buddy and his kids didn't resecure the ladder after playing in the water and needless to say it got lost overboard. So the next day when my fat butt was in the water for a swim gettin back on the toon was a fun time. I could have murdered someone. . As for the ugly it was ugly. This all happened yesterday and I am still trying to shake it off. We were in a cove and the winds picked up bigtime. I decided I needed to get us to a safer area There was a marina within eyesight from where we were but still not all that close. Well we got in the main part of the lake I had to cross to get to it and damn there was some huge swells. I am guessing the winds on the water were 30 to 40mph and where not letting up. We were getting pounded with water from all directions it seemed. I remember two times when I was on the tip part of the wave the engine reved up cuz it was out of the water. There was a moment I don't know if I was coming down the wave or a rogue wave hit the front of the toon and the boat look like it nose dived. If I hit the throttle I would have sent us to hell. It was at that moment I felt the worst fear of my life. My two year old was on board in her mothers arms fast asleep without a care in the world and I was fight for everything I had. My best friend was on board with his two kids. Well I backed off the throttle and the nose popped up and I shifted all weight to the back and worked it to the marina. Well we got there and we found a spot to tie off too. We weathered out the storm there and the kids went fishing off the marina. Everyone walked around having a good ol time and my nerves were shot. Even telling u all is rough on me but I am on the porch at my uncles place with my lil one running around me chasing bugs. Please bear with my grammer I am doing this post from my phone. I have to get it off my chest to other captains who hold the responsiblity of their passengers vert personal. Right after we made it to the marina I thought about walking back . I would have sold the boat for a nickel right then and there but I didn't.

[lakerunner]

That's the great thing about a toon. You experienced what most of have and will do again. The key is slow enough to keep control without doing damage. I always have everyone put life jackets on in these conditions. You did good so be happy you got your family home safe

[wed]

Yeah, you did good. You slowed down and got control and that is the main thing. I bought a boat with some speed and power so I could get off the lake ahead of a storm if at all possible. The bottom line is that I have gotten caught by weather and will likely get caught again. A toon is a pretty good platform though as it is very stable when handled corrrectly. Go back with a your new wisdom and experience and continue to enjoy your boat.

[JohnO]

You did good!

1. Get a ladder that stays attached. I've got a couple versatrak ladders. They slide into the port and starboard gates when in use and fold up and slide back when not. Impossible to lose.

2. Well done getting across the lake.

Remember that unless you are very overloaded and put a major hole in the tubes it is impossible to sink a pontoon. You may submarine and put a foot of water (or so) on the deck but the boat will ALWAYS pop back up to the surface. The water on deck drains away and up you come.

We got caught in a storm the first time out also. had to run the length of the lake to get back to the dock. I had to keep easing off the throttle as I was inching up on the bowrider ahead of me. I was handling the waves better than he was (poor guy was getting beat to death).

While it's always best to avoid being on the water in a storm, you are in a very stable platform (on most lakes).

[toondog]

I felt the worst fear of my life. My two year old was on board in her mothers arms fast asleep without a care in the world and I was fight for everything I had. My best friend was on board with his two kids.

At this point in your story, I was worried you were going to say one of them went overboard. Whew!!! Glad everything turned out OK.

[WaltF]

Storms happen.
As mentioned, unless you smash it to pieces, you aint gonna sink a toon.

Had my ass kicked out there too.
Sometimes its better to just hide in a cove tied up for 45 mins while the thing goes by...
Other times, running makes sense.
Ive done both.
A wickedAss wind kicked up on us one day while kicking it in a cove. Pulled up anchors and headed out....
Turned the corner coming out of the cove and was ATTACKED by 4-5 footers crashing over the rail being pushed by 50 mph winds!!
AHHHH!!!!

Timed it inbetween swells and Punched it, and ran back into a cove. Hidden back there we just hung out for like 30 mins till it calmed down, and when we came back out, we saw 4-6 other boats flipped over.
It was worth hiding that time....

Storms can blow in quick n kick your @ss out here in Colorado.
This is deff one of the reasons a bigger engine is worth it and mostly why i bought the biggest mine came with.. and it aint nothin like some of these nuts in here have...

Relax, you did fine.
Enjoy the good days, and avoid the bad...

[OldePharte]

As others have said (more or less), ya did good captain. Ya got your craft and your passengers back to port in one piece. And, ya got a lot of experience under your belt; in heavy "seas" just get most weight towards the stern and plug along.

One of our neighbors had the entire front fence ripped up by going too fast in heavy chop. I too have stuffed our old pontoon when two massive cruiser wakes decided to come together right in front of me.

Just think of the story ya can tell (maybe in a year or two).

[hotairgypsy]

well i am home with the gang and i did read all your responses and it really did calm me down. we hit the water and when trolling back i caught 7 small mouth bass. 5 were keepers...water was perfect. not even a breeze. would have been nice to get a breeze but oh well...i will take a calm day after yesterday.

I was great to hear how others battled it out also and understood the deal. It is wild how going thru this taught me some things. great info guys and thanks again for the kind words...they did mean something to me.

[WaltF]

The guy rides out the storm of the century, then hooks up 7 bass on the way back.
Nice!
Ok, youre done with lession #1