Popular Post DavidG Posted March 13, 2021 Popular Post Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Today was a great fishing day here in Jax. Hit the water at 9 am high tide with my oldest son. He started getting hooked up with some “ puppy” drum which were all released. About 11:30 I happened to look at the middle of the St John’s inlet and noticed 2 older gentlemen in a WAY to small boat maybe 13-14 ft with low gunnels. The engine cowling was off, one older then me hanging half way off the transom, the older bigger guy sitting on the bow. First thing I noticed was they had anchored off the starboard side cleat which by now was being hit by the outgoing tide. With seas going into their boat. We pulled rods and headed over to end up cutting their anchor line ( between the tide change and current that anchor was going no where). We finally got aside the boat where my son jumped into their boat as I was getting a line to attach to their boat. Found out later that both were disabled. Ended up towing them 3-4 miles to the ramp where my son was helping get the larger man out of the boat when the boat drifted out and my son went for a rather cold swim. All ended up well with both gentlemen on dry ramp and safe and son Cold and wet! Of course they offered money and was firmly denied! I just told them to pay it forward! Hopefully at their age they learned something. So yes, it was a Great day of fishing! Guys and Gals, If you see anything that doesn’t seem right, please stop and ask them if they need help!.....David 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCFD rtrd. Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Good job DavidG. You would think that guys that age would have better boating skills. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted March 13, 2021 Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 Great job DavidG. Need more people like you !!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidG Posted March 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 SCFD, it honestly was like watching a disaster movie in slow motion. Here they sat ANCHORED on a outgoing tide, right in the middle of a shipping channel, in to small of a old boat, watching the waves going into the boat. It had disaster written all over it. ( at least they both put their life jackets on! But to add the Hewes pulled it with no trouble! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidG Posted March 13, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2021 4 minutes ago, RacerxV6 said: Great job DavidG. Need more people like you !!!! Racer, I’m sure everyone on this forum would do the same 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RacerxV6 Posted March 14, 2021 Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 I agree 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoneyB Posted March 14, 2021 Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 23 hours ago, DavidG said: Racer, I’m sure everyone on this forum would do the same I concur 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HewesYourDaddy Posted March 14, 2021 Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 David, you and your son possibly saved lives. Thumbs up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidG Posted March 14, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2021 4 hours ago, HewesYourDaddy said: David, you and your son possibly saved lives. Thumbs up! Hewes your daddy, I’m not patting myself or my sons back, but I honestly know that with the outgoing tide , 2 older men in their mid 70s, one close to 300# both with way to small life jackets stood no chance. ( especially after all the other boats had already moved in ). Anyone whose driven the StJohns inlet during tide change understands. I honestly knew I would read about 2 old men missing. The current was moving so bad that no one ( including my son who hopped on their boat ) couldnt get the anchor to break. A long slow tow, to get the boat to the Mayport ramp, followed by another 4-5 miles to take 1 of them to another ramp where he could pick up his truck and trailer. To me was a very successful fishing trip! Just the initial pulling up to them , you could see so many mistakes already made. Hopefully they learned something! To small of a boat with a motor not running right. Anchoring off the starboard cleat. And way to small of life jackets for their weight to name a few. Secondly, being anchored in the main shipping channel didn’t help. And mostly most important, I know every member on this forum would have done the same thing as my son and I did! I have no doubt about that! They of course offered money which was denied! But we’re told to pay it forward! So yes it was a great fishing trip!......David PS.. One concern I did have was the flush mounted cleats being pulled off while towing so much weight. The cleat held up fine! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smilemaker Posted March 15, 2021 Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 there are many ways to tow a boat. I prefer a harness/bridle that allows the tow line to slide. another way to decrease stress on the cleat is to run it through the stern tow eye before attaching to cleat. another rule is to always have a sharp knife available to cut line in case of emergency. I know with the shape of the guys transferring to your vessel was probably not possible but preferred. others with more experience may speak up l Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidG Posted March 15, 2021 Author Report Share Posted March 15, 2021 1 hour ago, smilemaker said: there are many ways to tow a boat. I prefer a harness/bridle that allows the tow line to slide. another way to decrease stress on the cleat is to run it through the stern tow eye before attaching to cleat. another rule is to always have a sharp knife available to cut line in case of emergency. I know with the shape of the guys transferring to your vessel was probably not possible but preferred. others with more experience may speak up l Smile maker there are probably a few ways this could have been done. Unfortunately the titanium Rods,plates, and screws that run down my neck won’t allow my arms to reach over my head. ( I’m not complaining) . Transferring them to my boat would have been impossible especially in a washing machine lol. I always have a knife in reach mounted on my console. But I will say I kept a great eye on that cleat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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