That. Damned. Boat. ™

Today, after yet another dance class, we packed up and towed That Damned Boat™ to the marina. We wanted to get it into the water so that next weekend, when we arrive late in the evening, we won't have to deal with getting the boat launched before heading over to the cottage. Cleverrrrrr.

The trip went without incident although I can confess to a bit of anxiety about dragging the boat around on a trailer. It's not something the Captain has a lot of experience doing, so the opportunity exists for things to go horribly awry. The worst of our trouble appeared to be the weather. It was overcast and drizzling lightly the whole way there.

As we arrived at Marvin's (a.k.a. Wood Duck Marina), there was another fellow attempting to launch his pontoon so we pulled up and waited a short while. The Captain took this opportunity to put the bilge plug into the boat (very important to avoid promptly sinking once in the water), to remove the straps, and to disconnect the electrical from the trailer (very important to keep things from going ZZZzzzztttzzzzot).

Soon he was able to back up the truck (unlike this doofus)

He then launched the boat into the water.

At about this time he realized he had no rope tied to the boat yet, and it was quickly heading adrift.

Heehee. These are the times when I'm most grateful for my camera. Please note everyone standing around watching and not helping.

With the boat tied up, he hopped in to start it up. It turned over a few times, and then did nothing. So he cranked it and cranked it and cranked it to no avail. Rather than incur the wrath of an angry captain (you don't have to watch many pirate movies to learn that angry captains lead to walking the plank!) the kids and I skedaddled into the truck to hide out from the rain. Ah yes, the rain, that was it; hiding from the rain.

He decided his recently charged battery was now dead, so he went to ask Marvin for a loaner. Marvin came out to help him out, and he got the boat started straight away much to the Captain's immense frustration. But wait! It died again! Even Marvin the Marvelous couldn't get it going.
That. Damned. BOAT™.

After some soggy troubleshooting in the unceasing drizzle, they concluded that a black bit had snapped off the pick-up unit of the gas tank, and was blocking the flow of gas in the fuel line.(ah, of course! That was my first guess. *boggle*) With instructions to head to Harris Boat Works to buy a new 'bit', we hopped in the truck, deposited the trailer at the VERY overcrowded lot, and toodled over to Gores Landing. Fortunately there were lots of signs showing where to go. I had a rough idea where we needed to be, but was light on specifics about which street, etc.

At Harris, the Captain was quoted $51 for a new pick up unit, or $70-$90 for a new gas can. Urg. He elected to buy a used gas can (make that two) for $30 ea. We had planned to get a new tank anyway as ours leaks a bit when sloshing around in the car, so it just made sense to buy another gas can.

Gas cans in hand (or, I guess, "in truck", as it just so happened) we drove back around to the other side of the lake to give the new pick up unit a whirl.

The boat started right away. I made the Captain shut it off and restart it 3 times before I'd head to the island with him. I didn't want to find out too late that his starting the boat was a one-time streak of good luck!

Again, the boat started without issue, so we donned our PFDs, loaded up, and headed out into the grey drizzle.

The lake was a little bit rough coming around the island (though not very) but the crossing was brief, and within minutes we were docked at the cottage! We unloaded all of our junk, except for the paddles which I stupidly forgot in the truck, and spent a bit of time unpacking and making beds. After a little while, we packed back up, started the boat, and zoomed back to shore.

It was brief, but it was our first trip to the cottage this year as a family. HOORAY!