Treacherous T-Funky 4-7-22

Took grandson to T-Funky this am water predictably stained and we did lotta exploring,went as far as the Hwy 21 bridge not far from St Tammany Parish Hospital and best part of trip was tinkering around with electronics. Worst part was when we were headed back to last spot(had just lost fine and fat black sac a lait)and had trolling motor on highest setting,hit huge underwater obstruction(most likely huge log)and got tossed overboard into 68 degree muddy T-Funky and was quite a chore getting back to flat with trolling motor keeping boat unfortunately moving away from me!Did shout to grandson on what to do and he finally got trolling motor shut down and I made tremendous effort to swim on my back with fishing pole in one hand Croc in other hand and was a chore getting back aboard. Realized best route was to grab handle on transom and use cavitation plate as step to get aboard. Chocolate lab,Molly,looked to be ready to jump in to assist but I convinced her and grandson everything gonna be a ok. Got aboard retrieved other Croc and fine hat and I phone in pocket survived wallet took a beating and need to straighten stainless shaft of trolling motor. Thank God for small favors.

Mandevillian

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Dang Mande, glad you were able to make it back into your boat ok. Last year I was fishing Calling Panther Lake in Mississippi and my trolling motor hit underwater stump and I fell onto my trolling motor and broke the shaft. Kept me from falling in. Had some sore ribs for a few days. Boating can be dangerous unfortunately.

GB3,Yep fishing using trolling motor does indeed involve some degree of risk,too bad there is not kill switch on handle so if I ever get tossed back into de drink it won’t be such a chore getting back to boat. My major concern was for the safety of grandson,thank God I am an excellent swimmer and when our boys were tykes would float on my back with them sitting on my belly and at 63 years young and bout 35 lbs lighter than I used to be swimming no big deal,even with fishing pole in one hand and Croc in other. Knew the secret to getting back aboard was to use cavitation plate as step and used handles on transom to steady self while I climbed aboard. Like a rodeo cowboy would say,”Get right back on dat horse!”

Mandevillian

Glad you survived that Mande. I've never thought about something like that happening. I think I'm going to rig a kill switch on the wire between the battery and motor.

Yep,The main reason I posted about my experience is for public safety. Heard about young lady who lost her life riding a jet ski and somehow falling off and hitting a log with her head. It certainly would be great idea to rig kill switch on trolling motor. Now my next project is gonna be to do my best to straighten out that shaft and if it can’t be fixed it still works just does not fit in the mount like it formerly did. I was indeed very lucky was determined to get back to run away flat with grandson aboard. Guess it was NOT my time.

Mandevillian

You can probably straighten the shaft with a piece of heavy angle iron that's a little shorter than the shaft, and a big 'C' clamp to push the bend flat into the angle.

What we gonna do is to use ole plumbing vise dear father in law had made probably 50 some odd years ago has three legs and serious chain vise that will fit shaft perfectly. Gonna put plenty of Gorilla duct tape on shaft to protect it and older son and I should be able to get shaft straightened out. Had that shaft been fiberglass bet it woulda snapped and I mighta gotten tossed even further overboard. Thanks for suggestion. Think plumbing vise gonna do de deed.

Mandevillian

Turns out,ole plumbing vise that is probably every bit of 70 years young was indeed exactly what de doctor ordered.Father-in-law was plumber and Jack of all Trades and he passed away about 7 years ago and we were the fortunate beneficiaries of plenty of his neat and ultra-useful tools.He had a three-legged vise with chain pipe clamp that was plenty big enough to hold stainless steel shaft of Motor Guide SaltWater Series 52 lb thrust beast of a 12 volt trolling motor.Wifey bought me this fine trolling motor probably about 12 years ago,replaced exactly ONE part in all those years,the spring that keeps pin in place when trolling motor is stowed on mount!!!Older son,Wifey,and I tackled the fun chore of doing our best to straighten shaft and after wrapping shaft with thick layer of duct tape,the three of us got most of the serious bend outta shaft!!Can't wait to get back out,chase some fine and extremely tasty sac a lait and maybe ole Lady P will be ready to toss me some fine reds,specks,flounders,possibly fat blue catfish!!Hope others heed the warning regarding HUGE logs under the surface,be forewarned,bet there are lot more with higher water levels and who knows,storms may have knocked down bunch of big trees,logs,limbs,etc!!

Mandevillian

Dxxn, Mande, sounded like it could have been a real problem. Good idea to keep your life jacket on when only youngsters are on board. Good thing you didn't hit your head!

CCAguns,Yep was very scary situation and wearing not only a life jacket but also having kill switch hooked to trolling motor would be great idea. Inflatable life jackets probably best idea as they are lightweight and I have worn one while fishing with an older fellow who required me to wear inflatable vest.

Mandevillian