#2 - Knotted Physio - Launching a Boat
Thank you for reading the second episode of the Knotted Physio Blog. I’m super excited to dive deeper into the outdoor life. Today’s post is for all your fishermen- and women! Even if you are not that into fishing, keep reading, I’m sure you will find this interesting.
People who fish take for granted the ease at which they launch their boat. It isn’t as easy at it may appear. The behind the scenes look at what goes into to launching a boat can be quite complex. It is like a well tuned engine. All of the pieces have to work together or else, it can ruin the day of fishing! Have you ever experienced this? I know I have..
Let me share a story with you. It is the first weekend in April, the morning air has just a little nip to it, but we’ve checked the weather and it is going to warm up and turn into a beautiful, blue bird day. The sun hasn’t broke the horizon yet, and we are riding in the truck to the landing. This day our mission is to catch our limit of crappie. It’s a long drive to the launch from our house, so I take advantage and “rest my eyes” on the way.
I wake to the grumblings of the driver, my husband. You see, we have made it to the boat launch and there are 4 boat and trailers ahead of us and several more pulling in behind us. I guess we weren’t the only ones who had the same idea! My husband starts giving orders. There is a rhyme and reason to how he launches a boat, and now it’s time to begin.
As we wait in line, we both get out of the truck. We work together pretty efficiently now; we’ve been at this for some time now. We both have our responsibilities and fall into our routine. I’m a little more laid back about getting started- you see, I just woke up again and need a moment to gather my thoughts. He has been going through a mental list during the truck ride and is in much more of a hurry to get to the perfect fishing spot! I make sure that I have my coffee cup and my bag for the day- which has my sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, a book, and any other items I deem necessary for the day. I take it and put it in dry storage. Then I make sure to grab any life vests and cushions that happen to be in the truck! Ok, I’ve done my part! Oh wait, last minute trip to the bathroom, because there won’t be another one until we get back! Ok, so now I’m ready. When it is our turn, I grab to bow rope and walk to towards the pier as my husband backs the boat in. Success! The boat’s in the water and I pull it up alongside the pier and wait for him to park the truck.
That was pretty complex right! Wrong! What I didn’t tell you is all the stuff my husband has been doing while I handled my part!
Generally, prior to leaving the house, he’s already loaded a drink cooler and a fish cooler, his tackle box or boxes, the fishing poles, a net, the paddle, and the bimini top. At the boat launch, if any of this is on the back of the truck, he moves it over to the boat. He checks to make sure the plug is in. Checks our fuel to make sure that we have enough, untangles the bow rope, and checks to make sure that our lights work. All the while, he is keeping up with our place in line and moves the truck and trailer accordingly. When it is our turn, he effortlessly hops into the truck, makes a perfect 3-point turn and lines the trailer directly up with the boat launch. He slowly starts to back down the ramp and pauses just long enough for me to grab the rope. He’s got the driver side window down, arm out the window and asks me if I’m ready? I can see him looking at me through the side mirror. I give him the thumbs up! He ever so gently continues down the ramp until just the right point and suddenly breaks-thus sending the boat gliding through the water. He waits and watches to make sure that is it fully off of the trailer.
At this point, I’m stretching and keeping my balance so that the force of the boat doesn’t pull me in. Fortunately for me, we are on the river, there is no wind and the current isn’t too swift. Once he sees that I’ve got control over the boat, he slowly starts to pull forward. Now is the time for me to make sure that I don’t get the rope caught against the boat guides on the trailer and have the rope torn out of my hand. Once the rope is clear, he speeds up and goes to park the truck and trailer. While he is parking, I’m diligently working the boat further down the pier to allow the next boat and trailer to launch.
This whole boat launching process is critical! There can be many people around with a lot of different personalities. Everyone is always in a big hurry to beat the next person to “the spot!” One little slip up, and the day is ruined. At least for a little while anyways. I’ve come to realize, it is sort of a pride thing. How smoothly can your boat launch be? Are you a novice? Do you know what you are doing? The boaters secretly watch each other and their interaction with their party. If done right, it is rather peaceful. If done wrong, it can turn down right ugly.
Over the years, I’ve seen my fair share of perfect boat launches and miserable failures. I’ve seen elegant works of art and comedic episodes. Launching a boat is complex. I come to realize that there are 4 levels of boat launches. The first level is “stuck on the trailer.” This is where you just aren’t able to make it to launch the boat. You may be injured with neck or back pain, or perhaps you are recovering from surgery. The second is “Rough Surf.” Rough surf is when you are no longer injured but you may not have the strength to hold the bow line or the balance to not let the boat pull you in. The third is “White Capping.” In this level, you no longer have to worry about pain or losing you balance, but do you have the energy to pull the boat down to the end of the pier and hold it steady enough to be able to climb in it without falling into the water? And the fourth is “Smooth as Glass.” The last and final level proves that you are a “Pro”- there are no limitations and the whole process goes on without a hitch.
Where are you in this process? Do you take for granted the complexities of launching a boat?
Well I am sure glad you spent this time with me and continues reading until the end. I look forward to the next time we meet!