A Sad Day.

[RSBreth]

Yeah - that's just sad. You have to be careful but sometimes there's something out there you don't see.

[jdmidwest]

Funny thing is I am copilot learning a new lake now with my good friend. He has a Tahoe and it runs pretty good. Makes me think about how well he knows the lake we are running.

[trouthog]

Jd I am truly sorry.. This is a horrible thing! Our thoughts are with you and his family!

Above it was mentioned it should break away, I'm not bass boat expert, but I have a friend that is, he works and repairs the boats for bass cats pro's... He also has a boat repair shop here in north ar. I just seen him fix this very same problem, but the guy hit a log flipped up the motor and busted the hole rear cap at the rear deck, and busted the transom.... This guy was ok, but it happened more then you think, I was shocked when seen it... But your right all the technology we have and we have not designed a safe break away plate or similar.

Being around his shop has made respect things a lot more than ever. Remember we only promised today if we rise. Tomorrow is not a promise. We all serve a purpose, once that is filled we called home, no matter the time nor place. Want to hear god laugh? Just tell him your plans ! In the mean time we are all hear just helping each other, learning and passing along what maybe the best things in life, a common bond that helps us remember life is not ours, and we are only passing through. I hope I can learn as much as some, more than others, and pass along the brotherly love while fishing and fellowshipping with others. That's why we come here, to enjoy a common interest, and help inform, even when we encounter the sadness off this post. I lost my mom last year, this my first real close family loss... My mom was my mom, and my friend, I miss her, my boys miss her, as you will miss your friend. Please know that I write this love in key strokes, joy in my heart, empathy for the friends and family, but hope that he believed in Christ so we may meet some day, and share a shady stump by a lake in place far greater than we can ever know. God bless!

Ps sorry this was long, but I just felt compelled to write... James

[Mitch f]

Good post trout! Lost my dad back on Labor Day weekend last year and miss him everyday.

As far as the break away motor, I talked with a bass fisherman friend and he thought that its possible the linkage kept the motor from fully breaking away and maybe caused a slingshot type action.

[jdmidwest]

Thanks for all of the support. I will probably learn more about what really happened in the morning when I return to work. The group of guys I work with are all friends with both of them and will have probably learned more about what really happened.

I really meant this thread to go in another direction, a lesson in boating safety, or prevention like the break away motor. Or maybe how fast something we do everyday for fun can end in such a tragic way.

Either way, I will definately be thinking about it the next time I approach any bridges or structures.

[ciRe]

That's crazy. Sorry for your loss. Just makes you think how fast do you want to go.

I'll be out there early next month for a tournament.

[trouthog]

thanks mitch...

jd, it has made an impact, i promise, you have all of us thinking, i know i was this weekend when i hit the river, just slowed & was more awear than normal .... if you help one person this was worth it! you may never know till down the road but just remember we reap what we sow..

[jdmidwest]

More info trickled in this week. Seems like they had been using the shortcut under the bridge for a while, but the lake was dropping. They had slowed down to 45 or so and seemed to know it was a trouble spot. Motor came loose on impact and swung around on connecting cables impacting Tim in the chest area. He was DRT, never knew what hit him. Boat driver was treated for shock, but no injuries. I feel sorry for him too. It was an accident, plain and simple. One of those things that could happen to anyone, any day.

[Mitch f]

More info trickled in this week. Seems like they had been using the shortcut under the bridge for a while, but the lake was dropping. They had slowed down to 45 or so and seemed to know it was a trouble spot. Motor came loose on impact and swung around on connecting cables impacting Tim in the chest area. He was DRT, never knew what hit him. Boat driver was treated for shock, but no injuries. I feel sorry for him too. It was an accident, plain and simple. One of those things that could happen to anyone, any day.

I guess my buddy was right about the linkage... that's a horrible story

[jdmidwest]

There was a thread on a Bass tour web that mentioned a cable or something to keep it attached to the transom and prevent it from flying around. But and engineer calculated the force applied when it breaks loose and found that mounting was not available. The cables give somewhat, but retain the tension to swing the motor around. A break away would be nice. I think it really should be in the lower unit mounting. Shear bolts that would just loose the lower unit and preserve the transom for flotation and keep the main upper unit from flopping around.

But, I am not an engineer or motor designer.