How my OAF hat saved my life.

[Champ188]

Something tells me we wouldn't have read about this had it been a Skeeter owners tournament. Yeah, it was a nitwit move on the part of tournament organizers. But it had nothing to do with boat brand.

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, Champ188 said:

Something tells me we wouldn't have read about this had it been a Skeeter owners tournament. Yeah, it was a nitwit move on the part of tournament organizers. But it had nothing to do with boat brand.

It was horrific though. Remember it all too well.

[abkeenan]

That last island there in front of Big Cedar Hollow before you get to the 86 bridge is terrible. Have't heard of it referred to as "One Tree Island" but that's exactly what it is. The fact that a light pole, several shallow water buoys on all sides or some sort of beacon hasn't been installed there is a crime.  Depending on the water level that island is nearly impossible to see. Even the most rational and cautious person operating a boat or watercraft really wouldn't suspect that to be out in the middle of the channel. That accident a few years ago was just terrible and truly senseless. Some sort of safety precaution should have been installed THE NEXT DAY. I've driven by that island hundreds of times and STILL keep mental note when on plane around it. Someone unfamiliar with the lake would have no way of knowing it's there until it's too late. Add in low light conditions or at night???? It actually surprising that more people haven't been killed or injured running into that death trap in the middle of the lake.

[snagged in outlet 3]

No kidding!  With all the rental boats in that area I'm surprised The State Park hasn't asked to have the thing marked.  There was a flag on it for a while but I guess the high water took care of that.

[Big Keene]

18 hours ago, dan hufferd said:

I launched my boat well before daylight, in the rain, Sunday morning. I was going to boat from Moonshine beach to Big Cedar to meet up my uncle who was in from out of town.

I have fished this section some but not very much. 

I think I was the only idiot out in the rain at 4:30 am so I thought hey hammer down.  I know there are islands but I have them on my map.

No moon visible, raining, hunkered down behind the windshield, flying by the GPS, nearing the first island, slowed down, peaked over the glass, made it no problem hammer down. same thing with the second island no problem, but nearing the 3rd one (it's really small)  I thought, I should be getting close, but I didn't really slow down much as I "knew" I had time. Peaked over the windshield, my favorite OAF hat blew off (which will cause the fisherman to instantly slam on the brakes to retrieve the favorite hat) as the boat slowed I was able to see that I was only a few yards from beaching my boat !

Oh yeah what is that thing that pops up when I turn the depth finder on ? Something about not using this as your primary source of navigation.

The moral to the story, make sure to buy an OAF hat, and don't trust the gps too much, they don't give you that message for nothing.

I never got my hat back, but I guess that is a small price to pay for a big lesson. 

Don't hate me, you've done it too. :-)

glad you managed to avoid that! making a mistake isnt the end of the world as long as you own it, recognize what was the mistake, and learn from it.

seems like i donate a hat a year to varioud lakes.

where do we get the OAF gear from? i would love a hat or two!

[Phil Lilley]

Babler would know who was killed - few years back.  He hit the tree at night and got knocked out of the boat.  Wife survived.

I've done stupid stuff too and lived to tell about it.  And haven't hurt anyone either, but thankful, very thankful.  Mine are either in a vehicle, or in my boat in fog.

[Phil Lilley]

I sell the hats.  Need to check and see what we have in stock.

[dtrs5kprs]

1 hour ago, Phil Lilley said:

Babler would know who was killed - few years back.  He hit the tree at night and got knocked out of the boat.  Wife survived.

I've done stupid stuff too and lived to tell about it.  And haven't hurt anyone either, but thankful, very thankful.  Mine are either in a vehicle, or in my boat in fog.

There was a thread at the time. Sure you can find it searching "one tree island".

[Mitch f]

18 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

In no way do I intend to belittle you, but the fact that there are people out there running around guided by their mapping program is disturbing as all get out.

An anchored fishing boat got creamed here several days ago in broad daylight.  The guys in the fishing rig saw him coming, waved their arms, yelled and screamed, but he just kept coming.  They jumped from the boat just before impact and survived.    Seemingly intelligent, and successful dude with an intelligent and successful career in the medical field was just running down the lake watching his Navonics screen.  

That just blows me away.  Remember that the next time some doctor diagnoses a condition and schedules you for treatment.

If you promise to never do it again, and spread your story far and wide I'll buy you a new hat and get one for myself while I'm at it.

Phil, send me the bill please.  

I was down at TR 20 years ago and was creeping across the lake in a thick fog, just making a very short run. Some dude in a bass boat came zooming by me full speed. Came within 30 yards or so. I assume he was running strictly GPS. You couldn't see more than 30-40 yards.

[shrapnel]

1 hour ago, Mitch f said:

I was down at TR 20 years ago and was creeping across the lake in a thick fog, just making a very short run. Some dude in a bass boat came zooming by me full speed. Came within 30 yards or so. I assume he was running strictly GPS. You couldn't see more than 30-40 yards.

20 yrs ago not many had GPS on their boats.