From: TommyP

I haven't been having much luck lately, I thought I try and turn a negative into a positive. After losing my job I decided to chase my first big snapper and go out on a weekday.

So after a 4am start I launched the boat at Patterson River... totally enthused by one of the guys collecting the ramp fees I decide to take his advice head out to the 19 metre mark. Not a touch so headed in toward Mordialloc to get a feed of flatties.

As I was heading in the motor started to stumble so I backed off the throttle and the motor stopped dead. Did a few checks and somehow 40 litres of fuel had just about disappeared from the tank (checked it the night before). Managed to start it and ended up beaching the boat, rang the missus at 6.30am (she wasn't happy) and got her to bring down some fuel.

Headed into the ramps, got more fuel, tried again just for flatties. At 9.30am got a call from the missus to pick her up at the dock, headed out again cruising at a nice speed when my treasured fishvictoria cap blew off! Turned around to look for it, couldn't find it. Next thing you know the overheat siren went off for the motor, stopped and had a fish there for about an hour.

Engine had cooled so went back to the ramps, motor stopped just as I was driving the boat on the trailer so my son hooked up the winch and my missus was pushing the side of the boat guideing it on straight she stepped off the ramp and into the drink she went (not happy).

Anyway we made it back, but boy I don't want another day like that... cheers all!!

(Posted: 1 April 2004)