Dropping money over the side

[Rick D]

Anchor Splash *x

I dropped one. My anchor was bent (don't ask) so I was replacing it. Anyhow, the shackle was way tight and it was really hard to get leverage on it. I soaked it with PB Blaster and used a big adjustable wrench ot hold it while twisting the shackle with a Vice Grips. It came loose veeeery slowly. At the end, it broke free and I held the shank tightly. Well, let me tell you right now that PB Blaster works on skin too. Regardless of how hard I gripped that shank, the anchor slowly moved forward out of my grip. I heard a big BANG instead of a splash and saw that the anchor was on the dock with the shank just being held by the roller. I walked back to the dock step to run around and pick up the anchor, but pushed the boat away from the dock when I stepped off. SPLASH! Anyhow, I got out my dinghy anchor to use as a drag but could not locate it. Tried a magnet to no better luck. Since it was a Danforth, it no doubt sailed off somewhere under one of the docks near me. No big loss since I was only going to take it to the recycle bin anyway. But, yes, I did drop an anchor and plenty of other gear over the years. Rick D.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

do I win the prize for the biggest?

certainly not the most expensive or important thing to lose over the side but when I went to the marina, or rather what was left of it, after yesterday's storm, my dock box is gone. Couldn't see it in 7 ft of water!

 

[Rich Stidger]

This thread is a hoot for a rainy northeast day...

I hate to lose stuff. It puts me in a bad mood for way too long.On a return trip from Block Island I lost a 2 year old chartkit. $100. Ka-Ching.While cleaning out the debris after wire brushing the cooking grate on my Magna gas grill, I held it upside-down over the side and shook it. Yup, the grate came unlocked and all the insides were collected by Neptune. $70. Ka-ching, ka-ching.I think I've lost a hat or two, but since I tether them on and have at least 6-7 of them on board, they are not a big loser. You never lose stuff that you have 6 spares of.I've lost an oar from my dinghy when it flipped in a blow while at anchor. Another $50 'cause I couldn't buy just one. Ka-ching.Are we also counting the tools and one-of-a-kind-super-special fastners that disappear into the bilge, never to be seen again? Geeze, I hope not.....When I buy screws for a project, I always buy some to use and some to lose.I really do like the pit and the knife story, Fred.One of my buddies tells a story of about one of his race crew who kept dropping boat hooks over the side at the dock. After the loss of the third new one in as many weeks, my friend told his crew that he should hold onto them because they were reuseable.

 

[DC1417]

I blame my wife

Okay, this may be inappropriate but my best story took place on my 22' SeaRay not my 22' O'Day. We were trying to dock at a restuarant in a howling wind and having a heck of a time getting close enough to get a line on the dock or grab a post. Well a patron at the bar saw our dilemma and came out to assist. He had a beer in one hand and a smoke in his mouth. I had the hook out so he reached out and grabbed it and I gave it a tug. Of course he wasn't holding onto anything except the hook and his beer. It was a hell of a splash and there were cigarettes floating everywhere from his pocket. Give the guy credit he never lost his beer. We floated away and weren't able to assit in his recovery or buy him a new pack of smokes. But my wife did yell out, "Never mind, we've decided not to eat here."

 

[Seattle Scott]

Just yesterday, corded drill plugged in went over

in salt water. I grabbed the cord waiting for the "flash" and pulled it out after 3 seconds in the water. There was no "flash" or "poof" Neither the dock or boat's 110 breakers tripped. Unplugged the drill, shook the water out and wiped it down and let it sunbathe for a half hour. It worked!

 

[Paul Akers]

I dropped a hatch board once.

Yeah, the acrylic kind (that doesn't float). When it hit the water it "sailed" over to the next slip. I only found that out when the diver that I hired found it over there!

 

[tweitz]

equipment oveboard

Lost lots of things, but my favorite is when I dropped a hat overboard, went back to get it, reached for it with the fancy new boathook (floating telescoping boathook that doubles as a pump) I had just bought at the boat show, failed to tighten the telescoping mechanism enough and half the boat hook leaped overboard and promptly sank. It does not float when you only drop it in half.

 

[Dick 119]

My wife.....

While pulling into a pump out station..Believe me it cost me more than all the tools and equipment combined.

 

[oldiesrocker2001]

Not too often..

The list isn't very long for me.... a pair of cheap sunglasses, Dog's water bowl, rudder to my little snark(forgot to put the pin in). Did lose a fender from the trailer once though. If any of you were behind me that day last year in Delaware... Sorry about that!!!!