Well it has been a long day. By the time we met up we were in Ft. Payne so we went towards the lake on Hwy. 35 and stopped at the first ramp we came to which happend to be on the left as you crossed the lake. By then it was about 1pm. It was mega windy. After transferring everything into my buddie's boat and going over everything with him I went to take the transom savor off. No juice to the motor. What the hey.... The electronics and lights worked fine. The motor wouldn't even turn over. It wasn't getting juice. Now remember I changed the batteries friday. I even checked the TM and it was fine. I took the starting battery out and made sure I hadn't forgotten anything- nope- everything seemed fine. So we UNload the boad and head into Scottsboro in search of an Auto Zone. Found one and the battery checked out A-OK. By this time I had pulled out every fuse in the fusebox and was going around the boat looking for a battery switch. Couldn't find one so off to the local marina- Goose Creek. The were having weigh-in for an FLW tourney. My buddy almost popped a gasket when a fellow snatched 2 5 lb'ers from a livewell. "Man. We gotta get this thing going!!!" The shop at the marina was closed so I called the service guys in Sevierville and gave them the rundown. The only thing I hadn't checked was the fuse under the hood of the motor. I didn't know there was a fuse there until now! Well there was a 25 amp fuse that was blown so I thought it was the source of the problem. After fighting the crowds at the marina store I left them with very few fuses at all but plenty for me!!! Cheap insurance, I say! Well that didn't work so back on the phone to Sevierville. They don't have an answer so we packed up and went in different directions. He is going to take it to the BPS store in Pearl, MS monday and see what they have to say. I think it is either the piece of equipment between my ears or somewhere in the shifter. It's not the emergency stop. Gosh knows I played with it enough. I talked to GotaBig1 after leaving him a message- this is no reflection on him as I drove the boat and it was fine until some 'ol ******* from Mississippi started monkeying with it. Dang- just can't leave well enough alone! On the bright side- I suprised my buddy with a new Shimano rod and reel and new FNF setup to use on white perch in MS. I also fixed him up with one of those inflatable lifejacket jobbers 'cause I don't want to lose him.
Another way I look at it... While it was certainly disappointing we didn't get to put the boat in the water, it was really windy and Guntersville is WAAAAY bigger than the lakes up here. I looked around at both ramps we went to and didn't see any small trailers. Ding, ding, ding... that's a hint. Things happen for a reason- good or bad. I am sure this happened for a good reason. I will keep everyone posted on the outcome..... At least now I don't have to worry about buying an Alabama fishing license until August!!!
