How often does your boating go like this?

[B0at1n]

So, we decided to go out this evening for a few hours have dinner on the boat and hang out.

We decided to pick up pizza on the way.

First thing, I forget to stop for pizza so we turn around and go back to the pizza place.

Then get to boat ramp, unhook straps and put plugs in, realize I left the boat keys at the house!

We decide no big deal, it’s 10 mins home. We head back to get the keys.

Turn out of the boat ramp and realize crap forgot to put the transom straps back on. So pull over and reattach those.

Alright now we got keys and are headed back to the ramp, my 18 month old starts fusing. I asked my wife is he hungry or is he pooping? She responds I think he’s just hungry, I then ask, since we didn’t bring the swim bag I’m guessing we didn’t grab diapers? We decide it’ll be fine.

Get the boat unloaded she parks the truck and walks down the dock. She’s putting his life jacket on and says lsomething stinks but it’s not him”. So we decide to get going.

We cruise about 10-15 mins across the lake to a cove to anchor and eat dinner, soon as we slow down at the cove I look over and my sons diaper is full and almost leaking....

Now we are across the lake, no diapers, no wipes! So we use some napkins from the pizza place, that we almost forgot when we picked it up to clean him up and we just left him In his shorts with no diaper.

So we get anchored, get the pizza out and realize we left my sons cup in the car.


Other than all that the evening run went perfect! We had fun and it was a nice night on the water. We even took the dog out for the first time. I think she was little scared of the whole thing but got better towards the end.

Anyways, who else has had a similar experience of forgetting basically everything?

 

[Need A Vacation]

Adventures like that are what make the memories unforgettable!!!

 

[W3bexec]

Haha, that's just funny right there!

 

[Liveto99]

You got out on the boat and the kids are smiling! That’s the good part.

 

[Betik]

Have you been on the gulf of Mexico and realize that you left the drain plugs off ?
In regard to the keys, I leave on the ignition and keep the spare ones on the truck.

 

[B0at1n]

Have you been on the gulf of Mexico and realize that you left the drain plugs off ?
In regard to the keys, I leave on the ignition and keep the spare ones on the truck.

I have not done that on the gulf.

I have thought about leaving the keys in the Boat, problem is my trailer key is on that key chain. Usually I have the keys to hook the trailer but I left it hooked from the day before and just forgot the keys.

 

[MidnightRider]

Ha! That's great you could deal and still have a great time with the family

Suggest you get one of these lock boxes or similar and mount it inside the helm or somewhere to always have a spare set of keys on the boat. Its saved me a trip home more than once and even saved me on a river island camp out once when we lost the keys at night on the island.

Amazon.com: ORIA Key Storage Lock Box, 4 Digit Combination Lock Box, Wall Mounted Lock Box, Resettable Code, 5 Key Capacity, Silver: Gateway

Amazon.com: ORIA Key Storage Lock Box, 4 Digit Combination Lock Box, Wall Mounted Lock Box, Resettable Code, 5 Key Capacity, Silver: Gateway

www.amazon.com

 

[Beachbummer]

I have a spare set of towels on the boat, so if they are forgotten you can use the emergency stash to dry off... maybe some diapers on a zip lock can save you next time? Looks still like a great outing, beats staying home!

 

[DavisAR195]

This is great as I think we have all been there at one point or another. Another great family moment for good or worse.

 

[Jester429]

last time i went out was close. 2 trips back to the house from the boat launch...and i lost my sun glasses ?

 

[Dean P]

Other than all that the evening run went perfect! We had fun and it was a nice night on the water. We even took the dog out for the first time. I think she was little scared of the whole thing but got better towards the end.

Glad you persevered thru all signs of "Not gonna happen!" Your love for boating with the support of your wife made it happen.
Question: Did you learn anything?

 

[tabbibus]

Wonderful memories

 

[Gym]

A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

 

[B0at1n]

Unfortunately I have to leave the boat empty. since I rent it out I only put what the renters need during their rental on the boat.

We have a swim bag that pretty much has all of our stuf in it, but since we decided not to swim we left it at home.

Lesson we learned was just bring that bag anyway. Since it has our essentials, including diapers and wipes. I probably should just leave the keys in the tow vehicle or at least a spare set since it’s dedicated to the boat.

 

[Dean P]

Unfortunately I have to leave the boat empty. since I rent it out I only put what the renters need during their rental on the boat.

We have a swim bag that pretty much has all of our stuf in it, but since we decided not to swim we left it at home.

Lesson we learned was just bring that bag anyway. Since it has our essentials, including diapers and wipes. I probably should just leave the keys in the tow vehicle or at least a spare set since it’s dedicated to the boat.

My father told me "life is a series of adjustments". One should never stop adjusting/learning. I believe @Bruce or @Julian or @swatski said you should create a checklist and stick to it. You should have a list for going and a separate one for returning. These will get you to the water safely, faster and prepare you for the next time.

 

[S1LV3R4D0]

Nothin but good times!!

 

[Beachbummer]

Last apartment I rented had an Owners closet under key. a small bag or tote with essentials in the battery compartment or such might work? You could label Emergency Equipment for Owner use only ? I understand if it doesn't make sense. I love the diaper change!

 

[Julian]

My father told me "life is a series of adjustments". One should never stop adjusting/learning. I believe @Bruce or @Julian or @swatski said you should create a checklist and stick to it. You should have a list for going and a separate one for returning. These will get you to the water safely, faster and prepare you for the next time.

Checklists are very helpful! I have one on the side of our fridge, and before we leave to go boating I always run down the list. Amazing how many times I do that and find something on that list that we've forgotten.....towels, keys, XM radio, tube, tow rope, life jacket etc etc.

 

[B0at1n]

I dont have a "Checklist" but i do have a routine, and yesterday we didn't follow it.
I think i will stick to the routine though!

the "Swim bag" is our go to bag for going to a friends to swim or go on the boat.
Has everything, Swim suits, towels, Diapers, wipers, sunscreen, little float for the kid.
Makes it much easier each trip, usually just load food in the cooler and hop on the boat.

we decided, no swimming and we will pick up food on the way.... thats where it all went wrong!

My dedicated tow vehicle is a big suburban and mobile storage/office for the rental.
Only things i don't store in it are the wakeboards, Surf boards and the 4 person tube and ballast bags.


had the wakeboard in the back in this picture but usually its in the shed next to the boat.

 

[Bruce]

I believe @Bruce or @Julian or @swatski said you should create a checklist and stick to it.

@txav8r is the man with the checklist.

I just wing it and have fun doing it.