Re: San Luis Yesterday...Tough lesson learned

Posted by Dan Blanton on 2012-03-04 11:49:54 in reply to Re: San Luis Yesterday...Tough lesson learned posted by Mike on 2012-03-04 09:35:10

Mike, We've repeatedly said here on the board, that if one drop comes out of the motor or bilge, they'll reject you. One drop! When I prepared my boat for inspection I pulled the bilge inspection plate at the transom wiped and dried as much of the bilge area as I could reach; cranked the trailer hitch up as high as it would go to drain any residual water to the drain plug; I removed the casting deck hatch cover and placed a window fan over the hatch hole and let it vent/circulate air through the bilge to help dry it out; and I drove to the lake with the drain plug out. I also placed a towel in the bilge just in front of the drain plug. I also pulled over before I reached the inspection station, lowered my motor to see if any water would drain; and ran a rag into the drain plug hole. Condensation and trapped water in the bilge will work its way to the transom area when trailering to the lake. One other thing I did that helped force all the trapped water out of my engine block and lower unit, was to blow through the fresh-water rinse line connector. Leaving it screwed on tight is like placing your finger over the end of a soda straw to prevent the liquid from draining out. I think Marcus S. was the first to mention this. It sure made a difference. Now I do this as soon as I pull off the ramp before heading home. Anyhow, sorry you got rejected but you were warned what would happen if one drop came out of the drain plug hole or the engine/lower unit. This is one reason I am now done fishing the delta. You can't fish multiple areas within a few days because you'll never pass re-inspection since the bunks will never dry out among other things. Wet bunks and lines will keep you from passing inspection. And, if they do find you have quagga mussels in or on your boat, they'll quarantine your boat (hold it) until the Fish and Game department releases it. You won't be allowed to go somewhere else and spread the mussels. Dan

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