A Cautionary Tale, and another long post by me.
In another topic, I described my woes of registering a 10' Jon Boat in PA. (see link below)
MAYBE the boating gods were trying to tell me something!? 😳

Although a few of you cautioned me about these tiny boats, I had ALREADY bought it, and begun work on it.
But, your warnings and concerns were not unheeded by me.
I listened to you, and was extra cautious in all of my preparations... or so I thought!

On my maiden voyage, I was just working out some issues, like where to position the battery, my gear, and myself in the boat.
A friend accompanied me in his kayak.
His observations helped me make modifications.

So, on my first "solo" outing, I had some other kinks to work out.
I installed a 37lb thrust trolling motor onto the bow, on a small deck that I constructed - relatively lightweight, and secure. (it survived the ordeal intact!)

Since I was unsure of the pedal positioning, I had it attached to a 2x6 board, and tied it with some cord around the middle seat.
So far, so good - getting comfortable now 🙂
I also had the head of a sledge hammer, wedged against the bottom of the board to add stability - more on that later.

I had been out on the water for a few hours, and was heading in.
About 10 yards from the shoreline, I was still tossing in a few lures.
I'm hugging the weed-line, with only one small cove to go before extracting boat at ramp...

Now HERE'S where I screwed up!!!
I LOST CONCENTRATION - simple as that.

Yeah, stupid stuff, all lead up to CAPSIZE!
But, don't yell at me, I've already done enough of that myself.
Stupid 1) As a temporary seat (to determine potential seat height), I was sitting on an Igloo Cube all day (it's about 12"x12"x12") and it had been absolutely fine... actually not too unstable, but stupid, dangerous, and ill-advised. I was on a moving seat, but I was always AWARE of this.
Stupid 2) Nearing shore - so I probably let down my guard. Hell, I'm almost home, right?
Stupid 3) From my sitting position, I'm unable to see the directional arrow on top of the trolling motor (it wasn't working anyway). So, I was relying on my "last known position", to determine the direction of the propeller - which I had EVIDENTLY forgotten.
Stupid 4) I forgot that I had JUST adjusted speed to 3, instead of 1 or 2, which I had been using for three hours - I was done... heading in!
Stupid 5) EVERYTHING came together at once:
- The prop HAD turned to the left
- I had forgotten the increased speed
- Heavy battery on right
- Loose 20 pound sledgehammer head on floor
- Seated on Cube
- Nearly sundown, and anxious to get out...

I pressed on the pedal accelerator (in momentary mode), and the bow of the boat lurched to the left, and everything else shifted to the right - battery (50 or so pounds); hammer head (20lbs); and ME (205lbs); plus assorted gear.

I flung out into the water, but was able to grab side of boat.
Lifejacket tight, and completely secured around crotch area too!
Boat is still afloat, as of now, with a few gallons of water sloshing around (at 8lbs per gallon, so add about 80lbs?)
I'm on right side of boat (not aware that EVERYTHING ELSE is also there).
I attempt to pull myself back onto boat, by reaching toward the seat, and opposite side.
As soon as I apply my weight to the boat, it begins to fill.
I let loose, but it's too late, the battery, and hammer, and anchor had done their shift toward the side and back of the boat.

It is on a steep angle, and becoming completely engulfed.
Totally capsized, and flipping over.
After emptying its load, it remained "floating", because of the styrofoam under seats.
I could hang on, and upright it, but it's full of water.
My screams for HELP were heard immediately... but I kept screaming (and cursing) anyway.

I heard a boat from across the way, rev up his gas engine, and scream across the lake.
We were able to tie my boat to his, and he steered into the grasses, where I could finally touch bottom - about 20feet away. (Of course, as luck would have it, I went in at a drop-off).

By this time, I had been in water for about 10 to 15 minutes.
Outside temp about 68 degrees, water temp maybe 65, not too bad? Maybe.
Rescuer was able to pull me up into his, MUCH larger boat.
DCNR offices were a half-mile away, and a Ranger was there within moments.
She waded out about 20 feet, and unfouled his prop.
EMS responded; had to strip out of cold, wet clothes; wrapped in blankets; heater not cranking up too well.
My temperature had dropped to 96.6 degrees, in that short amount of time.
Blood pressure spiked to 180/100 (my norm is 120/80)
Took about 45 minutes, to stabilize enough to drive myself home.

45 minute drive home, to reflect.
And THEN, I had to deal with my WIFE! 😬

Spent all day Friday, going through the "Seven Stages of Grief" over my ordeal.
Ends up that "ANGER" was the prominent stage 🤬
(BTW, they should add "Embarrassment" to the stages).

In conclusion(?) I ended up losing a LOT of gear (but, as consolation, I still have my life 🤨)
I hope to retrieve some of it (Grizzly has graciously offered his services 😊)

In the meantime, I suppose I need to reassess the rest of my life?
My wife's not too happy right now, and I may need training wheels, and supervision, if I ever get to fish alone again.

Even with my overly-cautious approach to being afloat at this stage in my life, I made crucial mistakes - and each one compounded upon the other.

I've shared this embarrassment with all of you in the hopes that my mishaps, and apparent momentary lack of good sense, will make some of you consider the choices you make when you're out on the water.

Gen
Thanks for sharing your story. I was going to buy a John boat this fall....maybe I should get a yak instead.

https://www.fishingstage.com/t-44332-1.html