Be prepared with a first aid kit and a 2×4 it may just save your day. Today is my birthday and you might say a year older and just a little wiser.
Yesterday I’m at Lake Shasta practicing for the upcoming EverStart event. It’s 8 am I’m at the ramp and I thinking to myself lets try that 26-pitch Fury prop, since the 25 Yamaha prop is hitting the rev limiter. “Always looking for those few extra mph”
So I grab the new prop and the items to install it, wrench, dykes, hub kit, but no 2 x 4 to hold the prop. Oh well, I’ve changed many props without the help of a prop stop. (A 2 x 4 wedged against the prop and the lower unit holding the prop so you can remove the prop nut) I remove the cotter pin then holding the prop in one hand the wrench in the other I attempt to loosen the nut but it’s too tight. I should have just stopped there but NO being stubborn I’ve gone this far and I’m getting it off. Holding the prop even tighter I pull hard on the wrench and wham the nut comes loose and, the wrench slips off and my hand hits the prop. (Mind you, the Triton is brand new and the stainless steel Yamaha prop is razor sharp) I feel that tell-tale pain in my hand hoping I didn’t cut myself. But no, I look down and I cut the top of my finger to the bone, CRAP!
Now what? I at Packers Bay ramp which is a long way from anywhere, I’m bleeding and I’m sure I need stitches but I still need to get the new prop on and I don’t want to miss a day of practice. Again thinking to myself I have a first aid kit I wonder if there’s any of those plastic stitches? Going to my truck I open the back door pull out the kit, now the trick is to get the items I need out without getting blood all over.
Holding my bleeding hand outside truck and going through the kit with the other, I find some butterfly stitches and an antiseptic cloth, cool I’m back in business.
I’m wondering how this must look, when an old friend comes by and says do you need help? He helped me get the butterfly stitches on and a few Band-Aids and then loaned me his 2 x 4. My finger now secure; I get the new prop on, launch the boat and get to fishing. I can’t move my finger so I’m limited on my fishing presentations today but at least I’m fishing.
Moral of the story is being prepared. If I had a 2 x4 in the beginning none of this would have happened. If I didn’t have a good first aid kit I would have gone to the doctor for stitches. I’m restocking the first aid kit and today we have a new 2 x4
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