Taco my Taco !! That sucks!

[Dads Dream]

Eliot Maine boat launch- dead low tide 11:30am~ super low

Sunday- perfect day- it's now high Noon, I'm staging my boat in the lineup at the launch- not too bad today; two boats just launching and I'm the next boat on deck

Lets see antenna up, 6 rods in r-launchers on the ttop, 6 rods aft transom seat~ dual outriggers up and extended- better make sure you bump them out one notch so the riggers don't bang the outer rods in the r-launchers- ok, check- check

My 8 & 10 yr old boys are on the dock- lifejax on- check - check

Upstream side of dock is clear~ incoming tide~ ok, good that'll keep the boat off the dock after I launch & park the truck- check

Backing down the ramp now~ ok keep the trailer 2 ft off the left edge of the dock.....looking good

Ooops, little distraction- 3 coeds, getting out of a dingy, skimpy b-suits....ok back to the launching...and.....

CRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACKKKKKKKKKK!

WTF????!!!!!! What was THAT sound???!!!!!!!!

CHIT- MF- CHIT!!

My starboard outrigger caught the piling that's exposed about 18 ft above water on the super low tide (make sense? yes, since the tide was ultra low- I had to back further down the ramp- normally the tips of my flared 'rigger will clear by 5'++....and in 4 yrs I've never even been, well you understand......

Well, dumb@$$ of the year award goes to me today

Clean snap- TACO that TACO!

Any ideas out there? It's the Taco grand slam model- I have the 15' telescoping poles for my small CC. The rigger snapped an inch above heavy duty aluminum reinforced butt that inserts into the adjusting base. At first glance, could I file & remove the piece thats on the reinforced butt & cut off the rigger above bend (snap spot)...then slide the remaining rigger down onto the reinf butt--- Looks like I'll lose 12-15" total.

Does Taco sell single sections for idiots like me? Can you buy a single rigger.....?

In closing, I am happy that I provided a little entertainment to the dozen or so people that witnessed my rant~ and my short bout with humility

[hotshot1]

I've seen people cut the section all the way through, slide another piece of aluminum on then weld the the sleeve on.

[Dads Dream]

Hotshot~ thanks man, I can see that working....guess it could have been worse- like snapping off at sea?

[clt_capt]

How about pics of the bait?

[Dads Dream]

How about pics of the bait?

I presume you mean......the babes on the dock??? That's funny you mention it.....because....

Later in the day....my wife met us at the dock when we were pulling the boat~ my 10-yr old son couldn't wait to explain Dad's misfortune with snapping the rigger off......but, somehow his version included a piece about these 3 girls that were ....and get this.........."LAUGHING.......after Daddy crashed the rigger into the dock!!!"

Thanks son, guess I needed to spend some time coaching more.....

[Glenn W]

If it were me, I'd call TACO, explain the situation and see if they would sell & ship me a butt section

TACO Corporate Headquarters
50 N.E. 179th Street
North Miami Beach, Florida 33162
(305) 652-8566 • Fax (305) 770-2387

[Capt. Brian Daley]

I think the 3 Tacos coming out of the dingy got ya

[Seaker]

Gosh you just gotta love the kids

I would go with Glenn's recomendation first and see if you can just replace the section.

If it's a no go from Taco

You can always go with Hot Shot's recommendation

One foot diff isn't going to mean beans.

Beside it always makes for a great story

Now about T&B spilling the beans on you .....PRICELESS

[Dads Dream]

Gosh you just gotta love the kids

I would go with Glenn's recomendation first and see if you can just replace the section.

If it's a no go from Taco

You can always go with Hot Shot's recommendation

One foot diff isn't going to mean beans.

Beside it always makes for a great story

Now about T&B spilling the beans on you .....PRICELESS

*Smart plan Cappys- thanks for your help

I will call that contact today and report back to all~thank you Glenn W!!!

Capt Brian Daley- the 3 senioritas were the distraction at the root of this problem- HAHA!! U are right!

Vin- you're absolutely right about B&T turning me in...LOL~

**Anybody else out there with funny/sick stories about witnessing riggers getting tweaked on the bridges~ docks~ you name it!???**

[fmoore]

Dude, that sucks. Sorry, but I gotta laugh at your kid ratting you out

I would do what GlennW suggested. That should be the ticket.

Let me know how you guys did. I may be going tuna hunting on Stellwagen tomorrow despite the iffy forecast. I'll give you a report if we head out there.