Ski Boat retrieval on the Saline River-23nov 9am@ Lyle park

[we66erno1]

There is a ski boat that has either floated its way down stream or been dumped on the Saline river. Cowper and I are planning to retrieve it out of the river and bring it to Lyle Park. We will be using Mechanical Advantage a lot. So if you are rusty or want a hands-on "workshop" to learn a little about MA. Your welcome to join us. Cowper is investigating the boat, as i type this. So once i get a report from him this evening, we will post up the time. We would be meeting at Lyle Park for the put-in. And since Cowper and I floated from Lyle park to the Game and fish takeout near I-30, we can both say that it is all float able. If anyone was interested in coming by and watching, then floating on downstream .

I'm pretty sure Steve G. and Mike will be joining us. We'd appreciate any help we can get. If not, then TRT will call in their SpecOPS demo team and blow the boat up . Talk about a Black Friday!!!!!

[Chicago Bob]

Doug you take one rescue clinic this summer and already you've progressed up to speed boats. I've been told that they easiest to catch while their turning. I'm sure Cooper knows, he has more experience than anyone else in the club. Of course I'm in post the time and I'll be there. I have rope, sewn-runners, carabiners and a come-along. BOB

[SteveGabbard]

So we're taking it up to the park instead of downstream? This will be a hoot.

As spicolli says "my dads got the ultimate set of tools. We can fix it"

[Shark Attack]

What are your plans for this boat once it is retrieved?

[we66erno1]

Since we're not in international waters, the thinking is that we alert the Saline County Sheriffs office. Because if it was stolen, it'd be bad form to make off with it. And if the originally owner dumped it, I'm sure he'd love to explain to an officer of the law how it got there.

[Eric Esche]

I know of 3 ex-speed boats up here on Beaver Lake that need to be removed if you want more practice. Two are near the Hatchery south of HW12 on the west bank, the third is about 2 to 3 miles above HW 412 on the west bank. Also found another dozen tires on that section including tractor trailer sizes and motorgrader types, but did not bring any back as my shoulder was really hurting, and I was in my sea kayak and it's limit when I am not hurting is 2 auto tires.

Eric
send you an email about the Zdrag kit.

[Cowper]

Thanks Eric! But for those along the lake, I bet you can talk the AC into going after them with a workboat that has a jib crane. With the right equipment, they can do that job easily, and we can all save our energy for going after the stuff that nobody else is likely to get.

I tugged around on the one on the Saline some today, but was unable to roll it up enough to inspect the bottom. Too much of the floatation is water-logged, making it pretty darn heavy. From the parts I could see, I think there is at least a chance the boat will float.

I'm planning on bringing a bilge pump, a boat plug, and some type of motor, maybe a trolling motor, maybe something more. If the boat floats at all, even briefly, we can motor some, and then beach and bail/pump as needed. We'll have to use pulleys and/or come-alongs to pull across some of the shallow areas.

Steve and Doug are working some angles on what to do with the boat; we can deliver it to the police or the city dump, depending on what they learn. We may also be looking into possible access points at either the City Water plant or other places in case the boat doesn't really want to float all the way downstream. On the other hand, if attempts to float the boat fail miserably, my suggestion for Plan B will be that we start cutting it into pieces that can be carried out in canoes and/or a small jon boat. No matter how this goes, it's going to interesting; it's going to be fun!

The more the merrier; the more folks we have to tug, the less complex our haul systems will need to be. And somebody needs to be taking pictures!

Re: Going Upstream, or Downstream? I'm not sure which is best - I think we should discuss it, and may need to decide after we see if the boat floats or not, and how well. I was originally thinking upstream because the distance to go is so much shorter; but after today's inspection I'm concerned that the boat may be so heavy that my trolling motor may be unable to push upstream through even the mild current that is present in the pools. If we get access at the city water plant, that may cinch things for a downstream effort, since it is only 0.7 miles downstream.

[Cowper]

Here's what we're going after:

[jnewcomb]

Confucius say: 2-3 feet more watah make job much easier.

[kayakmamma]

Me! Me! I want to come and see this, ha ha

[maggiepowell]

Sounds like some good old-fashioned Thanksgiving entertainment. I may stop by once I know the time.

Maggie

[fryingsquirrel]

I'm in like Flynn. Been a while since I've done any TRT missions. Hope my membership isn't expired...
Jon Ellwood

[we66erno1]

a Big thank you goes out to Benton public utilities. They will be allowing us to take the boat out at their facilities, near the low water dam. Thus saving us from having to get the boat over the dam. Also the city's waste department is going to allow us to take the boat to their place.

Once Steve, cooper and I figure out what time we can start, we'll post it up. But I'm hoping we can all meet at Lyle park no later then 9am. Because i'm betting we will need all the day light we can get.


P.S. I'm looking forward to high-siding this boat!!!!

[maggiepowell]

So, tell me, if I come...what do I need to bring? Are you guys going in with boats or walking?

[we66erno1]

Canoes, kayaks, SUP.... Whatever you wanna bring. I wouldn't recommend anything other then those types though.