Be careful out there. Buddy broke 5 ribs fishing.

My buddy (and his wife) are spending the week with me. He has an older boat with a foot petal only bow mount Minn Kota. It has a rope pull to lift the motor out of the water. Well the rope broke and he went ass over tea kettle landing on the edge of the livewell (carpeted plywood top/seat). He broke 5 ribs and punctured his lung. With his COPD, heart issues and other things he will be in the hospital until at least Tuesday. Then it’s a slow, long recovery.

I shutter every time I think that after he laid there a while to plan his next move . . . . he had to get up and pull the rope to start his 25hp Evinrude.

Things happen in a snap. Be careful out there.

Sorry to hear about your friend. Hope he has a speedy recovery.

Ouch! That had to hurt!

Unfortunately been through this same deal. Pulled the rope & had it snap 1/2 way up. 275lbs hitting everything on the way back of a 22ft Ranger & landing in the rear motor well. Cracking my sternum was no picnic, with every excruciating painful breath I wished I were dead.

I thought for sure this was going to be a new boat and a wife story.

Hope everyone heals up quickly.

What ever you do, don’t make your buddy laugh! Don’t ask how I know…..

-J.

Man, that is awful! Its crazy how something so simple to end so bad.

Gawd I hated those ropes on the trolling motors for various reasons. My terrova must have some kind of lift assist spring because it’s super easy to stow. I do tend to worry that I will be pulling it out one day and possibly fall in rough water.
Accidents happen to the most seasoned boaters.

After my ordeal I replaced the rope with cable wire.

Against her will. Taught my wife to start and operate the boat. Because you never know. Put a 4 wheeler back up right. Rode it back to the farm. Walked in the house, down stairs for a shower. Then back up. Ended up my fibula had shattered at the knee. 6 hours of surgery, with 3 screws and a bone graft off my pelvis. Off work for 6 months. Shock is an amazing thing.

Ouch that kind of stuffs happens fast. Hope for a speedy recovery

I was totally expecting this to be a wake boat injury.

Best wishes to your buddy. Sucks to get hurt doing what you love.

Ralph Wiggum wrote:

I was totally expecting this to be a wake boat injury.

Best wishes to your buddy. Sucks to get hurt doing what you love.

It could of been Ralph!!

Hope for speedy recovery everyone.

HH wish your buddy the best from me.It could have been worse but he’s not going to think so for at least a coupla months.

Hodag, wow that sucks man hope your buddy recovers quickly. To have that happen on top of having COPD. I can’t imagine what he is going through.

The GForce handles from TH Marine are great replacement handles. Those things are solid.

I almost took out some ribs a couple weeks ago loading the boat. Stepped down onto the tongue of my trailers and slipped. Caught myself on the rail of my boat with my ribs. Luckily I got my arms down quick enough to brace myself a little bit. Still had some nice bruises.

Glad you buddy made it out with what he did. Could’ve been worse.

That is terrible. Rib fractures are painful enough, but to have a pneumothorax on top of it. Ugh! What is his name? First name only is fine. I will pray for him.

My Buddy’s Name is Jeff, From Adams WI. Thanks for the prayers. He is still in the hospital, may get out maybe tomorrow. Better chance is Tuesday. He was able to get the the bathroom and back (this time) by himself. Yesterday he fainted trying to leave the bathroom. Long way to go but today is better than yesterday. That’s all we can help for.

Get well soon Jeff! Take care and get home safe.
I have a cabin in Adams County and need our fisherman on the water.