Tugnut Confession

[LADYBUG TOO]

This is more of a testimonial than confession but both apply. Over my 71 years of life I have made my share of mistakes and, in the process, I've built several boats and modified what was my last boat before Ladybug, Too, a Ranger 29 with more goodies than I've ever had. The original Ladybug was an old Stamas 24ft. Family Fisherman that began life as an I/O with a 225 hp Electromatic. I converted it to an inboard VeeDrive with a 350 Chevrolet engine. All of this is to explain that I have been on the short end of a bunch of tools and hard boat work. What happened next was that our dream boat, the R-29, got hit by lightning. I received some good advice from other "Tugnuts" to make sure the insurance company addressed everything. That led to the most extensive crawling around, standing on my head and poking into everything. Sometimes I was completely irrational as when I called Marc at Wefings and having measured the fresh water tank told him I had an undersized fuel tank. All sensory perceptions told me I was looking at water but my frantic irrational state of mind said otherwise. That was just one of my dire moments in the recovery of Ladybug, Too. Throughout the year that it took to repair everything, one constant kept me on the right track and on a return to sanity and it was THIS TUGNUTS SITE. We recovered and I now know more about our R-29 than I would ever have known. Thanks to all of you who came to our rescue. That doesn't mean I won't go irrational again but it sure is nice to know that the help is always close at hand.

Pat & Carolyn, Ladybug, Too

 

[Jerold Geisenheimer]

I have read with awe and admiration your tales of woe regarding your R-29 adventures. So many of them are similar to my R-29 experiences and the advice you received helped both you and me. I am reminded of the old axiom: that which does not kill you makes you a better person; however in our case, it should read: that which doesn't sink you makes you a better boater. Look forward to meeting you in person at Palm Harbor where we can trade stories over a glass/bottle of Pinot Grigio. Jerry

 

[Boont Boater]

That's a great post.