It doesn't pay to get MAD!

[snal]

My nerves were already twisted a bit, due to the fact that our scheduled trip to Georgetown, SC late tonight was converted to plan B due to a small craft advisory for that area, and abundant rain. Plan B called for a shorter drive to Knoxville, where we'd start at the head of the Tennessee River and make our way towards Chattanooga. A perfect alternative according to their forecast.
Work was a strain all day, trying to stay caught up to insure tomorrow off, but 5:00 finally came and I started loading the boat. I decided to fire up the engines since this hadn't been done since the carb rebuild, new fuel filters, and tank cleanings.
Port engine fired up nicely, starboard did too...but didn't want to idle (this is the carb rebuild engine)...so I fired her up again and let it warm up a bit longer at fast idle. Sputtered and died at idle...now it won't start! So I check to make sure she's getting fuel...yep...check plugs...they seem rich but not wet. Try again and again and again and she just won't start. I look for the number for the fella that rebuilt the carbs and can't find it. Wife shows up with provisions for the trip, and starts loading as I continue to tinker on the engine.
Now I'm getting mad...even if I find the guy's number, I doubt that I can get him here tonight to figure this out.
The wife and I decide to go anyway, and slow cruise on the one engine, but the more I think about it the more mad I get!
We head home, to hit the hay early for a 4am departure, then I realize that I left the battery switch on, and the VHF radio on. Back to the shop to turn everything off and possibly tinker a little more.
Engine "almost" started...but not. I put new plugs in...almost started a bit more than before, so now I pop the cover off of the other engine to compare carb settings....just because I ran out of things to try, and I'm a tad bit beyond mad.
This is when I notice that the starboard engine's choke knob is pulled out!
I had no idea that the choke knob and the choke on the controls were independant from each other! (and I have no idea how it got pulled out)...so I was basically flooding the crap out of the engine.
All is well now...at 10pm...I think I'll let the wife drive the rig to Knoxville....I'm beat!
We're going to have a wonderful first cruise this weekend...even if it kills me.

[tsturm]

Been there-Done that
You will have a great trip!!

[starcrafttom]

its the little things that count!

I got in the boat and tried to start it one day and nothing. no click or anything. So I check the fuse ,good, check the batteries,good, pull the lid on the engine and check every wire and start to get really mad and confused on why it will not start. puller out the volt meter and started the process of tracking down the electorial system. I go to get my flash light next to the throttle and it hits me. throttle is in gear and that will not let the engine start, safety feature you know. Its the small things. worse still I did it a second time a years later.