Harrision Lake

Since the weather has been absolutely wonderful, my family and I took full advantage of it and headed out for the lake Friday. Since it was rumored that our typical spot, Canyon Ferry, had some blue algae, we decided to go to Harrison Lake. It is a little shorter in distance and is a much smaller lake. However, the water conditions are usually better...less boats means less boat chop for water sports.

It was wonderful to spend time with family and friends and we almost filled the boat up with both. One of the reasons we wanted a new boat was for more seating. So with a 16-person capacity, no one has to stay on the shore. I uploaded some pictures I took of various water fun and put it in an animoto to make a video. I hope you enjoy! P.S. My middle son, Wil, thought that bringing a bright orange mask would make for some good laughs and head turns from other boats. And let me tell you, he was right!!!

Finally....Enjoying some time at the lake

After getting word from the Montana Boat Center that the boat was finally fixed, we quickly got the camper ready and headed for Helena. I couldn't believe it was already mid-July and this was our first time spending the weekend at Canyon Ferry. After getting a late start, we decided to get a campsite first and then head back to Helena to get the boat. We got the only site left in Hellgate Campground. It was far from the water, which was going to be an issue when we picked up the boat.

On our way back to Helena, our friends called and said there were spots open in Goose Bay. We told them to save us a spot while we went to Helena for the boat. After picking up the boat and heading back to Canyon Ferry for the second time in the day with 3 energized boys in the backseat wondering "Are we there, yet?", our good luck streak came back to haunt us again. In our excitement of having a fixed boat, we gassed up the boat, but my husband forgot to put gas in the pickup. By the time he noticed, we were too close and decided to chance it remembering that we did have a little gas in the can for the generators.

It was just then when we noticed smoke billowing up from the lake area. It was obvious that a fire had started and with the wind on Friday, the fire was moving rapidly. Fire crews and engines tried to get by the Los Angeles-like afternoon traffic of trucks, campers, and boats heading to the lake. As we inched closer, I feared the fire would prevent us from crossing the dam to get to the camper. "Why us?" kept running through my head as I thought about all the trouble we have had to try to enjoy some relaxing time at the lake.

After about an hour of slow moving, we finally reached our camper and moved it to the new campsite at Goose Bay. The mosquitoes were so thick you couldn't stay out long so we set up camp and went to bed early. (P.S. at this point, the camper started to act up and we had no hot water or fridge)

Brandon got up early and headed back to the Marina to get some gas in the pickup only to realize that because of the fire, there was no power at the Marina, and he would have to take his third trip to East Helena for gas. Finally he returned and we decided to make the best of the day. With lawn chairs and a cooler of snacks, we headed out to the water for the first time, still worried that our boat might not be entirely fixed. Doubtful, we loaded up and hit the water.

After a full 10 hours on the water, we finally got what we wanted ~ a great day on the water with family and friends. The boat ran wonderfully and we all had a great time wake boarding and wake surfing. At this point, it didn't matter what trouble we went through to get to enjoy the day.

Cross Your Fingers

Well, we have finally heard back from the Boat Center and they are thinking our whole boat issue has been a loose wire from the sub woofer and alarm system that the former owner put on. They are taking it to Canyon Ferry Lake this morning and hopefully we will have it on the water this afternoon. Crossing my fingers and hoping that this was the voltage issue that was putting the boat in safe mode.

My bad luck

Since we dropped the boat off on Monday, my husband and I were really thinking that they would have it fixed and ready to go for the weekend. I asked Brandon if he should call the boat center today to check on it and he thought they were fairly busy and we shouldn't bug them about it.

Anyway, his buddy was working in Helena today and just so happen to stop by the boat center. He commented to a young guy working there who said something along the lines of, "the guy who owns this boat doesn't need it this weekend, so we haven't even looked at it yet." Needless to say, Brandon got a call from his buddy and called the boat center. Although they didn't use the words his buddy said, Brandon was told that they haven't had the chance to even look at our lemon, I mean boat, yet. I guess I should be more mad, but remember, I have school this weekend so I couldn't enjoy the boat this weekend anyway. Here's hoping for next weekend!

Finding help?

After researching this particular make of boat (Tige), I decided to look and see if there was any help online that I could find. I did find this website tigeboatowners.com that offered some help. After making a post and describing our boat issues, it does sound like it is something minor like battery wiring or a sensor that needs to be fixed. Although it sounds like a simple fix, that doesn't mean it won't cost me an arm and a leg...guess I will find out soon, hopefully!

Finally finding a new boat..

After months of searching (and pleading from my husband), we finally found the boat we have been looking to buy. Although it is not a brand new boat, it was exactly what we were looking for in terms of features and price. The only issue (we thought) was the boat was located at Lake Tapps, which is a 10-hour drive. But after emailing pictures and working out all the details, my husband and his brother made the drive to check out the boat in person. Aside from a good cleaning, the boat was in great condition and ran smoothly on the lake... After a trip to the bank, my husband was pulling it home.

We were so excited to get the boat home it was like Christmas morning. The 3 kids, my husband, and myself all sitting in the boat parked in front of our house the next morning. All we needed was water...After a good cleaning and moving of wake boards and life jackets, we were ready to take her out for her maiden voyage. Much to our dismay, the voyage wasn't that long due to cheap batteries. After about 2 hours on the water, we were loading back up to come home and re-examine our great purchase.

Two batteries and $160 dollars later, we were ready for the second trip. This time we went where we knew our other family members were going to be boating, Clark Canyon. The water was a blistering 57 degrees, but our cousin, Kody, still couldn't help but get in the water to wake board. Fool! The good news was the boat ran great...we used everything, the stereo, heater, and all just to make sure the batteries were the key issue from the day before. It seemed to be working just fine. Or so we thought...

The next weekend, we again packed up and set out for our usual spot Canyon Ferry. It was finally nice out and everyone was wanting to get a turn. However, just like our first attempt, we weren't on the water long and then the boat started acting up again. I couldn't help but think we bought an expensive lemon.

We did get a hold of the boat center in Helena and it sounds like it is a very common and fixable problem. Hopefully, we will be out on the water soon.