Was on Holt today. Apparently when I replaced my cranking battery I forgot to buckle the hold down strap.
Ran all they way up to Lock 17 from Holt, and then on the way back, after stopping to fish another spot, I realized I was taking on water - BAD!!!!
So bad, I couldn't get on plane. Opened the rear hatch, the battery was laying in the bilge in about as much water as could be in there without it overflowing.
The battery broke the live well pump off where it goes through the transom effectively opening up a 3/4" hole in the transom below the water line.
Fortunately, the bilge pump was able to pump it out while I was able to keep moving and drain it as well.
For a brief moment, I was thinking it was time to send a MAYDAY text hoping someone would get it once I move through an area with service.
Once I was able to get on plane, I knew I was good, and was hammered down back to the launch.