What a great way to spend Memorial Day - out on the lake on your boat. The problem is, this particular boat just doesn’t have its usual juice. Beyond that, it’s not maneuvering well. The lady at the wheel tries a couple of tight turns and a few figure-eights, but the 24-foot speedboat isn’t responding. Its usual "stuff" just isn’t there. This boat is cruising like an aging manatee.

The lady decides to get some help so she heads for the nearest marina. As she pulls into one of the slips, a deputy sheriff ties up the bow line for her.

The deputy is a member of the Sheriff’s Marine Patrol. He’s taking a break at the marina. Hoping to get help for her boat problem, the lady tells the officer about how sluggish it’s been running all afternoon.

The deputy steps aboard the boat and begins checking equipment. The steering mechanism seems okay and the engine sounds fine.

The deputy asks the lady if it’s all right to check the underside of the craft. She nods her head and the officer dives in beside the boat.

Moments later he returns to the surface thrashing and choking - he’s swallowed some water. Concerned, the woman leans over the side. "Are you okay?" she asks.

"I’m fine, ma’am," the deputy answers, "I found out what the problem is." He climbs back aboard the boat, sits down and takes a couple of deep breaths. He’s still laughing, coughing, and shaking his head.

"What is it?" the lady insists.

"Ma’am," says the deputy, "you’ve got a fine boat here in every way - but it’d run a whole lot better if, before you leave the boat ramp, you’d unstrap the trailer."