Re: Beginner boater..
Whoa, some wide open questions right there. Ok, I?ll try to narrow some stuff down:
First, the best thing you can do as a new boater is take a boaters safety course and learn with your husband how to launch, drive and trailer the boat.
Second, get the necessary required gear for your size boat. Depending on what state you live in, you will have different safety requirements. Requirements might be vessel registration, registration decals, registration numbers, boaters? education card, PFD for each person aboard, type b-1 fire extinguisher, muffler, horn, whistle, and flares.
Third, start boating in your driveway.
Begin with whatever you want, but start doing simple maintenance and set up before your rig even leaves the house.
Trailer: check the hubs, tire pressure, lighting, vehicle connections, and straps to hold your boat down.
Boat: have all your gear loaded and tied down properly.
Motor: charge your battery and use fresh gas. Pick whatever motor you want to use and mount it on the boat. With either muffs or a garbage can full of water, try starting the motor with the bottom 1/3 of the motor in the water. If it starts, it should start spitting water from somewhere right away. If it?s not spitting water from the upper half of the motor, shut it down and take it to a shop for servicing. If it does, you?re probably ready to go.
