1st Boat/First Thread/First Everything lol. Need help

[LONGJON]

I'm buying a 2021 Starcraft SVX 191 OB with a Yamaha 150 Engine on it. Brand new from the dealer. I had the option to go with a 115 Yamaha engine or the 150 so I went with the 150. It's supposed to be ready to be picked up on May 21st with the add on's/extra's I ordered and I'm really excited. I've never had a boat before and honestly don't know a super ton about them. I'm 32 years old and live around the Alabama Gulf Coast really close to Florida.

I'm mainly using this boat to cruise around with friends in the summer time from island to island like I've done with and on my other friends boats. I'll do some light fishing and what not on it. But I'm also excited to just go exploring by myself and learn about the world of boating.

My question I guess is what y'all think of Starcraft boats, are they good boats? I hear the Yamaha 150 engine is a great engine. I'm guessing that should be more than enough for this 19 ft boat? Does anyone have 200 engines on a 19 footer or is that unheard of? Any and ALL information will be useful for me as I'll be relying on my best friend and my dad to help me while I learn about this boat and how to use it. I'm not sure what to expect but I'm excited for it to be my first boat!

 

[Grub54891]

Did you take a boaters safety course? You should even if it's not required. Also it wouldn't hurt to get some maps of the different areas you plan to be in and study them for depth and obstructions, ect.... A good depth gauge on the boat is a must. Make sure all your safety gear is up to par, and learn to read the weather. Before I forget,,,,, Welcome to I boats.

 

[mike_i]

Since you're being introduced to a lot of firsts I suggest you make this one of your first firsts
https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php

I have a Yamaha F150 on a 21'6 boat, I've had it up to 40mph with no problem but normally cruise at 25. Be safe and have fun. Go to the ramp during non busy times and practice launching and retrieving.

 

[dwco5051]

Ran an 19' Grady White state patrol boat with a 175 Yamaha for 8 years as the next to last boat before I retired. Never gave us a lick of problems. Right before it was replaced I did notice some corroding of the trim cylinder rods but would still gone another couple of years before they needed replaced. The last boat was another new Grady White with a 200 Mercury and the difference was not that much noticeable. I believe you made the right choice going with the 150. Once you reach a certain point any increase in power increases performence in smaller and smaller increments.

 

[LONGJON]

Did you take a boaters safety course? You should even if it's not required. Also it wouldn't hurt to get some maps of the different areas you plan to be in and study them for depth and obstructions, ect.... A good depth gauge on the boat is a must. Make sure all your safety gear is up to par, and learn to read the weather. Before I forget,,,,, Welcome to I boats.

I'm in the middle of an online safety course right now. It's a lot more informative than I thought it would be. When you say check the weather, what do you use? As in do you use an app, weather channel, or what? And what am I looking for exactly? I know I'll want to see the wind and how choppy it is before I take it out. I know these are noob questions so I apologize.

 

[LONGJON]

Since you're being introduced to a lot of firsts I suggest you make this one of your first firsts
https://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/boating-safety-courses.php

I have a Yamaha F150 on a 21'6 boat, I've had it up to 40mph with no problem but normally cruise at 25. Be safe and have fun. Go to the ramp during non busy times and practice launching and retrieving.

Thanks that's what I plan to do. I told my Dad to be prepared to go out at least one day per week for about a month straight so me and him (he's way more familiar with boats and has had a few) can go out and he can show me the ropes of launching/retrieving and much more. I'm actually looking forward to the dealer demo that my dad will also be accompanying me on so I can learn everything I can.

 

[LONGJON]

I found this online but this is basically identical in every way to the one I'll be getting.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard and good on you for taking an online course.

But a classroom course is better and will cover everything, including weather. You can ask questions face to face, which is way better than online. I use online courses as refreshers. An old dog like me can be taught new tricks.

 

[LONGJON]

Welcome aboard and good on you for taking an online course.

But a classroom course is better and will cover everything, including weather. You can ask questions face to face, which is way better than online. I use online courses as refreshers. An old dog like me can be taught new tricks.

I actually prefer in person usually myself. But I couldn't find one (I didn't look that hard admittedly) so that's more my fault.

 

[Grub54891]

I'm in the middle of an online safety course right now. It's a lot more informative than I thought it would be. When you say check the weather, what do you use? As in do you use an app, weather channel, or what? And what am I looking for exactly? I know I'll want to see the wind and how choppy it is before I take it out. I know these are noob questions so I apologize.

I mostly watch the weather myself, but I know how this lake works in my area, Lake Superior, Apostle islands area. The local forecasts get you close but it changes rapidly up here. NOAA is a good source for checking your area, as well as listening to the vhf weather channel in your area. even at that, I've had my A** kicked more than a few times here. Have your life jackets on and safety flares handy and updated. Never had to use any of the above but it came close. once I had to hide behind an island for a night as it was just to rough. Even the ore ships come into the islands to hide out when it gets bad.... It's also a good thing to invest in seatow service, hope you don't need it but if you do it can save your life, and gets expensive if you don't have it and need it. On a good day the water up here is cold, hypothermia will get you quick.

 

[tpenfield]

+1 on the safety course and checking weather/wave/wind forecasts for your area.

What I tell new boaters . . .

- Boating is dangerous, it only looks like fun.
- Approach a dock or landing only at the speed which you are willing to hit it.

 

[mike_i]

" Approach a dock or landing only at the speed which you are willing to hit it." So true tpenfield.

I use windy.com & noaa for weather.

I have a mental check list from the time I connect the trailer to my truck until I get home and disconnect it. Make a written list until you get the hang of it. Watch a few you tube videos on launching & retrieving boats, you can learn from other peoples mistakes and sometimes stupidity.

 

[Starcraft5834]

I own a Starcraft toon... new in 2019. Zero Complaints on quality and build.. enjoy the Starcraft. they have been around since early 1900's. assuming you care for it, it will last you your lifetime

 

[poconojoe]

That's a nice looking boat!
Congratulations.

Lots of great info and friendly knowledgeable members here.
Read as much as you can throughout this forum.

If you are going to trailer the boat back and forth, read up on launching and retrieving. I think I've helped more people at the ramp with retrieving than everything else combined. It seems every time I'm there, someone is struggling to load their boat.
Know your trailer/boat combination. How deep to launch or retrieve.
And never power load!!!

Make sure your vehicle is up to the task.

Don't forget your drain plug!

Know the rules/laws in your area, including at the ramp and trailering.

If you're going to keep it in a slip, make sure to tie it off safely with enough bumpers to protect the hull. There's an art to properly tying up your boat.
Keep in mind wind, tides, currents and wakes from other boats. Have a good cover and an automatic bilge pump.

Invest in properly sized good lines (rope) and learn a few knots. Don't use polypropylene lines.

So much to learn...

 

[Stinnett21]

Before you ever put it in the water remove the screws that attach your garboard drain. Coat them in 3M 4200 and reinstall. Put a bead of 4200 around the outside flange. Do the same on the inside if you can reach it.

 

[hugh g]

Carry a spare prop & the tools to change it.
If you trailer it a spare for the trailer is a must. Stuff happens & you'll be 25 miles from home when it does.
Pay close attention to the psi of your trailer tires. Keep them inflated to whatever the manufacturer recommends. Very important.
Carry a few tools onboard. Your boat it new but yep, stuff happens.
Nice rig. Good luck & happy boating.

 

[dwco5051]

Carry a spare prop & the tools to change it.
If you trailer it a spare for the trailer is a must. Stuff happens & you'll be 25 miles from home when it does.
Pay close attention to the psi of your trailer tires. Keep them inflated to whatever the manufacturer recommends. Very important.
Carry a few tools onboard. Your boat it new but yep, stuff happens.
Nice rig. Good luck & happy boating.

Along with that spare tire make certain you also have a jack and lug wrench that works on the trailer. The farther you are from home the greater the chance the ones that came with your tow vehicle won't fit.

 

[poconojoe]

My insurance not only covers on water (boat) tow/assistance, but also road tow/assistance.

 

[LONGJON]

Man! So much good knowledge here! Makes me glad I signed up and made this post/thread. A lot of this seems a tad overwhelming right now, I'm not going to lie lol. But I'm making lists of all this stuff and doing my homework. I want to get in the habit of doing it right so it gets easier and becomes second nature over time. Thanks so much for all the info guys!

For the first 4+months or so that I have it, I'm most likely going to be trailering it to and from where I launch. After that, i'm considering keeping it at a Marina that has pretty fair prices down here. Not 100% sure on that though. The main thing I don't like about the marina is they close at 5pm daily so I'm not sure what happens if you get back to the marina after that? I need to call and find out lol. But that would suck as it doesn't get dark here until like after 7:30pm.

 

[Grub54891]

Possibly closed to the public. Up here it never closes but in some area's they may stop letting the public in to curb theft's. That wouldn't work to well with the boaters if they closed the gates so you couldn't leave or get there early.