25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

[bruceb58]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

My brother went to the inspection at Lake Tahoe. Everything was dry on his boat as he knew to make sure of. He dropped his drive and a small amount of water dripped out. They charged him the extra $20 "bend over charge" and made him connect his engine to muffs with 160? hooked up to it.

 

[corby78]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

My biggest learned item when I started, was to start the boat once before heading down the ramp. I once got the boat in the water and the battery was to weak to crank the motor. I had to re-trailer and pull the boat out at a very busy ramp. Never made that mistake again. lol

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

My biggest learned item when I started, was to start the boat once before heading down the ramp.

You do realize that by doing that you are killing your water pump impeller right?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

My biggest learned item when I started, was to start the boat once before heading down the ramp. I once got the boat in the water and the battery was to weak to crank the motor. I had to re-trailer and pull the boat out at a very busy ramp. Never made that mistake again. lol

My .02 on that - if you feel the need to start the boat in the driveway because you think it might not work at the ramp then fix it!

It's like going out and pre-starting your car at 4 AM just to make sure it'll start when you are ready to go to work.

 

[NYBo]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

You do realize that by doing that you are killing your water pump impeller right?

He didn't say he did it without "muffs." You DO use them, don't you corby??

 

[striker1211]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I like #30

So, idk if I should start a new thread, but will my normal Schumacher 2/10/50 amp charger work for my boat battery? It has a "Deep Cycle" switch on it and it says "automatic" on it... I have a Everstart MAXX marine battery from wally world. After reading around the forums it seems I could either be fine using it, or dooming my battery to an early death.... Thanks

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I like #30

So, idk if I should start a new thread, but will my normal Schumacher 2/10/50 amp charger work for my boat battery? It has a "Deep Cycle" switch on it and it says "automatic" on it... I have a Everstart MAXX marine battery from wally world. After reading around the forums it seems I could either be fine using it, or dooming my battery to an early death.... Thanks

I don't see why not. If it says its deep cycle on the battery, pick that setting on the charger of course. I would just make sure to keep it up on deck (not down in the engine room) for a bit more fire safety. I'd be a little surprised though if it did not have an onboard charger if it has shore power wired up on it.

I will now prepare to be beaten down by the naysayers. :moony:

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

My .02 on that - if you feel the need to start the boat in the driveway because you think it might not work at the ramp then fix it!

It's like going out and pre-starting your car at 4 AM just to make sure it'll start when you are ready to go to work.

I would not compare the two. You don' t have to pull your car down the the boat launch in order to find out that it don't start... Unless maybe you happen to be Spongebob Squarepants.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I would not compare the two. You don' t have to pull your car down the the boat launch in order to find out that it don't start... Unless maybe you happen to be Spongebob Squarepants.

I would. It is a simple machine, if you can't count on it to start then it is broken - fix it.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

Well mine is on a slip so, I just start it, and if it takes more than 3 key bumps its time for new plugs.

 

[saumon]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

It will be fine but, why? Is your battery discharged? Usually, unless you run a stereo for an extended period with the engine not running, the alternator take care of the starting battery on normal operation. Also, if it's your main starting battery, it won't be a "deep cycle" battery, so you won't need that setting...

 

[SteveRD]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

One forgotten rule......Just because you put the boat in neutral. Does NOT mean it will stop!
A women did this at the ramp in Scugog. And right after she hit the dock (hard) screamed at him "I thought you said it would stop"

I'm sorry for her...After that comment everyone around was laughing their asses off

 

[roscoe]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

Need to add ....

NEVER disconnect the winch strap or safety chain until you have backed down the ramp.

Use your parking brake and possibly wheel chocks when on the ramp.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

He didn't say he did it without "muffs." You DO use them, don't you corby??

I see people do this all the time without muffs. Same when they pull out of the water for some strange reason.

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I would. It is a simple machine, if you can't count on it to start then it is broken - fix it.

This is a simple machine. A boat has a few more working parts.


Life is not that cut and dry my good sir. Sometimes sh*t happens. Looks like we're thinking of this from two different perspectives. Yeah, if you suspect you may have a problem then I'm with ya, but when you run stuff nearly as old as yourself, then you have to allow some room for the unknown. Preparation is the key to success. :fish:

 

[Jonnybbad]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I would. It is a simple machine, if you can't count on it to start then it is broken - fix it.

This is a simple machine. A boat has a few more working parts.

Life is not that cut and dry my good sir. Sometimes sh*t happens. Looks like we're thinking of this from two different perspectives. Yeah, if you suspect you may have a problem then I'm with ya, but when you run stuff nearly as old as yourself, then you have to allow some room for the unknown. Preparation is the key to success. :fish:

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

Striker:

I enjoyed reading your list. Learning about boats is a beautiful thing. Thanks for sharing.

It seems that with every boat that I buy, it came with an ample supply of those bulky orange life vests. On my third boat now, and I have them stacked to the ceiling. Nobody will wear them, so I have an ample supply of ski vests, etc. I finally stuffed the orange ones inside the boat as added flotation. :noidea:

 

[tonyjh63]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

Not sure this has been covered, but I've learned to crank my boat on muffs at home for about 10 minutes before heading to the lake (30 miles away). Seems to help it crank easier once in the water...

 

[eavega]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

Not sure this has been covered, but I've learned to crank my boat on muffs at home for about 10 minutes before heading to the lake (30 miles away). Seems to help it crank easier once in the water...

Being that I am often heading to the lake before the crack of dawn to go fishing, I think I would have a neighborhood revolution on my hands if I decided to run the boat on muffs in the driveway before heading out. I'm with the previous poster; if you run your boat often enough and are confident in its condition, then there is no need to run it before getting to the ramp. I DO turn the key to check the gauges before heading out. Checking my gauges will at least tell me that the battery is fully charged, and my fuel state. Once at the ramp, I start the boat in the water while still attached to the trailer with the bow strap. If it should fail to start there, all I have to do is re-secure it to the trailer and roll back off of the ramp. Otherwise, unhook the bow strap, gentle nudge in reverse while tow vehicle pulls forward, and boat floats off for a day of fun.

Rgds

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 25 Things I've learned in my first two weeks of boating...

I DO turn the key to check the gauges before heading out. Checking my gauges will at least tell me that the battery is fully charged, and my fuel state. Once at the ramp, I start the boat in the water while still attached to the trailer with the bow strap. If it should fail to start there, all I have to do is re-secure it to the trailer and roll back off of the ramp. Otherwise, unhook the bow strap, gentle nudge in reverse while tow vehicle pulls forward, and boat floats off for a day of fun.

Rgds

That is our procedure too, although I'm mainly checking the gas guage since I can never remember when I last filled it Bow strap doesn't come off until my wife has it started.