Boating for Idiots Lessons

[Mary B]

Just realized a life-long dream and bought a 1993 Hurricane deckboat...<br />I have piloted a power boat exactly three times, and want good HOW TO (in addition to SAFETY) lessons. Where in the Annapolis, Md area can I go to get a good HOW TO class as far as playing with throttle, navigating into and out of slips that are crowded with other boats, hands-on experience. And yes, I know I should have thought of this BEFORE I bought the boat, but that boat has left the slip, as they say. Help!

 

[JB]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Ahoy, Mare. Harbor Patrol, USGC or even the local Police can put you in touch with the local U.S. Power Squadron or the local Coast Guard Auxilary, both of whom conduct regular courses in Seamanship and Piloting as well as Boating Safety.<br /><br />Good Luck, <br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[JB]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

By the way, Mare; Idiots don't ask for training, they already know it all. You're no idiot.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB

 

[Mary Bucklew]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Thanks, JB... I didnt realize those groups did any instruction other than boating safety (classroom instruction). I need to sit at the helm and just practice forward, neutral and reverse in tight quarters, to get over my fear of making a wrong and potentially costly move with other boats in harm's way.

 

[Allular]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

You might want to try the department of natural resources in your area as well. Most courses are classroom or safety based but that's the best place to start. I wish more people would start with safety beyond what the law requires you to have on board. Start at web page and choose your state. Good luck with everything and be safe.

 

[Shangster]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

If you do find some instruction in your area I'm sure you'll be be taught these basics:<br />1. Practice handling you boat first in GOOD CONDITIONS to get a feel for the controls. This means lots of light, little or no wind, light tide or current and LOTS of elbow room---- (not a cramped space loaded with expensive and fragile vessels). Ideally, it would be good to practice the handling with different loads on board. All boats handle differently when loaded with different weights (proper weight distribution will be covered by your instructors.) When you learn how to handle your boat in these conditions you can start getting the confidence to use the controls in more challenging conditions. As you start racking up experience your confidence will start building. You probably have heard the expression--"There's no substitute for experience". When it comes to boat handling.....THIS IS TRUE! If you have a natural feel for handling equipment this will help a lot but I can guarantee that only "DOING IT" will establish skills in boat handling. Eventually, if you build on your experience you'll develop confidence handling your boat in more challenging conditions. (dirty weather at night in a strong current with a crippled engine for example) When you first start learning how to handle your boat there is one other major tip that you might find valuable. Let's call it number 2.<br />2. There is little danger to life, limb or wallet if you are careful to not use much throttle when practising in good conditions. This means that it's usually the throttle that gets people into trouble when they first start learning how to handle a boat. Even shifting incorrectly isn't too bad a mistake if your throttle is low. So, make sure you know what NOT to do with your controls-----don't suddenly open up the throttle too much! Tricks for this? Always be AWARE that the throttle control is the one that could lead to damage and danger. And get used to how much pressure on the handle is required to operate the throttle because different controls require different pressure.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

check out www.boatsafe.com it will help guide you through and point you in the right direction. This is an excellent sight. It also has online safety courses. Good Luck

 

[Mary Bucklew]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Thanks to all for the excellent advice. I am still trying to figure out (on my own and pls dont laugh), if I need to squeeze the handle of the throttle when I speed up or slow down, or if the red button built into the handle of the throttle is only for changing gears....?<br />I did the moral equivalent of buying a motor vehicle no only w/o a license, but with NO previous driving instruction... just motivated by my desire to be on the water as often as I possibly could, and convincing myself that if so many others could master this, with time and training, so can I. Hence, a deck boat, that hopefully will maximize the margin for error until I get my sea legs.

 

[MIKE F]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Mare,<br /> You only need to use that button when you are shifting. <br /> Speaking of shifting don't shift gingerly.<br />You need a firm, swift motion.(doing otherwise will do a job on your lower unit).<br /> Also if going from forward to reverse or vice/versa make sure you pause in neutral to let the prop slow down.

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Mare, the Coast Guard station in Curtis Bay has one of the best classes you will ever find. You have to go on multible days, so it aint all crammed in in one night. Its only 20 minutes from your house. They can also do a safety check on your boat, if you like.

 

[california91207]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

There is no subsitute for experience, and an experienced boater can be an excellent teacher. My Mechanic is giving me a series of lessons -- lots of driving, manuevering, and most important parking. He is also teaching me routine maintenance. There is probably someone at your marina more than willing to share a few hours of experience for a few days, just for the opportunity to cruise on someone else's fuel!

 

[Mary Bucklew]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

CA<br />Great advice. My sister and her husband each have a boat (him BIG, hers small) and today he said, practice, practice, practice. He also said a fellow boater told him not to overlook the merits of a well placed boat hook...? <br />This next question I am sure will amuse everyone listening.... If I am boating with only one other person, or launching, rather, how do I get the boat off the trailer if the other person is driving the truck -- isnt there a latch that connects the boat to the trailer, or do I unhook it while both boat and trailer are on land? Seems like I'd need three people to do all the things that need getting done...? One in the truck, one at the wheel of the boat, one at the bow, unhooking the boat...?<br />

 

[Walter]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Psssst... Hey Cali 91207:<br /><br />FYI...<br /><br />Folk 'round here are kinda sensitive to certain terms. For example... Ya don't "park" a boat. You "dock" a boat. Well, unless you're my ex-wife. One time she parked my boat on some great big rocks...

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Launching tips, back boat up to waters edge, then release your winch clip. Tie a long rope to your front cleat and your back cleat, making a circle out of the rope. This will allow you to control your boat front and back as you stand on dock and let other person back trailer in. Slowly back in, when boat is almost totally in, hit brakes a little hard to jerk boat off trailer. If you jerk it too hard and boat has too much momentum, dont let it pull you off dock, just wrap front end of rope around piling quickly to stop its momentum. The circle in the rope will allow you to pull entire boat in to dock easily, including back. I see too many people with just a rope on front have the back drift way out. Bad if you are using a double wide ramp! I usually back boat to waters edge myself, then let unexperienced person finish backing so i can tie up my boat myself. This way it's easy to give instructions to the new driver as you hold the rope.

 

[Terry H]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Mare...tie a bow around you finger to remind you to put the cork in...in 30 years of boating I left out the plug 5 times...twice this year and almost sunk my boat at the dock. I know you'll have fun out there, safe boating to you...Thought101

 

[Mary Bucklew]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Thought...<br />I have had several people tell me the same thing... "dont forget the plug..." I can certainly understand why you wouldnt want to "leave home without it..." but (and here comes another idiot question)... why does one need to take it OUT in the first place? Is it common practice to run water through the hole where the plug is? (Remember, I've only just gotten this boat, and have only taken it out once and then gave it up for winterizing...!)<br />Why not avoid the hassle and leave it in?

 

[Terry H]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Mare...I take the cork out to drain water out. I boat on a lot of whitewater and get water in thata way, and usually have to hose her out to get the dirt and mud out to keep clean. Rainwater will fill it up as fast as you can blink(and melting snow today...also helps keep air moving in the bilge, fuel tank is there and don't want fumes to build. If you don't have these situations then, by all means leave it in. Normally I put the cork in before I leave the ranch, and watching the boat tailgate me to the river gets me excited and I get her in the water quickly...sometimes forget important things...just my Thought

 

[Mike M2]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

I leave my plug in always, but my boat has shore power and is always plugged in to power when on the trailer, so i know my bilge pumps(2) are powered up. If not, you should remove it. you would be suprised how fast a boat will fill with water sitting in your driveway. Don't count on your pump taking care of it, a good rainy week and your battery will be dead fast. Best way, put it in before you leave home!

 

[Ranger354]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Mare, <br /><br />Take a sack lunch and go sit by the nearest boat ramp during a busy spell. Watch others load and unload at the ramp. <br />Remember these basic ideas:<br />1 Bump your starter before you leave the house. This tells you your battery system is hot and saves you from jump starting at the ramp.<br />2 Check your trailer. Wheels, lights, etc.<br />3 Check your plug. <br />4 Check your PFDs. (Personal Floatation Device)<br />5 When launching or unlaunching your boat don't park in the boat ramp to load or unload. Do this in the parking lot.<br />6 Learn from your mistakes. We have all made them! <br /><br />Been backing trailers into boat ramps before I could drive legally on the highway. Thought I had seen and done it all. Bought this new (to me)boat last Feb. I was in such a hurry to load the thing one day I forgot he tie downs in the back. When I went to drive it off I couldn't figure out why the thing wouldn't budge. Glad I was the only one at the ramp. It happens to all of us.

 

[Mary Bucklew]

Re: Boating for Idiots Lessons

Ranger<br />Sitting and watching, that's great advice. One day this fall, I sat at the small marina I hope to get a slip in next spring, and just watched folks come and go... didnt catch anyone at the ramp, but just seeing how they approach and moor was helpful... of course, I'll need to be retrained in the Spring, but I got nothing but time! I left the plug inside the back of the transom when I left her to be winterized... hope I remember to look for it when I get the boat out of storage in March or April!<br />Thanks for the continuing education!