Just bought my first boat

[jumpjets]

I've been lurking for awhile, and after studying up for amost a year, I finally found a boat i really like and I bought it.

I just purchased a 1990 Wellcraft Eclipse 216 with a Merc 350 small block/alpha 1 outdrive. I'll post pics once I take delivery of the boat.

I've taken the North Carolina boater's safetly online course, and read the wellcraft online owners manual.

As soon as I recieve the boat, I plan to do a detailed winterizaiton. This forum has provided great info about that process, and youtube has some pretty good videos on it as well.

I've always been interested in boats, but up until recently, I didn't know which end of one was the front.

If anyone has any good advice for a new boat owner, please post up! I'll be asking lots of questions in the next few months.

 

[mr 88]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Bow instead of front is a start. LOL

 

[26aftcab454]

Re: Just bought my first boat

JumpJets, Welcome to the
" Cool Guy Wellcraft Owner's Club" CGWOC

Study up on required maintenance to keep the boat running good.I'm sure you have read a good bit already.

Welcome!

 

[marktwainsonic]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Wellcraft is a good choice. Good luck!

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Sounds like a good boat. Welcome aboard.

 

[bowler]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Great stufff and well done.

I bought my first boat at exactly this time last year. Enjoy the steeeeep learning curve that lies ahead! Nice thing is that you have all winter and spring to sort out any issues so it's good to go next season as well as giving you a good chance to get to know the boats handling ability, launching and retrieving methods etc before the busy season kicks off.

I had been around boats for years (mostly being towed behind one) but owning a boat is different. A great experience but a little daunting to the inexperienced (which was and still is me). I ran it as much as possible in the new year and ended up having to replace belts, starter and battery. I also wired in a depth guage and got it polished up with new graphics and a few other bits n bobs. That led to a full season with no let downs on the water.

Enjoy!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Great stufff and well done.

I bought my first boat at exactly this time last year. Enjoy the steeeeep learning curve that lies ahead! Nice thing is that you have all winter and spring to sort out any issues so it's good to go next season as well as giving you a good chance to get to know the boats handling ability, launching and retrieving methods etc before the busy season kicks off.

I had been around boats for years (mostly being towed behind one) but owning a boat is different. A great experience but a little daunting to the inexperienced (which was and still is me). I ran it as much as possible in the new year and ended up having to replace belts, starter and battery. I also wired in a depth guage and got it polished up with new graphics and a few other bits n bobs. That led to a full season with no let downs on the water.

Enjoy!

Well said. Next season will be my 4th in a boat, and I still consider myself a 'noob'. Lots to learn and some stressful moments ahead, but a real sense of accomplishment as you begin to master 'the art'. You're gonna have a lot of fun.

I second the 'going through the boat' during the off season. In both my Pro-Line 21 and Chris Craft 24', I spent many hours cleaning up the electricals. That pays off big-time in terms of reliability.

Congrats and have a blast!

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Welcome to iboats.

Congratulations on your first boat.

You will have some fun ahead as well as some frustrations but the great member's here will guide you through it!

Look around on the forums and you will see areas that cover various topics from the inboard outboard to safety.

 

[bowler]

Re: Just bought my first boat

You will have some fun ahead as well as some frustrations but the great member's here will guide you through it!

Agreed. iboats members have made the process waaaaay less stressful. I can't imagine what i'd have done without them. It's like having the best pit crew in the business!

 

[2000silvers2k]

Re: Just bought my first boat

congrats, i just got my first boat this season as well in late august. definitely a lot to learn for a complete noob like myself. the boaters education course was very useful. but reading the forums daily is also a great portal of information. I cant wait to get alot more use out of the boat next season, its going to be a long winter!

 

[Robbabob]

Re: Just bought my first boat

Welcome aboard!!!!!

My girlfriend always says, "the first step, is the 2-step." OK, that's dancing..

You've got a boat and you've passed the written course . You are getting your maintenace ready, that's great! Next is to familiarize yourself with the waters you plan on boating. Look online for marine maps or go to a local marina and purchase them. Even if you have a depth sounder, you want to be familliar with known shallow areas and possible hidden obstructions.

When you're ready to head out, it's always best to have someone on board already familiar with boating. Reading about docking, crossing wakes, adjusting trim, dealing with the wind and acutally doing them are not quite the same. If you don't know anyone, I'm sure you can find someone nearby on iboats to go out with you.

Exciting indeed! Congratulations!!!!!!!