Must knows for new boaters

[Toto7SC]

do everything you can to avoid boating on land, especially the rocky parts. You can never set the record for shallowest water boating, you can only tie it.

We plan on finding little beaches on the lake to hang out. We will do this a lot so we can grill, have the dogs run around and so on. What's the best way to do this when it is rocky and we can't beach our boat?

 

[Mischief Managed]

We plan on finding little beaches on the lake to hang out. We will do this a lot so we can grill, have the dogs run around and so on. What's the best way to do this when it is rocky and we can't beach our boat?

Anchor and swim, or wade. Have two anchors on board so you can park the boat exactly where you want it in a crowded anchorage. An inflatable SUP would be a great dinghy for your boat, but a towable tube and a pair of swim fins can be a great way to shuttle people and gear ashore too.

 

[garbageguy]

Hi,

We just bought a 21' 1990 Chaparral bowrider and I would like to know what the most crucial things are to keep in mind as a beginner. That can go from *don't forget the plug before you launch your boat* to *make sure you have a spare battery on board*. Anything that comes to mind (bilge, blower operation etc. etc.)

Thanks in advance.

Yes, take a classroom boating safety course, and take those that may need to operate the boat if you are incapacitated after you get out on the water. ALWAYS run the blower foe a few minutes before starting the engine, and when below cruising speed. Close all hatches (if applicable, don't want fuel vapors accumulating anywhere), turn off all electronics, before fueling.

Depending how big the water is you'll be out on, consider joining that big BOAT association to get the towing insurance - and/or good marine insurance will include towing, and you may want to consider a VHF radio (if not a permanently-installed one, at least a portable one)

 

[H@ystack]

Practice your trailer backing in an empty parking lot to get proficient at it. It will save you time and grief at a busy boat landing. Load all your equipment in the parking lot not 1/2 way down the ramp that also allows you to double check everything. Make sure the key is in the boat.

Yep. I was coming to say this. Practice at least 20 times. Or go to a boat ramp that is slow.

Also, pick a boat ramp and a time where there are no boaters. Practice pulling on to the trailer often. ALWAYS be willing to back way up and run at your trailer. Do not be afraid to back up far to get a good start.

You will also find that you will back your trailer too far the first couple times. Remember, when getting the boat off the trailer, you want to float the boat. When putting the boat back on the trailer, you have momentum on your side, so you don't have to put the trailer back as far.

Learn and understand basic etiquette but find empty boat ramps until you're comfortable. Don't have your first time on the water near a busy ramp on a holiday weekend or something. Pick a night in the middle of the week.

Another thing....have a routine and NEVER break it. Drain plug...check! GPS....check! Battery jumper....check! A good routine leads to never forgetting. We once broke routine and I parked the car while my wife held the boat. I forgot her BRIGHT BLUE purse, which not only means we forgot her fishing license and CC for gas, but we can back to find it was a nice visual for the scum of the earth to break the window and steal her wallet. All because we broke routine once.

 

[jkust]

Some of the advice may vary....we do not powerload ever. When I had a roller trailer, it was practically self loading it was so unbelievably easy and my current bunk trailer is only slightly more difficult to winch on. Powerloading (powering the engine up and driving onto the trailer) in some areas is a no-no. I hear the above encouraging powerloading and it is as though you are swearing. Like when you speak multiple languages and the swear words you learn in the other languages to you as a native English speaker don't hold the same weight to you when you say them when speaking to someone in that other country.

 

[62cruiserinc]

I am speaking as a new boat owner that hasn't yet driven my recently purchased boat on water, or for that matter any boat on the water.

I took the boating safety/navigation course 3 years ago in anticipation of getting a boat on the water soon.

If you leave the course saying to yourself "OK, now I'm ready to take the boat out and will know what to do", then you haven't paid enough attention during the course.

I left the classroom course thinking "there is so much to know, I hope I can learn faster than I can do damage".

Because I took the course 3 years ago I am going to take it again as a refresher, along with all family members that will be on the boat.

Steve

 

[OllieC]

After your safety course and your boat is in operating order, (be sure to make sure it runs before you go to the ramp) and you have your friends & or family loaded up,

"PLEASE" be sure to notify everyone aboard you are about ready throttle up. I watched a family puppy go overboard and a couple people get banged up because the Captain neglected to notify them that he was going to punch the throttle to tow a skier. Screams & swearing ensued after that.

 

[R055]

Go out with just you and an experienced boat driver the first time so you can test the boat and make sure everything works. Less embarrassing than if you had your whole family with you.

 

[QBhoy]

Air on the side of caution in every aspect of boating. It can go wrong very quickly....when this happens, best case, your family will not want to do it again. Worst case...well...you can imagine !

 

[H@ystack]

Some of the advice may vary....we do not powerload ever. When I had a roller trailer, it was practically self loading it was so unbelievably easy and my current bunk trailer is only slightly more difficult to winch on. Powerloading (powering the engine up and driving onto the trailer) in some areas is a no-no. I hear the above encouraging powerloading and it is as though you are swearing. Like when you speak multiple languages and the swear words you learn in the other languages to you as a native English speaker don't hold the same weight to you when you say them when speaking to someone in that other country.

I didn't say anything about powerloading. It has messed up some good ramps around me. I just said there is a difference in how far you back up the trailer for both loading and unloading. I just said momentum is on your side. The difference on my trailer is "wheel hub completely submerged" vs. "wheel hub showing a few inches".

So, when I reach my trailer, I'm at a good idle speed and that momentum alone helps me slide up the bunks. If it floats too much when loading, it's possible to not load properly. The only time I will run my motor at a ramp is if I'm alone and need to make sure I'm not sliding anywhere while I grab the strap under the bow.

I think the takeaway here is, find the middle ground. Don't powerload and don't overfloat. There Can be a slight difference to how far you pop your trailer in the water for each action. I have seen some larger boats that can submerge the entire trailer and it settles on it just fine. Mine would not do that.