Re: Newbie needs help
Your questions are not stupid at all, in fact I wish I read sites like this before I got into boating. I don't know alot about what kind of boating you intend to do, but there are boat safty courses you can take offered by the coast guard- I'd start there and go to their site to get a list of courses in your area. Then buy a boat. I started with a 19' wellcraft cuddy cabin in the Chesapeake Bay. Docking is the greatest challenge so start with a small boat b/w 17-20 foot. if you trailer the boat, take time to learn how to menuver the trailer - give plenty of room to brake and practice backing up as these are your 2 biggest issues for 1st timers. when you get to the ramp, TAKE YOUR TIME! nothing spoils a good day of boating then feeling presured to get out of everyone's way-thats when accidents happen. go easy on the trottle and get a feel for the boat and practice docking and menuvering with someone who knows what their doing. <br /><br />As to the type of boat, b/w 17-20 foot, something used-'cause you'll probably have a few dings and scraps in the beginning. My prefference is a walkaround style boat with a small cuddy, typically with an I/O. Outboards tend to be costly (but then what isn't) and more challenging to work on. Walkaround's are great for fishing- and tend to have all the rigging built in. I am partial to cuddy cabins, not to sleep in, but as an added bit of safty if you go to fast into a wave or encounter rough seas, water won't fill the boat as readily as a bowrider. Learn to run the boat in a bay, learn to navigate and buy and study your charts to make sure the water is deep enough before you hit the water. <br /><br />The type of boat I mentioned is my personal opinion, others may have better ideas. <br /><br />Good luck and safty first!
