Why is it so difficult?

[POINTER94]

I have taken many a friend out on the boat with me over the years. I always like to give everyone a shot at driving the boat. I have a 25 ft boat so it is usually a unique experience for them.

What part of "you have to turn the wheel back to center" is soo tough? Is the concept of picking a point on the horizon or on shore and aiming for it, impossible. Driving by compass can be a bit of a trick for a newbee, but the highway function of the GPS would seem to make it rather easy. It would seem that anyone who has been in an airplane would understand that a turn usually involves healing over a bit, it's not that scarry after the first time or two. Or is it? Hydraulic trim tabs take a couple of seconds to react, get it? When steering a boat - less is more. Is that a complex concept. Is using the throttle really as scary as checking your friend for a hyrnia? Why is it that they would run over other boaters if I don't tell them to avoid each boat individually? Bouy's mean something, they are not just for decoration and they are easier to see when looking forward and not at the gauges.

Perhaps I should just give credit to those of us who understand the dynamics of handling a boat. But I just don't see it as that hard. I have to assume it is me. Anyone got some magic words or techniques for teaching someone how to steer? I try very hard not to tell them more than the bare minimum. Throttle, steering and don't run into anything. I have to assume it is me, because it just isn't that hard.

 

[Vlad D Impeller]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

make em walk the plank.

If ya don't have a plank, its all yer fault.

 

[rogerwa]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Sometimes I let my kids steer the barge (25' pontoon) as we idle down the river. Its scary that my 7 y/o has the grasp of the things you mentioned, even good enough to go under the bridge. Yet my 11 y/oconstantly gives me fits due to not running in the direction or overcorrecting or something. i try to be patient, but sometimes I can't stand it.

Now my 14 y/o daughter is a whole different matter. She puts her feet up on the console and is busy turning around to talk. that is usually not a good experience as she and I have different opinions on how seriously we take this boat driving thing. usually a lot of her rolling her eyes before I tell her to get out of the chair.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Bouy's mean something, they are not just for decoration

WHAT???!!! I've been boating all these years, and I always thought how nice it was that they put those pretty things out there for us to admire!

Seriously though, there are just those folks that don't take well to new experiences; they get "freaked out" when things are different.

BTW: Do you guys actually check one another for hernias? Maybe that shouldn't be done while they are driving the boat!​

 

[puddle jumper]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Its called fear of looking stupid in front of otheres and confidence in ones self. Kinda like when you first learnd how to drive a car.

 

[OldMercsRule]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Pointer, It takes common sense n' some thinkin' ability to slowly feel it out n' learn the things in yer post, (n' you prolly don't bluntly spank yer guests about politics as you do here on DC).

One of the reasons iboats posters tend to lean Cornservative is boat owners have to think or they just may not make it back to the dock alive, (as I have stated before from time to time). I also saw a spot on observation that did not occur to me previously, (maybe when I dug up the 11/2004 voting bone recently), that iboats posters might actually pick up a wrench or two from time to time, (I think 12er said it). N' they came here to learn a few things about fixin' n' maintanin' their stuff, (like me). The real rich guys, (except Rubber o' course), prolly never touch a wrench, n' may have a skipper run their lil' toy for 'em. Kinda like Babs Streisand lecturin' people about gas milage from the back seat of the limmo she hob knobs arround town in, that gets a mile per gallon or so. My $.02, JR

 

[Mark42]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Took a few inlaws out on the Hudson River just north of the George Washington bridge in the 14ft MFG. My sister inlaw freaked the first time a cut a U turn a full speed. She nearly wet her pants and sat on the floor with a death grip on the splashwell for the rest of the ride.

Oh well.... Some people just aren't cut out for boating.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

For the record, I only check my female passengers for hernias and ticks, you never know where one may get.

Fact, lots of people are stupid, and shouldn't drive anything.

 

[valkyr]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Sometimes I let my kids steer the barge (25' pontoon) as we idle down the river. Its scary that my 7 y/o has the grasp of the things you mentioned, even good enough to go under the bridge. Yet my 11 y/oconstantly gives me fits due to not running in the direction or overcorrecting or something. i try to be patient, but sometimes I can't stand it.

Now my 14 y/o daughter is a whole different matter. She puts her feet up on the console and is busy turning around to talk. that is usually not a good experience as she and I have different opinions on how seriously we take this boat driving thing. usually a lot of her rolling her eyes before I tell her to get out of the chair.

Roger,

if you're 11 yr/old is like mine (almost 11) he (perhaps a she?) is too concerned about doing it "RIGHT" that they fail to relax and get anxious.

I think my boy wants to impress me or something or worried that he'll screw up so he doesn't relax and doesn't enjoy it.

 

[salty87]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

some people hide behind the 'i can't do it' excuse so long that they start to believe it. at the first sight of a new challenge, they cop out and wait for whomever has taught them to not be self-sufficient.

others have been taught that few things are really that difficult and with a little concentration and a decent set of tools, you can figure it out.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

There is a different skill set involved piloting a boat. The "structure" of land driving does not exist as such on the water. For most people (myself included) it takes time and PRACTICE to develop these skills. To expect some one to acquire them through minimal instruction with no prior experience is not realistic. Besides some people make good Captains, some good passengers, most I've seen fall into the second category.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

some people hide behind the 'i can't do it' excuse so long that they start to believe it. at the first sight of a new challenge, they cop out and wait for whomever has taught them to not be self-sufficient.

others have been taught that few things are really that difficult and with a little concentration and a decent set of tools, you can figure it out.

I agree--good quote.
jbj

 

[ricksrster]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

Some people catch on real quick and others take a little more time to get the feel. Buoys need to be learned. They don't exit on land. Explain what they mean and how they act as road signs for the water.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

While a 25'er might not be so hard for an experienced boater, a newbie will have problems. TwoFootitis I think is a good thing. It allows a boater to slowly move up to the larger boats gaining experience along the way. Sorta like someone that is use to driving a compact car and then putting them into a tractor trailer rig. Its going to be dangerous plus it aint gonna work.

I grew up around boats and even I had a bit of problem on adjusting from my 20'er to the 27'er. Along with the length comes the additional weight.

Too me, you either have the knack for it or you don't.

 

[waterinthefuel]

Re: Why is it so difficult?

From what I gather that guys first time driving your boat sounded more like a flight lesson than a boating event. Turning using a compass, counter steer, good grief, let him get used to it first!

I have been around boats since I had to steer a pontoon boat sitting on my dad's lap because I couldn't see over the console. I guess it comes naturally to me.

Its like flying, some people will just never be good pilots. Yea, they'll do decent enough to get their license, but they'll never have that feel, never feel truely like one with the airplane.

Thank God I have that gift, as an entire life spent on the ground is such a waste! =)