We will soon be getting a 33 ft. sports cruiser. We have NEVER owned a boat! We are extremely excited, however, I have hidden anxities. Yes we will be taking driving lessons and safety courses. The feedback I'd like to get here would be advice. Maybe someone has ideas and/or facts that we should do or have being 1st time boat owners, things that you didn't know before owning a boat. We also will be taking our beagle with us. Any advice from boat & pet owners? How do we handle when he has to go to the bathroom? Basically, I'm looking for words of wisdom, words of precautionary advice and anything you can offer. With sincere thanks... Ahoy mate!
2007-01-20 06:10:46 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Boats & Boating
I would sincerely like to thank you guys for your feedback. Please keep 'em coming!! :-)
I'm looking forward to the spring!
2007-01-23 10:33:38 · update #1
take the USCG classes, when you get the boat, have the USCG Aux. give you a FREE vessel examination, they will check your boat to make sure that it meets min. safety standards, no violations are given, or any info. given to ANY law enforcement agency, it is there to make sure that the boat is up for the water, upon completion (takes about 20 minutes) you will be given a sticker on the boat that displays to law enforcement that this boat has been checked and certified by the USCG aux.
get "Sea Tow" $150 to join, if you need marine assistance on the water it is a radio call away, and towing is free, otherwise marine salvage is VERY expensive per hour to get towed in, like a few hundred dollars expensive, so Joining "SEA TOW" makes sense, and gives a worry free boating day.
* Make sure that you have a VHF marine radio on board and working, and know how to use it (Channel 16 is DISTRESS, and Hailing frequency ONLY) --->DO NOT DEPEND ON A CELL PHONE, CALLS DROP OFTEN ON THE WATER, I've had this problem during an emergency where someone was seriously hurt, luckily the Coast Guard found me, and the person that I was helping, and they lived.
* PFD's (Personal Floatation Device) LIfe vest's, buy good ones, take everyone to the marine store and let them pick one they like, the tighter the fit, the better they work, they come in 800 styles and colors now (bright colors work best, black is too hot, and hard to spot in the water) so there is NO reason not to wear one at all times on the boat. there is only ONE RULE on my boat, YOU MUST WEAR YOUR PFD, OR CAN WATCH US HAVE FUN FROM SHORE ! VERY IMPORTANT, the dog should get one too, although dogs are great swimmers, they can tire, the PFD prevents this, they make them for dogs as well, If the dog disappears over the side when you are not looking (this is what happens) at least he will have a good chance of rescue, with a Doggie PFD on (they have a handle sewn in on top to grab the Dog out of the water) as far as walking the dog, just pull up to a dock, go in the street or grass, then clean up, and dispose of properly (not in the water).
* If you feel as if you are entering an "UNSAFE" situation, you probably are, stay away, and stay away from large vessels, they can't see you, and may run you over, give them the courtisy of restricted movement, (Give them lots of room). If you run into fog (especially dangerous when it creeps in at dusk) pull up to ANY dock until it clears, anybody living on the water will understand, and let you dock there to avoid a collision.
Welcome to the water ! Show us what you are made of by being A GOOD RESPONSIBLE SAILOR, and a GOOD CAPTAIN, always put the safety of others first, stay sharp and focused, always pay attention to the whats going on all around you at all times AND NEVER LEAVE ANYONE IN TROUBLE, I've seen this done before to my amazement, I was taught "OLD SCHOOL", YOU ALWAYS HELP SOMEONE WITH BOAT TROUBLE ON THE WATER, SOMEDAY THAT MIGHT BE YOU ! They may need water or something, i saw a woman waving once stuck on a sand bar, all the boats ignored her because they did'nt want to get stuck, my little boat could get there, so we went over, her husband had heart trouble, and his meds were at the dock, I sped her to her dock, she got his meds, I took her back, he was ok but was getting scared, i waited with them for about 30 minutes until the tide came back, they wanted to give me money, i would'nt take it, i just left saying "Make sure you do this for someone else when they need it", that's my payback !
2007-01-20 20:48:18 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
We all have to learn sometime, as above take your courses
and learn the rules of the road, Insurance a definite must.
I have a 40ft Sun Runner Absolutely love it .The most
important think that I can tell you is when you dock have
someone there waiting to catch your line that your mate
is going to throw to them Capt. always stay at the helm
until you shut your engine off Remember a boat does not
have brakes. reverse is the only way to slow down..never
never ever use any part of you body between your boat and
another boat or docks guarantee a novice will get a leg
or arm broke .use a boat hook let it hit something before
trying to stop it with you body big boats can really hurt
you Get an experienced boat Capt . to drive your boat
in the beginning until you get the hang of it . We boaters
are a great fraternity 99% of us are more than willing to
lend a hand..I would go out after being taught proper
procedures and practice docking where there is not
too much traffic.. twin engines when you get used to them
are really great just a matter of coordination and paying
attention. The dog I really dont Know I know some
friends stop and there dogs go onto the swim platform and jump in to do there business takes some training .but it works
Good Luck
2007-01-20 15:59:07 · answer #2 · answered by Robert B 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Take a boating safety course from the USCG Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron. Go online to boatus.com and take the free training course they offer. These courses will alert you to the safety equipment required, methods of navigation, boat handling etc. If you are buying the boat from a dealer see if he will throw in some lessons on operating the boat. Look in a local boating paper or go online for boating instructions on your boat.
Once you start going out take it easy and watch the weather. Enjoy!
2007-01-20 08:36:38 · answer #3 · answered by mark t 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Many of these people have provided good advice all around, but here's my take on the "essentials". It's a bit long but it covers a lot you need to know. First, go to your state's web site for information about laws and regulations for operating a watercraft. This is absolutely the first thing you need to do and must be known and complied with 100%. Not knowing about a boating law is not a defense against a ticket. Also, law enforcement does not hand out warnings on the water or give much consideration, they hand out tickets. Many states either blanketly require boater education course or a boating license if you are a resident. However, most states allow transfers of these credentials if you move out of state if the course was USCG certified. Do not allow anyone not covered on the boat insurance to borrow your boat or drive your boat without you personally supervising over them. This can be a legal and financial mess you don't want if you chose to ignore this warning. Second, learn the rituals of preparing for the trip to the water, loading & unloading at the ramp, and short term storage. You need to know how to inspect the boat, boat engine, sterndrive & prop inspection, potential damage, etc. Next, you need to know how to check the trailer's lights, hubs, and make sure the hubs' bearing buddies are filled with MARINE grade grease. When you get to your destination, you need to burn in your memory the "pre-launch" checklist 10 minutes before you reach the ramp to launch. This is to avoid holding up the line because you forgot to do something. If you need details on a prelaunch checklist, ask it in a seperate question. When you are finally done and putting the boat up, you need to make sure the boat is properly dried out and the drain plug is taken out. Then cover the boat and/or put it in a covered location. Use this time to do an inspection over your boat. Third, never skimp on the quality of oil. Buy only the recommended type of oil for your boat recommended by the owner's manual and/or a dependable & certified boat service shop. So if its Mercrusier and they insist on only Mercury FC-W 25W-40, then buy that and ONLY that. Fourth and THE most important part regarding keeping repair costs down, is NEVER run your boat without water to the engine. You will burn up an engine in 3 mins or less running it without water and destroy the impeller. You will need flushing "ear muffs" that you hook on a garden hose and feed water to the sterndrive in the back. If not sure on how this is done, ask another boater you know or ask here in a seperate question. Also, never run the engine above 1500 RPM without the drive in gear and it moving the boat. Finally, winterize your boat at the end of summer or live with worry for 6 months if water has destroyed your engine or sterndrive by freezing. Yes, it does wreck engines.
2016-05-24 01:11:40 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The basics of boating starts with knowing your craft. Most importantly, know how to raise and lower your outdrives, especially when going in and out of port so that you do not run aground. Rembember, always turn the blower on for a couple of minutes before starting your boat, to allow built up gas fumes to be dissipated. Always have plenty of line on your boat and of course all of the necessary flares, and flotation devices. Practice docking your boat, for this is when people bang up their boats. Remember, if you are not going into the dock perfectly the first time, there is a reverse!!...use it!!...Many people get panicy and hurried when they try to dock the boat...whats the hurry? If yuo are going to be boating at night, learn the light patterns of the breakwalls and light houses.. When its foggy at night, the green and red lights are sometimes all yuo have to go by when coming into port. Most important thing to remember when boating is to take yuor time, respect other boaters, and respect the weather and water. Other than that..have fun!
2007-01-25 06:44:51 · answer #5 · answered by matt d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just Another, Robert B and Mark have it well covered....take the Power Squadron or USCG Aux courses, take the POwer Squadron or USCG Aux courses, take the courses...join BoatUS, join SeaTow start reading the boating magazines, dont be shy about asking for help or advice.....none of were born knowing this stuff, we all picked it up by experience and asking, just as sailors have done for 4,000 years....
get a doggie vest form West Marine, train him to go on the swim platform...
it's easier to fix a broken boat part than a broken body part.caution caution and caution!
Enjoy!
2007-01-23 02:35:42 · answer #6 · answered by yankee_sailor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be aware of the tide if anchored in shallow water. I boat on the Sacramento Delta in central California and see many people stranded waiting for high tide to return. Have fun.
2007-01-27 17:05:29 · answer #7 · answered by luther 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
assuming you're in the usa, you need to see your local coast guard for "the rules of the road". with a boat that size you need to know the laws. learn basic navigation as to bouy color and direction. understand that no matter what the law says as to right of way, get out of the way of others if necessary, same as with cars. learn what's legal as per life jackets, horn, fire extinguishers, you can never have too many, and by all means keep up with the weather. i'm jealous. have fun but be careful!
2007-01-20 09:09:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Ive had lots of boats..one thing i will tell you it to keep the bottom clean and waxed...Good luck may you enjoy your new boat
2007-01-28 05:45:30 · answer #9 · answered by Iroc Z man 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it not like you can run off the road.... bigest prob. iv had is docking in the wind. slower is not always better.you might want to rent a 18 or 20 foot boat to learn 33 is big..real big
2007-01-20 06:23:40 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋