learning to drive a boat any pointers?

Question

Hi i just bought my 1st boat its a rinker 1987 with a mercruiser open bow, looking for some advice on how to drive it etc.
thanks in advance

Answer 1

Look up the nearest Coast Guard Power Squadron and ask when they have their next class. Other than that, just use your head and take your time learning how your boat handles. Get a copy of the Coast Guard navigation Rules (you can get these online from the Coast Guard site) and know the basic rules of the road.

Answer 2

Driving a boat is different than driving a car. In a car you turn the front wheels to control the direction the car moves; in a boat you move the stern and point the bow in the direction you want to go.

Here are a couple of quick lessons:

Any boat, small or large maneuvers around a pivot point that is about one-third of the vessels length behind the bow. When maneuvering in tight quarters around docks and other boats always watch your stern so it does not swing into an obstruction or another vessel.

Alway use minimum speed when approaching or leaving a dock and always evaluate the wind and current in order to use them to your best advantage.

That's a couple of real basic tips that may help you. One of the best books on small boat handling is "Chapman, Pilot Seamanship and Small Boat Handling". The advice about checking with the USCG auxiliary or power squadron for classes is also a good recommendation too.

Good luck and safe boating.

Answer 3

just think about it this way its a car with no brakes if you look at it from that perspective how would you drive your car if it had no brakes?
very predictable is how you want to be for the sake of other boaters.
find a nice big area were there are no other boats and just put it to any test you like and if your unsure about turns spend a couple of hours just trying differant sequins of turns.
you cant be scared of it but at the same time you have to respect it .
it can hurt you take your own sweet time until you are comfortable with it

Answer 4

Start here;
http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/html/state_boating_law.htm
Turn the steering wheel left to go to Port. Turn the Steering wheel right to go to Starboard. Shift to neutral to stop, or, use reverse to help. Stay far away from other boats. Coming into a dock move slow, but, keep moving. If, the boat not have thrust you can not steer. Shift to Forward/Reverse and back to neutral to keep slow but moving for steerage.
This get you started and learn from how your boat reacts.

Answer 5

I would really like to help you but Yahoo doesn't let me answer questions anymore

Answer 6

If you see rocks don't go near those

Answer 7

must have it in water, start it, its almost like a car, steer the wheel, and hit the throttle.