Newbie here.

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Thanks all. The older one is ready to take the boat out.

Subliminal where do you launch from on the Delaware?

Sanbar Marina is a heavy Bayliner distributor now as well as Larson. They had a real nice 2009 left over larson but was just out of my price range.

What did you end up getting Subliminal?

Thanks for that link MacPointman. Didn't know that existed.

 

[Philster]

Re: Newbie here.

Dunk 'er in some salt.... in say... ummm, the Atlantic Ocean! Nah, she's too purty for that!

About Bayliners: Because they are affordable, a lot of people half-serious about boating make half-serious attempts to care for them. But they have good powertrains now and they truly are the essence of fiberglass boats. I've been on many, and the only design flaw on some bad ones was the owner! I've always liked their desire to make 'em sporty and non-generic.

I like that boat... it's sharp... shows effort and attention to detail.... and all I can picture is people smiling on it.

Good luck and, again, Happy Boating!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Dunk 'er in some salt.... in say... ummm, the Atlantic Ocean! Nah, she's too purty for that!

About Bayliners: Because they are affordable, a lot of people half-serious about boating make half-serious attempts to care for them. But they have good powertrains now and they truly are the essence of fiberglass boats. I've been on many, and the only design flaw on some bad ones was the owner! I've always liked their desire to make 'em sporty and non-generic.

I like that boat... it's sharp... shows effort and attention to detail.... and all I can picture is people smiling on it.

Good luck and, again, Happy Boating!

Thanks Philster. I plan on trying to learn about the maintenance side of boating as much as I can but what I don't know that needs to be done will be handled by the marina. I am very meticulous with my cars so this won't be any different in my mind. She will be going in Salt next year but will also be taking her up to Lake George in July.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Newbie here.

Spikeit,

Couple tips for the Raritan:

Launches-Sayerville has a very nice ramp, but it's further up river. If you are looking to head towards Sandty Hook it's a long boat ride and alot of gas. Keyport Municipal is great because it's kind of right in the middle. You can head west toward Cliffwood Beach and up river, or you can head east towards Keansburg/Sandy Hook. Downside is you MUST power your boat off as it is nearly impossible to walk the boat off your trailer to the dock. This is where I launch 90% of the time. Atlantic Highlands is a beautiful ramp that puts you in right near Sandy Hook/Shrewsbury River Inlet. They do have a very bad algae problem on the ramp at low tide however, and just last weeks someone lost their truck because they didn't chock their wheels. You absolutely need to take it slow backing down there at low tide and you must chock your wheels. Fenders are a must at any saltwater ramp. The current and waves will constantly smack your boat against the dock. Nice fat fenders will keep her from scratching. The further up the river, the calmer the water.

If you're looking to fish, you can pick up a local nautical chart from a bait shop. They have popular fishing areas marked on it. The raritan reach channel is great for trolling and fluking and is a good place to start. The 11a buoy is a popular spot.

I have never seen any boat towing a tube or skier on the raritan. Personally, given the currents I wouldn't do it. someone overboard without a rope can drift very far from the boat in a blink of an eye.

As I mentioned before, the Raritan can go from being a glassy lake to 4-6' swells in an instant. Checking the weather is paramount before launching. Trust the MARINE reports. I have had a couple occasions where the marine report says 1-2' and 5 knots, only to show up to huge swells and strong current in Keyport. Almost didn't launch one time, however once I got out there everything was calm, just as the marine report said. Sometimes what you see at the ramp ain't what's really going on out there. It goes both ways in that regard. Could look nice until you get out.

You can easily make the trip to the Statue of Liberty out of The Highlands or Keyport, but I'll warn you the trip around Manhattan Island is more stressful than it's worth. Strong currents, tons of boats and ships......head is on a swivel all the time. I typically go up the the SOL and leave it at that.

Lastly, after returning home remember to hose off EVERYTHING! Trailer, boat, upholstery, you name it. And you must flush the engine(use muffs of course), for at least 2 minutes. I flush until the engine gets warm and the thermostats open (about 5 minutes) but I'm not sure if you need to do that with an inboard. You got a beautiful boat there and by the sounds of it a great family to enjoy it. Best of luck!!!!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Spikeit,

Couple tips for the Raritan:

Launches-Sayerville has a very nice ramp, but it's further up river. If you are looking to head towards Sandty Hook it's a long boat ride and alot of gas. Keyport Municipal is great because it's kind of right in the middle. You can head west toward Cliffwood Beach and up river, or you can head east towards Keansburg/Sandy Hook. Downside is you MUST power your boat off as it is nearly impossible to walk the boat off your trailer to the dock. This is where I launch 90% of the time. Atlantic Highlands is a beautiful ramp that puts you in right near Sandy Hook/Shrewsbury River Inlet. They do have a very bad algae problem on the ramp at low tide however, and just last weeks someone lost their truck because they didn't chock their wheels. You absolutely need to take it slow backing down there at low tide and you must chock your wheels. Fenders are a must at any saltwater ramp. The current and waves will constantly smack your boat against the dock. Nice fat fenders will keep her from scratching. The further up the river, the calmer the water.

If you're looking to fish, you can pick up a local nautical chart from a bait shop. They have popular fishing areas marked on it. The raritan reach channel is great for trolling and fluking and is a good place to start. The 11a buoy is a popular spot.

I have never seen any boat towing a tube or skier on the raritan. Personally, given the currents I wouldn't do it. someone overboard without a rope can drift very far from the boat in a blink of an eye.

As I mentioned before, the Raritan can go from being a glassy lake to 4-6' swells in an instant. Checking the weather is paramount before launching. Trust the MARINE reports. I have had a couple occasions where the marine report says 1-2' and 5 knots, only to show up to huge swells and strong current in Keyport. Almost didn't launch one time, however once I got out there everything was calm, just as the marine report said. Sometimes what you see at the ramp ain't what's really going on out there. It goes both ways in that regard. Could look nice until you get out.

You can easily make the trip to the Statue of Liberty out of The Highlands or Keyport, but I'll warn you the trip around Manhattan Island is more stressful than it's worth. Strong currents, tons of boats and ships......head is on a swivel all the time. I typically go up the the SOL and leave it at that.

Lastly, after returning home remember to hose off EVERYTHING! Trailer, boat, upholstery, you name it. And you must flush the engine(use muffs of course), for at least 2 minutes. I flush until the engine gets warm and the thermostats open (about 5 minutes) but I'm not sure if you need to do that with an inboard. You got a beautiful boat there and by the sounds of it a great family to enjoy it. Best of luck!!!!

Andy that was the information I was looking for about Raritan bay. I was already looking at Atlantic Highlands as my launching point as I think that is the closest to me out in Clinton Township. But, the Boaters Safety instructor told me some horror stories about launching from their. So I think I am just going to take one day to travel to all the launchs and just observe how ppl are doing it so I can get a sense of how it is done.

Washing and flushing is a must I know. What Muffs do you recommend if any?

Thanks again and maybe we can meet up someday and go out together.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Newbie here.

congrats on the new boat! It looks great!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

congrats on the new boat! It looks great!

Now that is one big boat in your sig.

 

[Andy'sDelight]

Re: Newbie here.

Andy that was the information I was looking for about Raritan bay. I was already looking at Atlantic Highlands as my launching point as I think that is the closest to me out in Clinton Township. But, the Boaters Safety instructor told me some horror stories about launching from their. So I think I am just going to take one day to travel to all the launchs and just observe how ppl are doing it so I can get a sense of how it is done.

Washing and flushing is a must I know. What Muffs do you recommend if any?

Thanks again and maybe we can meet up someday and go out together.

Hah, Clinton is not far from me. I'm in Branchburg. I take 287 south to Route 9 south and get to the Keyport ramp in about 35 minutes without traffic. Sayreville is even closer by road, but much further up the river. I think Perth Amboy even has a ramp though I've never used it. One other thing I forgot to mention about the AH ramp. It is the busiest ramp into the raritan. There could be long lines to launch and retrieve. I've never had to wait for more than one other boater at Keyport. I'll send you a PM for some local sites to the area. I am always listening to channel 69 and can be hailed as Andy's Delight.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Newbie here.

Now that is one big boat in your sig.

must be perspective... just a 23 footer...

rawr!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Hah, Clinton is not far from me. I'm in Branchburg. I take 287 south to Route 9 south and get to the Keyport ramp in about 35 minutes without traffic. Sayreville is even closer by road, but much further up the river. I think Perth Amboy even has a ramp though I've never used it. One other thing I forgot to mention about the AH ramp. It is the busiest ramp into the raritan. There could be long lines to launch and retrieve. I've never had to wait for more than one other boater at Keyport. I'll send you a PM for some local sites to the area. I am always listening to channel 69 and can be hailed as Andy's Delight.

Andy very cool. You are literally right down on 22 from me. Yea the instructor told me the AH ramp is highly congested as well. I have to check out the Keyport one. What is the fee their to launch? 20 bucks also? One of the things I have always been worried with is parking capacity at these places. Is there plenty of parking with trailers?

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

must be perspective... just a 23 footer...

rawr!

Wow, that is a beautiful. Just a 23 footer.

 

[MacPointMan]

Re: Newbie here.

Thought you might like to share your joy with other Bayliners as they call themselves (Bayliner Owners).

I might not know much about Boating but I will share what I know. There is some great info to be had both here and at the Bayliner Owners Club.

I hope you and your family truly enjoy her tomorrow. Take pics for us.

MacPointMan

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Thought you might like to share your joy with other Bayliners as they call themselves (Bayliner Owners).

I might not know much about Boating but I will share what I know. There is some great info to be had both here and at the Bayliner Owners Club.

I hope you and your family truly enjoy her tomorrow. Take pics for us.

MacPointMan

Will do. Thank you all here, this community on this site is great.

 

[Subliminal]

Re: Newbie here.

Thanks all. The older one is ready to take the boat out.

Subliminal where do you launch from on the Delaware?

Sanbar Marina is a heavy Bayliner distributor now as well as Larson. They had a real nice 2009 left over larson but was just out of my price range.

What did you end up getting Subliminal?

Thanks for that link MacPointman. Didn't know that existed.

We boat out of Bordentown, but you can pretty much jump on anywhere between Trenton and Philly...and I assume beyond, but I haven't gone down past there yet.

The water is the nicest from Burlington to Bordentown, though...It's a little different from the Raritan...no diapers or dead bodies floating down the river...and you don't have to wash the boat when it comes out of the water...

We got a Monterey from a guy in PA. A leftover 08 that fit the bill with the engine and price I wanted.

 

[madurodave]

Re: Newbie here.

very nice! congrats!

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

Thank you.

 

[spikeitaudi]

Re: Newbie here.

First day out today and we had an absolute blast. The boat was great. Plenty of room for my family of 4. Plenty fast with the Mercruiser 3.0. Was alittle iffy trying to get the boat into the slip as I didn't know how the throttle worked, but once I got the hang of it, it wasn't to bad. Salesman took me out for an hour and we fueled her up then he had me practice getting into my slip for about 15 minutes. Was a good lesson. Here are some pics before we started. There is alot of algae by my slip and everybody elses pretty much.