1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

In days of old, windshields performed the task of a windshield. Today, ergonomics have gone out the window. Also, the curved glass IMHO provides poor visibility. Too much distortion! They are now designed to look nice from afar, and that's all.

Now, I hate to say always or never, because there are a few boats that have glass that are acceptable to me. Darn few!

I'm 6' and my eyes line up with the middle of the glass. I sat in the boat before I bought it to make sure it fit me. That's one of the reasons I haven't traded the old girl in yet.

Yeah the slicked back windshield looks cool, but isn't practicable.. I have The old square type on my ol tub and I can chill while driving, sit up perfectly straight and still never be obstructed by anything other than someone in the bow seat..

 

[marine4003]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

The capacity plate is there for two reasons -one - weight the boat will float. two- weight the hull can handle under way without drastically altering the handling characteristics, meaning with too much weight, and a rouge wave or a sharp turn..bye-bye new boat, get used to your boat,understand its capability's before you load it up w/friends, its there lives your responsible for.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Ummm...

If these are your passengers, I would stop at four, and forget what the data plate says. :facepalm: No, wait...I would stop at 2. Forget that. I would not allow 'em on my boat at all!

What is wrong with you!!

As long as your plate is ok with the amount of passengers then you should be ok, but.....at 17' you better start looking for another boat!! Especially if your wife is already starting to invite friends!! Another issue not discussed here as of yet is if your wifes friends are HOT may I suggest a 25'+ boat with a front and rear sundeck!! You may be one of the fastest new boat owners with two/tenfootitis, if wifey is happy everybody is happy!!!

The windshield issue is just one of those things, If I sit in mine I can easily sit behind the windshield but I always stand when were underway, I just prefer the wind in my face

I gotta tell you the front and rear sundecks......dude eye candy!!


or Infidel could be accurate in which case not so much

 

[Subliminal]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

I'd say you'll be fine. I spent a lot of time on a 17 foot sea ray with an outboard and 6 people on board. Driver, pass, 2 facing backwards and 2 on the back seat...still have room in the bow for a cooler...or move the cooler back and the ladies forward...it's a bit rough up there sometimes, though.

 

[JimKW]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Six people at 150 lbs each is 900 lbs. You said you are 6'2" so I'm betting you are well over 150. So it really depends on the size of the women. If all are 130 or less, then by all means you should be having a fine time. My boat is 18' and I'm crowded with six adults, but it's doable. I think my weight rating is more like 1400 though.

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

I have an 18ft rated at 1250#s and 8 people Yeah...uh huh...... Four is about it for a comfortable day. A cooler, towels, PFDs a water ski etc soon makes for a crowed ride. Now thats ok if its a bunch of bikini clad bimbi oiled up and drinkn Tequila.. However w a bunch of guys..... eeeewwwwwwwwwwwww ! There is a bit of a learning curve. A full loaded boat as opposed to a person or two, is a totally diff day. You MAY be in for a long day with a load like that and inexperience.. A good day on the water can be the highest high, but a bad day on the water can be a low- low... Ya might wanna get your training wheels off before ya take on a big day... Wish ya the best ! Have fun !!! F Y I just my opinion !!!

 

[infideltarget]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Now thats ok if its a bunch of bikini clad bimbi oiled up and drinkn Tequila.. However w a bunch of guys..... eeeewwwwwwwwwwwww !

THIS quote from someone with GO NAVY in their sig, and a picture of a long hard object full of Seamen as an avatar... :facepalm:




Just messin' with ya'! You knew something like this was inevitable, right?

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

subtract 2 from the capacity plate, at least, to have a comfortable time. Take off two more if you are going tobe active--fishing, etc. Sofa boats are crowded to begin with, so don't pack them in unless you can drop them off at the sandbar.

Since you and the wife had such a good time just floating around why ruin it with tourists? get back out there the two of you and christen that boat, and report back!

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

THIS quote from someone with GO NAVY in their sig, and a picture of a long hard object full of Seamen as an avatar... :facepalm:




Just messin' with ya'! You knew something like this was inevitable, right?

LOL For Real !!! Its all good my friend !!!

 

[zagger]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

The number of passengers on your plate is only for reference, important part is actual weight capacity. The passenger number is derived by safe seating capacity and 140 pound per each up to the total weight capacity of the boat. On a lighter note you will not sink it if you go over the max weight, there is a safety margin build into that number. Heave all advice previously given. Boat loaded to capacity will handle VERY differently than what you experienced till now, that goes for slow and fast speed. Six people on your boat will feel very cramped very fast so splitting the group might be better appreciate by all.
So count the weight, if the lades are nice tell them you have to lift them by the bottom to verify what they say is true and the number of passengers on the plate only means what your safe sitting capacity is. Just remembered, on your type of boat it is illegal for passengers to stand up while under way and you will be giving cops a reason to pull you over and cite you. Stay safe and have fun!

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Just remembered, on your type of boat it is illegal for passengers to stand up while under way and you will be giving cops a reason to pull you over and cite you. Stay safe and have fun!

I was with ya all the way until this statement. You're going to have to quote regulation on this one.....as I'm skeptical.

 

[Joshua Nichols]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

I was with ya all the way until this statement. You're going to have to quote regulation on this one.....as I'm skeptical.

Me 2... I would like to see that as well

 

[rrhodes]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

My Toon has a capacity of 16 according to the plate. I have had 12 aboard and that filled every seat. I think the additional 4 people are reserved for very hot women to sit on the Capt. Lap.... I may have missed it but how many people can you actually seat?

 

[zagger]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

The regulation falls under reckless vessel operation:

SL 12. Reckless and Careless Operation
Reckless operation is the failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent
endangering another person or their property. It can be the result of operator ignorance,
carelessness, inattention, or indifference.
Reckless operation in the first degree is an offense committed when a person operates a
vessel at such speed or maneuvers a vessel in such a manner as to result in death, serious
physical injury, or damage to property in excess of $1,000. A second-degree offense is one
that endangers the life, limb, or property of another person. Any person guilty of reckless
operation of a vessel in the first degree while under the influence of intoxicating liquor or any
drug, or both, may be fined and/or imprisoned.While underway in a motorboat, do not ride on the bow, gunwale, transom, or in any position
that is obviously dangerous. In addition to being against the law and unsafe, riding on or
hanging over the bow can interfere with stability and may restrict the operator's visibility. No
operator of a vessel under power may allow any person to be on a decked-over bow of such
vessel while underway unless the bow of the vessel is equipped with a handrail that
encompasses the bow, and all persons on the bow are inward of such handrail. On vessels
under power with open bows that are not decked-over, no operator may allow any person to
sit or stand on the gunwale at the bow of the vessel while underway. These regulations do not
apply to persons in or on the bow of vessels engaged in anchoring, mooring, or docking
activities and proceeding at a dead slow speed.

As I said on your type of boat, no hand rail. This law gives room for lots of interpretation but once sighted good luck fighting it, you will not win. Fines may vary in different municipalities but I think all are above $360. States need money so be vigilant or you may be writing stimulus check

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

That regulation is meant for boats that have people on the "Decked over bow" and they do not have bow seating and for people hanging over the sides. Doesn't state a thing about standing up in the boat while underway and requirements for handrails.

If the bow does have seating and there's no rail, they cannot sit or stand on the GUNWALE......you can still stand on the floor.

I may be wrong but I think you're looking too deep into this as I'm just not seeing your point......please educate me more on this as I'm obviously not getting it.

 

[zagger]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Not trying to hijack the thread, check with your local municipality to confirm what I said. The law is poorly defined and thus subject to much debate. Just thought I share this with new boater and maybe save him couple $$$ down the road.

 

[geeco1]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

GlowPlug,

First of all, congrats on being a boat owner. Regardless of how some folks may paint the picture, you are sure to have some good times on your boat.

What lake are you planning on going to? What size engine do you have? What activities are you planning on doing on the lake?

I ask these questions with the following in mind. I would assume that if you are navigating "coastal waters" that your capacity weight rating would come into play more than an inland lake. Don't get me wrong, lakes can be dangerous on windy days, but you don't have fluctuating tides and swells, etc. So if you are going to Lake Cumberland as an example, then if you are close to the capacity, and it is a nice day and not "white capping" then you will probably be OK.

If you are planning on water skiing, tubing, etc. then 6 on board may be too many. As many have mentioned, it can get cramped, and you need a place to store the tube, etc. However, if you are going out for a nice leisurely cruise, then the 6 will be fine. Everyone has a seat and will have fun. After cruising for a while, they can switch seats if they want (best done while boat is stopped).

The fact that you are even asking this question, tells me that you are somewhat safety conscious. If you don't get "hammered" and try something stupid, then everyone will have a good time.

The last point comes from your engine size. You indicated that you and your wife got 24 mph at cruise. With a fully loaded boat I wouldn't expect that same speed, unless you have more ponies to spare.

BTW.... here's something to look forward to if they do it in your area. This past year, we took some friends of ours who are non-boaters, out on the lake for the Fourth of July. This lake does fireworks over the water. We went out about 5:00 pm, cruised around a bit, had different snacks, etc. Then we anchored where we could see the fireworks. It was VERY enjoyable to all.

 

[IllesheimVet]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

Those short, slanted windshields (usually with lots of distortion) are a pet peeve. That kept me from buying a Pro Line back in 2002, (think they've changed that design since). I think some mfg's put their priorities on sleek looks rather than functionality.

 

[takirb]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

I've got an 18' fish and ski, and it's only rated for 635#'s or 5 passengers. Last weekend 3 of us guys went out fishing, and we were easily 100#'s over the limit. I'll NEVER do that again. Nothing "bad" happened, we stayed afloat just fine, but it was so cramped, the boat handled/powered like crap, and we went thru gas like you wouldn't believe (115hp OB). Though my boat is rated for 5 people or 635lbs, i don't think i'll ever let more than 1 other person ride with me, unless it's a smaller sized female lol

I, too, use the throwable so i can see over the windshield. Sometimes even that's not enough, so i have to tuck one leg under my bottom to really get a safer view. Welcome to boating, get ready to spend alot more $$ than you ever planned LOL

 

[jigngrub]

Re: 1st time out as a boat owner, ?'s and observations!

You may... or may not want to take this into consideration.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLRQvK2-iqQ&NR=1