1st time out in 1st new boat !

[SkippersMinnow]

Well, the weather here was 72 Sat and 70 today, so I got the bug to take out the new boat. I could not sleep the night before, thinking of all the things that could go wrong. Like banging the dock, hitting something in the water, or running it into shallow water, or who knows what !<br /><br />Getting to the lake went great, so did launching the boat. I had a jetski for two years, so I didn't think I would have any trouble putting her in. Well, she starts right up and we were under way out to the middle of the lake.<br /><br />We get about four minutes out and an alarm goes off!! So of course, my wife panics, which of course makes me panic. So I say all the gauges look fine, so I really don't know whats up. SO I start checking all the gauges again..and all seemed ok. I had my manual for the boat in my truck, so we went back to look for what the hell can cause the alarm. On the way in, the alarm shuts off and then pops back on again. So we get to the truck and it says 3 things that can cause the alarm, oil pressure...did that, check water temp...did that, the last thing was the small tank for the stearn drive lube...checked before leaving, but checked again...ALL WAS GOOD TO GO !! So we decide since the alarm went off on the way in, maybe it was a sensitive sending unit or something. We start her up, no alarm, so we head back out...and there the alarm goes again...but now I see the DEPTH SOUNDER I had installed was flashing SHALLOW....Since it is brand spanking new, and never had the shallow or deep readings set, THAT WHAT WAS GOING OFF. So I set the thing up, and away I went for a two hour cruise around the lake. Only hitch after was the hour meter stopped working. <br /><br />So we head in to put it on the trailer for the first time. This was high anxiety for me, since I see all you guys just power load them up there like that. After a few tries of bringing her in, I got it on without incident and winched her up for the first time. <br /><br />There you have it, a snapshot of our almost "THREE HOUR TOUR, OUR THREE HOUR TOUR".<br /><br />SkippersMinnow

 

[black442]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

We took our 1st boat out on Friday 4/12/2002. It is a Mariah 215 Davanti. Everything went well including launching, docking, and loading. We went out for about an hour then it started to sprinkle so back to the ramp we went, I took my time and did not get in a hurry and all was well.

 

[wimpie]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

Skippersminnow; Am glad y'all enjoyed your ride after the panic attack. LOL . My wife and I took our first ride about two weeks ago, and all went well with the launch and the loading. Our first trip out so know exactly what you are talking about. I have been on many boats and even manuvered a few of them around with no problem, But when you get your very own you get so much more stressed about everything. I sure didn't want to put it on the trailer the first time and skin the Gelcoat all off the bottom or run into the dock.. I did have to take the boat back to the dealer though to get a couple of things fixed like the fuel gauge and trim gauge and that is why I haven't been back out again. so made my first payment and the boat is still at the dealer, just doesn't seem right.. I am hoping to get it back by next weekend so I can go try my blessing again. We named the boat ( Truly Blessed ). We figured if we could afford a boat we must be Truly Blessed.. Let's go have fun and quit the worrying... Enjoy the fun !!

 

[marty_scher]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

This sport is supposed to be relaxing!<br /><br />We took our first boat(new Lowe 165S)to a normally very busy (2 hour launch wait), but it was not really that busy.<br /><br />We launched, but since my wife had never ran a boat or pulled a trailer, she held the line at the courtesy pier until I had parked the truck. One of the regulars had already rudely asked her to move the boat, even though she was in a proper area.<br /><br />We were unable to start until I remembered to prime the fuel line. The depth/fish finder would not run any longer than a few seconds and the trolling motor was wired backwards, which made pulling away from the rocks interesting, until I figured out what was happening.<br /><br />Pull out was fun as I forgot to lock the trailer winch, but fortunately my wife (becoming a seasoned hauler) stopped in time. I did forget to raise the motor, so the skeg and prop received a slight "buffing"<br /><br />This week we went to a mostly fishing lake, with the trolling motor and fish finder working properly. launched instantly and had a great day with no problems (other than fussy tired kids/wife).<br /><br />I had launched friend's trailer boats hundreds of times years ago and did not rember it being so stressful (althought it is getting better). Maybe it was because I was drinking then or it was not my boat!<br /><br />Even though I no longer have a perfectly painted prop and skeg, It will be going out again next weekend!<br /><br />It's all in fun!

 

[SkippersMinnow]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

You guys are right...if its not yours, you do your best and shrug your shoulders if you hit something. But when it is yours, things are sure different. I talked to a friend, and he suggested using the guides that bolt on each side. He said either the bunk style or roller style make loading much easier and much less stressfull....and boy do I need that.

 

[wimpie]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

The guide post really help mine has them, but my brothers boat doesn't have them and it makes it a little harder to know where you are on the trailer. Sure wouldn't be nice to skin it over the top of a fender or miss the rail and hit a cross member on the trailer.

 

[TxRiverRat]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

Skppersminnow: Definitely it would be Ginger...

 

[steve forsythe]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

The only thing i could add is that how come noone is this nervous when driving their brand new car or truck? If you are like me you could drive off the showroom floor and be cutting in and out of traffic in minutes without a worry! Is it because we are comfortable with driving because we have done it so long? I believe it is also because we have paid soooooo much auto insurance in our lives we are not worried about the finacial side of an accident, just the physical. If you are experienced at boating....get good boat insurance ($200-$400/year) and boat away! Dont worry so much! I used to worry about every ding, scratch, and bump, but dont any more. I pay insurance for the piece of mind that if my boat is sinking, stalled and heading towards rocks, or just plain sunk, i am only worried about my saftey. I bet all the nervousness is about the $$$ spent on the boat, not about everyone's saftey. RELAX and enjoy the water.

 

[small block]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

hey skipper ,ginger gets my vote!!

 

[jbaugh]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

We have an intresting essay on our website www.jimbaughoutdoors.com called Pleasure Boating 101. Covers a lot of god tips regarding break in.

 

[bigeasy]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

Hey Skipper:<br />Just a note to let you know you are not out of your mind. You got nervouse for a very good reason. Self preservation. Aside fron your panic you did the correct thing and backed off on everything until you knew what was wrong. You should never forget that<br />very important lesson it is probably the most important one of all and could save your life some day. My father taught me that on boats if something is wrong stop and review<br />everything and make a judgement on what to do. About the panic. It does no one any good to panic as panic leads to confusion and bad decisions. Try to keep everyone calm and things will go much easyer.<br /><br />Hope you have great fun with your new boat!<br /><br />Regards!<br />Bigeasy

 

[RJS]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

SkippersMinnow,<br />It's a great idea to get the guides. They really help out, especially with current, when it's windy, or the ramp is crowded. For $70-$80, they are a great investment

 

[Ross J]

Re: 1st time out in 1st new boat !

Ditto that last statement. I have post guides on my trailor and they make it easy to control a boat single-handed. Even against cross winds etc. Also they are a great place to hang the lights, registration plate and WOF certificate. The added advantage is the obvious protection they give from side on accidents as well.<br />Ross