First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

[johnboat-72]

I Bought A 1986 Baylainer Capri With A 85 Mariner, This Is My First Boat, Not Sure What To Do First. I Took It To A Boat Shop, There Did A Tune-up And Safety Check. Now What???

 

[Bondo]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

Ayuh,....

Go Boating,..... I Guess......

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

I would strongly suggest you leave the boat at home and go to a local boat launch and observe other experienced boaters. It should quickly become apparent who is doing things right and who is doing it wrong. Those that seemingly take forever to get a boat in the water drive other boaters crazy. Launching and retrieval is a simple operation if you are organized -- frustrating for everyone if you are not. So pay attention.

If you have never owned a boat or backed a trailer, go to a large parking lot at a non-busy time and practice. Check your rig to make sure you have fuel, and if it's a two stroke, make sure the oil injection tank is full or if not oil injected that you have a 50:1 mix. Make sure the battery is charged (and that is a "good" battery. Know the controls and how to start the engine. Take a safety course. Know what marker bouys mean. Then and only then head out for your first trip. Leave all your buddies at home. Take someone with you that is experienced.

Please do not back down to the water and then start loading stuff from the car into the boat. Do that at the ready area. While waiting to launch, get the straps off the boat, but leave the winch strap attached. Make sure the drain plug is installed and tight. Back in, unhook the winch strap and launch. Have your buddy park while you fire the engine. Immediately get out of the launch area and tie up to the dock.

 

[johnboat-72]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

50:1 means what? i have 2 6 gal. tanks.

 

[oops!]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

thats your fuel oil mixture......

welcome to i boats.......

from your questions...you might be better off hitting the search button before puttin in the water.......also do what silvertip said.....

another way is.....have a friend that is an experianced boater go with you on your first trip.....

while boating is a simple thing...if you dont do things right...like the fuel oil mixture...it will get expencive right away.....really expencive.....

if you have an owners manual for the boat...read it...if not get one....(this includes the motor)....

the other thing is......take a safe boating course.

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

this is a good place to start reading.....

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=138594

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

Uh yeah, take a safety course for sure. There are rules on the water like they are on the road and many places enforce these rules/laws. Unlike being on land, there is no place to get out and walk for help. Knowing what NOT to do is just as important as knowing what to do.

Lots of great advice here to keep you safe and alive. Just do lots of research before going out.

One piece of advice,,,,,,don't start that outboard up without water going to it, that is the fastest way of learning how expensive boat repairs are. Lack of knowledge does more harm to a boat and its passengers than anything.,,,,,,,oh,,,don't forget the plug

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

Please take SS's advise and take a boating safety course.
Other people's safety depends on it.
As does you and your passengers.

 

[seafox 257]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

,oh,,,don't forget the plug [/QUOTE]



I was going to say the same thing!

 

[Silvertip]

Re: First Time Boat Owner..... Help.

50:1 is the ratio of fuel to oil. You mix one pint of 2 stroke oil (branded TCW3 on the container) to 6 gallons of fuel. Failure to do this will immediately destroy the engine.