Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

[18rabbit]

Dan, I have it on very good authority Neptune is looking down upon you with a desire for much success. He will guide your shiny new prop around the rocks that remain unknown to mortal man...but take your pfd, just in case. <br /><br />ENJOY!!!

 

[bid2ask]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

where are you launching from? north, or south shore? whay kind of boat is it?

 

[Mnemonic]

Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Hey guys, now that i have my outboard motor running like a top, I am going to be launching her tommorow. I am getting a little nervous, this being my first time in saltwater, and not REALLY knowing the area... i have driven a boat on a lake in upstate NY about 10 years ago.<br /><br />Any suggestions on launching? or equipment to have on board? I will have a friend going with me, and tommorow is going to be a little rainy and cold (Im in long island, NY)<br /><br />But after all the work i have put into this motor i MUST take it out once before i have to winterize!!<br /><br />Thanks in advance.<br /><br />Dan

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

And it is a 1975 Crestliner with a 1993 Mercury 60HP Outboard

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

South Shore... I live in Copiague, so it will be launched from Tanner park.

 

[Lou C]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Like Charlie says make sure you get a chart of the area and watch out for shallow areas. Does the boat have a depth finder/fishfinder?<br />Also bring enough life jackets for all who are going, make sure your VHF works, flares, paddle, all the Coast Guard safety stuff. Spare parts are also a good idea, as well as a small tool kit.<br />If you see other people at the ramp they can help you with areas to avoid. Try to do it at high tide, makes it a lot easier.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

GET A CHART AND LOOK AT WHERE YOU ARE GOING!!!!! Those are tricky waters and very easy to run aground.Be sure to bring a vhf,cell phone,drain plug,life preservers,2 oars,fire exting,and by the way did I mention a drain plug????Take an extra fuel/water seperator and filter wrench.There is more that others will think of.Let us know how you make out.Charlie

 

[nightstalker]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Here's a few things to remember:<br />1. Don't forget to put in the plug.<br />2. Don't forget to put in the plug.<br />3. Don't forget to put in the plug.<br /><br />Good Luck, and enjoy a safe trip.<br />Stalker

 

[cuzner]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

I think he took everyones advice,and put off the launch til he had his funeral arranged......... just kidding guys<br /><br /> Jim

 

[Mark42]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Dan,<br /><br />How did it go? Should we send the search party?<br /><br />Hope you had fun!<br /><br />Mark.

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

IM BACK!!!!<br /><br />Sorry i didnt post over the weekend. It went very well, ran aground once, didnt have a chart.. it was cold and rainy... and i dont got no windsheild.<br /><br />I remembered the drain plug ahead of time.. Launching the boat was the hard part... acctually getting the trailor in the launch was the hard part.<br /><br />Being that I rented a uhaul to launch it, i couldnt see the trailor backing up until it was jacknifed to the left or the right... I ended up having someone launching their boat help me out and put the boat in the water.<br /><br />But i did back it in myself coming back, all in all it was a fun trip..<br /><br />I am purchasing a new ford explorer for the wife tommorow, so i can at least see the boat backing up next season... <br /><br />

<br />

<br />

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

sorry about the crappy quality pics btw, had my camera setting to up close when it was taking pictures far away...

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

I believe that you may have salt water in your veins - a true boatie.<br /><br />Lets recap - trailer problems, launching problems, cold & wet, grounded. After all that it was still "a great day"!!!<br /><br />And to highlight my point, you are buying a new truck so that backing down the ramp is easier.<br /><br />I salute you. <br /><br />Aldo

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Dude, thats only the problems getting the boat in the water... the morning problems were replacing the neck of the trailor to fit the 2" ball on the uhaul ( I had to hacksaw the old bolts off ), drilling the holes in the neck for the new bolts, insuring the boat, waiting for the uhaul...<br /><br />We started preparing for the boat at 6am, we got in the water at 11am, and we got out at 1pm.<br /><br />So thats 5 Hours Prep, 2 Hours out...<br /><br />But i definitly needed that...all the hours i put in getting that motor running right, I needed one day out.<br /><br />Thanks again!

 

[TwoBallScrewBall]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Buying the truck for the wife, eh? Good move. <br /><br />Also, it's easier to swap out the ball than it is to swap out the neck of the trailer! <br /><br />Glad you made it! My first ride in the boat I repowered was this past April, so I know how you feel. Great feeling.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

You remembered the drain plug but forgot the chart.1 out of 2 aint bad.If you had to forget 1 out of the 2 it was the right one.Welcome to the Great South Bay!! Charlie

 

[chuckz]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Besides the chart, get a depth finder. The sand has a way of moving faster than the charts can keep up.<br /><br />If you enjoyed your November trip on the bay, wait until you hit it in the summer!

 

[Mnemonic]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

taking out again today... have some friends down from upstate that know these waters

 

[rwidman]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Mostly good advice. A chart won't be a bit of help unless you know how to use it and where you are. You have all winter to learn about boating. Stay on this and any other boating websites you can find and read any and all books and magazines about boating that you find. "Chapman's Piloting" is supposed to be the best book but it's some pretty heavy reading at times.<br /><br />Take the tow vehicle and boat to a school parking lot on the weekend or a church parking lot during the week and practice backing up. Use the lines or take some boxes for markers.<br /><br />Take a safe boating course.<br /><br />And welcome to boating!

 

[Mark42]

Re: Getting nervous!!! (First Launch Ever tommorow)

Dan,<br /><br />Glad to hear you had fun! I am envious that you live on the island. It is just too nice there. My folks have a place in New Haven, so look for me out on the Peconic bays next summer. I'm going to be exploring the Greater Peconic, and Shelter Island and the north fork beaches. <br /><br />Be sure to get a map. I find them dead accurate marking the depth. And remember, the depth is listed at high tide. <br /><br />Get you boat into the Little Peconic Bay on a nice day and the water is like glass. Excellent location for testing your boats setup. Bring some tools and beach the boat to make trim adjustments, change prop, etc. Can't ask for a nicer location to test your top speed.<br /><br />With that royal purple deck, I'm sure I won't miss you if we cross paths!<br /><br />Mark.<br /><br /><br />PS, post some nice focused pics for us!