Improving Boating

[jkpell]

I am working to get my new "to me" boat ready for this summer and I was wondering what are some of the things that others have done to make their boats better.

For example, when my sons were in Cub Scouts we always did the same thing over and over because that is what we did. At a roundtable everyone was asked to bring 2 skills, games, events, etc of the things that their pack really enjoyed. Ok that seems easy, I brought a game called 4 Square and an activity that we did a couple times a year, no biggie. Well come to find out nobody had ever heard of 4 Square, and they thought the "activity" was awesome. I too picked up many ideas that day and was able to build a years worth of different activities base on others.

So I pose the question, what tips - tricks - ideas - improvments have you made to your boat that you could share and maybe others can benefit from?

A few that I have learned over the years:

1. keep a whole complete trailer hub with you...trust me I found out the hard way!
2. I put an AC adaptor in the motor well to power my air pump for tubes, floats, etc
3. ALWAYS have a spare key where it can be accessed, and NEVER throw your keys while on the dock :facepalm:

I look forward to ideas and remember, it may only be one or two things, but to someone else it may be a game changer!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Improving Boating

3. ALWAYS have a spare key where it can be accessed, and NEVER throw your keys while on the dock

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Put a Floatin' key fob on yer keys....

 

[JoLin]

Re: Improving Boating

Train the driver. Boater Safety classes are readily available via US Power Squadron, USCGA or local law enforcement.

My .02

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Improving Boating

Congratulations on your "new" boat. If this is the first boat you have owned, I recommend you NOT take any immediate family members with you for the first splash event. Their presence will only put added pressure on you while you are on a very steep learning curve with the boat, motor, trailer, etc. My suggestion is to ask one friend or co-worker who is an experienced boater to accompany you and help you develop your checklist, mental and/or written, for all aspects of the outing. Depending on how it goes, you may have to repeat that process until you feel ready to take your family aboard. Good luck and be safe!

 

[chriscraft254]

Re: Improving Boating

Get a coast guard auxilary check on the boat. They are usually cool guys and they will do the inspection for free. Even to experienced boaters, the inspection can bring up things you forgot or didn't even think of. Plus the little safety sticker you get doesn't hurt when the le is looking at you.

Keep all your paperwork in water proof bags. I like to load all my truck keys etc in a floating bag before walking down the dock or getting on the boat. Always have extra cloths and wet gear onboard as well.

 

[emilsr]

Re: Improving Boating

Put the plug in. :lol:

Sign up for BoatUS on-water towing and trailer assist. That makes carrying a ton of spare parts unnecessary.

Other than that, make you a pre and post launch, and a pre and post takeout checklist. Stick to it. Some days it's easier to forget than others.

 

[jkpell]

Re: Improving Boating

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... Put a Floatin' key fob on yer keys....

Luckly it was not MY keys! Yes I have always had a float on mine for just that very reason!

 

[jkpell]

Re: Improving Boating

Congratulations on your "new" boat. If this is the first boat you have owned, I recommend you NOT take any immediate family members with you for the first splash event. Their presence will only put added pressure on you while you are on a very steep learning curve with the boat, motor, trailer, etc. My suggestion is to ask one friend or co-worker who is an experienced boater to accompany you and help you develop your checklist, mental and/or written, for all aspects of the outing. Depending on how it goes, you may have to repeat that process until you feel ready to take your family aboard. Good luck and be safe!

I agree with you on that one! I worked at a marina with I was in my early teens and I can not tell you the number of people that would show up, everything packed, ready for a day on the water and not be able to get it down the ramp. There was always an ego check for the guys when a 14 year old kid ask "you need some help" and then proceed to educate them. I miss those days!

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Improving Boating

From the list of boats owned added to your signature in the previous post, looks like you are well past the rookie stage. Keep us updated!

 

[OllieC]

Re: Improving Boating

I was like you last year. Craving information for safety as well as improvements. These guys (women too) are really helpful.

Here's a list that I have as well as things I will be purchasing this season ( for safety). I boat on the Mississippi and also Lake Superior. Two vastly different bodies of water, and I like to be prepared - safety for the passengers to me is key.....beers at the dock or marina!

Depending on the size of your boat.........

On Hand
Hand Held Flares, up to date
Arial flares, up to date
Air horn
Type III PFD's - 8 Adult
Type III PFD's - 2 Junior
Type III PFD's - 1 infant
Multi-Tool Set (sockets, pliers, etc.)
Bravo 3 prop wrench
Spare Props (bring in truck when traveling to Lake Superior - no room on board)
Spare Bilge Plugs
Spare Impeller
Spare Serpentine Belt
2 portable fire extinguishers
1 automatic engine compartment extinguisher (fully charged)
New auto Bilge pump
Rain Gear
Jackets
Correct sized anchor and rode
Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Quart of Oil
Quart of Outdrive Oil

Purchasing before 2013 Season Start
Portable Battery Pack
Collapsable Oar (pretty hard to row my boat though)
(Free) Coast Guard Aux Inspection
Online Boating Course (next weekend)


Can you guys tell I'm missing boating season? I have a flippin' list of boat "things" on my desk.:facepalm:
Ollie

 

[jkpell]

Re: Improving Boating

LOL I may not be a rookie however I learn something new all the time!

I have been around boats starting at the age of 12ish however growing up in the middle of GA limits the amount of "water time".
I have worked for 2 marinas over the years, certified outboard mechanic for OMC at one time, family had small boat building business at one time and I have worked for Yamaha in the water craft division. Fast forward to today, I am a engineering tech for a utility company.

We got the new boat a few months ago and I have been tinkering with it just trying to get it ready for summer. It needs a good buffing, the seats are in good shape and the motor seems to run fine. Bimini top has never been used and the CD player works great!

I am looking to do a complete tune-up on the motor and service the outdrive soon and will keep working on it making it my own.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Improving Boating

LOL I may not be a rookie however I learn something new all the time!

Well IMHO, you have joined the right forum. The members here are great and the experts, which I am not, can help you with any problem. Just start a thread in a particular subject forum and the help will arrive. Sounds like you have an excellent background to manage what you intend to do. Good luck!

 

[Mike Robinson]

Re: Improving Boating

Put the plug in.

If you store your boat on a trailer exposed to the elements it is equally important to also remember to remove the plug for drainage.

 

[gn85]

Re: Improving Boating

3. ALWAYS have a spare key where it can be accessed, and NEVER throw your keys while on the dock :facepalm:

I threw my car keys (separate from boat keys) into my boat one time as I was about to get underway. I threw them thinking they would just land in the floor. NOPE. Bounced on the seat, up to the sunpad and slid to a rest on the swim deck. Any harder and they would have been in the drink. NO MORE THROWING THINGS IN THE BOAT!

 

[briangcc]

Re: Improving Boating

On my former Bayliner I did the following:

*Installed additional cleats - 4 if I recall correctly.
*Installed additional grab handle near the swim platform. I watched my 10 yr old cousin try to board my boat and she had nothing within her arms reach to assist her onboard (the grab handle installed by Bayliner was meant more for adults).
*Installed depth finder


On my current Four Winns:

*Installed (4) additional cleats - (2) near the rear bench (outside of hull) and (2) just in front of my windshield (topside of hull).
*Installed Depthfinder/GPS unit
*Purchased handheld marine band radio - I can see shore where I am so this suits my needs


**All my safety gear, toolkit, etc were moved from the Bayliner to the Four Winns...no need to purchase my stuff twice!

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Improving Boating

I installed a permanent boarding ladder on my transom, not for swimming... but for easy entry in case of a MOB.

... but the best thing I ever did was rip out the carpet and install vinyl deck covering. Now if someone spills a Coke or other drink on the deck it's not a problem, it wipes right up with a rag. If someone drops a a slimy/bleeding fish on the deck it's not a problem, wipes right up with a rag. If someone tracks red clay mud into the boat, that stuff wipes right up too. So much less stressful not having to worry about someone soiling/staining the carpet in the boat.

 

[captain zac]

Re: Improving Boating

My biggest item that I carry is a
set of portable battery operated nav lights
here in SC they will fine you over 400 fro a light out
so I bought a set of lights

Harry

 

[Don S]

Re: Improving Boating

Spend some time in here Boating Safety

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Improving Boating

I've learned to have enough gas for the entire day of planned activity (I actually learned that twice, but the first time was not so bad)

I also learned to anchor in deep enough water accounting for the tide to go out, etc, and to use two anchors when leaving the boat unattended. ( I also learned that twice, but the second time was not so bad)

 

[aerobat]

Re: Improving Boating

keep three major things in mind -

1) represent your family they are safe . so keep emergency gear onboard and ALWAYS stay cool , you are the skipper, they trust you in the new hobby. no rush on docking, no searching in adventure at questionable weather or trips which might overload you.

2) keep the cooler filled up. it will ruin the best day when the kids get hungry or the wife gets thirsty and you as the skipper has nothing to offer

3) when boating only with your wife and stay overnight in a marina onboard , look for a marina with some waves. it might get funny next morning when your boat was the only one which swinged in harbour on a perfectly calm night when your wife wanted to thank you for a save and perfect boating day .

enjoy !