Looking for advice

[Sea'n Red]

Hi there. New guy on the message boards here.<br /><br />I have what I consider good experience with boats 27' or less. A friend of the family has asked me to operate his new 44' boat for him. He knows that the size of his boat is beyond what my current experience is but he wants someone that he knows and trusts. I'm looking for advice on making a leap to something that size. I know the manufacturer offers training in their boats, but is there more that I can do? I just want to do it right and do it safe. Any suggestions? Anyone think I'm crazy for doing this?<br /><br />Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Looking for advice

Hi sea'n Red, welcome to i-boats!<br /><br />I love larger boats - the feel of power at the helm, glass instead of perspex, usually can't hear the motor because its so far back and of course - a flushing loo .<br /><br />O/k, a few things to consider, wind plays a larger role when piloting a 40ft'er, use it to your advantage when docking. These boats don't stop as quickly as a smaller craft, take that into consideration well before you dock or manouver in crowded waters BUT often you will need speed to manouver - its a fine balance that you will pick up with time, to begin with take it slow and have fun. <br /><br />One advantage with larger boats is that they usually have twin screws which is great for tight spots - turn on a dime so to speak.<br /><br />Your first time out head for uncrowded waters and play with the helm, try your stopping, turning with the steering wheel AND without (if you have 2 motors), reversing, side on to wind etc. etc....<br /><br />You'll be a pro in no time.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Looking for advice

SeaNred You did not say where or for what function you will be operating your friends boat.<br />It's one thing to take the helm while cruising down the river or lake, another thing entirely if you are docking, or doing any kind of coastal cruising. As with piloting any boat you are not familiar with, before you take the helm, become familiar with the controls and any safety related systems. The three BIG factors that I see:<br />1)This boat will "draft" much deeper than yours...be aware of this. 2)If this is a flybridge and you are used to an express boat, it is MUCH more influenced by winds in tight spots and when docking. 3) when docking or menuvering in tight places, use the shifters and throttles, not the steering wheel.<br />Remember, in tight places....take it SLOW.

 

[Weedy]

Re: Looking for advice

Sea'n Red, good morning, first you must thank your friend for looking up to you and your experence (sp) and knowledge. I have driven and handled boats from 8' dinks to 60 ft motor yachts, power and sail. Whenever I was teaching someone how to drive a boat in the Coast Guard I always told them that the slower you go, the more control you have. See if you can take a day and just do dock landings (or as we called it in the coast guard, dock crashing). Have someone with a roving fender and pull a few feet away, then bring her in. Pull out a few more feet then do it again. Once you feel comfortable with that, pull the boat away then do a circle and do it again. If you feel comfortable with a 27', it will be a short time before you will have no problem with a large boat. Like what was said above, you will have a much larger sail area that will be affected from wind. Also, the draft will be affected by current alot more, but in a shorter time than you will think you will be able to control it from your past! Pay much attention of your draft and heigth if you are anywhere near any low bridges. Good luck with it and don't make it more that what it is, it's just a little bigger boat.<br />DO NOT use the steering wheel to manuver the boat to and from the dock or pier. I'm sure this boat has counter roation screws, if you haven't used them before, you will find that this boat will be easier to dock than you think. The hardest task will be trying not to use the steering wheel to contol the boat. Good luck and calm seas.<br />Weedy

 

[Sea'n Red]

Re: Looking for advice

Thanks for the advice - it is truly appreciated. <br /><br />Waterone1, you're right, I didn't give too many details and I should have. I'll be piloting the boat mostly in the intracoastal waterway on the west coast of Florida and in the Gulf of Mexico and there will probably be occasional trips to the Florida Keys and the Bahamas. It is a Cruisers 440 Express so no fly bridge. I will also be keeping up the boat asthetically (sp?) and making sure it is in compliance with all USCG regulations.<br /><br />Thanks again for the advice. Keep it coming!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Looking for advice

Originally posted by Sea'n Red:<br /> Anyone think I'm crazy for doing this?<br />

dude, you'd be crazy not to!!!<br /><br />

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Looking for advice

Seanred, thanks for the updated info. In the areas that you described I would have to ad that you need to be aware of sand bars and reefs. Hopefully the boat is equiped with a chartplotter and has the appropriate cards or software for that area. If the boat isn't equipped with one, talk to the owner about getting one.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Looking for advice

Sea'n red. <br /> All the info given is true I got the chance to skip my friends 38' ChrisCraft, it had twin shafts and rudders, to say the least I was nervous I was only used to operating a 17' Baja i/o, anyway all he said was keep her slow and steady, within a few hours I felt like I owned this boat, My friend actually found it more difficult to operate my 17' Baja than his 38' since it was a single and a I/O he found it difficult to manuver around the dock, and this guy fly's a Lear Jet for a Living. So if you plan your approach and departure to from the dock and apply power smoothly to the required engine when using the sticks to manuver the boat and remain calm, as in don't panic if things don't go as planned you will find it to be not very difficult.

 

[1730V]

Re: Looking for advice

Excellent advice given. I have had the opportunity to pilot some big boats. I cut my big boat piloting teeth on a 40 something Hatteras with twin Cat power. A saged captain gave me some great advice.<br />"Everything you do is five times slower than a 20, footer and 20 times as expensive". Taking that advice it proved to be true. Everything you do has to be planned and deliberate. Practice, practice, practice. I do not want to scare you off but I did make a mistake once. I accelerated too quickly off a shoal with the big Hatt. I rolled the prop edges. The owner and I are still good friends, thank God. I insisted on paying the huge insurance deductible. My fault I will take the blame. That one hurt.<br />In brief, just do everything deliberately and slowly. Use the twin props to make close manuevers. Forget the steering wheel. Remember that those big battle wagons perform slowly and stopping a manuever is twice as hard as initiating it. Good luck. It is fun once you have the feel of it. You will be fine. Let us know.

 

[Sea'n Red]

Re: Looking for advice

Thanks again to everyone for all of your input. Before this I have never considered piloting a boat this large. At first I was nervous but now I am reassured that this is something that I can do with the proper training and patience.<br /><br />JTexas, thanks man - that's exactly what I wanted to hear!<br /><br />Northern Eclipse, funny that you should mention your friend who flies jets. I'm walking away from a job as an airline pilot to do this and I couldn't be happier. If anyone knows someone who would like my job as an airline captain, tell them they're nuts! My friend also has an airplane and I'll fly for him, too, so this is a dream job for me. I can't wait. I'm buying an investment house later this month and turning in my resignation at the airline the morning after I close!

 

[RatFish]

Re: Looking for advice

Sea'n Red,<br /><br />You were on the right track with Marine Training. Here's an example: Boat Boy Marine Training. If you complete a course, you and your buddy will be more confident.

 

[Northern Eclipse]

Re: Looking for advice

You'll make a good Captain on the sea then if your about to become a X-airline Capt. You will find that your skills as an airline Pilot will be a benefit, If you use the sticks on a boat with the same smooth action you use on the pedals of an aircraft then you already understand the concept of 'slow and easy' just think of the dock as your runway. Congrats on your new career choice, most folks don't take such a chance.