my first boat

[5chev5]

Hi guys,,, I am a new member,,,been reading this boat thread for a while and seems its one of the best threads for helping others.I just bought a 1986 CHRIS CRAFT CAVALIER 17 ft I/O 140 hp. I DON'T NO a thing about boats, I am looking for some info about this model but can;t find it anywhere. can you help... NOW I have to learn how to dock it and bring it on the trailer, i no it's commom sense but can't sleep at night. cheers
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[tashasdaddy]

Re: my first boat

read the beginner post at the top of this forum. good stuff. practice,practice, practice, safe boating course.

 

[5chev5]

Re: my first boat

Thx Daddy, I Just Read It, But Still A Little Nerves, I Will Go Some Where To Dock The Boat Where Nobodys Around, Just So I Won't Get Laughed At. Cheers

 

[Silvertip]

Re: my first boat

You have the right idea. Use a ramp that is not busy and go during the week when ramps tend to be less busy. It would be in your best interest to take a boater safety course. Have someone that knows boats go over your boat with you so you at least know what the key components are. Any by all means take someone with you that has boating experience. If that's not possible, do not be afraid to ask someone at the ramp to help you. They may have no more experience than you but it is an extra set of hands and eyes. People are more willing to help than one might expect. Don't forget to install the drain plug!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: my first boat

where are you?

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: my first boat

Just take it slow when trying to back in the boat and pull it up to a dock. Make sure the the engine runs well at idle speed and changes to forward and reverse well. A good running engine will help make docking a boat much easier.

You'll enjoy that boat and the 140hp engine is a good reliable engine (at least mine has been). Make sure it runs at the right temperature and it should last a while.

One common problem with that engine (that I've found) is that the timing chain cover on the front of the engine has tendencies to rust out (then leak oil)... so, make sure yours is ok...

 

[5chev5]

Re: my first boat

where are you?

i live in Canada, Ottawa, Ontario... thx alot guys for the replys. it all makes sense,, i would never of know'en about the drain plug. cheers

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: my first boat

Hello and welcome to the forum and to boating. Everyone here is really helpful and there's always someone who can help you out with anything you need to know about.

My best advice for getting it back on the trailer is to not gun it all the way onto the trailer. That's a good way to tear it up.

 

[ziggy]

Re: my first boat

ya might try chriscraft for info on yer boat. their still in biz. maybe they can help ya on that.... i'm with sgtmaj. on docking slow and bringing it onto the trailer slow...it's not very flashy, but works real good.
ditto on the boater safety corse too. there is much to be learned about a boat and them saftey classes are a good place to start at...... ya might look at a book called chapmans seamanship and piloting too. it's very thick and touches on most every aspect of boating.... hang around here on iboats too. these folks here have a wealth of knowledge they'd love to share with anyone too....... have fun with your new boat man......

 

[5chev5]

Re: my first boat

ya might try chriscraft for info on yer boat. their still in biz. maybe they can help ya on that.... i'm with sgtmaj. on docking slow and bringing it onto the trailer slow...it's not very flashy, but works real good.
ditto on the boater safety corse too. there is much to be learned about a boat and them saftey classes are a good place to start at...... ya might look at a book called chapmans seamanship and piloting too. it's very thick and touches on most every aspect of boating.... hang around here on iboats too. these folks here have a wealth of knowledge they'd love to share with anyone too....... have fun with your new boat man......

thx ZIGGY. it seems like i have another family here. i really appreciate every one's advise. i will look in on taking a boat course, for that I will be bringing the wife and 2 kids. cheers again guys. and still on the shacky side, i will tell you guys why and don't laugh,,I AM SCARED OF DEEP WATER,, GO FIGURE.

 

[Cptkid570]

Re: my first boat

I AM SCARED OF DEEP WATER,, GO FIGURE.

Until you hit a few sandbars and tear up a propellor. Then you'll learn to like deep water - hahahaha

 

[5chev5]

Re: my first boat

I hope that won't happen. LOL

 

[m&m252]

Re: my first boat

i was laughed at once when docking my boat @ the marina ...funny thing was those people where sitting by the docks.i went to get my truck/trailer backed up started to get my disabled father off the boat when i turn to the crowd and asked, "so what kind of boat do you all have" no response from the crowd. ah i guess between the 10 of them not a 1 boat,ha ha ha...dont be embarassed take a buddy out with you that knows about boating to help you steer and dock and take a safe boating class and enjoy....

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: my first boat

I just got my boat late last summer. I agree with finding a quiet place to practice docking. I did and it was very helpful and learning experience.

I don't drive my boat onto the trailer. My trailer is good enough that I can just stand on the dock and guide the boat on. Actually in MN they don't want you to drive on the trailer but, there is no rule against it and most people do. I may some day when I get more practice.

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: my first boat

One of my favorites is "never come in to a dock faster than you are willing to hit it". I have said that to myself more than once when coming in to a dock or trailer.

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: my first boat

I AM SCARED OF DEEP WATER,, GO FIGURE.

Ha Ha, you know what? So am I sometimes.

There's a lake near me that's well over 100' deep in some places, and when I start thinking about just how deep that is... it's almost like my fear of height kicks in. The only thing that helps is realizing that even if I did fall overboard or something, I wouldn't sink to the bottom, I would float on top, plus, I can swim well. Then the only thing that I worry about is my wife, who does sink, like a rock, and who can't swim so well. But oh well, she'll get some swimming lessons next year with my son. Until then she just wears her life vest when we're more than about 40' from shore.

 

[Caveman Charlie]

Re: my first boat

Ha Ha, you know what? So am I sometimes.

There's a lake near me that's well over 100' deep in some places, and when I start thinking about just how deep that is... it's almost like my fear of height kicks in. The only thing that helps is realizing that even if I did fall overboard or something, I wouldn't sink to the bottom, I would float on top, plus, I can swim well. Then the only thing that I worry about is my wife, who does sink, like a rock, and who can't swim so well. But oh well, she'll get some swimming lessons next year with my son. Until then she just wears her life vest when we're more than about 40' from shore.

Doesn't matter how good you can swim. If your in the middle of the lake and it's over your head your going to drown if you don't have something that floats.